When Shu Uemura unveiled to us their Iconic 5 products, I could not help but stifle a most impertinent giggle. You see I’d used or am still using 4 out of 5 products already! What does that tell you about Shu Uemura’s marketing eh? 🙂
The only product I’d not tried was the Shu Uemura UV Under Base – a makeup base which I’m told can also be used daily even without makeup to counter external aggressions. Personally, I wouldn’t quite because it did not do much to either offer coverage or even out skin tone. It makes a lovely base for makeup though so if you’d like something light, apply this mousse base and then use some loose powder over and you’re good to go!
One item I’d been using for years and years is the Shu Uemura Eyelash curler. Of all the eye lash curlers I’d tried, this is the best to suit my eye shape. I like the eyelash curler and yes, I’d say its an iconic product and well deserving of its title. I will not venture to say that it will suit everyone because I know of some people who do not like it or for whom it pinches due to their eye shape. Eye lash curlers are a personal thing.
The other product I’d been using for years also is the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow pencil. I finally learnt to sharpen it the way they do at the boutique (after almost destroying my own pencil at home!) but it’s not quite something I’d advise you to try at home. Best just take your Shu Uemura Hard brow pencil to the boutique or counter and get the girls to sharpen it for you – its a free lifetime service 😉 You can read my earlier review of the Shu Uemura Brow pencil for more in depth thoughts.
Another product most of us would be familiar with is Shu Uemura’s Cleansing oils. How many of us cut our teeth on Shu’s oils? I bet most of us did! I never did review the Shu Uemura cleansing oil but I did post up some tips a while ago on how to properly use cleansing oils. I did not know there are now 6 types of oils available!
I had 2 sachets of the new Anti-Inflammation (A/I) Cleansing Oil which is formulated for sensitive skin and contains liquorice. I tried it and its not bad – a bit thick but rinses off well and leaves my skin fresh and clean. However, its proven beyond doubt now that I can’t handle Shu Uemura cleansing oils because I promptly broke out with little bumps on my skin upon using it. 🙁
Its a little beef I have with Shu Uemura’s cleansing oils iconic though they may be. Every single one breaks me out and despite what I was told, its nothing to do with my cleansing technique. I’ve got it down pat and I always clean all oil off PLUS I double cleanse with another cleanser after the oils so it can’t be that. I’m not sure if its the formula or the mineral oil (though I’m ok with other products containing mineral oil I think) but Shu Uemura cleansing oils just do not work for me. 🙁
That said, I too know many who swear by these cleansing oils so as always, we’re all different.
The final product I was reminded of is the Shu Uemura Deep Sea Water mist. I’d used this before too – I bought my first in Hong Kong. Its nice although I do think a 150ml bottle is a bit hard to tote around to use regularly. Wish they’d kept the smaller 75ml bottles – cuter and more practical though a tad more expensive. The fine water mist is lovely on the skin though as is the scent.
How its different from the thermal spa water face mists I love is that the water used is deep sea water found 320 meters below the sea and rich in minerals as opposed to thermal spa water which is found on land. It is nice and come in various scents – my fave is Bergamot – so relaxing!
Have you tried any of the Famous Five from Shu Uemura? The reference is of course, a nod to Enid Blyton and a favourite childhood series of adventure books – The Famous Five 🙂
Stay beautiful
Paris B
plue says
August 28, 2009 at 1:51 pmthe famous five, i tot Enid Blyton’s story has been incorporated in Shu’s next collection!
i only use the eyebrow pencil, which I think I sharpen it the wrong way myself >_< Time to go back n fix it I think.
I didn't quite like the curler, pinches me a bit and not as springy as I like it to be 🙁 Pity. And the cleansing oil, I like them! But too expensive for me taste 🙁
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:48 amHi Plue
I’ve found the best thing is to ask the SA to sharpen the pencil, I nearly killed mine heh…
Jyoan says
August 28, 2009 at 2:42 pmI have the curler, but it doesn’t fits my eyes. They are too flat for me, so I end up unable to clip the lashes on both ends. However, it does do a good job for the middle part, and doesn’t pinch my eyelids.
I wanted to try the cleansing oil, but have since strike it off my wishlist, as I’ve read far too many reviews saying it causes breakouts. I can’t risk it since I have sensitive skin. Plus, it is also too expensive to risk being unable to finish the whole bottle.
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:49 amHi Jyoan
I find that Shu Uemura curlers are good for those with “flatter” eyes while Shiseido is better for those who have “rounder” eyes. In fact I haven’t heard of anyone breaking out from the cleansing oil except me! 😛 Thanks for sharing though.
Soo Yin says
August 28, 2009 at 3:22 pmConsidering I’m not much of a make-up fan, I’ve actually used all five before! But like you, I found the cleansing oil to be too oily, if that makes any sense. It too causes my skin to break-out with little bumps! I stopped using the UV base coz I’m lazy like that…haha…but I love the eyebrow pencil, the eyelash curler and the mist!
