Lots of you have been asking to see her again and Shu Uemura recently relaunched the Laque Supreme, so my twin sister and I reviewed it together on YouTube! We hope you enjoy her presence because she'll be making guest appearances more often this year. Trish has different makeup and skin care preferences than I do so it should be fun for beauty lovers who want to see a wider variety of brands and products on my channel. We both agree that the new Laque Supreme's applicator and long lasting formula are lovable and wearable, though, so please check out our video below!
We swatched everything live on camera, but above are labeled swatches of the Laque Supremes for your convenience. Do keep in mind that skin swatches are just for reference. Please refer to the lip swatch session, the latter half of the video, to see how they look on the lips especially for the two vampy tones on the far right. WN04 is a cooler raspberry-magenta wine, while WN05 is a warmer blackberry wine. They appear identical in the photo above but they are totally different shades when worn on the lips!
The Shu Uemura x Super Mario Bros Holiday 2017 has been widely anticipated, and sadly, the lipsticks sold out right away! Lots of you had messaged me and asked me for reviews, but I created a tutorial instead because I've reviewed a lot of these products like the Ultime8 cleansing oil before. I did, however, want to give away one of the lipsticks since I know many of you missed out!
Shu Uemura recently collaborated with Japanese jewelry brand Ambush, and it's one of the most fresh and funky yet wearable collections they've unveiled in ages. My favorites are the mixed silver and gold lipstick bullets with the modern stamped logo look. Each of the shades is supremely luxe.
The mattes have a plush whipped texture that smooths lip lines and the shine formula is shimmery but feels like liquid gold. Shu Uemura might have tweaked the formula a bit on these, because they seem a little bit better than usual. More details and photos after the jump!
Shu Uemura is best known for their lovely lipstick selection and cult classic eyebrow pencils, but you may not have tried their skin care. A year ago I was recommending the Depsea line to those who needed basic hydrating products, but it was discontinued and reformulated. I wanted to share my updated list of favorites because there's a sale which makes it the perfect time to stock up or purchase Mother's Day gifts! Use promo code RAEVIEWFF for 20% off $50+ orders and 25% off $125+ orders plus free shipping. Valid from May 7 to May 16 on shuuemura-usa.com and shuuemura.ca.
Takashi Murakami is one of the most celebrated Japanese artists in the world. He collaborated with Shu Uemura for their Holiday 2013 collection, so I have been waiting season after season to see another masterpiece theme! This Holiday 2016 release is all about cosmic love, making this colorful and cheerful collection worth sharing. Check out my top picks after the jump!
There are so many highly anticipated sales happening right now, it can be overwhelming! But part of my job is to keep you guys up to date for the right opportunity to try something new or repurchase a favorite. Shu Uemura is holding their annual VIP event, meaning we get to take advantage of an incredible discount!
Use code VIPRAE to receive 25% OFF
and get free shipping with an exclusive free gift
for my readers, a FREE LIP BRUSH on any order $50+
that will be valid on both shuuemura-usa.com and shuuemura.ca.
The promotion starts November 15th and expires November 30th!
I am head over heels for the Shu Uemura x Maison Kitsune collaboration, and quite frankly, just about everyone is. The graphics are chic yet playful, and the Plum Remix palette is wearable with little punches of fun color. It has quickly become part of my everyday makeup routine which some of you may have noticed if you keep track of what I wear in my videos!
During Shu Uemura sales, however, I always stock up on the same five products since I test their new releases at the start of every season. The discount makes it the perfect time to buy back-ups or try different colors of products I already know I love.
FIRST
I highly recommend ordering a few extra lash curlers during the sale. I gift the classic version to friends who only wear mascara. If my friend wear false lashes, I will give her the S-curler since it allows for more control. Lash curlers also make good stocking stuffers because they are small yet practical gifts that don't (totally) break the bank!
SECOND
Speaking of false lashes, I rekindled my love for Shu Uemura lashes. Their Smoky Layers style (above center) is truly one of the most distinct and memorable styles on the market. They have a sturdy, rather thick band that requires some getting used to, but the Smoky Layers style looks beautiful day or night. I wore them in this eye tutorial video here.
THIRD
Give one of the famed cleansing oils a try! My favorite is the newest Blanc:Chroma, packaged in chic lilac. It has a very subtle refreshing fragrance and is formulated to exfoliate while removing makeup and cleansing thoroughly. Three in one! The Anti:Oxi is great for all skin types, especially if your skin is dull and stressed from environmental factors such as pollution. If you have dry to very dry skin, I recommend the Ultime8 to condition and nourish.
FOURTH
My most-worn Shu Uemura Eyeshadows are the glitters, like the pink and orange ones from the Kitsune palette. They are so much more affordable than Tom Ford's but have a very similar finish. The glitter flecks do not irritate my dry sensitive eyes, and I always get compliments when I wear them out! The whole Shu Uemura eyeshadow range in general is smooth and creamy and richly pigmented without kicking up too much dust.
