Hello everyone!

The matte lip trend has enjoyed a resurgence and much longevity over the past few years. But as the Spice Girls sang in their hit song, “Too much of something is bad enough,” and if you’re already sick of the wrinkly and shrunken lips effect, shu uemura has gotchu. The brand recently (okay, like 8 months ago..) expanded its Laque Supreme line with 11 new shades (adding to their 5 most-coveted existing shades), as well as a packaging makeover! Even before trying the product, the ombré packaging had already struck a chord with me. Look how pretty it is!

Debuted in 2015, this long-lasting liquid formula delivers an intense shot of pigment and high shine of a gloss – thanks to a new special technology* embedded in it – with a fruity scent whilst keeping lips hydrated and shiny throughout the wear. Since it doesn’t dry down completely, the product is bound to transfer. But to what extent was the question.

Shades available in Singapore: RD01, RD05, WN03, WN04, WN05, CR01, CR02, CR03, PK04, PK05, PK06, PK07, BG02, BG04, BG05 & OR01.

Now boasting a total of 16 captivating shades ranging from iconic lacquer-red to better-than-bare nude that are sure to flatter Asian skin tones, these shades were selected by defining the colours that are most beautiful for shine and that allow the lips to become the focus of the face. That said, perhaps what didn’t really change was the ergonomic-shaped applicator affixed to the cap. Ideally-sized for our delicate Asian pouts, the applicator is absolutely perfect for drawing precise lines especially along the cupid’s bow!

*Shu red-dye complex, a mixture of red dye and red pigment is added to achieve deep color intensity

Below are five of the latest additions to the Laque Supreme line (courtesy of shu uemura Singapore) together with my honest opinion about them, as always!

BG04

BG04 is a medium dusty rose with brown undertones and a glossy finish. Although hydrating and causes zero feathering, it has sticky (as with the every other shades in the Laque Supreme line, but this somehow felt a lot more tackier) and thick consistency which weighed down my lips a bit. Sheer on first pass, it took about two to three layers for it to become reasonably pigmented. If you’re patient enough, it can also be built to a medium coverage by waiting for the previous layers to dry before applying the next coat.

This shade is lovely but pity about the below-par longevity on the pout – it vanished completely (without leaving any stain) with only a light pat of tissue paper on the lips after my dinner. With hindsight, that can be a good thing because you won’t get that awful ring-around-the-mouth look. But whatever it is, don’t ever wear this shade to a buffet because reapplication will be a bitch!

RD05

RD05 is a vivid red with blue undertones and a glossy finish. The applicator picked up a lot of product from the tube and glided on the lips smoothly without tugging to deliver a semi-sheer colour that was buildable to medium-to-full coverage (by employing the same technique mentioned above). This shade appears a lot more pigmented and even in texture than the others, and has the ability to blur out any dried specks of skin or imperfections on the lips while enabling crisp edges. Truly long-lasting, it faded to a stain after a heavy meal.

PK05

PK05 is a cool fuchsia with slight berry undertones and a glossy finish. Despite its sheer payoff, it yields an even consistency and does not leave streaks of distinct pigment on the lips when more than one coat is applied back-to-back. Apart from that, it is also buildable to a medium coverage. It clung onto dry patches and hence, accentuated some of the flaws on my lips but felt moderately hydrating on me. This shade faded to a stain after a heavy meal.

CR03

CR03 is a medium coral with red undertones and a glossy finish. Runnier in consistency, this shade yields a sheer coverage which seems promisingly pigmented initially until it is spread out – the colour loses most its intensity and blends into the lips (but without bleeding or settling into the lines). Therefore, those with naturally pigmented lips should stay away from this shade because the colour will most likely not show on yours. Although adding more coats (atop those that have dried a bit) does help to build its opacity to a certain extent, the result ends up appearing messy and streaky. This shade leaves a very subtle stain on my lips after my dinner and was moderately hydrating on me.

WN05

WN05 is a warm burgundy with a glossy finish and is by far, the most disappointing one from this range probably because I had such high hopes for it! The texture is almost like CR03 but worse – clings onto dry areas and delivers a very patchy and uneven application which intensifies once it dries because some parts would appear visibly darker than the rest. The first two passes yield a sheer, just-bitten effect, but is once again buildable to a medium coverage if you don’t layer on too quickly.

Among the five shades here, WN05 leaves the most noticeable stain (and therefore is the most long-lasting), so much so that it took me a couple of washes (or rather, scrubs) for it to be removed entirely.

In general, the Laque Supreme line is definitely a few notches above regular glosses due to the moisturising effects, more intense pigmentation (mainly the lighter shades) and higher longevity it (mostly the darker shades) offers. Even though the texture is still too tacky for my liking, it adheres well to the lips so when hair gets stuck in it, it doesn’t drag any product over my face. And I believe that is a major bonus for anyone – like me – who shuns lip glosses. I think so long as nothing comes in contact with the lips, these are still pretty much low maintenance.

What are your thoughts about the Laque Supreme line? If you have been avoiding lip glosses, would you be keen to give this a shot? Let me know what you think in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

shu uemura Laque Supreme is now available on shuuemura.com.sg, shuuemura-USA.com and in all local shu uemura outlets.

Products were supplied by shu uemura Singapore for my consideration but all opinions expressed are my own.

---

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for bite-sized beauty updates!