12 Eyeshadow

5 Reviews

1. 

   abjectBass6

   Reply

   Have you ever let you feet touch a plush, thick wool carpet that feels dense yet airy? That is how i explain the feeling of this brush on your eyes. When i was in the store, i was choosing between 10 natural and this one. 10 is nice for packing eyeshadow on the lids, but it is too big for crease color (at least on my eyes) and it takes some efforts to blend the crease to the browbone. So, the 12 is not exactly for packing color, unless if you have ample size lids, but it blends like a dream. My eyes and face were peeled like crazy because i just had peeling. But it didnt stop me to feel the softness and thickness of this brush. Mind you, this is will be too big for crease, might work for lids for certain eyes. Definitely great for blending and all over wash.
   This very unassuming brush is quite big, and doesnt have unique shape. But, it dense and packed from the base and airy on the tip which helps diffuse the color nicely. It took two days to really appreciate this brush, though I bought it on the same day, my experience with Shu brushes (i own 20,20h, mascara brush, powder brush, synthetic brush, lip brush, and small brush that i use for highlighting everything i collect for the past 10 years) is that you have to live and “grow” with it in order to understand how to use it properly, and to find out later that the brush can be use for other purpose which is nice. All my brushes have been uses often and sometime i abuse it by dipping it in hot water to sterilize it ( for a few seconds) and they still came out nicely. Would i buy it again if i lose it? I said no, not because i dont like it but because iam going to buy kolinsky 11 and will track it down since my country doesn’t carry it. Iam still curious with kolinsky 11.f
   Edit: after playing with this for more than 6 months, i have found tricks to use this brush Correctly and effectively.
   1. To blend: DO NOT use wiper motion like people do with their 217. It will cause flakiness, fall outs and frustration becaise it seems everything wont blend. Instead. Use the flat side and use circular motion. I use this method for highlight below the brows.
   2. To place color on the lid. Pat the eyeshadow using the flat side. When you pick up the eyeshadow, it seems the pigments spread through the bristles, esp glitter e/s. Dont worry, once you pat it, the true color will show. Usually, I pat the color on my lid and once Iam satisfied I use circular motion to go up above the crease for highlighting without adding more eyeshadow, just whatever remains on the brush.
   3. For outer corner. I use the half top of the brush to apply the eyeshadow on the outer corner and just pat,pat,pat. No more work needed as usually the brush will blend the color automatically. The kolinsky hair does the job for me.
   4. Nose contouring. Use the tip to create lines and flat side to soften it.
   5. Highlighting. Use the tip for the nose and flat side with circular motion for cheekbones, C shape around the outer eyes and blend it upward to temple and brow arches.
   I use these methods when applying Burberry single e/s in Nude and Chanel creme eyeshadow in Mirifique. Both are very glittery yet with Shu 12 I experienced no fallouts, glitters stay in place. and the color gradation are well blended. And Ibuse all the techniques at the same time without any washing in between. Just wipe it with tissue between uses. No color migration. In fact, I contoured first then highlighted my face. No mixed colors or darkened highlights. Everything just perfect.

   In her blog, Patricia, Shu official makeup artist suggested to own 10, 11, and 5r. All kolinskies. Since my country doesnt carry 11, I think the 12 cover 10 and 11 pretty well. I just need to invest in 5r for more detailed and complex colors.

2. 

   truthfulCaribou4

   Reply

   The 12 is a beautiful brush for eyeshadow application.

   It applies colour over the lids nicely and sufficiently diffuse for the powder shadows I prefer for that initial laying down of base shadow. It also feels lovely over the delicate eye area, as it is made of pure and rare kolinsky (aka weasel) hair.

   Since I have a typical East Asian double eyelid, I initially thought it too large, but the size is about 1/3 of my eyelid, so it is nicely sized for a base colour. Depending on the size of your eyes, the Shu Uemura 10 might be more suitable.

   The price is mind-boggling, but if you’re interested in a quality brush and you’re sufficiently invested in eyeshadow application/makeup, it’s worth it. That phrase has been used a million times to justify rampant consumerism/sell people on things they don’t really need, but I think in this instance, it is trite, but true.

   [EDIT] Now that I’ve gotten more into multi-colour eyeshadow palettes and slightly more complicated eye looks, I have to drop my rating from 5 to 4. The 10 is more versatile because of its size for my eye and as such, I reach far less for the 12 than the 10. However, if you have larger eyes, more lid space, or eyelids typified as “Caucasian”, then the 12 might suit you more.

3. 

   crummyCake0

   Reply

   Really impressed with the quality! Soft and doesn’t prick my eyelids or the outer corners of my eyes! Picks up colour really nicely, and is soft yet firm at the same time so it blends really well too.
   It might be the only eyeshadow brush I would ever need, cos I normaly do very neutral eyes and dun do very fanciful colouring on my eyes :p
   But becos I’m so impressed by the excellent quality of Shu’s brushes (I have only 2 so far) I am tempted to go get the #10… Wanting to build up my collection of Shu’s brushes, the only thing putting me off it’s the huge price tag!

4. 

   cheerfulApricots5

   Reply

   This is the only eyeshadow brush I need. I don’t wear 5 different shadow colors and I’m not trying to create the illusion of a totally different shaped eye. I personally think ‘contoured eyes’ look clownish and very 1980s. I just like a nice wash of a pretty color to enhance my eyes. This brush is perfect for that. It (and actually all Shu Uemura brushes) are constantly on ‘best of’ lists on the Internet and in magazines, and it really lives up to the hype. This brush is an investment, though. The bristles and handle are all extremely high quality – the best you could buy. It’s like a Mont Blanc pen. The No. 12 shadow brush is crazy expensive (over 100 bucks for a single brush is crazy expensive in my book), but I’ll never have to replace it (my mom’s been loyal to Shu brushes since they were first available – and she owns and operates a well-known beauty college, so she knows her stuff). Plus, the application and finish just look superb. I can’t imagine using one of those little plastic sponge tipped applicators or some shoddy shadow brush after this. My only beef is that I would like the case to be a little more substantial. I travel frequently, so I can’t exactly keep my brushes in a little jar or cup like some people. And anyone who has packed a brush can tell you that you have to be careful not to ruin the shape or slant of the brush after you’ve put it in your bag. But other than that, it’s perfect.

5. 

   euphoricBasmati3

   Reply

   This is a very nice synthetic brush that works well to cover relatively large areas with eyeshadow. It’s a big brush, 3/8″ wide by 5/8″ long with a rounded head.