SUQQU UK-EXCLUSIVE SUMMER 2017 COLLECTION

The Suqqu UK-exclusive Summer 2017 makeup collection is designed by its creative consultant Jorge Balzaretti.  The collection is...

"...inspired by the jungle and beaches in the south of Japan, and is designed to give a sensual, unpredictable look with soft sun kissed cheeks, and chic eyes and lips".

Luckily, I have the entire collection reviewed here for you. :)  It consists of two new eye shadow quad palettes, one new blush colour and two new lip colours:

// Designing Colour Eyes Palettes in Kisui (103) and Natsusango (104)

// Pure Color Blush in Tsuyakagerou (102)

// Extra Glow Lipsticks in Tsuyazakuro (104) and Hamadaidai (105)

I believe these are all limited editions.

The collection is quite small, but altogether creates just the perfect, quintessence of native Japan's summer and that is definitely, in my opinion, a bit different and unique (as per the spring collection), and slightly edgy.  I really love the way Suqqu have been doing this lately, and it's been challenging me to try something new with my makeup looks.  Overall, it's been really exciting, fun and rewarding. ^_^

Packaging

As usual, let's start off with the packaging (in case you weren't familiar with it)...

All Suqqu packaging is very simple, sleek yet looks and feels luxurious.  Unlike, some other brands, Suqqu pretty much keep all the packaging of their collections consistent with their permanent range.  It's encased in lightweight, black lacquer with the Suqqu label/logo embossed vertically on the front and reflective gold on the bottom.

As usual, the product description labels are found the bottom of the product's packaging like the ones below.

Below are the handy (believe me they are in this case - read on to find out!) little, dual-ended sponge tip applicator, and dual-ended brush provided with each eye shadow palette.

The eye shadow palette and blush compacts all have mirrors, which is essential for travel and on-the-go application and touch-ups.  The blush also comes with a little flat brush, which is great for both contouring and general blush application and blending (see photos further down below).

Suqqu Designing Color Eyes Palette in Kisui (103)

 This palette captures the "neon green and glistening gold of the subtropical forest of South Japan".

Clockwise in the palette from top left of the palette:

- Light to medium, neutral to cool-toned neon yellow (matte),

- Light to medium neutral to cool-toned gold bronze (shimmer that adds a wet look effect),

- Medium, forest green (shimmer),

- Medium to dark blackened, murky green (shimmer).

The yellow applies extremely softly! >_<   I found the best and really, the only way I could get any colour on my eye lids is to use the provided sponge applicator (YES!  Don't throw this out!!!  You'll need it for this colour!!!  Trust me. >_<).  DO NOT attempt to dampen your brush and dip it into the pan - it will ruin this eye shadow!  (Again, trust me - I did and I regret it!)  It seems this eye shadow is *NOT* designed to be used for wet applications as you would normally in order to get a much stronger, more opaque colour pay off.  I have very dry finger tips, so applying with my fingers also DID NOT work.  Do not bother using this with any brush.  Just use the sponge applicator to dab or pat the product gently onto your lids and it works a treat.  But, I still needed to dab several layers to get a decent colour on.  Also, applying it over a base (cream eye shadow, or primer) is a MUST to ensure the soft powder sticks and to give better pigmentation.

As with any eye shadow palette, you can layer these shades however you like to transform them and create new colours.

Overall, if you use the green in particular, in combination with the warm blush, will definitely create a very summery, tropical look.  It would also really emphasise tanned skin!

Below are swatches on my medium to tanned, olive (~NC30) skin tone (photographed indoors using a strobe).

Here's how I personally *LOVE* wearing this palette.  It's a rather simple look, but you don't need much going on when wearing a bold colour like yellow.  I used the yellow eye shadow in the palette over a Mac Paint Pot using the sponge applicator and lined the top lashes of my eyes with the matte black eye shadow also from the palette.  I used Lisa Eldridge's tutorial as a guide and it turned out to be so much fun to wear and unexpectedly, very EASY and dare I say it, even flattering to wear out and about.  No doubt, I shall be sporting this look more often.  It's very wearable and gives a great contrast to my brown eyes without being too "in your face".  I highly recommend you try the tutorial for yourself! ;-)

LOLs...(from my Instagram!)

Suqqu Designing Color Eyes Palette in Natsusango (104)

This terracotta eyeshadow palette is inspired by the colours of "the sand warmed in the rising sun".

Clockwise from top left of the palette:

- Light pinkish beige (matte),

- Pale, lilac pink (shimmer that is intended to give a wet look effect),

- Medium to deep terracotta (matte),
- Deep black (matte).

