Shu Uemura Fall 08 Instinct
August 27, 2008 shu uemura never fails to impress me. Their new Instinct Fall 2008 Mode Make-Up is full of gorgeous wearable colors that are elegant and sensual. The 127th collection is created by hot new artistic director Kakuyasu Uchiide, and it channels the brand's true spirit.
The Duo Eyeshadows are amazing! I love them all. The cream & powder color combos are so easily buildable. From light-to-dramatic looks, you can wear them together or separately. I love tantalizer (forest green & gold) and mesmerizer (purple & silvery grey). mystifier is a great tool for insta-smoky eye.
The Glow On blushes are really nice and natural. lust is a reddish pink with a very light pearl finish, while pulse is a light warm pink for a delicate flush. steam is just really great as an overall highlighter.
The limited edition Luring Powder is a lovely barely-there pinky finishing powder. The complexion will have a tantalizing sheen with a sheer coverage. Apply with a brush along the hairline and heightened parts of the face to impart a natural and healthy glow.
There are two latest additions to the Rouge Unlimted Crystal Shine family - crimson dazzle and brown dazzle. I like the former one, as it's a toned down version of 165S. The brown is a lovely neutral shine, not too dark and vampy, perfect for fall.
I also love the Vinyl Unlimited lip glosses. The colors are pretty vibrant with an extreme lacquer texture -no need for a lip pencil base. The innovative 3D matrix of vinyl brilliance results in a super pouty lip. It comes in five vibrant colors and three fun top coats for layering (transparent, pearly, and iridescent). My faves are the RD165, BG937 (for neutral lip), PK359, and the CL010/CL011 top coats.
Also check out the new Brightening Cleansing Oil. Dull skin, dark spots, and inflammation is cleared up with this 2-in-1 makeup remover/cleanser. Skin tone is revitalized with the famous Depsea water, prune extract, and sakura leaf. Great for all skin types, it helps reverse the summer UV damage.
www.shuuemura-usa.com
Beauty 
Bonnat makes three high percentage milk bars, each with about 65% cocoa content (regular milk chocolate bars are usually 30%-40% range). I haven't tried the other two flavors, but I dig this one a lot. It still carries the nice creamy flavor of a milk bar, but I love the assertive oomph of the cacao.
If your purse permits more space, the regular Lip Gloss Quads are just as fun to play with. The Reverse Lip Liner is also a great companion tool, as it will help prevent the gloss from bleeding/feathering out of the lip line.
For the eco-gals, the Plant Love Botanical Lipstick line is awesome. I like the sheer berry shade designed by Courteney Cox. What I think is so cool is that the lipstick tube is compostable (made from corn, greenhouse-gas-neutral) and the packaging can be moistened to plant wildflowers! How cool is that? It's a eco-triple threat.
I'm kinda klutzy with the dramatic eye makeup, so the SmokyEye Brush is a lifesaver. If you have half an hour to experiment, that's great. But I'm always on the go, and this brush takes out the mystique on basic smoky eye technique. The ergonomically designed handle is easy to grip, and allows for perfect smudging out cream, powder, or pencil liners. Just dab and smudge with a back and forth motion.
For flawless skin on and off camera, the blu_ray Collection is a good one to have on hand. Developed for filming in high-definition, the five products are provide full coverage while looking completely natural. I like how the blush and pressed powder just blends into my skin. It doesn't look like you're wearing tons of pancake makeup, it just enhances your natural beauty. (for more tips: 
Khaya is also committed to building a sustainable business, so when you buy a box of these treats, the proceeds go towards helping unemployed women from townships of South Africa become skilled bakers. I also like how the ingredients are sourced locally, from the butter to the rooibos tea.
So go ahead, indulge in some buttery goodness. It's free of trans fat, additives, and preservatives. That kinda helps lessen the guilt factor!
The ever-popular Dolce Vita is featured in its latest reincarnation - the powder blush is a bright dusty rose. A little dusting was plenty for me to impart a natural glow, but for darker tones or for a more dramatic flair you can ramp up the application.
Eyes colors are rather dramatic, which are perfect for the vampy look. The Fez eyeshadow is a velvety cocoa, which looks very natural by itself. The duo Isolde (warm frosted ginger & shimmery bronze copper) is a good one if you don't have enough neutrals in your makeup collection. Great for lots of blending. Cordura is another duo that is a solid hit, with a shimmering rich brown and a golden sooty dark brown - this makes a good smoky eye.
Lip colors are decidedly soft and sheer. The Beautiful Liar lipstick is a nice spiced coral and the Senorita is a really light shimmery cherry blossom. The Female Trouble lip gloss is a pretty lilac mauve.
Sat. Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m./VIP pre-shop $25
12 p.m.-5 p.m./gen'l adm $15.
Sun. Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m./$15.
Fort Mason @ Herbst Pavilion
Visit 
Hrs: 11am – 7pm
1673 Haight St. @ Cole
San Francisco
Mention the promo 'Coco-luxe Subscriber' and you'll get a free truffle plus 20% off all products/drinks at the store through the end of September!