One of my favourite luxury Japanese brands, Suqqu are launching their first UK Exclusive Summer collection.
"The collection is inspired by ancient Japanese playful colours "Kasaneiro" or "Awaseiro", colour combinations that have been treasured in Japanese culture for over 1000 years. Brought to life through SUQQU's eyeshadow palettes, Japan's summer offers dramatic scenes and alluring seasonal colours such as deep blue oceans, fresh green grass and bright blue skies; and earthy scenes such as glaring sunshine filtering down through the trees".
There are two eye shadow quad palettes, two lip colours and a new waterproof mascara in the collection.
Both eyeshadow palettes contain three matte shades for contour, highlight and star accent shade, and one sheer, shimmering shade to wash over the top to bring the colours together and transition from day to night.
EX-30 Hekikai Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette - inspired by deep blue oceans, fresh green grass and bright blue skies. This palette consists of a bright white highlighter, navy for contouring, the star accent of a bright lime green(!) and a glimmering turquoise. Wondegondigo and Color Me Loud have swatches of it here and here respectively along with their personal thoughts.
Here I have EX-31 Gyoukou Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette for review, with colours inspired by a warm summer sunset. It has a matte deep brown for definition and contour, with a vibrant matte orange as the star accent shade; a warm matte cream highlighter and a glittery gold as a finishing touch. Personally, I'm glad I received this out of the two palettes, as based on the pictures I've seen, I find this one more wearable. As much as I love blue, I don't know how I could pull off a bright lime green eye shadow in Hekikai. ;-)
EX-31 Gyoukou Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette
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Both the palette and lipstick are encased in sleek black lacquer with the brand name embossed on the ront. Simple, beautiful and more practically - slim and fairly lightweight for travel. Also, the palette does come with a black, suede-like pouch (not pictured).
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Underneath the lid is a large mirror for on-the-go application and/or touch-ups. The palette also comes with a dual-ended sponge applicator and a dual-ended brush applicator. They're excellent quality.![]()
Texture, Pigmentation & Longevity
As with all the eye shadows I've tried that are made in Japan, these have super finely milled, lightweight, blendable texture that melds with the skin easily and seamlessly. Application is smooth and even. I didn't experience any fall out at all.
While the powder is delicate, the pigmentation is by no means lacking - it is extremely packed with colour! It's best to work just a tiny bit of colour onto the back of your hand with your eye brush beforehand to take any excess off with each layer and just build colour that way rather than applying directly onto the eye lids - especially with the bright accent colour.
I found the eye shadows lasted from morning til night with only slight fading on my eye lids which have normal skin condition (i.e., neither oily or dry), and without primer.
Day-Time Application
My favourite way to apply this eye shadow palette for day wear (appropriate for work), is to apply the matte highlighter shade all over the eye lids, but mainly focusing on the mobile lids, in the crease and on the brow bone. I then line the upper lash line with the brown shade. I like to do this relatively thickly as you apply it towards the outer corners of the eyes - almost covering the entire mobile lids when you look straight ahead. I find it easy and precise enough to use the provided sponge applicator with the fine tip. To intensify the roots of the upper lashes, I go over it very thinly with a brown liquid eyeliner. Then, I apply the orange very softly along the crease, blending it out in wind screen wiper motion with a soft fluffy, eye blending brush like the Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush L or the blending brush provided in the palette. With a clean, fluffy blending brush, I blend where the two shades meet to soften the transition. To open up the eyes, I apply the gold shade along the inner corners. Finish off the eyes by curling your lashes and applying your favourite mascara. This look was used on my makeup looks pictured further down this post.
Alternative looks include simply using the orange to line the upper or lower lashes.
Swatches
Below are swatches using a clean finger without primer. For reference, I have medium to tanned, olive (~NC30-35) skin tone and the swatches were photographed indoors using a strobe.
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Comparison Swatches
The closest palette that this reminds me of and that I have in my collection is the limited-editionDior Croisette Edition 5 colour palette from 2012, called Aurora (654). Obviously, the colours, finishes and textures are not the same so I'm happy to have both. Although, I do prefer the Suqqu one for every day use as it's mostly matte. I have swatched below three of the most similar shades from Dior's to Suqqu's.
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I also compared a few other orange eye shadows I have with Suqqu's below.
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Above (left to right): By Terry Eye Designer Palette in Color Design (2), Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palette in Mind, Dior 5 Couleurs Croisette Edition Palette in Aurora (654), Suqqu Gyoukou (Ex-31) Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette.
