Here’s something from Shu Uemura I’m raving over. Rave rave rave!
Its the new Shu Uemura Face Architect Glow Enhancing powder foundation. Powder foundation and I are friends and I’ve tried loads but recently, I’ve been favouring just 2 and one of them is this one by Shu Uemura.
Not only is the colour a perfect fit for my skin (#774 Medium Light) it glides on my skin like silk and feels like air. My skin actually feels velvety. Coverage is medium – if you layer it then you will get quite good coverage but you also risk it looking a bit powdery. Otherwise, if you use just 1 or 2 swipes, its just right. Shu Uemura says that it fits to your skin like a liquid foundation to which I must say there is some truth. You do get a smooth coverage as you would a liquid foundation yet this is a powder.
I have combination-dry skin and this powder foundation stays on me the whole day without making my skin feel dry nor does it make it oily. Whether it offers a glow is debatable. I’ve been a little obsessed with using my Guerlain Meteorites balls lately, so I sport a glow nonetheless 😛
No breakouts. No oxidization. Face Architect powder foundation is going to be a keeper!
The powder refill is RM125 and the sleek black case with sponge is RM50. Your 1st time purchase will therefore be RM175. The powder foundation contains SPF25 PA+++ and is available at Shu Uemura counters and boutiques. If you are in the USA, you can get it online.
Pros: Smooth and Light formula, Medium coverage, Lasts on my skin,
Cons: Some may find it pricey
Shu Uemura or Paul & Joe Powder Foundation?
The more intrepid of you must be wondering – Do I love this as much as I loved the Paul & Joe Dual Powder Foundation? My answer is Yes.
I love them both but as I pointed out in the previous review, the Paul & Joe powder has a slight pink cast while this Shu Uemura one fits my skin better. Both feel silky and velvety smooth on my skin. Both did not make me oily and both offer me medium coverage.
Paul & Joe pips Shu Uemura for pretty cases and perhaps price (but a few RM) but Shu Uemura’s case appeals to those who like sleek lacquered boxes.
Which would I repurchase? Probably either depending on which is available. I’d place them both on the same ranking and since my Paul & Joe foundation is practically finished, I’m sticking to this Shu Uemura one for now. I can’t say forever though – forever is a long time and I use up powder foundation quite often anyway 🙂
Tried this one yet? 🙂 Or how do you feel about using powder foundation? Its my foundation formula of choice.
p/s Picture colours are off. Lighting was bad 😛 But you don’t quite need my pictures for foundation – you should try it for yourself! 😉
Paris B
Hanny says
February 1, 2010 at 9:25 amOOOO… Saw this at 1U Saturday, but I was (pointing index fingers towards each other)… glowing from the Utility gained from my Rimmel Haul, so to speak. The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility is utterly exaggerated! Thanks to you lovely people, I bought the Lasting Finish Intense Wear lipstick in Pink Champagne!! YAYness!!! I got the lipliner too! WOOHOO!
I like the packagaging, though, very minimalistic, but won’t it get all powdery after you have been using it for awhile?
ParisB says
February 2, 2010 at 10:11 amThe case is very sleek and very smooth. Just wipe it down after use and its as good as new. No issue of getting powdery 🙂
Nikki says
February 1, 2010 at 10:11 amPB! i waqs just looking at this in an online shopping site! now great minds think alike! I’m still thinking…then there goes your review… 🙂
ParisB says
February 2, 2010 at 10:11 amHAha… yes great minds think alike indeed!
lyn says
February 1, 2010 at 10:46 amThis sounds pretty good! I’m currently using Definite Cosmetics two-way powder foundation and find it quite nice and soft. But I’m always on a lookout for better powders. Will probably get the P&J one first because I’m on a P&J kick right now 🙂
ParisB says
February 2, 2010 at 10:12 amI’d read that P&J has reformulated their powders. Not being familiar with p&J I can’t say for sure. Haven’t gone back in a while LOL
Connie says
February 1, 2010 at 1:16 pmI need to try this! I’m comparing all the powder foundations that I try to my fave RMK one hoping to find a cheaper alternative. This shu uemura one isn’t that much cheaper though :-/ still intriguied! Thanks for the review
ParisB says
February 2, 2010 at 10:13 amYou know what Connie? From personal experience, higher end powders tend to just be better overall. Can’t quite find a “cheaper alternative” 😀
fanny says
February 1, 2010 at 2:19 pmsame like connie..i am using my RMK powder foundation, its good but very pricey. will try this out
ParisB says
February 2, 2010 at 10:13 amI haven’t tried RMK but now you and Connie have me intrigued!
Jean says
February 1, 2010 at 4:17 pmsaw this in the Shu Uemura news letter.. But I dun like powder type foundation..
Shay says
February 1, 2010 at 9:59 pmI heard the RMK foundations are good. But its too high a price to pay.
I tried the P&J powder foundation. Not good. Makes my skin patchy looking and doesn’t blend well into my skin.
PB, have you tried Coffret D’or powder foundation? Its very good. I got addicted to putting on foundation due to this particular powder. Makes me glow.
ParisB says
February 2, 2010 at 10:15 amHi Shay, I haven’t tried Coffret D’or but I used to use Kanebo Revue. If the texture is the same, I’d love it too! I used up 4 pans of Revue before they discontinued it and replaced it with Coffret D’or 😀 I’ll check it out next time I see promotions for this powder. As for P&J I’d heard that the new formula does not apply smoothly. Pity!
Shay says
February 2, 2010 at 9:50 pmI saw lots of Revue in Tokyo. But I didn’t want to try at that time.
As I understand you have dry skin, I would recommend you get the Coffret D’or powder foundation with beauty essence (their autumn/winter) version. I was still using the Spring/Summer version in Dec and it doesn’t work as well as it did in the spring/summer time when I got it. But I bought the autumn/winter version and used it its been great!
ParisB says
February 2, 2010 at 11:48 pmRevue was discontinued when Coffret D’or was launched. Thanks for the tips about choosing the compact foundation. You have me intrigued now! 😀
Shay says
February 3, 2010 at 11:57 pmYou’re welcome. Just sharing a great find. I have not tried higher end ones, so don’t take my word for it. But to me, it is already great for its price. 😀
I bought the Esprique Precious one. Think its a line by Kose to direct compete with Kanebo’s Coffret D’or. But its supposed to be the spring/summer version for 2010. Still too dry for me at the moment. Looking forward to use it again when my dry spell is over and I need oil control more.
plue says
February 5, 2010 at 4:45 pmnow i die. i dunno want this. or chanel. or coffret. or maquillage. how come my life is filled with lemming makers ah?
haha!
All Women Stalker says
February 12, 2010 at 10:34 pmWow… nice post… it’s making me wanting to get this foundation…
Liesl says
April 2, 2010 at 1:10 pmCan’t decide whether to get this great powder or lancome’s Maquicake UV Infinite which has great reviews for oil control… Hope I don’t get too crazed and get both!!
ParisB says
April 2, 2010 at 3:43 pmHmm I should go dig out my Lancome one 😀 Problem is I don’t have an oil problem hence most powders working for me
Poppy says
August 25, 2010 at 9:55 pmOMG! I got a sample of this when I purchased the Shu Uemura oil and I must say that I LOVE IT! It’s so much better than all my mineral foundation and the colour suits me perfectly! I’m using 764 and am Golden Medium shade in Everyday Minerals. It makes your pores smaller, don’t you think?