Suqqu Summer 2018

“Nude with a Touch of Spice” is SUQQU’s theme for Summer 2018, and although I only tested half of it only I’d say that’s a pretty accurate description of this limited-edition collection in rich chocolate brown/bronze packaging.

With the inclusion of a new cream blush and stick highlighter formula, you can tell that the focus here is on skin. The melting textures and subtle hues of both products underscore the goal of nude skin with just the tiniest hint of something extra – “spice”, as it were.

I think we all know that I’m a huge fan of SUQQU’s eyeshadow quads, and Designing Colour Eyes in #118 Akenatsu is beyond stunning, but even *I* have to concede that the base products of this collection steal the show. Let me start with what I feel is the star here: the all-new Nude Illuminating Highlight Stick in #101. I am genuinely bitter that this is a limited edition item, because it is hands down the best cream highlighter I’ve ever tested.

What sets its apart is that the finish is dewy, not metallic, and its texture is airy perfection – neither powdery nor slick, it just glides on like a dream. Up to now my most-used stick highlighter was the one from Madina Milano (aka the makeup industry’s OG fave), but now it feels too stiff compared to the SUQQU one.

Its dewiness was hard to capture in photos, but it looked far less shimmery than any of the other cream highlighters I own. On my face, that dewiness translated beautifully and gave my skin a translucent glow.

(L-R: Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight, SUQQU Nude Illuminating Highlight Stick #101, Madina Milano Chic & Shine Stick, Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight Cream, Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Palette #20 Light)

I don’t own a lot of cream blush so I can’t compare the new Juicy Bright Cream Blush texture to too many other formulas, but it did feel more slick and noticeably less powdery than my Cle de Peau one. In fact, it was so balmy that I wasn’t entirely convinced it would fully set on my face (it did).

(L-R: Becca Beach Tint Guava, SUQQU Juicy Cream Blush 101, Cle de Peau Beauté Cream Blush Perfect Peach)

I love the warm, peachy-nude colour of this blush. It’s got the teensiest bit of tawniness to it, which makes cheeks look like they’ve been kissed by the sun.

The Flawless Lip Gloss in #104 Toubi was a very welcome addition to my lip gloss collection, as the bright-yet-sheer coral red is very unique.

The closest thing I had to it, Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in 752 Bitter Orange, was much more opaque. Though #104 (also known as “Sunny Orange”) Toubi looks quite red in its tube, on the lips it becomes a pretty rosy tint that perfectly complements the rose gold hues of the eyeshadow quad.

Speaking of which, here it is: Designing Colour Eyes in #118 Akenatsu.

The pigmentation in this quad is on par with their regular DCE palettes (read: strong) so watercolour-layering for a wash of color isn’t as ideal of technique as more precise placements. Personally, I was delighted to find that the frosty white had a strong enough white base to be used as an inner-corner highlight rather than just a glitter topper. I found the pewter shade to be remarkable as well – buttery, shimmery and just loaded with ooomph.

Of course, it’s the rose gold and coral shades that have my heart. SUQQU has done frosty orange/corals and pink/reds before, but I believe these are the first true rose gold and pure coral shadows I’ve seen from the brand so far.

Hope these swatches have been helpful! What do you think of this collection? Will you be chasing down anything from it?

SUQQU Summer 2018 launches today (May 24th) at Selfridges, Harrods and Fenwick’s. Its always a bit of a gamble trying to nab these online, so I suggest calling the respective department stores’ SUQQU counters and ordering over the phone.

 

This post features products that were provided as press samples, however all opinions and observations are my own and not influenced by the brand or its PR team. This post contains affiliate links.