Shiseido Paperlight Cream Eye Color & Inkstroke Eyeliner

I’ve never been as big a fan of cream eye color singles as I am this season… there seemed to have been a fundamental technological change that has made them better than ever before.  Shiseido makes a bold statement with its new Paperweight Cream Eye Color and Inkstroke Eyeliner, both inspired by the Japanese art of calligraphy.  Both are formulated as cream shades, but so unlike anything else in the market.

Shiseido Paperlight Cream Eye Color is a new range of single eyeshadows that is inspired by Japanese washi paper.  The beautiful semi-frosted glass jar and lid with its crisp matte feel is a perfect representation of washi paper, and embodies the texture and finish of the product contained within.  As their name implies, these Paperlight Cream Eye Colors have a super lightweight texture and a soft matte finish that sits smoothly on the lid without emphasising lines and creases, and is flattering even on my matured eyes.

For this initial launch, Shiseido has released 8 pastel shades, and I have swatched 6 of them here:

It is actually very rare that soft pastels translate well on my lids, and I can almost never achieve such color with powder, and so it is really incredible to be achieve such lovely colors as swatched with just a single swipe.  From left to right, the shades are:

• Usuzumi Beige Gray (GY908) is my favourite of the bunch because it is an unusual purple-tinged grey that is much more flattering than a flat cold grey
• Sango Coral (OR707) is a surprising powdery orange that has a strong white-base to it, and is much more wearable and even brightening
• Asagi Blue (BL706) is a mid-toned sky blue that has just a little yellow to it to make it suitable for Asian skintones without pulling green
• Hisui Green (GR705) is a lovely shade of green that manages to show up and still stay fairly pastel
• Nobara Pink (PK201) is universally-loved baby pink that could also double up as a soft blush for those who are really fair, or for spring times

The perfect counterpoint to the soft pastels above is the Shiseido Inkstroke Eyeliner.  These are designed to replicate the intensity and glide of traditional calligraphic arts, and the glass jar features a v-shaped protrusion in the middle inspired by Japanese inkstone called Suzuri, against which you can slide to smoothen out your brush tip for the finest cateye.  Shiseido has also created a special Inkstroke Eyeliner Brush with a curved neck that sits on the lip of the pot to enable greater control during dipping.  Personally I found the bristles to be a little too stiff and scratchy for my undereye, but they have the right flick and pick up just the right amount of product for a smooth single stroke without redipping.

There are 6 shades of the Inkstroke Eyeliner, and from left to right:

• Empitsu Gray (GY902) is a dark graphite with an almost-steely finish, can be blended out for a less harsh smokey base, but no less dramatic
• Kon-ai Blue (BL603) is a cool midnight blue that is inspired by Japanese indigo
• Shinrin Green (GR604) is a dark emerald
• Nasubi Purple (VI605) is a plummy burgundy that is not too red, really lovely and wearable!
• Kuromitsu Brown (BR606) is a dark, rich chocolate brown
• Shikkoku Black (BK901) is a deep, rich black

I love how intense and dark each of these shades are, making every one of them interesting yet wearable. They have just enough slip to glide on without irritating my delicate lash line, and yet they set quickly and then are essentially bullet-proof.  I was thoroughly blown away by how well these Shiseido Inkstroke Eyeliners last on my lower lash line, which is all day long, well past 12 hours on my oily eye area, without smudging nor fading!!

Before I go, here are a couple of makeup looks to inspire you!

For a bit of pastel fun, I wore Shiseido Paperlight Cream Eye Color in Usuzumi Beige Gray all over my lids, followed by Hisui Green in the center.  Finished with Shiseido Inkstroke Eyeliner in Kon-ai Blue on both upper and lower lash line (not that you can see!).

Next, I started with Inkstroke Eyeliner in Nasubi Purple on my lash line, smudging it outwards and upwards.  Then I patted a mix of Paperlight Cream Eye Color in Nobara Pink and Sango Coral all over the lids.

I find the Shiseido Paperlight Cream Eye Color to be a breeze to apply and I don’t have to worry about creasing or fading.  The matte finishes make them great bases for eye makeup, and they are wonderful for those of us who have trouble with pastel pigments.  I am completely in love with the Shiseido Inkstroke Eyeliner, and have been using every shade ever since I got them!  If you like a dark smokey liner, just grab these and never look back!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}