FIFTH
Although the Rouge Unlimited lipsticks are the signature Shu Uemura lip product, the Tint in Gelato is one of the few multi-use products that is moisturizing enough to wear on both lips and cheeks! I love how the versatile color range is bright and vivid and punchy yet totally wearable. You get soft flushed cheeks that look supremely natural and buildable stained lip color that never flakes or bleeds. The finish is semi-matte, so you can always top with a gloss to change things up and create a mirror finish!
I've recently made the transition to straight brows! Many of you have left comments on YouTube and Instagram telling me how much you love the change, so I filmed a tutorial to show you how I've flattened my arch to mimic the signature K-beauty look.
My eyebrows are naturally faint and sparse and grow very slowly, so creating a straight shape is still an ordeal. Luckily, the Wayne Goss Brow Set and Shu Uemura's iconic eyebrow makeup makes the transformation possible! More tips and tricks after the jump!
We continue Asia Week with a top ten edit, specifically for all those who have been waiting to hear about Japanese beauty exclusives! Narrowing down this list to just ten products was much more difficult than I imagined, but I truly believe this review will steer you in the right direction when shopping in Japan. I've spent an obscene amount of money on testing phenomenal, mediocre and even downright awful products since my first trip to Tokyo this year (in January), so I'm going to share what I've learned and highlight the most memorable of the lot. Get ready for J-Beauty heaven after the jump!
You might have already seen beautiful Instagram images from beauty junkies all over the world, raving about the new Shu Uemura Fall 2015 collection. It was released in Asia a couple months ago, but it has finally made it over to us in America and Canada! It is unusually colorful — with delightfully rich pigmentation across the board — so I am very excited to feature it.
Don't forget to use coupon code RAEVIEWER for free shipping with any purchase + a chic makeup clutch and 3 deluxe cleansing oil samples! I do not make commission from the use of the code xo
My favorite products from the Vision of Beauty vol.2 Haute Street Collection are the warm x vibrant Eye Palette and the Lipsticks. As soon as I opened up the eyeshadows, I knew I had to create a sunset-themed makeup look! I utilized all the eyeshadows other than the shimmery plum next to the matte brown. These days, my latest "trick" obsession is softening my pencil eyeliner by layering powder eyeshadow on top. It's not new or revolutionary, but I love it nonetheless.
I kept the lips and cheeks simple. This way, none of the attention is drawn away from the gorgeous eye colors! I prefer when the lips and cheeks match, so I used pink to soften the overall feel. Feel free to use orange if you are looking for more drama. These new Rouge Unlimited lipsticks are exceptionally smooth and forgiving on my extra dry lips. The glossy sheen is truly non-sticky! Two thumbs up!!
The Fall 2015 Tint in Gelato release is unique because it comes in a squeeze tube, instead of the lipgloss-style applicator of the permanent lineup. This is great if you prefer the creamy color for cheeks! I swatched all four in a carefree manner to show the texture. Yes, Coral and Orange look very similar in the swatches, but Coral is much more pink when blended out on the skin. Orange will lean more red.
And as promised, here's a little extra chemical peel chatter! Please do take note that chemicals peels are serious business, and I recommend them only to those who are diligent sunscreen users. Your skin will be much more sensitive and prone to sun damage after the peeling process. Regular application of SPF 30 (or more) is paramount to skin health, especially at the peak hours of 10 am to 2 pm. Reapply every two hours if possible! You don't want to end up with more pigmentation than you started with. Chemical peels do help create baby soft and ultra smooth skin, but with regular exfoliation and other treatments such as microdermabrasion, you most likely will not need a chemical peel. I chose to try Cosmelan because I have very old, very deep and stubborn acne scarring.
Obviously, I am not a dermatologist or esthetician, so do consult a professional before committing to an expensive peel like Cosmelan! I've tried all sorts of chemical peels and trendy skin care treatments, but I had never heard of Cosmelan until a couple months ago. I bumped into a really sweet PR agency girl who recommended it since she saw incredible results. Cosmelan definitely went deeper than I had anticipated since I shed a lot of dead skin, but I'm not quite sure that it was worth the money I paid.. not just yet, anyway. I actually have part two of the peel scheduled next week, so I'll be sure to update you with any new feedback in my August Favorites video!
Skin has always been one of my priorities, thanks to the women in my family. My grandmother is virtually ageless; she's turning 80 this year but doesn't look a day over 65. My skin, however, hasn't been perfect like hers. I discussed my acne skin story in this Top 10 story HERE, sharing why I got cystic acne and what products I used to speed up the purging process. Today's skin chat is more of a general take on my skin care history. The past 2 years been incredibly challenging and emotional, but I'm so grateful that my skin is nearly done healing!! Don't forget that your skin is an organ (your body's largest), so be gentle and patient. Below is a heart to heart video that I made while in Tokyo to share my journey, the process.
