I only just got this compact over the weekend but I just had to tell you about it because you see, I never buy back ups of anything. I would probably realistically never be able to finish up anything, especially a blush but I am seriously contemplating a back up of the Shiseido Camellia Compact. That’s how sold I am on it, gah! 😛
I first saw this on Makeupstash and had that “OMG! Why haven’t I seen this around?!” moment because a) it was just so damned pretty b) its a BLUSH! ’nuff said and c) Its just so damned pretty! I asked around and found out that locally, its been out since September or October 2012 and there are only very limited units left at the counters. So at the first opportunity, I hoofed it down to a Shiseido counter to pick it up.
Yes, it is just as pretty in person 😀 I believe this palette was to commemorate the brand’s 140th anniversary which is something of an achievement. How many brands can comfortably say they have been around 140 years? Imagine having had to deal with centuries of fickle women always trying new stuff!
Anyway, the Camellia Compact is a tricoloured blush that is very very pretty to look at but I swear, even prettier on skin.
I have to commend Shiseido for bringing artistry to not only the product, but the packaging. The compact’s slim compact case reminds me very much of lacquerware, with its black and red design.
It is very lovely to look at and I absolutely love the strong red and black that complement each other beautifully in a striking imagery.
See, it fits right in the palm of your hand and is slim, with a nice mirror in the top. Open it up and you are greeted with the silhouette of overlapping camellia flowers on a white base. The tricoloured palette reminds me a lot of one Chanel did a while ago – Lumiere Magiques. I have that one and I was meaning to photograph these together, but didn’t do it. Not sure why LOL! 😛
Anyway, when I saw it on Makeupstash, I knew it would work on me, because the Chanel Lumiere Magiques blush which shares the same 3 colors works on my skin beautifully. I was not wrong 😀
The 3 shades are swatched below individually and then sort of blended together to give you an idea of what the blush will look like.
Left-Right: Shimmer cool Pink, Shimmer warm Red, Shimmer White, Blended
All 3 colours are shimmery but not glittery so you only have a lovely sheen of colour on the skin. No fear of looking like a discoball at all! The colours also combine to produce different tones, depending on the shade you want. So add more red for warmth and more pink to cool it down. Add more white to lighten the colour or use it on its own as highlight.
Don’t be afraid of the shimmery look of the powder blush. Here’s an angle showing you the colour in its shimmer glory. Its just overspray. Underneath, the blush isn’t very shimmery, but isn’t matte either. Its got a lovely glowy vibe to it when applied on skin.
Oh and you would have noticed that it can be pigmented. I use my Lunasol Cheek Brush N with this, and one light tap on the surface grabs all the colour I need. I then tap off on the back of my hand for a bit and then apply it to my skin. What I get then, is a very lovely flush of colour on cheeks that can be described perfectly as a “glow from within” look. It does not sit on your skin looking like blush, but is sheer enough to allow your skin to come through, yet pigmented enough to deposit colour on skin. Do you realise just how complex that last sentence was? 😛
I just had to show you this picture of the Camellia Compact after I’d swatched it and used my finger to blend the shades because I’m sadistic like that 😀
When you use a brush, the colours don’t mix up as much so you don’t really get a smudge of colour like what you see on the white bit above. I used my fingers and you can see that on the red and pink, where the shimmer overspray has been rubbed off, the powder below is almost matte. When you blend the colours, the white will be a little dirtied. Perils of a pretty design.
However, when I use a brush, the muddiness isn’t as obvious. It might be because I don’t swirl my brush in it. Do not do it. Not only does it muddy the design, it means you end up with a splotch of red on cheeks, which is NOT how to wear blush. Well not unless you are auditioning for the Peking Opera! 😀
And here’s how it looks on me.
A light tap on the blush with a brush, dab on back of hand to diffuse, then blend it on cheeks to get a very lovely flush of colour. It lasts long too. Towards the end of the day, I find that some colour has faded but it looks like I have a very healthy glow from within, that comes through the skin.
Seriously beautiful, I tell you! (The blush I mean) I really have to think seriously about picking up that back up because here’s a blush I’ve been using daily and happy to use daily 😀
In a nutshell
Get it. Nothing else to say LOL!
