Shu Uemura Boutique celebrated their first birthday at Power Plant Mall last month by giving all their patrons a 10% discount. I took this chance to buy me some the celebrated foundation of the said brand, Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation.

Shu Uemura website provides:

I was first hesitant to buy another foundation given that I had more that I can't finish at home. But when I tried it, I knew that I didn't make a mistake. After a few days of using it, I knew that I made a great choice. I love the feel of the foundation, its not too heavy nor it is too runny. At the beginning of application, it would give a dewy look but after a while (seconds, actually), my face is matte the way I want it. I could partner it with any of my foundation. I specially like using my sample of Shu Uemura Face Powder Sheer Colorless to just seal in the foundation. For a long day, I use my MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Medium Plus for additional coverage. Using my heavy coverage mineral foundation like Ellana and Beauty and Minerals are okay but it tends to cake on my oily skin after a few hours, but the finish was divine. I hardly needed to use concealer.

Speaking of concealer, with this foundation I still use a bit of concealer specially on my undereye. I use my Skinfood Salmon Darkcircle Concealer Cream, MAC Studiofix Concealer in NC35 or my NYX Concealer in a jar in Beige. Works splendly with the Face Architect foundation if you ask me. No need to buy additional concealer. But if I ran out of those abovementioned, I would love tog et my hands on Shu Uemura's Concealer in 7YR. But that can wait.

At first, I use as sponge to apply the Face Architect fluid foundation. It would give a nice coverage just the same way I was showed when Sharon, Shu Uemura's resident MUA in Rustan's Makati, tested the foundation on me. It also always me to build up the coverage as I apply it. A pump or two is enough, I would just have to squeeze the sponge for excess.

However, the curious in me wanted to try out a different thing, I whipped out my Ellana Mini Flat top brush and it instantly became my favorite! The coverage was superb and I barely felt the effort on my part. Honestly, I love this brush with this foundation. The flat top allows me to build up the coverage without having to pump for more foundation. One pump is because the brush could distribute it evenly on my face. And the fact I could spot check my face with the flat top is just amazing. For days now, I've been using this tool with my Shu Uemura Face Architect and my skin is just loving it.

The coverage of this foundation is light. More than a tinted moisturizer and less than an oil-base foundation type of coverage. For those with dark spots, pigmentation and uneven skintone, you will need concealer of concentrate your application on your problem spots. While those with oily skin may build coverage and use a finishing powder to top of the foundation. Those with perfect skin will love this for sure as it remains the whole day. If your face is peeling like mine from sunburn, this foundation can help diminish the appearance.

I noticed no skin irritations or reactions whatsoever and I've been using it religiously everyday. :) It even stood the heat of the sun at noon during our visit at Loyola Memorial Park last November 1.





these are all


under direct sunlight (overexposed)


afternoon shot


lowered apperture shot (forgot to adjust my cam)


with flash

Above shots are just some example of me wearing the Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid foundation.

This one gets 5 out 5 Kikay Pinay Points for me. :)

much love,
Shen

This product is available at all Shu Uemura counters in Rustan's Makati, Shangri-la and at their flagship store at Power Plant Mall for a little over Php2,000+.

P.S. Yes, I love wearing a white top and my MAC Shy Shine Lipstick. :)