Review: Lavshuca Eye Color Duo in PU-1

I posted pictures of this very pretty duo a few weeks ago and began to use it as everyone was asking for reviews. When I tested these duos in store while in Asia, they seemed buttery, pigmented and perfect. They even swatched well......but sadly didn't apply that great.
Look how gorgeous that purple is! It matches with the golden champagne color well, and it was the only reason I chose this duo over the other, rather drab color choices. I am pleased to say that the texture of both was pigmented and silky and shimmery with bits of glitter shot through.

My highest hopes had been for the purple, but it wound up being the champagne gold color that wowed me. It turned more golden once applied and really brightened my eyes. The purple though...it turned a drab mauve tinged grey once applied. (I used sponge applicators for higher color intensity, I find brushes don't work that well with Japanese drugstore eyeshadows).

The shadows lasted through a day with Urban Decay Primer Potion as a base with minimal creasing on my oily lids.

The packaging is minimal, with the burgundy wine color that I've come to associate with Lavshuca. It's quietly elegant and I like that it has a clear windows so I can tell what color it is.

I bought this for about 7$ retail price in Asia.

The bottom line: it's a good starter duo, especially for the golden shade, but if you have a stash like me, don't bother with it.

Haul: More Pics From Asia

I haven't been a very good blogger lately, so I apologize! Here are a few more pics of things I picked up from Taiwan:

Kanebo Media palettes PU-1, BR-3 (drugstore, around 10$ retail)

Gransenbon Gran eyes 17 (Specialty stores, around 15-17$ retail)

Lavshuca Duo Eyes in PU-1 (Drugstore, around 84 retail)
Of course, reviews coming as fast as I can. I haven't been able to get swatches because of the terrible rainy weather we've been having, but I'll definetly try. :D

Swatches: Lavshuca Cheek Color

[picture from ichibankao.com]

Kanebo Lavshuca is a drugstore line, though a bit more expensive than Majolica Majorca, it's closest competitor. I believe these cheek colors retail for about USD, give or take.

These are on the sheer side, which in my opinion, makes them more wearable. They have a good range of shades that are most commonly bought, and as they don't really concentrate on the cheeks, its a good range for them. As all Lavshuca, these are packaged in a burgundy plastic with a clear cover. There isn't a brush that comes with this and I like that, because usually the ones brands give you suck and are a waste of space. This is definetly worth your money.

Review: Kanebo Lavshuca Summer Gradually Compact 02

These palettes were limited edition this year, summer 08. While I've been very slow at reviewing them...I doubt you would care, since I'm honestly not impressed. It's divided into a 'day' (white) part, and a black (night) part. When you recieve it, the inserts are not put in yet; you can choose how to put it in.

Price: 450NTD at a discount store, which translates loosely to 14 USD. However, online stores will sell it for quite a bit more.

Texture: It has a smooth texture, however it's the slightest bit of gritty from the glitter in it. Therefore, expect a little fallout.

Finish: Shimmery! If you hate shimmer, stay away. Like most Japanese brands, this is shimmery!

Pigmentation: Sheer...I had expected better from Lavshuca honestly. Their other palettes' pigmentation are way better. Doesn't really show up or pop! I had to use MAC Mutiny pigment to save my look the day I used this.

Lasting Ability: This didn't crease on me or fade during the whole day, above Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Colors:
This is where it all falls apart. The colors are so...light! So...disapointing. I'm already pretty pale (MAC NC20, yellow) and this doesn't do much. It's like a palette of highlighters.
Nevertheless... from left to right:
White side:
1. Light silver, shimmery. Nothing special..
2. Beautiful light seafoam green, I only wish it showed up more. Shimmery.
3. I'd say it was a silvery beige, something I bet MAC has duped. SUPER sheer! Shimmery.
Black side:
1. Darker light blue, which I think it a dupe for MAC mutiny. Shimmery.
2. Even darker blue, something that I would think was a washed up MAC Deep truth, maybe added with a little periwinkle color. Shimmery.
3. The only color without a shimmery finish, it's a satin flesh colored eyeshadow. Again, not really unique.

Review in 3 sentences:
It's a sheer glittery palette, that is Limited Edition. Honestly, the colors are not very unique, and I don't think the color combination of blues/ greens/silver/nude works well together. One of two palettes for Summer '08, and a huge disapointment.

Review: Kanebo Lavshuca Eye Color

Range: 12 colors, from bright pink, to wine, to blue, to silver, to gold, to beige and brown. A very nice variety.

Naming: As usual, Japanese brand naming is boring...abbreviated words with numbers usually meaning the order of which it came in. For example, PK-1, PK-2. PK is pink, 1 and 2 being which color was created first. BL is Blue, WN Wine, GD gold, BG Beige, BN Brown, SV silver, and so on.

Packaging: This comes in an easy to depot white case with a clear lid. The lid is also embellished with pinky silver decorations. Very fancy, and by the way, if you like to keep a few MAC eye singles with you, these fit MAC :]

Depotting: Like most other Japanese brands, Lavshuca things are easy to depot. However, it's kind of hard to find the hole. Where it says Kanebo at the top of the sticker on the back, the hole is 'ne'. Just poke a pen or toothpick in there and lift out.

Lasting Ability/Creasing: I experienced no creasing over UDPP and it lasted the whole day with no touchups.

Texture: There is an imprinted L Lavshuca symbol which does NOT fade over a few uses. The texture is soft and very pigmented. I love it!

Price: This can be bought for 14USD at ichibankao.com, but I believe I got mine for far less...maybe 6$? I'm not too sure.

The colors I have are PK-3, light shimmery pink, and WN-1, a plummy wine.