Review: Shu Uemura UV Underbase Fluid SPF20 – Beige

Many of us might be familiar with the Shu Uemura UV Underbase in the mousse formula. Its one of their bestsellers. And we know brands don’t tinker with their bestsellers unless they can come up with something better.

Shu Uemura thinks they have with the new UV Under Base Fluid SPF 20. Like the mousse formula base, this is a makeup base you use under foundation. The concept is therefore the same – Sunscreen and makeup base in one. However, I am picky so I always use my own higher SPF sunscreen anyway as part of my regular skincare routine and apply this one over my sunscreen/skincare before makeup.

The texture is fluid as the name implies and it actually reminds me a lot of the L’Oreal UV Perfect tinted sunscreen – to me, its got the same texture; and not the silicone texture of most makeup primers. As a sunscreen however, I think its a little lacking.

As a makeup base, its pretty decent. The one I have is Beige which is slightly tinted. It also comes in Pink (brightening) and Medium Beige tones. I’d say it should suit most shades of skin because once you apply it on your skin, it blends right in without adding too much colour.

Mine’s in Beige which is quite light and goes on translucent. So, there is next to no coverage at all of any blemishes… not that its supposed to. When I apply my foundation over it, it does help the foundation stay on longer. That said, I don’t usually have a problem of foundation sliding around on my skin so perhaps I’m not the best person to comment.

What I particularly liked about this is that because its fluid it does not feel dry on my skin. The mousse Under Base felt a little drying on my combination-dry skin but this fluid feels much better. So if you have oily skin, go for the mousse but if you have normal-combination skin, go for the fluid.

I do have one negative comment about packaging. When I opened my bottle of UV Under Base Fluid for the first time, it spurted everywhere. I don’t know if its just pressure in the bottle but whenever I tip it over, it drips out of the nozzle too. So you have to make sure the cap is properly closed and preferably store it standing upright, if you don’t want base makeup all over your makeup bag.

The Shu Uemura UV Under Base Fluid SPF20 retails for RM135/28g RM98/28g (price was dropped after I got my information 🙂 ) Its very fluid so you don’t have to use very much. As I’m particular about the amount of sunscreen I use on my skin you can expect that this will be additional to my existing sunscreen and not a replacement.

Pros: Light texture, Not dying on the skin, Good makeup base

Cons: Insufficient to use alone as sunscreen

Have you tried this one? How about the original UV Underbase in the mousse texture? Do you like it?

Stay beautiful,

Paris B