Oh ok, the Shiseido Camellia Compact is a limited edition tricoloured powder blush. Use each colour on its own or blend them for a lovely flush of colour on skin. The colours are quite pigmented so use a fluffy blush brush or a skunk (stippling) brush if that’s your thing. On skin, I find that the product is pigmented, but sheer enough not to look like you have a splotch of colour on skin. It is very easy to blend and imparts a beautiful flush of colour to give you that blushing from within look. Its beautiful to look at and to use and is worth every penny. The different colours mean it quite easily suits most skin tones from the fair to the deeper toned, just adjust the colours accordingly as you swirl your brush.
Pros: Beautiful blush to look at, Pigmented colours, Easy to blend, Long lasting, Not too shimmery, Lovely texture
Cons: None
Who will like this: Anyone who loves blush
I’m told this one came in very limited quantities so if you are keen on getting it, I suggest you do not delay. I picked mine up from Isetan The Gardens and it should be available at all Shiseido counters.
Does this grab you? Do you like using blush? How good are you at defiling something that looks so pretty?
I had to steel myself to swatch this one but I knew I had to do it, because I really wanted to use it and the only way I could was if I already marked it. It makes things easier 😀 I haven’t had much love for blushes in recent times. I haven’t even been buying many, which doesn’t bode well for this blush fiend, so I’ve been working through my stash. The last one I bought disappointed me so I was a bit bummed. Still, I happen to own another blush from Shiseido and I’m reminded that Shiseido blushes are very nice, so remind me to tell you about that one soon. Now, about that back up… 😉
Paris B
Shiseido Camellia Compact powder blush Price: RM115 Availability: Shiseido counters Limited Edition: Yes, 2012 Holiday and 140th Anniversary
Thanks for the link love. 🙂 And ya la, you’re beautiful too; the haircut really suits you!
Thank you Mag, and thank you for blogging about this or I’d have totally missed it! 😀
they look so pretty! 😀 wish to have it
Pop right down to the Shiseido counter! 😀
oy. so pretty. I didn’t think much about it when I read it but if I walk past a Shiseido counter….
NO. I’M ON A NO-BUY, PARIZ!
LOL stay home, Wandz! No sneaking off to the Shiseido counter!
Honestly, I have my doubts about this one (I mean white and strong red?!). But it all melted away when I saw how gorgeous it looks on you—really natural and glowy. The compact’s impeccable.
I was worried myself, Sue Lin. I mean look at that red! But thankfully on skin, it blends beautifully and you can tone down the red with the pink and the white so it all works 😀
for RM115 it isn’t terribly expensive. I saw this on a TW blogsite a few months back and was quite excited about it, but when I read it on makeupstash the shimmery bit put me off, and thought no more about it. Now that you reviewed it, I think I may get it. I haven’t been buying a lot of blushes or makeup lately! 😛
Nope, I didn’t think it pricey at all too 🙂 Its not shimmery at all to be honest, just the overspray. Once that’s brushed off, its pretty much perfection 🙂
After reading your post, I immediately went to the Shiseido website to get this blush. Not that I need any more blushes but for you to say you are considering a backup is a huge endorsement 🙂
Shiseido does make flattering natural looking blushes that are not too flat or too glimmery so I’m looking forward to trying this beauty soon.
Thanks for sharing your find!
Oh wow Kay, that was quick! 😀 I do hope you will like it as much as I do – keep us posted! 😀
I’ve seen this around for quite some time but couldn’t make up my mind whether to purchase or not. But after reading your post, it’s decided… This pretty little blush shall be mine too!
It looks lovely on you! I love that blend of brick red, dolly pink and highlighter 🙂
Hope you’ve gotten your paws on this pretty compact, Lyn! 😀 I think it’d look lovely on you too because its so easy to blend up the colours into something that will suit different skintones
Love the packaging and the colors are absolutely amazing looking.
They’re gorgeous, at that – planning to pick one up, Angela? 😉
Oh it’s so pretty, must have it! But I can’t find it in Holland… hope it comes….
I mailed Shiseido.nl today, after reading this review. I can buy it turns out in three places in the country, I am mailing my husband as I am typing this, to get him to get is for me ASAP 🙂
Yay! I hope you manage to get your hands on it and that you’ll like it too! 😀
I completely agree with everything you said 🙂
Actually, when I saw it on the Shiseido website, I knew I had to buy it. LE for 4000 yen of gorgeousness!
Ah Kuri, this is pure perfection and absolutely worth every single piece of the 4000 yen! 😀
That looks beautiful.
