The Shu Uemura x Karl Lagerfeld Collection for Holiday 2012 includes one Shu Uemura Mon Shu Mini Brush Set ($69 USD), containing four travel-size brushes in a limited-edition silver Mon Shu case.  This item is available in the USA only. This collection features color selection and package design created entirely by Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director for the legendary fashion house of Chanel. The collection is available for purchase this month online, and in stores November 2012.

This travel brush kit contains four brushes; a powder/blush brush, a concealer brush, an eyeshadow brush and what looks to be an eyeliner brush (it could definitely be used for lips, concealer and eyeshadow as well though).  The short-handled brushes are great for travel, but I’m quick to judge ‘travel brush kits’ that don’t contain enough brushes for actually creating a look- because that means I need to bring more brushes.

Shu Uemura x Karl Lagerfeld Mon Shu Mini Brush Set Case

Shu Uemura x Karl Lagerfeld Mon Shu Mini Brush Set Zipper Tag

Shu Uemura x Karl Lagerfeld Mon Shu Mini Brush Set

Travel kits don’t have to be big, but they have to be sufficient. I’m pretty good at multi-tasking with 3-4 brushes for an entire look… but there’s nothing here for foundation, and the powder brush is so small its hard to use for setting powder. It’s more of a ‘touch up’ kit to me… but even at that, I’m not overly impressed.

The brushes are good quality, but so are other brushes for a fraction of the price. The case feels a bit flimsy and too big for what it contains. I do like the pouch inside the case for holding extra things, but I would have either liked to see a much smaller case for touch-ups, or a larger set with 1-2 more brushes.

I usually don’t comment on the price of a product… value is a very subjective and we all have different budgets and different definitions of what is worth the cost. However for this item, unless you’re buying it strictly for the Mon Shu design and the fact it was created by Karl Lagerfeld… there’s no real benefits over other travel brush kits from brands like Royal & Langnickel or Sigma Beauty.

Little in the case pouch for extra items

The brushes (L-R): Powder/Blush, Concealer, Eyeshadow & Eyeliner

The brushes (L-R): Powder/Blush, Concealer, Eyeshadow & Eyeliner

Summary

• Price: $69 USD
• Availability: Shu Uemura (November 2012)
• Overall: The brushes are good, but the case is a bit flimsy. These brushes aren’t sufficient for an entire look, so I would have liked to see 1-2 more brushes to really be worth the purchase. For nearly $70, there’s much better brush kits out there. Cute packaging, but not worth it in my opinion.
• Rating: C-