Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Foundation and Sponge Set Review and Discount Code!

Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Foundation and Sponge Set

Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Foundation and Sponge Set ($55) is a newly launched foundation and application tool created by Shu Uemura that work hand in hand together to make your skin glow.

The idea behind this new foundation was to provide a foundation with high coverage, yet not taking away the beautiful natural glow of the skin. With full coverage foundations, you tend to block out the natural finish of your skin and the skin can sometimes look flat and unnatural. The goal with this foundation is to make your skin look beautiful and glowing in any lighting circumstance while concealing your flaws. It's also moisturizing and long lasting.

The consistency of the foundation is very thin and lightweight, yet creamy and easily blendable. Because of the light texture, I didn't expect it to cover much, but I was really surprised to see that with a small amount, it has a solid medium coverage that is buildable to full - or with less product, it provides a nice skin-like light coverage. It looks very fresh and glowing on the skin and to me looks like a tinted moisturizer, but with more coverage.

It lasts fairly well throughout the day even without a setting powder, although I prefer to set with a light powder because if I don't, I find that this foundation can slightly highlight my pores and by the end of the day the foundation will have faded a bit.

Before and after wearing one layer of Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Foundation.

Shu Uemura Anti-Oxi Premium Cleansing Beauty Oil Review!

Shu Uemura Anti-Oxi Premium Cleansing Beauty Oil

Shu Uemura Anti-Oxi Premium Cleansing Beauty Oil ($37 for 5 fl. oz.) is Shu Uemura's most popular cleansing oil. It targets dull skin caused by daily environment stresses, and for those concerned with anti-aging. There are (6) different cleansers to target the needs of specific skin types, but they all commonly remove makeup gently and effectively while maintaining the skin's natural level of moisture. Not only will the Anti-Oxi cleanser remove makeup, but it will work deep in your pores to remove dirt and sweat as well as pollutants that can speed up the aging process of your skin.

When searching for a cleanser, I usually opt for gentle cleansers because my skin type is very "normal" and if I use anything too harsh, it dries my skin out. It might sound a little foolish but most gentle cleansers bore the heck out of me because many of them lack all of the lather, which I feel makes cleansing somewhat fun or gratifying. Although the suds are sometimes what make us feel clean - Well, the suds are typically a factor in what causes the skin to become stripped of oils and dry in the first place. I'm trying to be a bit more mindful of the ingredients in my skincare products, and I've become more accustomed to using different oils in my routine. The word "oil" can be scary at first for beginners because when some of us think of putting oil on our face (especially those with acne-prone or sensitive skin), the words break-outs and clogged pores come to mind. That's not exactly the case. Some oils might not agree with your skin, sure. But there are many that are excellent for your skin in many different ways. If you wear face makeup regularly, especially medium and full coverage formulations, you can most certainly benefit from using cleansing oils.

I went through the ingredients list in the Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil and found that it's combined with some pretty great things. The first ingredient is Mineral Oil - one of the most common oils used in cosmetics and skincare for it's moisturizing capabilities without irritating the skin or clogging the pores. It also contains Cornstarch, which is used to absorb excess sebum and oil on the skin (so you won't be left an oil slick) as well as many great moisturizing oils and antioxidants. Some include: Safflower oil, Jojoba oil, Macadamia Seed oil, Moringa oil (great for purifying and rejuvenating the skin, aids with moisture retention and anti-ageing), Green tea extract and Gingko Biloba (antioxidant, helps increase blood flow, etc).

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler!

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler

Every time I go to ULTA, I usually raid the clearance rack before anything else to see if I find any good deals. I was a little short on time as the store was about to close and I had a 20% coupon that expired that day.. but I managed to find a Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler clearanced to $14.49. Although that doesn't seem too cheap, the 20% off coupon took an extra $3 off, so not bad at all. It was actually missing the replacement pad, which is most likely why it was on clearance (or because Shu isn't even sold anymore in the US - maybe I got lucky?), but I figured I wouldn't need one any time soon. I've had my regular Shu curler for at least four years and the pad is still in mint condition.

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler, front & back.

Shown next to a dime for scale.

I pictured it next to a dime for scale to show how small it really is (and in comparison the regular Shu below). It's roughly 1/3 the size of a regular Shu.

