Lunasol Blooming Eyes 03 Purple Gradation

Lunasol belongs to Kanebo's more sought-after brands and also happens to be one of my instant favorites. It all started with Lunasol's powder foundation and eye makeup base. Their eyeshadows also attract a lot of attention, although I personally think they make better bases, eyeliners, and mascaras. 

Blooming Eyes or Layer Bloom Eyes in 03 Purple Gradation:

I believe only the two main colors are worthwhile in all Lunasol quads. In this case: the light lilac on the first row, and the darker lilac on the second row. Both apply so sheer. They are not buttery soft. Actually they are quite hard. Frankly, I expected something better from a Japanese department store brand. Below are swatches, layered at least three times to achieve the colors. 

However, if you don't mind slowly layering eye shadows, this palette is good because of its uniquely sedate but interesting outcome. The shades are more lilac than purple. Here is a great review done by PJ on A Touch of Blusher. I think these lilac shades especially flatter Asians yellow undertones. The dark liner is wanting in staying power. The glitter shades are better layered over the lilacs for shimmery effect as opposed to highlighting the brow bone because it can hardly be seen there.

Worth looking into if you are a violet-family shadow fan.

I also reviewed Blooming Eyes in 05 Orange Gradation on Makeupalley.

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eyeshadows in H2 Whitelights & H7 Green Exotique

These are some of the best eye shadows ever made; creamy in texture, soft on application, smooth in finish. The colors are unique and glitters/shimmers are understated yet alive. Truly, Shiseido made a technological breakthrough with the Hydro-Powders.

H2 Whitelights feels like whipped cream. It is somewhat softer and lighter compared to Green Exotique. I think this can be used as a great all-over wash of color on the eyelid or as a highlighter on specific parts of the eye. The glitters in it are bigger and more noticeable than the other Hydro-Powders, yet the effect is pretty set behind a shade of pure, clean snow white.

H7 Green Exotique, on the other hand, is rich and creamy...like green tea milkshake. Its shimmers are considerably finer in contrast to Whitelights. The pigment is rich in this pot, so a little of it goes a long way. Its chameleon-like shade makes it easy to tone down or play up by adding different colored powders on it. It can be deceptively yellow-green, greenish gray, or plain forest green depending on how light hits it.

Each Hydro-Powder comes with a sponge-tip applicator in its own plastic case. I usually use my fingers or a MAC 219 as it is easier to control shadow application. The sponge seems to absorb much of the product and layers the colors in streaks. Sponge aside, these Hydros are great buys. There are a dozen colors available so surely there is at least one to catch your fancy. The nearest similar products to these that I know of are Jill Stuart's Jelly Eye Color N.


~ I have also reviewed H9 Glistening Sand, H10 Languid Lagoon, and H1 Goldlights in Makeupalley.