Favourite Five for July

I will be doing a Favourite Five every month highlighting products I have enjoyed the previous month. To kick off, I'll start with several products I have been using for a while now.

1. Dr. Hauschka Lip Balm

This lip balm is petroleum free and has a lovely rose scent that's rather uplifting. It is a rich balm and feels slightly greasy so it's probably not a good lip balm to use below lipsticks or glosses as it provides plenty of slip. It helps soothe my dry, cracked lips and makes my smackers feel quite soft.

2. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

I have been using this moisturiser on and off for many years and it was only late last year that I started using this daily. This is my all-time favourite moisturiser because it hydrates well and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. It is multi-purpose and can double up as a quick 5-minute mask at times when my skin is feeling a little parched. It may not contain anti-ageing properties but I prefer to use serums to address such matters.

3. Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant Glow

This product is meant to be a light-diffusing base or face primer. It may work well as a moisturiser too because it contains some moisturising properties so those with oily skin will find this alone to be enough. It imparts a soft-focus glow and enables my foundations to go on more smoothly. Some folks find the cream to be a little thick but if you use sparingly, it shouldn't feel heavy at all.

4. Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus

This serum claims to reduce lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage. I got a bottle almost a year ago and used it religiously day and night during the first 4 weeks. I believe it improved the overall appearance of my skin. I do not have many wrinkles or lines on my face, so I'm not exactly sure if it helped reduce them. I recently started to use this on my neck and I think the lines have smoothened out.

5. Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation

I did a review (link) a few months ago and it's a keeper for sure. It is lightweight and offers medium coverage with a slightly dewy finish. Oil control is fairly decent and it doesn't oxidise on me. I have received a few compliments on how nice my skin looked and it's mostly due to this foundation.

So, what have you been lovin' lately?

Shu Uemura Face Architect Sheer Refining Mousse Foundation

I first got to know about Shu Uemura's newest foundation release on The Makeup Blogette's blog and was immediately intrigued. I do like both the Face Architect liquid and powder foundation versions, so when I read they came up with a mousse formula, I knew I had to have it. But it was not available locally at that time and I thought it would be a good opportunity to look for it when I visited Hong Kong.

I came across a Shu Uemura outlet on Russell Street at Causeway Bay and saw that they had the mousse foundation. I tried on a few shades and came home with 7YR-L Light Beige as it was the closest match. When tested at the store, I didn't have any makeup on and my face was rather splotchy because it was late and I had been out and about all day. It felt quite nice and refreshing on my skin that evening.

Product Description (from Shu Uemura Malaysia):

Using Stuff I Hardly Use and Liking Them

I like having days off during weekdays, especially when it's a public holiday. But le hubby and I usually have some form of errand to run during such days and this means going out under the hot mid-day sun. Knowing that I'll be out and about in the terrible heat, I decided to go for a minimal makeup look that is less prone to meltdown.

Since getting the Shu Uemura mousse base in BB Beige (limited edition shade), I have only used it a total of 2 times. That was because I was using my fingers to apply and it went on really heavy and streaky. I could never get it to blend out properly.

Today, I decided to whip out my trusty Beauty Blender sponge and the mousse went on like a dream. Just ignore the slightly discoloured bottom as I had not washed the sponge at the time the photo was taken.

Shu Uemura Sakura Collection 2011

I have never heard of Mika Ninagawa until the release of Shu Uemura's sakura collection this year. She is a Japanese photographer / film director and has collaborated with Shu to bring us a really pretty springtime release.

There are three UV Under Base Mousse in this collection, all in a special edition canister designed by Mika. I picked up BB Beige as it's a limited edition shade and I already have Pink in a regular can. These mousse bases are quite light and airy but the BB Beige does feel a little heavier than the regular ones and offers more coverage too.

The shade may look a wee bit darker than my natural skintone but it does blend in quite well. As much as I love the texture of the BB Beige mousse, it is sadly a little too drying on me. However, the one in Pink seems to work better.

You can also purchase a limited edition Face Architect powder foundation case in this collection. The case is so pretty! I've always liked this powder foundation and am nearly hitting pan on my existing compact, so I did not mind picking up another.

There are six Rouge Unlimited lipsticks that were inspired by the different tones of the beautiful sakura. I chose pk332, which is described as a modern pink with warm undertones. It is quite a wearable pink but if your lips are very pigmented, it may not show up well.

Then there's the special edition makeup pouch, which I really like because it has a number of useful slots within. I had a lot of fun taking photos of this collection because everything was so bright and cheerful.

You can purchase the Mika Ninagawa set for RM313 (original price RM393) and 10% of the sales from this collection will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross, in support of their disaster relief efforts.

Personally, I have always loved spring blossoms and the sakura flower is indeed special in full bloom. This reminds me of a trip I made to China two years ago in spring. There were peach, apple, pear and plum blossoms everywhere and it was such a joyful experience.

review : shu uemura face architect smoothing fluid foundation

I recently visited the newly opened Empire Shopping Gallery in Subang and came across a Shu Uemura boutique. I didn't expect to come home with yet another foundation but I couldn't help myself as I am quite in love with the Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation.

Description from Sephora :

A foundation that creates a perfect makeup canvas.

What it does :

Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation lays the foundation for all of your beauty-full makeup creations. A high concentration of depsea water allows the formula to go on like silk, leaving skin hydrated and refreshed. The lightweight foundation is designed to smooth out imperfections, such as uneven skin tone and texture, for a naturally flawless finish.