It most certainly is! 😀
I really love the red shade in this blush. It looks beautiful in the pan and on your skin! 🙂
Thank you Marina! Did you pick this one up? 😉
I love your hair 😀
Haha Thank you Iza! One of my favourite cuts so far 😀
Such a beautiful and delicate compact, even more beautiful on you I say 🙂 Do you think this blush is ok for me to try since I am an amateur in make up? Or should I try something safer (if there’s such thing lol) like Benefit Coralista for example? Every day, my blush skills varies, some days I look kawaii, allergy patch, someone slapped me, just nice, flush or clownish…The warm red is an instant alarm to my inconsistent blush skills.
Aww thank you Jennifer, you’re too kind 🙂 I do think this blush will be good for anyone. You just have to use it with a light hand. Actually, Coralista goes on more strongly I find. The transparency of the colours in this blush is sublime. That said, if you are a bit worried, try one from the Shiseido Luminizing Blush range instead. Its a single colour and the texture is just as lovely and almost mistake proof 😀
Okie dokie, thank you for your tips Paris 🙂 Time for me to venture into the new shades of the beautiful blush I guess, hehehe! I’ll drop by Shiseido and check out their blush range. Been reading lotsa fine things about them.
You’re welcome. I can talk blush all day long it would seem 😉
Gotta admit that, you look good in this hairstyle! 🙂 Really!!
Thank you Sophiafay 😀
Ahhhh, I can’t wait for mine to get here!!!
Eeps! Hurry up already, Shiseido! Larie needs her Camellia blush! 😀
What a beautiful compact! The blush looks lovely on you!
As soon as I saw the red swatch, I loved it! Such a perfect colour! I love the others too, but real reds (particularly powder) are rare and I’m surprised this one swatched so pigmented. Quite unusual for a Japanese blush.
I don’t find most colours scary though and my skin tone is about a shade lighter a slightly cooler than yours (based on foundation matches). I’m just not sure what a lilac blush will do (face poder I understand, but blush?).
The only bad thing is, I haven’t seen it around here, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get it. This compact just came along so sneakily! Maybe we’ll just get it late, which is just as well since I did some major damage recently (it’s been and while and Christmas deals?).
You’re quite right, Leila. The Japanese brands don’t usually do very strong colours so this was quite a surprise, yet it translates so well on skin 🙂 I used to own a lilac blush actually 😀 It was from Shu Uemura and I may still have it. On my skin, it was just a very cool purplish shade that sounds scarier than it looks 😉 Maybe you could try asking at the Shiseido counter and see if they are expecting it. It seems that except for Asia, the rest of the world is getting theirs just about now 😀
You know, I’m not really afraid of most blush colours (within reason) and love trying out new unusual things like blue lip gloss. I even wear plum blush, but I know I really have to work to make anything orangey/peachy work well on me, pinks and reds are the natural colour that suits me easily. I just wasn’t sure where lilac would fit in. I’ll hace to try it at the counter.
Blusher is the best isn’t it? I think after a good base, it’s the number one item that really makes a difference to the face and one I wouldn’t skip.
So I did a google search for this compact, limiting to UK results (which I usually do for local info), turns out it’s been available since the end of October! Can’t see it online though and didn’t see it in store this week. Will have to search a little more!
Oho! I used to wear peachy or even orange shades before I realised they didn’t look that good on me. I would look tired sometimes while anything with a hint of pink perks up my complexion immediately so I now gravitate towards pink or pink toned blush. Maybe it was a shift in skin tone or maybe my eyes just colour balanced themselves haha! Hope you manage to find this one. I’m eyeing the single RD one myself too!
You know, I’m not really afraid of most blush colours (within reason) and love trying out new unusual things like blue lip gloss. I even wear plum blush, but I know I really have to work to make anything orangey/peachy work well on me, pinks and reds are the natural colour that suits me easily. I just wasn’t sure where lilac would fit in. I’ll hace to try it at the counter.
Blusher is the best isn’t it? I think after a good base, it’s the number one item that really makes a difference to the face and one I wouldn’t skip.
So I did a google search for this compact, limiting to UK results (which I usually do for local info), turns out it’s been available since the end of October! Can’t see it online though and didn’t see it in store this week. Will have to search a little more! They do have a similar red in their permant line though, Luminizing Satin Face Colour in RD401, been on my list for a while now.
I’m not a red person at all, but still, I gotta say this is a pretty one. And who doesn’t love camellia?
No one! 😉 I’m just glad the blush applies as prettily as it looks 😉
it’s gorgeous on you! perfect! 🙂
Thank you Issa!
Wow that’s so beautiful I want one desperately!!
I hope you get your hands on one soon! 😀