Review: Shu Uemura XTR Protector SPF50 PA+++ Sunscreen Milk

It's kind of fitting that my first ever skincare review is on Shu uemura, as my favorite brand! Maybe it's also fitting that it's not available on the shuuemura-usa site, but in Asia. Hmm! Well, for readers in Asia or currently planning to take a trip there, here's something you should look out for.

I think I got this for 1300NTD, which is about 39$USD. Now, 39USD sounds really pricey for 40ml, or 1.35FLoz. But, I've used this for about 2 years, using it every time I'll be in the sun for at least an hour (so, I usually only use this in the summer, daily). As you can see by the pictures below, a little goes a long way.




It mattifies my skin nicely, so I don't get all oily. I don't really see a difference in makeup application after wards. So the good things are that it mattifies, and doesn't affect the makeup put on after wards.

The texture is really nice too--not too liquidy, but not a thick cream--a happy mixture of the two. It sinks in quickly, and doesn't give my skin a white cast. However, for the sensitive noses out there, it *does* have a slight fragrance that lingers after you apply it. I find it unobtrusive, like the smell of, well, sunscreen and faint herbs, but I have to mention it anyways.

I like that the SPF is 50, so I don't really have to worry about it for maybe two hours, as opposed to my other sunscreen of SPF20 that I reapply frequently. Yay for high SPF!

While I just use this on my face, the SA told me it is also good for use on the body, but I want to keep using the same tube for as long as possible.

The packaging for this is a box of white and lavendar, a tube of pure white, which I like. It fits in with shu uemura's sleek image.

Note: In Asia, where the 'Protector TTL Defender SPF25 PA++' is also available, the SA told me that XTR Protector SPF50 PA+++ Sunscreen Milk sells better and that customers prefer it over the Protector TTL Defender.

Also, in Asia, I believe the PA+ rating system can go up to four ++++, for indication of higher protection and this obviously has more of them.

Review: Clinique Eye Shadow Duo in 309 Champagne Kisses

This was given to me by a dear friend when she returned from Taiwan. I think this was an Asia Exclusive since it isn't on the Clinique site (where it retails for 17.50). The duo includes a pretty neutral to warm light pink and a metallic beige-brown (which in my opinion is absolutely beautiful).




The pink looks cooler than it is here however.

I was skeptical for this duo since the only other Clinique eyeshadow I have is Lucky Penny, which was great, but I dislike pinks. However...

This was a disappointment. The pink color, while pigmented, was chalky on me and made me look horrible. Perhaps the color is too pale; but I didn't have high hopes for it, because, as I already stated, I never use pinks on my eyes. This also was about 2/3 of the duo.

The brown shade, a pretty metallic beige-brown with pink undertones is BEAUTIFUL! I really like it, but...it's not the most pigmented. If this was a single, however, I still would keep it. But it's only about 1/3 of the compact...

Packaging on the clinique eye shadow is always in a mirrored lid with the Clinique logo, see through bottom and eyeshadow in little mock-color squares. Comes with a sponge and a plastic cover. I hate how the mirror attracts so much fingerprints though.

These color disappeared on me immediately without a base, but lasts pretty well with Urban Decay Primer Potion. Overall, up for swap this goes, because the pink shade is just not flattering and the amount of beige is not enough to save it.

Review: Christian Dior Summer Star Asia Exclusive Quint

Released with Dior's Summer 2008 Goldrush collection, this and Goldfever are the two LE quads released with it.
Price: About 58USD. This is 6 dollars over the asking price in the US, but 58 divided by 5 which is about 11.60$ for each shadow, which I reckon is pretty good. I also think that while you probably won't use all five shades for one look, it's great to mix n match and get lots of different EOTDs from it.

Where to get it: This is probably long gone in countries like Japan and Taiwan where they are pretty hot (this confused me at first, then I realized that I did see rather a lot of people at the Dior counters). However, there may still be stock. Or, you can test your luck on Ebay.

Texture: Soo soft and silky! This is my first Dior Quint and now I'm lemming the Stylish Moves one! I am amazed at the quality. Nom.

Pigmentation: Superb! While it isn't as great as my Holy Grail Shu shadows, it's pretty darn close. I really like it for a natural look with oomph.

Lasting ability: This lasts all day on me on top of Urban Decay Primer Potion (another Holy grail!). I always use UDPP so cannot comment on how it wears without it.

Packaging: So classy! Comes it a glossy navy box with silver lettering; in it's own velvet pouch! How luxe is that?

Seen it? Heard about it? Thought it was meh? Wished it wasn't Asia Exclusive? Have no fear! The Europe and North American version of this is the Golds quint. As Jojoba of Makeupalley and mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com reported, the only shade that is different is the pink in the Summer Star quad and the copper in the Golds. Boo on Dior for only changing one shade! That said, I think I would have liked Golds better because of that copper shade.

The rest of the collection:
Face
Golden Dior Medallion - $55
Lumieres Dior in Amber Sunlight 002 - $55
Dior Bronze Harmonie Blush in Spicy Desert 005 -$42

Eyes
5-Colour Eyeshadow in Goldfever 589 - $52
1-Colour Eyeshadow in Terra Sienna 585 - $24.50
1-Colour Eyeshadow in Million-Dollar Gold 645 - $24.50

Lipgloss
Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Beige Moire 217- $24.50
Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Coral Lame 337 - $24.50
Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Beige Lurex 437 - $24.50

Lipstick
Dior Addict High Shine in Shine Pink 354 - $25
Dior Addict High Shine in Ready-to-Gold 414 - $25
Dior Addict High Shine in Show Coral 444 - $25
Dior Addict High Shine in Couture Brown 614 - $25

Nail Polish
Dior Addict High Shine in Shine Pink 354 - $25
Dior Addict High Shine in Gold Nugget 708 - $25

Teaser: Christian Dior Summer Star Asia Exclusive Limited Edition

Expect a review on this item shortly! Here are some pics to tide you over till then!





I got mine for 1800New Taiwan Dollars, which is 58.7621 USD. Hmm, six dollars over the price here...

Shu Uemura Cream Shadows

These are apparently Euro and Asia exclusive at the moment. The US site does not have these cream shadows.

About: It's not very creamy at all! It's a dry cream definetly, and you'll want to rub your finger around in it. Don't though! These babies are pigmented! They come in a flat pot, almost like Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouges but harder to open. They come in 8 regular colors; Light Blue, Green, Beige, Taupe, Black, White, Pink, & Brown. Only Black and White are matte. Compared to MAC Paint Pots, paint pots come in higher jars and are more creamy, as well as more shades. Both are kind of hard to open. They wear like iron however, and do not crease (I normally don't have a problem with this though).

Some pictures:




If you want one of these (About 20USD IIRC), Ichibankao.com does custom orders!