Limited Edition Anna Sui Spring 2014 Magic Trick Collection Partial Review and Anna Sui Inspired Makeup Tutorial

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Anna Sui Profile

Detroit-native Anna Sui is the beautiful mind behind the gorgeously feminine Anna Sui brand. Determined by the age of 4 to become a designer, Anna has built an international brand that is widely recognized and loved for its whimsical mix of vintage and modern themes. Anna Sui (the brand) produces fashion, cosmetics and fragrance. 

I absolutely adore Anna Sui and find the cosmetics in particular to be incredibly lust-worthy. This Spring (March 2014) Anna Sui is releasing several new, limited edition products including a Pore Smoothing Primer and Loose Compact Powder--available in several shades. I have 2 of these items to share with you today! I have also created a quick tutorial below for a look inspired by Anna Sui's spring launch, which I shared a sneak peek for earlier today on Instagram.

Enjoy!

Limited Edition Anna Sui Pore Smoothing Primer Review

Product Type

This is a face primer meant to blur pores and provide a smoother appearance when applied under foundation. This is also meant to absorb oil and prolong the wear of makeup. This can be used over foundation for touch ups.

Scent

This has a light floral scent that is detectable in the jar, but not noticeable once applied.

On the Face

This had a firm, waxy texture that melted easily with warmth into the skin. It blurred pores slightly upon immediate application and provided a more even appearance underneath foundation. This provided a great surface for foundation application and full-day wear once foundation was set with the Loose Compact Powder mentioned below. I did not find this irritated my sensitive skin. 

Although this has a slight pink color in the jar, it is invisible on the skin

Price

This will retail for $25 (5g)

Where to Buy

This will be available through Anna Sui's site in March

My Thoughts

I think this is a great primer. While I don't personally have oily skin, I think it could potentially be a great option for someone interested in finding an oil-reducing primer as it provides a nearly matte finish. I love that it comes as a solid product that melts into the skin--which is potentially easier for travel (especially if you're going on a plane). I found it provided great wear time and did a good job blurring pores. I'm not sure how much it would smooth away significant texture on the skin as my face is fairly smooth, but given its texture it feels like the type of product that could be built up a bit if needed. 

Limited Edition Anna Sui Loose Compact Powder in #301 Apricot Pink Review

Product Type

This is a finely milled, loose face powder that can be used to set foundation. It is meant to blur imperfections for a "soft focus" effect and absorb oil to prevent shine. It offers light UV protection of SPF 18.

Scent

This has a light floral scent in the compact, but is not noticeable once applied.

Packaging

This compact is adorable! Anna Sui always makes my heart go pitter-patter with her fabulous packaging. The compact and powder come together in one box, but you have to place the cylinder of powder in the compact prior to using it (found separate from the compact within the same box). Sticky adhesives on the bottom of the powder cylinder fix it to the inside of the compact, but it is replaceable. The top of the powder has a rubbery, perforated membrane that allows some powder to be released with pressure from the puff (which also comes with the compact). 

On the Face

Shade #301 (pictured above) is a light apricot color that is basically translucent once applied on my medium complexion. While it does have what looks like visual shimmer on the puff, it is not shimmery once applied, though it does impart a subtle life-like glow. I personally do not like putting illuminating products all over my face and this was subtle enough to leave skin looking fairly matte, yet healthy. The puff is plush and applies the powder well with a light rolling motion. I did not find this irritated my skin. Because my skin is dry I cannot wear face powders that are heavier, but this was fine for me with all-day wear. This definitely lengthened the wear of my cream foundation without the addition of finishing spray.

Price

This will retail for $49 (3g)

Where to Buy

This will be available on Anna Sui's site March of 2014

My Thoughts

I love this compact! Not only is it too adorable for words, but the loose powder itself works very well. There was nothing chalky or heavy about it and it worked well over my cream foundation. It did not leave skin looking super flat, yet wasn't noticeably shimmery. This photographs beautifully as you'll see below.

Anna Sui Spring Collection Inspired Tutorial

I wanted to create a makeup tutorial inspired by Anna Sui's Spring collection that used both products above along with other complementary products--I always think of pretty purples when I think of Anna Sui. Here's what I came up with!

You will need the following eye products:

• NARS Budge Proof Eyeshadow Primer
• Make Up For Ever eyeshadow #172
• MAC eyeshadow in Indian Ink
• MAC Water-Based Mixing Medium
• Sugarpill Chromalust in Paperdoll
• Sugarpill Chromalust in Lumi
• Urban Decay 24/7 shadow pencil in Delinquent
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner in 0L
• Inglot shadow #351
• Faux Lash in Collete (with duo lash glue)

Step 1 - map out crease with make up for ever #172 on lids primed with NARS Budget Proof Eyeshadow Base

Step 2 - foil Sugarpill Paperdoll onto lids by mixing it with MAC water-based mixing medium and patting it on

Step 3 - blend out crease with MAC Indian Ink, deepen outer "v" with MUFE #172 and sweep it under lower lashline

Step 4 - tightline upper lashline with MUFE Aqua Eyes 0L and line lower lashline with Urban Decay shadow pencil in Delinquent, blending it a little below lower lash line

Step 5 - pat Sugarpill Lumi onto center of lid, blend Inglot #351 under lashline and into edges of crease color

Step 6 - apply Faux lash Colette falsies with duo lash glue, using a thin push liner brush, press MUFE #172 alone upper lash line, fill brows with Inglot #565

The finished look!
Artificial daylight bulb

Natural (wintry) lighting

For the Face

I wanted to create a nice spring-appropriate face to complement the eyes. To keep it light and wearable, I chose not to do a pigmented lip. I did toy with the idea of a radiant orchid ombre lip like the one I'll be sharing a tutorial for soon and posted a sneak peek on Instagram for, but in the end I liked this particular look best with a natural lip because Anna Sui's spring collection is so delicate and light. 

You'll need the following face products:

• Anna Sui Pore Smoothing Primer
• Graftobian HD Creme Palette Cool #2
• Anna Sui Loose Powder Compact in #301 Apricot Pink
• Hourglass Ambient Light Blush in Radiant Magenta
• MAC Contouring Powder in Sculpt
• Hourglass Ambient Light Palette
• Skindinavia Bridal formula finishing spray

You'll need the following lip products:

• Origins Drink Up Hydrating Lip Balm in Nude Nectarine

Step 1 

Apply Anna Sui Pore Smoothing Primer to your face beginning with areas with the most noticeable pores.

Step 2

With a damp sponge or makeup brush, apply Graftobian foundation all over the face and blending down into the neck.

Step 3

Using a rolling motion, apply Anna Sui Loose Compact Powder over foundation.

Step 4

Contour face using MAC Sculpt (I will be doing a feature on contouring and highlight soon so stay tuned!)

Step 5

Apply Hourglass Radiant Magenta to the cheeks

Step 6

Highlight using Hourglass Ambient Light in Incandescent Light (or its equivalent as this is from the limited edition palette released over the holidays)

Step 7

Apply Origins Drink Up Hydrating lip balm to lips.

Step 8 

Apply Skindinavia Bridal formula finishing spray to the entire face. Normally I would do this, but didn't for the shots below as I wanted to test out the Anna Sui products without the help of my favorite finishing spray. 

And here's the finished look (pictures have not been edited to smooth the appearance of my skin, that's the effect of the primer and loose powder)...

What do you think? Will you be snatching up any of Anna Sui's spring 2014 limited edition releases?

Note: Products in this post were provided by PR/the brand. All opinions state above are my own based on my personal experience and have not been influenced by PR/the brand.