shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil
shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil ($67.00 for 15.2 fl. oz.) is designed for combination to oily skin types as a cleansing oil that “effectively remove[s] make-up and ipurities … while maintaining the skin’s necessary moisture level.” It is “empowered with Sakura Complex” to “[minimize] pores by eliminating excess sebum and visibly [smoothe] the skin’s surface.” According to shu uemura, sakura leaf extract is “known to reduce inflammatory mediators that can cause skin redness” and “improve skin texture.” It also contains salicyclic acid and cherry extract. It is available year-round in a regularly pink-tinted bottle but has been relased in special packaging for the ob collection. It’s sold out (in this packaging) online, but if you are located where shu uemura is still sold in stores, you may find it locally.
I’m a big fan of shu uemura’s Cleansing Oils, and I hadn’t tried the Fresh Pore Clarifying formula yet. The last bottle I used was a limited edition bottle released with last holiday season’s wkw collection, which was the “White Recovery EX+ Brightening Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula” (which doesn’t seem to be available in regular packaging on the U.S. website). One giant bottle lasts me anywhere from four to six months. I didn’t love this one as much as the other formulas I’ve tried, because it is very thin–almost water-like in texture. The others were slightly thicker but not so thick that they felt oily or heavy, but this one is so thin that it took some getting used to. I needed to pump it into my hands over the sink, as it would leak through my fingers or pump beyond my hands and get onto the counter/in the sink. I just never noticed this as an issue with the two or three bottles I’ve used previously (different formulas, all cleansing oils). The formula has a very light floral scent that’s pretty muted.
Aside from the consistency/packaging issue, the formula worked well to break down and remove makeup, dirt, and whatever else happened to be on my face. I take two to three pumps and then massage and work it into my skin, and then I rinse my hands under water and then work the oil into a small lather. After that, I rinse my face with lukewarm water and pat dry. I never experience any oily residue, no squeaky clean/tight feeling, or have issues with my eyes clouding during the rinsing process. shu’s cleansing oils are definitely a go-to for me when I’m wearing a full face of makeup, because it gets it all off and I don’t need to follow-up with another cleanser.
Do you prefer to shop in store or online? No matter your access, what would be your preference?
I actually like shopping online quite a bit, because there’s no pressure, you can partake in sales (so few are in-store!), read reviews while you’re shopping with ease, and if you need to, return without having to deal with any sales associate.
Cult Nails Center of Attention Nail Lacquer ($12.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “multi sized pink glitter intermixed with a color shifting micro glitter that goes from gold to orange.” It contains several sizes of pink glitter with smaller silver and gold glitters that are in the “background” so-to-speak all suspended in a clear base. I went through other glittery top coats I’ve reviewed, but I wasn’t able to find one quite like this; so if you have any dupe suggestions, please feel free to share!
The consistency of Center of Attention was refreshingly thin; it wasn’t too thin, but it wasn’t thick or gel-like as some glitter top coats can be. It felt very normal, and it still applied well without clumping up in places. I was able to apply a single coat and pull it across the nail and have the glitters evenly distribute. One coat provided good coverage for layering so the nail was covered but not so dense that you couldn’t see the color coat. For reference, I applied two coats of this alone on my thumb nail, and it’s semi-opaque. To avoid a noticeable texture to the nail, apply a thicker top coat. I usually get a week of wear with Cult Nails’ glitter top coats.
The texture of this was amazing--it was so easy to use, never felt thick or gel-like, and applied well. It had good density for layering over your favorite polish.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
5/5
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Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
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Ample Amber has great buildable color, though it’s not quite the sheer wash of color described by Clinique. One stroke yields semi-opaque color, and blended out, a sheer wash is achievable with some work (I would say you can get semi-sheer to semi-opaque color with less work). It’s the blending that I have the biggest struggle with, as the pencil is on the drier side. It doesn’t feel so stiff and stubborn that it becomes painful, but once on the lid, it doesn’t want to move around much, even initially. Blending out the edges can be difficult, and when I used a blow dryer to heat the pencil prior to applying, the blending went better but not well. I love that it wears a full twelve hours with no fading and only minor creasing (no primer) and that it doesn’t require sharpening, as it twists up.
I love the long-wear, twist-up mechanism (so there's no sharpening required), and that is has buildable color--but it could be creamier and easier to blend, because it doesn't want to budge, even after you've just applied it.
Product
9/10
Pigmentation
9/10
Texture
7.5/10
Longevity
9.5/10
Application
3.5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
Share: Tell us what you love and hate about BB Creams!
my answer: I feel short-changed that what we get sold as BB Creams here in the U.S. are largely NOT really BB creams, so I think it’s muddied the waters and not given us the product that has done so well overseas. As a result, I just haven’t been that interested in trying them.
Heads up for those who missed the launch on MAC’s website, Nordstrom and Macy’s have launched the collection online (and I only saw that Sheer Seduction lipstick was missing at Nordstrom, but everything else appeared to be in stock when I checked).
I actually like shopping online quite a bit, because there’s no pressure, you can partake in sales (so few are in-store!), read reviews while you’re shopping with ease, and if you need to, return without having to deal with any sales associate.