Left: Standard Shu Curler, Right: Mini Shu Curler

In the past four years or so, my Shu lash curler is the only lash curler I have used. Prior to my Shu, I would purchase a new lash curler from my local Dollar Store every month. By the end of the month, the pad would be slit through the middle and the hinges would most likely be loose. My Shu has been carelessly tossed in my handbag almost every day and has withstood lots of handling and it's still in perfect condition. It's really the best curler I've tried. It doesn't pull my mascara off, pull my lashes out or pinch my lids.

Everyone has a different eye shape, so some may have trouble finding a lash curler that fits to the contour of their eye. If you have very rounded eyelids, or very flat eyelids (not only those - you may have very small eyes, very wide eyes, etc) you may find that your lash curler skips some of your lashes. So, while most of your lashes are sticking up, the ones in the corners may be sticking down.

Whats great about the mini is, you can get to all of your lashes with precision. No lashes left out! In the picture below I curled my lashes with one coat of mascara on. But, with this lash curler, I find it much easier to curl your lashes without mascara on. When wearing mascara, it was a little more difficult to get in between my row of lashes to curl them all the way across.

All you have to do is start out in the beginning of your lashline, clamp the curler, release, and continue working your way across your lashline.

I know Japonesque also makes a similar style curler that is available at ULTA, sold for around $10.

Do you own this curler or similar? Love it? Or was it a complete waste of money?

Review: Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation!

Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation

Shu Uemua Face Architect (Fluid) #754

Product Description:

Smooth and refined texture with control. Just the right amount of coverage allows skin to look flawless, yet natural. The gliding formula fits lightly on the skin.

Recommended for those who:
- prefer a fresh and natural look with comforting fit
- prefer sheer to medium coverage
- prefer semi-matt finish, but hydrating sensation
(source: http://www.shuuemura-usa.com)

I was originally interested in trying Shu Uemura's Face Architect Cream Foundation, but the availability differs in each country and I couldn't find it anywhere. (Anyone know if the cream was DC?) If you didn't know, last summer, Shu Uemura withdrew themselves from counters in the US. So, the only option for US consumers is to purchase their products online. Anyhow, because I couldn't get my hands on the cream, I thought I'd try the fluid. Not realizing when I ordered this product, that the coverages of both foundations are completely different, with the creme being full coverage and the fluid being sheer to medium.

For my coloring, I chose #754 Medium Beige. It's a pretty good match for NC30-NC37. Because it's so sheer, it's pretty forgiving if the actual shade is too dark. (You can view all shades swatched here.)

Here is a comparison to MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC40 (left), Shu Uemura Face Architect #754 (middle) and MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 (right). You can see that although it has a warm undertone like the MAC foundations, it isn't as yellow. They are similar in depth, but NC40 is slightly darker. Its very close to NC30, but the undertone is slightly different, making it appear a little darker.

From left to right: MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC40, Shu Uemura Face Architect #754, MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC30

From left to right: MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC40, Shu Uemura Face Architect #754, MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC30

Review: I've actually had this foundation for months now. I purchased it around Christmas time, and have only used it 3-4 times. The product basically is what it says. It is very lightweight (can't feel it on), creamy, has a light coverage with a semi-matte to matte finish.

This foundation is probably the sheerest foundation I own. It is slightly buildable from sheer to a light-medium. It will not build to a true medium. Once it's built, it doesn't look thick or heavy. The redness from my cheeks as well as blemishes peek through. I find that this foundation oxidizes slightly (Gets darker), a couple of minutes after applied. When I'm tan, it's a great color match. When I'm not tan (currently), it makes me look a bit orange. The finish of this foundation is matte. If you have oily skin, or apply a moisturizer prior, you may have a semi-matte finish. I don't find this foundation to be long lasting, as it starts to fade almost right away. I don't really care for matte foundations, with the exception that they have great coverage (EL Double Wear for instance). This foundation is sheer AND matte.. making my skin look dull, with imperfections not covered. Each time I wore this foundation, I tried to like it.. but I just don't. It's not for me.

If you have pretty good skin and are looking for a foundation with light coverage that will even out your skintone and you prefer a matte finish, you may like this foundation. Or if you have oily skin and need little coverage. I do not recommend this for dry skin or for those who are looking for a good amount of coverage. 

Here it is on me today.. The color is a bit darker in person, but it photographed a little light.

Have you tried this foundation?