Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio

As you can see in the pictures, I tore into the new Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio as soon as I got it, before taking photos and swatching. It was so silky and easy to wear I just couldn't wait. The set has quickly become part of my regular rotation because it's such a basic and classic combination that goes everywhere and doesn't require any effort or too much thought- it's August, after all and I've been keeping some atrocious hours, not to mention my two year old niece is visiting. So elaborate makeup has been out of the question lately.

The simple sophistication of these Shiseido colors has been perfect. The Luminizing Satinn eye shadows have the smoothest possible texture. They blend like cream, so they are essentially mistake proof (important when you do your makeup at 4 AM). The pigments are rich, so even the lightest color in the trio shows up nicely and gives good highlighting. Strata (BR 307) is mostly in the neutral brown range, and while there are gold undertones, on my skin it's not too yellow- even the middle color. You can also see photos and swatches on a different skin color by Christine of Temptalia here. They look good on sunny summer days, but would also go well with fall wardrobes, making this trio very useful and an excellent choice for the season.

Bottom Line: a staple.

Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio ($33) is available from most decent department stores as well as from Sephora.

All photos are mine.

Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio

As you can see in the pictures, I tore into the new Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio as soon as I got it, before taking photos and swatching. It was so silky and easy to wear I just couldn't wait. The set has quickly become part of my regular rotation because it's such a basic and classic combination that goes everywhere and doesn't require any effort or too much thought- it's August, after all and I've been keeping some atrocious hours, not to mention my two year old niece is visiting. So elaborate makeup has been out of the question lately.

The simple sophistication of these Shiseido colors has been perfect. The Luminizing Satinn eye shadows have the smoothest possible texture. They blend like cream, so they are essentially mistake proof (important when you do your makeup at 4 AM). The pigments are rich, so even the lightest color in the trio shows up nicely and gives good highlighting. Strata (BR 307) is mostly in the neutral brown range, and while there are gold undertones, on my skin it's not too yellow- even the middle color. You can also see photos and swatches on a different skin color by Christine of Temptalia here. They look good on sunny summer days, but would also go well with fall wardrobes, making this trio very useful and an excellent choice for the season.

Bottom Line: a staple.

Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio ($33) is available from most decent department stores as well as from Sephora.

All photos are mine.

Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio

As you can see in the pictures, I tore into the new Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio as soon as I got it, before taking photos and swatching. It was so silky and easy to wear I just couldn't wait. The set has quickly become part of my regular rotation because it's such a basic and classic combination that goes everywhere and doesn't require any effort or too much thought- it's August, after all and I've been keeping some atrocious hours, not to mention my two year old niece is visiting. So elaborate makeup has been out of the question lately.

The simple sophistication of these Shiseido colors has been perfect. The Luminizing Satinn eye shadows have the smoothest possible texture. They blend like cream, so they are essentially mistake proof (important when you do your makeup at 4 AM). The pigments are rich, so even the lightest color in the trio shows up nicely and gives good highlighting. Strata (BR 307) is mostly in the neutral brown range, and while there are gold undertones, on my skin it's not too yellow- even the middle color. You can also see photos and swatches on a different skin color by Christine of Temptalia here. They look good on sunny summer days, but would also go well with fall wardrobes, making this trio very useful and an excellent choice for the season.

Bottom Line: a staple.

Shiseido Strata BR 307 Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio ($33) is available from most decent department stores as well as from Sephora.

All photos are mine.

Shiseido Ocean Summer- Red Triton Lipstick (RD 630) and Rainbow Lip Gloss (SV 809)

As promised, here are the two lip products from Shiseido Ocean Summer 2010 collection. Perfect Rouge lipstick in Red Triton RD 630 is a beautiful rich color that has been functioning lately as my everyday red. It looks warmer in the tube, so I was surprised to discover that it's actually quite rosy. The lipstick is very pigmented and darker than you'd expect from a summer color, which makes it a great day-to-night item.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge lipsticks tend to be on the dry side, and Red Triton is no exception. I usually top them with a gloss, so the new Luminizing Lip Gloss in Rainbow (SV 809)- a clear shimmery little thing- was just what I wanted. The gloss has a wonderful gel-like texture. It's not sticky at all, feels rich and moisturizing and has a lasting nourishing effect on the lips. I love the lacquered finish and the way it transforms the lipstick and makes it very glamorous. I don't love the glitter. It's very fine, but still quite noticeable and I'm just not a glitter person. The shimmery particles remain on the lips after the gloss itself wears off, which is another thing I could live without.

By the way, this is a red triton:

Shiseido Ocean Summer Red Triton Lipstick ($25) and Luminizing Lip Gloss in Rainbow ($22) are available from most department stores as well as from Sephora. Mine were purchased at Nordstrom online.

Shiseido makeup and swatch photos are all by me. Red triton photo by Richard Ling.

Shiseido Ocean Summer- Red Triton Lipstick (RD 630) and Rainbow Lip Gloss (SV 809)

As promised, here are the two lip products from Shiseido Ocean Summer 2010 collection. Perfect Rouge lipstick in Red Triton RD 630 is a beautiful rich color that has been functioning lately as my everyday red. It looks warmer in the tube, so I was surprised to discover that it's actually quite rosy. The lipstick is very pigmented and darker than you'd expect from a summer color, which makes it a great day-to-night item.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge lipsticks tend to be on the dry side, and Red Triton is no exception. I usually top them with a gloss, so the new Luminizing Lip Gloss in Rainbow (SV 809)- a clear shimmery little thing- was just what I wanted. The gloss has a wonderful gel-like texture. It's not sticky at all, feels rich and moisturizing and has a lasting nourishing effect on the lips. I love the lacquered finish and the way it transforms the lipstick and makes it very glamorous. I don't love the glitter. It's very fine, but still quite noticeable and I'm just not a glitter person. The shimmery particles remain on the lips after the gloss itself wears off, which is another thing I could live without.

By the way, this is a red triton:

Shiseido Ocean Summer Red Triton Lipstick ($25) and Luminizing Lip Gloss in Rainbow ($22) are available from most department stores as well as from Sephora. Mine were purchased at Nordstrom online.

Shiseido makeup and swatch photos are all by me. Red triton photo by Richard Ling.

Shiseido Ocean Summer- Red Triton Lipstick (RD 630) and Rainbow Lip Gloss (SV 809)

As promised, here are the two lip products from Shiseido Ocean Summer 2010 collection. Perfect Rouge lipstick in Red Triton RD 630 is a beautiful rich color that has been functioning lately as my everyday red. It looks warmer in the tube, so I was surprised to discover that it's actually quite rosy. The lipstick is very pigmented and darker than you'd expect from a summer color, which makes it a great day-to-night item.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge lipsticks tend to be on the dry side, and Red Triton is no exception. I usually top them with a gloss, so the new Luminizing Lip Gloss in Rainbow (SV 809)- a clear shimmery little thing- was just what I wanted. The gloss has a wonderful gel-like texture. It's not sticky at all, feels rich and moisturizing and has a lasting nourishing effect on the lips. I love the lacquered finish and the way it transforms the lipstick and makes it very glamorous. I don't love the glitter. It's very fine, but still quite noticeable and I'm just not a glitter person. The shimmery particles remain on the lips after the gloss itself wears off, which is another thing I could live without.

By the way, this is a red triton:

Shiseido Ocean Summer Red Triton Lipstick ($25) and Luminizing Lip Gloss in Rainbow ($22) are available from most department stores as well as from Sephora. Mine were purchased at Nordstrom online.

Shiseido makeup and swatch photos are all by me. Red triton photo by Richard Ling.