What I respect most from a brand is that they take their time to come out with quality launches and collections, especially with collaborations. Shu Uemura is always one of those brands that just does collaborations and limited edition beauty collections in the right way. They never rush things, they put thought and care behind what they're doing and for this Holiday season, they have partnered up with French chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat to bring to you some beautiful skincare and makeup items. I was graciously sent a few items to review, so if you're interested in hearing my thoughts, seeing swatches and seeing the looks I created then keep on reading below

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how beautiful this PR package was? I just had to photograph it and remember it! 

Featured below are the Dark Cacao and Framboise Berry Ganache and Praline Eye Palette. The Dark Cacoa one contains cooler and brown tones while the Framboise Berry one is a warmer berry one. These palettes retail for $115 each and contains 8 shadows within that is a mix of mattes, satins as well as a shimmer topper. I really like how sleek the packaging is, and how it comes in a sturdy plastic packaging which means it'll travel well - it also comes with a full size high quality mirror and two travel applicators. The mattes are very blendable, and the satins are shimmery. Both formulations are opaque and buttery and the above swatches are done with one swipe. In my looks below I actually fix some makeup spray to wet my brush to give myself a foiled finish. There is a very faint sweet in the palette, nothing really too chocolatey unlike the lipsticks which are delicious.  

Next we have the two shimmery powders in the shades Luster Gold Dust and Luster Rosè Dust, which retails for $40 cad each. This highlighter is multifunctional and can be used as a highlighter on the face, body (perfect for the upcoming Holiday season for any parties you may go to) and on the eyes. The formulation of the powder as you can see in the photo comes in I believe two sizes - one is your traditional loose highlight fine milled powder, and the other is a larger flecked formulation that makes it reflect more light. The powder itself is really blendable and is not chunky, gritty or hard to work with. Use it with the puff attached or a loose powder brush or highlight brush for shoulder or cheekbone.

For lipsticks, we have two different formulations, the Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte (comes in 6 shades total) and the Rouge Unlimited (Satin lipsticks, which comes in 4 shades). These lipsticks retail for $36 cad each and honestly, smells of delicious good enough to eat chocolate (and it also is a little sweet, I accidentally licked my lip, I swear!) They are opaque, buttery and delivers even color in one swipe (as you can see in the picture above, the swatch is done with one swipe).

Lastly, we have the chocolate topped premium curler and it retails for $25 each, which is the same price as their regular curlers. I think that this is an amazing collectible item as the charm attached to it is reflective of that specific series/collection launched. This would make a great add-on or Christmas gift.

There are so many other items in this collection that I want to get my hands on! Like my personal makeup weakness, blushes! They have cream blushes, an oil cleanser with limited edition packaging, makeup brushes, a makeup train and metallic lip liners. I highly recommend that you pick up at least one or two items this Holiday season! You can purchase them in stores at The Bay, Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew, Sephora, and through the Shu Uemura Website (listed above).

Until next time, XO - M.

*products were sent to me for consideration, all opinions are my own