Thursday, June 17, 2010

Bubblegum Pinks: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Lipstick in "PK 343"

For my second posting as part of the Bubblegum Pinks series, I decided to blog about my newest obsession –Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lipsticks!
Repurchase: Yes
Price: $23 (0.13oz/3.7g)
Product: 9/10
Packaging: 8/10
Value: 8.5/10
Overall Grade: A-

The Packaging: The lipstick is encased in a clear, plastic tube with "Shu Uemura" displayed on the side. I like it. I think people will either love or hate the packaging. I know sometimes you think plastic and you think “cheap” but Shu Uemura’s plastic lipstick tube is actually sturdy –not “bendy” like other lighter, thinner plastics.
I've seen some other brands have their lipsticks have similar packaging but none of them ring a bell except for the Model's Own lipsticks.
Ingredients! I know.. it's in such light font I can barely read it in person.
The Product: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lipsticks sort of remind me of the YSL Rouge Voluptés –except I like these way better. To me, these the 2 lipsticks are similar because like Rouge Volupté, the product just glides on so easily and becomes more like a wet cream gloss. With the Rouge Volupté, you can easily over apply it. With the Shu lipstick, the color too glides on effortlessly but it’s not as pigmented the Rouge Voluptés so it’s never “overdone,” making the lipstick way easier to apply. With the Shu lipstick, it starts off sheer but I am able to build up the color to whatever I like and it won’t look over the top like the Rouge Volupté did for me –that was just too pigmented for me to control! 2 layers of the YSL Rouge Volupté made me look like I literally had wet paint on my lips whereas with this, the color is bright but looks like “normal” lipstick.
The Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lipstick is very moisturizing and feels like a lip balm as I apply it. The lipstick offers a "semi glossy" finish with a nice sheen. I love that it doesn't look dry and patchy on my lips even though this is a lighter shade (most pale/light lippies can look super dry.) The lipsticks lasts for about 3-4 hours for me (even when eating and I snack/eat frequently.) The lipstick is sheer but buildable and has great color payoff. It also has a floral perfume scent but not a nauseating granny smell –it’s subtle and doesn’t cause any reactions (I tend to really hate perfumes and “makeup” smells as they give me allergies and/or headaches.)
I really don't see any cons except maybe packaging (for some people) and maybe the $23 price tag but I feel that it's reasonable compared to other high-end brands since other lipsticks are around the $30 range. Sometimes the lipstick can look a little patchy as all lipsticks can but only on days when my lips are abnormally dry. Other then that, the lipsick doesn't make my lips look dry at all.
(I don't usually like including pics of used products but the other pics were a bit dark. This pic clearly displays the color of the lipstick.)
The Color: I picked up "PK 343" (from their Pink Collection) which is a perfect lightish but more medium bubblegum pink type of color with very minor shimmer (you can barely see it on the lips.) On the lips, the color is bright but subtle and very wearable if you're into bubblegum pinks. Again, the lipstick is sheer but very buildable and after a few swipes, you get some great color payoff.
See the subtle shimmer?
Another pic.. sorry this one's icky. Took this after I'd used it but you can see the color better here.

Swatches..
 Above (no flash): Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lipstick in PK 343
Above (with flash): Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lipstick in PK 343. The lipstick is a bit darker like in the "flash" pic but a tad lighter than the flash pic.

Lip Swatch..
Above (with flash): Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited lipstick in PK 343. No lip balm underneath and my lips were very dry prior to applying the lipstick (like a 9/10 on a scale level of dryness!)

Overall: I really love these lipsticks and I'd recommend them to anyone who has trouble finding lipsticks that are moisturizing (I have super dry lips and these are excellent.) I love hat the lipsticks are so easy to use and never look over the top. My lips don't look dry and patchy even when using the lighter/paler shades. You can get a sheer to very pigmented finish with these depending on how many layers you apply.
Where to Buy: Shu Uemura (online) Some Shu Uemura products are still available at Sephora online but are quickly being sold out because Shu Uemura is no longer going to be sold in the U.S. (except for at their online website.) My Nordstroms counter still carries some of they're products and I've also seen the products at Nordstrom online.

9 comments:

  1. Thanks for the swatches! I really want more of these lipsticks :D I have the Tsumori Chisato collection LE Rouge Unlimited in Jupiter Brown and I love how it starts out sheer but is buildable and feels really moisturizing :) I like the shiny/glossy finish too. I would totally buy more of these if it wasn't for the price XP I really wanna try the égérie Rouge Unlimited Nude Beige and their Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shines too!

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  2. Shu definitely looks better on you and the color is a pretty pink. I've tried Shu before and found it to be drying for me. LOL we're complete opposites! I don't like the packaging but the upside to it is that it's easy to see the color w/out having to open the lipstick. Great review Kali!

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  3. @ e.motion in motion.. Don't you love them?? I love Shu Uemura. I want to try the égérie Rouge Unlimited Nude lippie too but they've been out of stock online forever. I agree they're pricey but I'm happy they're not as expensive as others like YSL Rouge Volupté ($34) or Givenchy ($28.) I got these during the 20% off sale so I didn't have to spend the whole $23. =) I love the shades of the Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shines but they're so expensive -$30!! =( I've been wanting 317 forever.. it's the perfect light bubblegum pink. I heard they don't last long at all though so that's why I didn't buy it during the sale.. But I probably will in the future.

    @ naturalnchicmakeup.. Thanks. =) I think it looks way better too (as opposed to the YSL.) I knew the packaging would be a hit or miss.. I like that it's at least sturdy unlike other "plastic packaged" lipsticks and you're right, it's definitely easier to tell which shade it is.

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  4. Some weird packaging on those shu lipsticks. I picked up some more revlon lipsticks today.. last day of the 50% off sale in Canada :(

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  5. That's great! I don't own many Revlon lipsticks but I want to try more colors. Hopefully you get another sale soon. =)

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