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Lip and Cheek Pairings
Both eyeshadow palettes contain three matte shades for contour, highlight and star accent shade, and one sheer, shimmering shade to wash over the top to bring the colours together and transition from day to night.
EX-30 Hekikai Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette - inspired by deep blue oceans, fresh green grass and bright blue skies. This palette consists of a bright white highlighter, navy for contouring, the star accent of a bright lime green(!) and a glimmering turquoise. Wondegondigo and Color Me Loud have swatches of it here and here respectively along with their personal thoughts.
Here I have EX-31 Gyoukou Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette for review, with colours inspired by a warm summer sunset. It has a matte deep brown for definition and contour, with a vibrant matte orange as the star accent shade; a warm matte cream highlighter and a glittery gold as a finishing touch. Personally, I'm glad I received this out of the two palettes, as based on the pictures I've seen, I find this one more wearable. As much as I love blue, I don't know how I could pull off a bright lime green eye shadow in Hekikai. ;-)
EX-31 Gyoukou Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette
Packaging
Both the palette and lipstick are encased in sleek black lacquer with the brand name embossed on the ront. Simple, beautiful and more practically - slim and fairly lightweight for travel. Also, the palette does come with a black, suede-like pouch (not pictured).
Underneath the lid is a large mirror for on-the-go application and/or touch-ups. The palette also comes with a dual-ended sponge applicator and a dual-ended brush applicator. They're excellent quality.
The brush have ultra soft, silky hairs - similar to their full-sized brushes. I'm very happy to use them. ^_^ One end is shorter for packing on the product on the lid, and the other brush is longer and used for blending. The sponges are high high quality and fairly dense. The thinner end is great for lining the eyes precisely, while the other larger sponge end is used for packing product.
Texture, Pigmentation & Longevity
As with all the eye shadows I've tried that are made in Japan, these have super finely milled, lightweight, blendable texture that melds with the skin easily and seamlessly. Application is smooth and even. I didn't experience any fall out at all.
While the powder is delicate, the pigmentation is by no means lacking - it is extremely packed with colour! It's best to work just a tiny bit of colour onto the back of your hand with your eye brush beforehand to take any excess off with each layer and just build colour that way rather than applying directly onto the eye lids - especially with the bright accent colour.
I found the eye shadows lasted from morning til night with only slight fading on my eye lids which have normal skin condition (i.e., neither oily or dry), and without primer.
Day-Time Application
My favourite way to apply this eye shadow palette for day wear (appropriate for work), is to apply the matte highlighter shade all over the eye lids, but mainly focusing on the mobile lids, in the crease and on the brow bone. I then line the upper lash line with the brown shade. I like to do this relatively thickly as you apply it towards the outer corners of the eyes - almost covering the entire mobile lids when you look straight ahead. I find it easy and precise enough to use the provided sponge applicator with the fine tip. To intensify the roots of the upper lashes, I go over it very thinly with a brown liquid eyeliner. Then, I apply the orange very softly along the crease, blending it out in wind screen wiper motion with a soft fluffy, eye blending brush like the Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush L or the blending brush provided in the palette. With a clean, fluffy blending brush, I blend where the two shades meet to soften the transition. To open up the eyes, I apply the gold shade along the inner corners. Finish off the eyes by curling your lashes and applying your favourite mascara. This look was used on my makeup looks pictured further down this post.
Alternative looks include simply using the orange to line the upper or lower lashes.
Swatches
Below are swatches using a clean finger without primer. For reference, I have medium to tanned, olive (~NC30-35) skin tone and the swatches were photographed indoors using a strobe.
Comparison Swatches
The closest palette that this reminds me of and that I have in my collection is the limited-editionDior Croisette Edition 5 colour palette from 2012, called Aurora (654). Obviously, the colours, finishes and textures are not the same so I'm happy to have both. Although, I do prefer the Suqqu one for every day use as it's mostly matte. I have swatched below three of the most similar shades from Dior's to Suqqu's.
Lip and Cheek Pairings
Any neutral or warm, orange toned lip and cheek colours will work well with this eye shadow palette. Below are a couple of my favourites.
For a bright lip option, I love a matte orange red paired with a neutral to warm blush. The ones I used for the look below are Nars Heat Wave Lipstick and Nars Luster Blush, which has an orange tone.