I love all the colours together.  The shimmery lilac pink is more subtle than I expected/hoped, but it's still pretty. The black is excellent when applied as an eye liner (I haven't used it as a shadow yet, but I personally don't usually use black for this!), so I'm happy with it. It's probably the best black eye shadow I've come across in a while in terms of pigmentation and application as an eye liner (just used dry!).

Here are swatches...

I'm wearing the palette in the photos below and Suqqu Extra Glow Lipstick in Tsuyazakuro (104).  I applied the lightest shade all over the lids as a base then the shimmery pink just on the mobile part of the lids.  I applied just a teeny bit of the terracotta colour very softly on the crease just for a hint of definition and warmth, and the matte black along the upper lash line.  This is how I like to wear it for day time, but obviously you can wear it more boldly for the evening. ;-)

Suqqu Pure Color Blush in Tsuyakagerou (102)

This is a really strange, yet interesting colour combination of bronze and orange terracotta.  It's definitely unique in my collection!  It gives a very subtle sheen and glow.  I'm not sure how I feel about it as I normally gravitate towards brighter, more cooler-toned cheek colours rather than more neutral to warm toned ones.  I must admit that at first glance at the pan, I was a bit put-off!  LOL.  For me personally, it's my least favourite item in the collection.  However, I think this blush is versatile due to the two colour gradation, which allow you to use it as a bronzer or to give a slight contour and definition as well as a blush.  Also, the colours are fairly neutral so they will go with just about any makeup look.  If you like neutral to warm, orange-toned, bronze cheek colours then this might pique your interest.  Application-wise, the blush was very easy to blend and easily buildable in colour.  It didn't look powdery or chalky, but very natural, seamless with a slight satin finish.  Longevity-wise, I did find that on my current dry/dehydrated skin that I needed to touch up the blush to continue wearing in the evening.

Suqqu Extra Glow Lipsticks in Tsuyazakuro (104) & Hamadaidai (105)

Tsuyazakuro (104) is a brightened, medium to dark plummy/raspberry pink, and Hamadaidai (105) is a medium orange.  Both have a gorgeous, satin cream finish.  The formula is one of the best.  Very balm-like, nourishing, creamy and comfortable feeling with excellent colour pay-off.  They give your lips a juicy finish and a slightly more plumped look.  104 required at least a couple of swipes to get an opaque coverage, but I love that it's buildable depending on the look I want to achieve, whereas 105 was pretty much fully opaque in a single swipe.  I found 104 had more longevity than 105 as it is a much brighter, richer colour in comparison and tend to easily stain your lips.  The colours didn't look as exciting in the tube at first, but on the lips, these looked (and felt) amazing! >_<  I'm always worried about peach/orange lipsticks for fear that they would look too warm, or too jarring against my medium to tanned, olive skin tone, but to my absolute delight 105 was perfect, and I must say - flattering!  :-D  Woot!  104 is simply stunning.  That. is. all.  ^_^  I cannot recommend these two enough, especially if you have trouble pulling off orange lipsticks like me, or not tried Suqqu's Extra Glow formula!

Below are swatches of the two colours.  On the left is Tsuyazakuro (104) and right is Hamadaidai (105).

Below are comparison swatches.  From left to right: Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist in Sen Ka (Ex-21), Tsuyazakuro (104), Hamadaidai (105) and Topshop Lipstick in Infrared.

Below are how the two colours look on my naturally blue-toned, pigmented lips and against my medium to tanned, olive (~NC30) skin tone.

Above: Tsuyazakuro (104).

Above: Hamadaidai (105)

Ingredients

Click on the image to enlarge...

Suqqu Color Blush Ingredients

Suqqu Designing Color Eyes in Natsusango (104) Ingredients

Suqqu Designing Color Eyes in Kisui (103) Ingredients

Suqqu Extra Glow Lipstick in Tsuyazakuro (104) Ingredients

Suqqu Extra Glow Lipstick in Hamadaidai (105) Ingredients

Size & Availability

All items in the collection are limited edition and exclusive to the UK!  Designing Color Eyes Palettes contain 0.27 oz / 7.8 g of product (seems to be more product that previous Suqqu Eyeshadows! :-) ).  The Pure Color Blush contains 0.31 oz / 9 g product, while the Extra Glow Lipsticks contain 0.12 oz / 3.7 g of product.

The collection will officially launch on the 27th of April at Selfridges (who ship internationally) followed by Harrods and Fenwicks.  You may also inquire about accessibility to the collection from other counters via the contact numbers listed on the Suqqu website, or email suqqu.london@eqpuk.com.

Verdict

This collection absolutely screams summer...with a bit of an edge to it! >_<  My personal picks are the Natsusango eye shadow palette (gorgeous), and I think both the lipsticks in the collection are must-haves!

Hope this was helpful! :-)

These samples were sent to Indigo Kir Royale without charge for consideration for review. (For more information, see Disclosure)

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