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:49 amHi Soo Yin
Wow! Having tried all 5 means Shu’s marketing is working 😉
prettybeautiful says
August 28, 2009 at 3:35 pmi only have tried the famous 2 tho 😛 the oil and the curler. Somehow i think that its not working damn awesome for me. *SIGH*
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:50 amHi prettybeautiful
No worries – it doesn’t have to work for everyone! 😀
Synaesthesia says
August 28, 2009 at 3:35 pmI’m currently using the cleansing oil… although is good but still find it expensive… I don’t use curler, makeup base at all… maybe that’s the reason for my clog pores skin ? I’m also using Avene spray as it’s more economical comparing to Shu…
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:51 amHi Synaesthesia
I don’t think makeup base is the reason for clogged skin pores. You might need some exfoliation and maybe more effective cleansing? I don’t use makeup base as a rule either.
jojoba says
August 28, 2009 at 4:01 pmi guess all famous five didn’t work for me. :(((( i looked at that pencil and remember my nightmaires… that curler pinched my lashes and many fell out… YUCK! lol
got infamous 5? maybe they are my HG. HAHAHAHA
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:51 amHi jojoba
Haha… I guess not everything works for everyone. 🙂
Nikki says
August 28, 2009 at 4:03 pmI giggled too!!! I own 3 out of the 5 iconic products! What I don’t own is the hard brow pencil and the Deep Sea Water mist! I can’t believe I own 3 of the Iconic products! that made me happy! I haven’t tried the UV underbase yet, I have a sample of it but haven’t tried it yet 🙂
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:52 amHey Nikki!
Yay for getting 3 out of 5! 😉 The UV base is so-so for me – maybe that mousse texture needs some getting used to.
aiyu says
August 28, 2009 at 4:11 pmI’ve been using Shu Uemura’s eyelash curler for years, and will be using it for years to come. 🙂
It’s the best RM50 I’ve EVER spent on any makeup produtcts 🙂
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:53 amHi aiyu
Same here! 🙂 It fits my eye shape so it works. Btw you aren’t quite supposed to use one forever apparently. It loses the springiness and does not curl as well. I was told the lifespan is about 1 year if used everyday. Perhaps thats why my lashes aren’t curling as well anymore 😛
Elvira says
August 28, 2009 at 10:40 pmI use the cleansing oil and Lash curler religiously. I has a problem with the green oil breaking me out but the classic oil does not. I like using the pink (Fresh) oil in the summer as it is lighter feeling on my skin.
Thanks for the great review Too bad the oils break you out.
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:55 amHi Elvira
You’re welcome! Yeah I was bummed but then on the brighter side, I save money 😛
germaine says
August 28, 2009 at 11:00 pmhow much is the eyelash curler?
Is the curve very deep or swallow? Is it customise for asian eye shape?
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:56 amHi germaine
I think its RM55 now and its a shallow curve and supposed to be for asian eyes. If you have round or deep set eyes it may not work as well. Best thing to do is go to a Shu counter and try it yourself (don’t let the girls try it on you) so you know if it suits your eye shape. It should not pinch and should be able to rest comfortably on your lid and get close to your lashes.
Zulfa says
August 28, 2009 at 11:25 pmI too loved the Shu Uemura Deep Sea Water mist when they had them in small bottles. I used to stock them everywhere and traveled with them. But since no longer available, I switched to Caudalie Grape water in small cans.
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:56 amHi Zulfa
You said it! I haven’t tried Caudalie but I’d probably stick to Vichy 🙂
lazeny says
August 29, 2009 at 2:56 amI have the Shu Uemura balancing cleansing oil in fresh, and so far it has not caused any breakouts or rashes. I really like the scent and how it feels on my skin, and it does seem to control my extremely oily skin.
I am planning on buying the eyelash curler next, and since I’m out of my Kanebo Coffret D’or primer, I’m thinking of getting the uv base of Shu – it’s actually very much less expensive compared to Coffret D’or.
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:57 amHi Lazeny
Glad to know the cleansing oil is working for you! I haven’t tried Coffret D’or’s primer so I can’t compare but the Shu one is pretty decent if you can get used to the mousse texture.
Monstro says
August 29, 2009 at 10:41 amI love the eyelash curler and the eyebrow pencil too! Like you, I too broke out from the cleansing oil–boo! As for the UV underbase, I’ve never used it but my sister in law swears by it, and claims her makeup lasts all day through a hot sweaty day.
ParisB says
August 30, 2009 at 11:58 amHey Monstro
You too?! Hi 5! 😀 I’ve read a lot of raves of the UV underbase too – I do find its so-so as a primer. Most primers help makeup last too 😉
LyNn says
October 4, 2009 at 9:01 pmHaha thou I have none of the famous 5.
I definitely am dying to get the eyelash curler.
its so darn famous.. and it has been on my wishlist for ages -.-
Bit says
January 1, 2010 at 9:51 pmHi js read ur review when i was trying to find out more about the 6 Shu products that i bought 2 wks ago. To be honest, i never try Shu products before until my make up artist recommended the deep sea water rose midst to me during my wedding dinner. I tried and find it kinda refreshing and not that pricy, so two days later i went to the Shu boutique and bought 6 products which suprisingly all the above products reviewed, and also the Nobara cream concealer stick. Any comment on the concealer stick? The sales assistant told me it can be used as a foundation and better than the liquid one.. i personally prefer liquid foundation, but she said this is better to the skin as it wont go deep down and block the pores. Is that so? Any comment? However i give a thumb up to my existing chanel liquid foundation thou.
So far i am quite happy with their products. No breakout, and i particularly like the cleansing oil. I was using Fancl earlier, and both products work well, except that Shu’s cleansing oil looks more attractive to me. Haha.
Lastly, thanks to Shu’s balancing mist. However as mentioned by another reviewer, it would be perfect if comes with a smaller bottle thou…