In case you've never seen my inflamed pimple-ridden skin, here's the Kiehl's video where I bare it all. I did manipulate the lighting so that it wouldn't look as red or as painful, but my face hurt all the time back then. I cried a lot. My eyes still get watery just thinking about it. I hated looking in the mirror, and I dreaded filming and uploading videos. I didn't want to talk about it, couldn't open up about it because I would inevitably burst into tears. I was so scared that someone would spot me in public that I stopped going to the gym and I stopped going outside altogether for a while. I started eating a lotof junk food and take-out and gained ten pounds back then, which many of you noticed.
To make matters worse, I was swallowed up by depression which deepened when the blue-purple welts started to surface. That part of the healing/scarring process was the most traumatizing because I looked bruised all over. I was fat, bloated, and ugly. There was so much deep damage that even my grandmother was very concerned that my skin would never bounce back. But after 6 months (which felt like years), my skin started to heal. My mood improved and I felt a surge of hope. The depression naturally lifted in due time, and although I was still embarrassed, I wasn't as afraid to venture out.
In hindsight, I think the best treatment would have been professional extractions and microdermabrasion facials every three weeks to boost the effectiveness of the products I had been using. I was overwhelmed and unable to take on that financial commitment at the time, but it would have left me with fewer, smaller scars. So that's my best advice to everyone.. find an exceptional esthetician AND use quality skin care! Of course, wearing sunscreen daily, drinking plenty of water, eating clean and green, and sleeping 7 hours a day will help drastically as well!
Even though I've been treating the scarring for a year, I have a couple stubborn scars on my cheeks and forehead. I'm hoping to clear those up in the next few months. It's all about consistency and lifestyle when it comes to these things. And since I haven't filmed a skin care routine video in a while, I figured I would share what products I've been using faithfully! I switch it up when I'm testing new products, but the lineup below features my go-to skin savers. These are my favorites, so please try them!!
I've waited many years to compile this Holy Grail Hair Care + Styling Products lineup because I was always waiting for the next best thing to sweep me off my feet. Now that my hair has endured so many different types of chemical treatments and colors, I am ready to share what hair care is actually worth the money!
Let me start by telling you that I have a very laid-back approach to my hair. When I buy expensive hair care, I expect it to keep my locks looking as healthy and as vibrant as possible. I stick to these tried but true products because they work. I have used atelier salon brands Kerastase and Shu Uemura the longest — nearly 6 years — all throughout various stages of virgin hair, dyed jet black hair, blonde ombre hair, and red ombre hair. I have loved and recommended every variation of the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo, and I absolutely adore the Kerastase Cristalliste for those with dark dyed or natural, untreated hair! Other noteworthy products from Kerastase are Initialiste (if you suffer from dry scalp) and Reflection Masque Chroma Riche (a hydrating and soothing mask for colored hair).
My latest obsession for hair care has been Moroccanoil due to its more affordable pricing and phenomenal quality, but if you can splurge, I urge you to try Philip B. The White Truffle Conditioning Creme tames my hair in ways that no other conditioners from even Shu Uemura, Kerastase and Moroccanoil can. My hair feels soft yet bouncy and responds better to styling. Luxury hair care brands like Oribe make wonderful products as well. If you'd like to try something more luxurious than the Kiehl's Damage Repair Treatment, definitely look into the Oribe Split End Seal! I am still in the process of testing it, which is why it did not make it into the video below. I will release my final verdict in a few weeks. My sister is a huge fan of Oribe's Gold Lust Hair Oil and the famed Thick Dry Texturizing Spray, so we highly recommend you try them!
Last but not least, I wanted to mention that you will hear me consistently mention fragrance in the video review. I might have a very dull nose, but I love pleasantly scented hair care. It makes me feel confident and radiates a more polished aura. I hope you'll enjoy the review and give some of my favorites a try!
Spring is the perfect time to update your skin care wardrobe. I have never tested so many new foundations and skin care products before, ever — which is saying a lot considering how many products I test every quarter — so my complexion has been congested and dehydrated and requires more TLC than usual. I've also been suffering from breakouts on my chin, so today's video will cover all varieties of skin care treatments! Because I am getting older and now fully understand all aspects of the arduous acne struggle, I take skin care very seriously. I never recommend or even feature something that I did not personally try, use, and feel is worth recommending.
Hence, the power players that I will be sharing today are some of the very best in their respective categories. I highly recommend you give them a try! Call my sister Patricia at Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach at 949.220.3366 if you need guidance with La Mer products. She can help you pick products that are suitable for your skin type and concerns, and there is no pressure as she does not work on commission. Plus, there will be a special (non-sponsored) giveaway launching on my Instagram page tonight, so please stop by to check it out!
