Prepare to get lippy: incoming from Shiseido is a brand new lipstick line, Shimmering Rouge. As I enjoy a lipstick, and Shiseido is a fine purveyor of said product, I perked up and took notice when I heard about it.
Launching as part of the spring/summer makeup collection - we'll take a look at the other products next week - there are 13 new bullets launching on February 21st, including the signature shade above, RS308 or Iron Maiden (it's going by Violet in Ireland) as it's being called in non numerical terms. With a sheer, slightly glossy texture, these are for you if you don't like the flat, matte or opaque finish traditionally associated with lipstick.
On paper they actually appeal less to me because of that - I like nothing more than a creamy, colour-soaked lipstick - but these will be a nice summer pick and an option if you're not a fan of too much colour on your lips. Science comes into it too: super-bio yeast extract is used to promote the production of collagen, so these are products with extra benefits.
At €25 each, they're going to be a bit of an investment. Samples have't passed my way yet, but I'm interested to see what they're like in use.
A new slim-line bullet, similar to Nars' Pure Matte offerings, differentiates them from the regular Perfect Rouge lipsticks.
I thought this was an interesting pic from the shoot for the product visuals and illustrates how much work goes in at the post-production stage to create the final images. Never feel bad about having pores! Compare and contrast the model above and to the top - the difference is quite dramatic, eh?
Advertised
Here's Shiseido's makeup maestro Dick Page at work. Of the new line, he says "Shimmering Rouge is about energy and colour, it suits active and animated faces. I like the idea of a kind of 'dynamic sophistication'. Even if the occasion is formal, the face still expresses a vibrant beauty. Shimmering Rouge can also be seen as a transition from the classic finish of Perfect Rouge and the more casual effect of a lip gloss."
What about the colour used on the model? It's pretty brave: "RS308 is very striking worn with simple make up such as mascara but it also lends itself to a wide variety of other looks. It looks chic with discreet eye liner, playful with bright eye colours and more aggressive with strongly shaded eyes. It’s a good “schizophrenic” pink – that is meant as an allusion, not a diagnosis! This shade personifies the saying ‘colour is what you want it to be." Right so, Dick.
So, lets take a look at the actual colour offering, shall we?
Echoing what other brands have done recently, beige and browns are back, but Shiseido has given them the shimmering treatment. Of the 14, these'd be my least likelies, but they may well work as flattering nudes due to the sheer textures. The shade names are Golden Brown, Golden Dragon, Silver Beige, Discrete Red and Golden Beige.
Rosy, browned pinks and brights look like likely bets for day up to evening -PK407 in particular looks right up my street. From left to right, they are Pink Champagne, Iced Rose, Gray Red, Iron Maiden/Violet and Bright Blue Pink.
Advertised
Lastly, three brights round out the offering: Vibrant Coral, Desire and Subtle Rose are the trio's names.
So, what do you think? Like the look of Shimmering Rouge and will you pick up any of the shades?
