I Nuovi Professional Makeup Overview

A few years ago when I was really REALLY into colour cosmetics and would trawl SaSa stores like it was my crack, one Asian brand used to catch my eye – I Nuovi. Did you know it was Asian? I wasn’t sure then, but I later learnt it was a brand from Singapore with products manufactured in Italy, hence the Italian name which means “The New”.

If there is one thing that really stood out in my memory of I Nuovi makeup, it was the eyeshadow colours D27 (RM48). I used to own a whole palette of them in an array of colours but I gave them away later.

I Nuovi made some of the nicest most pigmented shimmery eyeshadows I’d experienced. They do colours with less shimmer too but to me, their shimmer colours stand out for 2 reasons:-

• they are seriously pigmented; and
• they stick on your skin without falling all over the place

It was like cult status because those of us in Asia would rave about them and other people elsewhere could not get hold of them (then). They can now at selected locations, or they can get them online at I Nuovi. The best part of course is that I Nuovi eyeshadow pans fit snugly into MAC round palettes – yes they are the same size!

Sadly, I react a little to I Nuovi eyeshadows :( It was the same reaction I get to Shu Uemura and Shiseido eyeshadows – nothing serious, except that I’d feel seriously sleepy. No one else I know seems to react so maybe its just me. I can use them over a cream base though which is what I do. But the colours are absolutely gorgeous! Just look at the swatches above (swatched just once).If anything, the quality seems to be even better now than before. The green seems a little powdery compared to the others though.

I did test out a couple of other products from I Nuovi which stood out to me. Read on for 2 spotlighted products I liked.

I Nuovi Undercover under eye dark circle corrector concealer (RM60) in 2Y (link)

I’ve been using the I Nuovi Undercover for a couple of weeks and I really like it!

2Y is a slightly peachy-yellow shade that covers and counteracts my dark circles perfectly. Not only that, it has a slight shimmer and light reflecting particles so I’d actually look alive and awake on days when I feel dead and asleep. :P I’d been using the Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer all this while and I wore them side by side one day. While both covered well, I did notice that the eye where I’d used the I Nuovi UnderCover looked more awake. I attributed this to the light reflecting capabilities of UnderCover which means its a keeper!! [rating:4/5]

I Nuovi Powder Blush in Future (RM55) (link)

I’ve also been using the powder blush in Future which is a shimmery peach-pink – my sorta colour.

In the pan, it looks pink but swatched on the skin, it turned peach-pink. It is really pigmented so please use a light hand. On my cheeks, I felt it resembled the infamous NARS Orgasm blush without the gold shimmer. I like this one too especially as it is really long lasting. The size is about that of a Stila eyeshadow/blush pan and you can use it as eyeshadow too :) I’ll be checking the other blush colours out for sure… once they change their packaging! [rating:4/5]

D36 and D27 Dome Packaging can be improved

I noticed that I Nuovi uses a lot of interesting names when naming their colours. Its certainly different… as is their packaging. No other brand I know has such space age packaging. Honestly, it does make it a bother to store. Can you imagine trying to stack eyeshadows and blushes with those huge dome covers? You can’t which is why they are easily depotted into palettes. Happily I’m told that I Nuovi is in the process of repackaging their products so we can expect a more streamlined look in future. The new Metallogy metallic eyeshadow (RM56) have flatter packaging which to me, is an improvement.

I Nuovi’s latest line focuses on metallics as seen in the name Metallogy. There is a range of new Metallogy eyeshadows and Metallogy liner. The metallic tones of the new Metallogy eyeshadows really blew me away! They feel like butter cream and swatch pigmented shiny metallic. I can’t wait for them to come out with more colours.

All eyeshadows and blushes are easily depotted from their case and fit into flat pro palettes you can buy at the store. Perfect if you want to create your own professional makeup palette.

Another best seller from I Nuovi are their Pro Lash false eyelashes. Retailing between RM20-30 depending on how fancy they are, the falsies come packaged with eyelash glue so you don’t have to buy it separately! I appreciated that. Also, they are reusable.

If you go to the I Nuovi store at Sunway Pyramid, you can test the products on offer and even have a mini makeover to learn how to use the various products carried. There are some really nice GWP going on at the moment too.

In Malaysia, you can find I Nuovi at most Sasa stores (except Sasa MidValley Megamall), selected Parkson and Metrojaya department stores and at the standalone I Nuovi store at Sunway Pyramid (Ground floor, old wing outside Parkson). I hope they open up more stores in KL city – it makes the brand more accessible. You can also shop online at www.inuovi.com or look for a store nearest to you here.

I NUOVI COSMETICS GIVEAWAY!

The Giveaway is Closed

Thanks to the generous people at I Nuovi Professional and in conjunction with Valentine’s Day (sorta belated), 1 lucky reader stands a chance to win these I Nuovi products pictured below valued at RM216!

Its easy to enter:-

Leave a comment below telling us  whether you have tried I Nuovi cosmetics and why you want these.

This giveaway is open for those with a Malaysian mailing address only. You have until 12 Noon 14 February 2009 (+8 GMT) to submit your entry.

If you comment and are subscribed to receive email updates from my blog, you automatically qualify for another entry – provided your email address matches and provided you have activated your subscription. If you haven’t subscribed, fill up the box below and hit subscribe and remember to activate.

Before you enter, please read these TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Failure to comply may render your entry void… and that’s no fun at all!

Good Luck and Have Fun!!

Stay beautiful,

Paris B