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The rest of the makeup (except for my base) and tools used include:
For a bright lip option, I love a matte orange red paired with a neutral to warm blush. The ones I used for the look below are Nars Heat Wave Lipstick and Nars Luster Blush, which has an orange tone.
The rest of the makeup (except for my base) and tools used include: // Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir (10)
// Chanel Eyeliner Pen in Brun (brown) - not as harsh as black and makes it more day-time friendly.
// Suqqu Eyebrow Liquid Pen in Moss Green (01) - I have a lot going on the rest of my face so I chose a product that gives me the most natural-looking eye brows that just fills in some of the gaps.
// Suqqu Cheek Brush
// Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush L
// Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush F
// Chanel Eyeliner Pen in Brun (brown) - not as harsh as black and makes it more day-time friendly.
// Suqqu Eyebrow Liquid Pen in Moss Green (01) - I have a lot going on the rest of my face so I chose a product that gives me the most natural-looking eye brows that just fills in some of the gaps.
// Suqqu Cheek Brush
// Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush L
// Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush F
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| [Taken with my phone camera in natural lighting] |
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| [Taken with my phone camera in natural lighting] |
Ingredients
Size
4.6 g / 0.16 oz
Ex-21 Sen Ka Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist
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Sen Ka is described as a "bright pink with blue undertones". To me, it appears as an intense raspberry pink. It's brighter and pulls red-toned compared to the more plum-toned Benefit's Wanna? Lipstick in Betty (see comparison swatch below).
Comparison Swatch
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On My Lips...
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Texture & Pigmentation
The formula of this is very richly pigmented, very creamy (but, doesn't slide around) and has thick balm-like in texture. It goes on very smoothly and evenly. If you have dry or dehydrated lips, I'm sure it will love this! It really nourishes the lips. The finish is quite glossy and really does give the effect of juicy, fuller, plumper lips.
Ingredients
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Click on image to enlarge.
Size
3.8 g / 0.13 oz
Scent
There's no scent, so it's great for those who have a sensitive nose. :)
Overall
I've really been enjoying wearing this palette on a day to day basis, so I highly recommend you check it out. It has incredible pigmentation with great, blendable texture that makes it so quick and easy to create looks with. While the uber bright orange may seem intimidating, it works beautifully when applied as a soft crease colour and layered with the brown for a day look and then amped up for an evening look with a bright orange-toned lipstick. If you have brown, blue eyes or pale eyes then the orange will be particularly flattering on you and will intensify your eye colour. It also helps to make the whites of your eyes appear much whiter. The lipstick has a gorgeous, moisturising formula that's super creamy, gives full coverage colour, and fuller, plumper looking lips. If you want one that pairs well with the Gyoukou palette then definitely get the coral shade Ex-20 Hyaku Daidai.
4.6 g / 0.16 oz
Ex-21 Sen Ka Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist
Sen Ka is described as a "bright pink with blue undertones". To me, it appears as an intense raspberry pink. It's brighter and pulls red-toned compared to the more plum-toned Benefit's Wanna? Lipstick in Betty (see comparison swatch below).
Comparison Swatch
On My Lips...
Texture & Pigmentation
The formula of this is very richly pigmented, very creamy (but, doesn't slide around) and has thick balm-like in texture. It goes on very smoothly and evenly. If you have dry or dehydrated lips, I'm sure it will love this! It really nourishes the lips. The finish is quite glossy and really does give the effect of juicy, fuller, plumper lips.
Ingredients
Click on image to enlarge.
Size
3.8 g / 0.13 oz
Scent
There's no scent, so it's great for those who have a sensitive nose. :)
Overall
I've really been enjoying wearing this palette on a day to day basis, so I highly recommend you check it out. It has incredible pigmentation with great, blendable texture that makes it so quick and easy to create looks with. While the uber bright orange may seem intimidating, it works beautifully when applied as a soft crease colour and layered with the brown for a day look and then amped up for an evening look with a bright orange-toned lipstick. If you have brown, blue eyes or pale eyes then the orange will be particularly flattering on you and will intensify your eye colour. It also helps to make the whites of your eyes appear much whiter. The lipstick has a gorgeous, moisturising formula that's super creamy, gives full coverage colour, and fuller, plumper looking lips. If you want one that pairs well with the Gyoukou palette then definitely get the coral shade Ex-20 Hyaku Daidai.
Availability
Available April 28th 2016 at Harrods and Selfridges online and in-store at Fenwick of Bond Street.
These samples were sent to Indigo Kir Royale without charge for consideration for review. (For more information, see Disclosure)