How To: Use Shu Uemura Nobara stick foundation as concealer

Ohayo!

I remembered about the Shu Uemura Nobara cream foundation stick when I was in Japan and walking past the Shu Uemura flagship store in Omotesando Hills. They were showcasing the Tsumori Chisato Christmas collection in store but I wasn’t enamoured by anything. I did pick up a Tsumori Chisato designed product which was a free tote bag that came with a Japanese magazine called “In Red”! Kawaii!!! :D I loved the fashion in In Red or Japanese mags in general even if I can’t read it.

Shu Uemura had a Nobara cream foundation before this which came in a pan. Many people raved about it because it offers quite full coverage i.e. you should be able to simulate a flawless complexion. The Nobara cream stick foundation is new, practical and more portable than the pan. It’s my first time using a stick cream foundation! :)

The portability would have been put to the test had I taken the Nobara stick foundation back to its homeland of Tokyo but I could not because the colour I have is a shade too dark for me :( I have 764 which seemed to look alright under the lights of the boutique despite my initial doubts, but after I took it home and used it a few times I realised it was too dark for me. A friend asked why I was looking so sallow :( It also oxidised a little. So here’s my advise for when you try the Nobara cream stick foundation:-

Test the Nobara stick foundation on your face and walk around for a few hours to see if the colour changes before deciding on your actual shade.

764 is a yellow based colour. I think I should get one shade lighter with a more neutral beige base – perhaps 774 or 784. I’m so blonde – numbers confuse me :(

Connie told me to try it over a pink makeup base like Benefit That Gal (which I don’t have for now) to neutralize the yellow tones so I’ll try that some day.

So what can I use this Nobara cream stick foundation for since its a little too dark for full face foundation? I use it as a concealer! :D

Well admittedly I use it as concealer in a pinch but it would be a waste of a perfectly good foundation if I don’t use it right? The full coverage of this cream foundation makes it a pretty decent concealer. You can see how it masks my freckles here :)

Swipe on the foundation and then use your fingers or a sponge to blend it in. If you prefer more coverage, dab some powder over it. Its not 100% but heck! Its better than nothing :)

I was told you can also use a slightly darker shade to contour your face. Swipe the concealer along the hollow of your cheek bones and blend in with your regular foundation to create shading and cheekbones. I couldn’t do it on myself without looking like I messed up my makeup :P But it was demonstrated and it works to a degree.

So if you have foundation that’s a little too dark for you (not super dark, just a shade or so) try using it as a concealer. It works for powder foundation too!

As a foundation, I found the Nobara cream stick a little thick but then I’m used to thin light foundations. Its not unpleasant and you don’t even need to pat on loose powder to set the foundation – you could but it’ll look too thick and cakey so just leave it as it is.

Someday if I get a Nobara stick foundation that suits my colouring, I’ll be sure to update on how it holds up as foundation. Each stick of foundation retails for RM140 and is available at all Shu Uemura counters/boutiques.

Pros: Full Coverage, Multi-tasking – Use it as concealer, contouring and foundation!

Cons: Oxidizes on my skin

Its Wednesday which means we’ve made it though half this week! Hurrah! Small pleasures :)

I’m pleased because no one tried to ram into my car today (unlike yesterday when everyone was out to get me!) and its a short 4 day week here in Malaysia with foodie plans for the weekend!

How about you? What’s making you happy today? :)

Stay beautiful,

Paris B