I've put this foundation on a variety of ways and there's just NO WAY to mess it up. I've used only my fingers to dab & smooth it on when I'm in a rush, I've used a sponge applicator to smooth it on, I've stippled it on with the MAC 187, and I've even used the Shu Natural 18 Foundation brush to apply it. However you choose to apply this, it goes on beautifully. It gives medium to medium-full coverage and has a bit of a powdery finish.

What I love is that this foundation never cakes and it lasts through an 8 hour day. I don't recall ever needing to touch-up my face with this foundation. I've seem some forums where people say this foundation has oxidized on them and turned orangey. I tested it out and I didn't have a problem with oxidization but I also disagreed with the original shade the SAs picked out for me. They chose #754 for me but it was a bit off - so I self-corrected afterwards.

The only real complaint I have is I can "feel" the foundation sitting on my skin as it's drying. Even though it dries fairly quickly, every now and then during the day I get that feeling of The Foundation is ON again.

Read the whole review + swatches at: http://beautytakesthecake.blogspot.com/2009/10/shu-uemura-face-architect-smoothing.html

It's about $40 for slightly less than 1 ounce of product. I am of Chinese descent and I have tanned skin with yellow undertones. I have never found a foundation that completely matches my skin under this. I tried it out at the Sephora store in Paris while I was on vacation and it matches my skin tone perfectly, stayed on for the entire day and didn't come off, at least noticeably. Blended perfected and my skin looked really natural and it didn't settle in the the fine lines I'm starting to get. I asked my boyfriend if he noticed that I was wearing makeup and he said, "What makeup?" He's either a smart cookie or my makeup really did look good.

Pros: you can build the coverage, natural looking, 934 is perfect for me, good texture, don't have to use a lot, covers my acne blemishes/freckles/large pores

cons: expensive, small amount

verdict: Nothing else has worked this well for me, this is HG for now.

I went to Nordstrom and saw Shu Uemura counter, spoke with SA and she was so nice. I asked her about Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation since my skin does not like ANY of foundations at all, my face felt burn, hyper sensitive and prone to break outs. She explained to me this is only foundation will not break out for my skin type. I took sample home, using samples for two and half weeks. I love how it looks on my skin. Yes I do get oily only on my T-Zone area. I just had to blot once during lunch time. I love how glow it is on my skin. It made my skin look so much healthier! I am going back to Shu Uemura counter and buy one today!!! :)

P.S. Ladies, if you have pale skin, they do have for pale skin, I am number 365. I do not have yellow skin, this is really good one!

UPDATE: They discontinued! Nordstrom no longer selling it. So I moved to Cover FX foundation for hyper-sensitive skin, it seemed to be good one too. :)

Before I went and bought it, I sampled it by getting the make up artist to color match me. She applied it on my face and I instantly fell in love! I have blotchy red patches on my skin and this foundation really reduced my redness. It was also made my skin smooth, and my overall complexion was great.

Right after she helped me, I told her I would consider it and come back(since it's so expensive). I then went to dinner with my friends, and went home. At home I did some homework, and when it was midnight I went to the bathroom. Just when I was about to take off my make up I made some observations. The foundation didn't fade or run off my face whatsoever (I wasn't even wearing primer when I tested the foundation)! I'm completely sold on this foundation. I'm going to purchase it the next time I go to the Shu Uemura counter.

I'm not a fan of foundation in general. I hate how it clogs pores, looks obvious, and hides the natural radiance and texture of skin. That being said, as I get older, I notice I'm needing to cover areas on my face that are starting to get a little blotchy. On a whim, I took home a sample of this foundation that a nice Shu Uemura gal made up for me at Nordstroms. The foundation has a seemless silky application, does NOT settle into lines or pores making them look worse. In fact, quite the opposite. My skin looks finished, perfected and not obvious that I've got make up on at all. The coverage is natural, but adjustable. Which is perfect for what I'm looking for. I have combo skin with sensitive/break out tendancies, and this foundation does not irrate or b/o my skin at all. I'm so very impressed with this product and will most def. be buying this again and again!!

I am a huge fan of MUA. I read reviews on EVERYTHING. Never have been inspired to write a review cause I am usually let down by almost all products. However, this foundation is amazing. I was wearing Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk, and decided to go back to Shu Uemura. This foundation makes even the worst skin look flawless. Everything looks smooth and gives a gorgeous glow without an oily dewy look. It also does not make wrinkles look worse which was mu biggest problem. It actually makes your wrinkles almost vanish! GO GET THIS AND TRY IT!!! Its amazing.

So about reading the comments on the coverage of this product i have to say you just need to "adjust" that issue by adding more foundation. I have to say IMO this is the best foundation i have used, ive used them all and before this I was with almays clear complexion foundation which was okay good coverage, but it made me flaky and cakey! This foundation is 4x the price of drugstore foundation, but let me tell you it's making my skin better with wear! I absolutely love this foundation it goes on silky smooth with great coverage and light wear. It's a must try!

I have had good skin all my life and just within the past few years I have developed some pigmentation issues, and so now I feel that I need to wear something. Yet I still want my skin to be as healthy as possible. For someone like me, this product is the best. First of all, the shade range is generous, and you are likely to find a match. Secondly, the texture is very light. It applies like a dream, and it just looks like skin. It has never looked at all heavy, cakey or shiny. I find myself looking in the mirror and really believing that I am 30 again! Third, the coverage is good enough for someone who has fairly good skin but just needs a little help. Finally (and most importantly), this does not clog my pores or make my skin feel dry as some other foundations do. I do not have to worry about using this product daily. The foundations are the best products in the Shu Uemura line. I recommend this for ladies who want to look naturall but better, and who don't need a lot of coverage.

This is one of those foundations that you would love to have forever! In my opinion, this is best I've tried, and believe me, I have tried A LOT!
The only inconvenient is that it has only 27ml so I guess it won't last that much when used every day.
It has 60% of sea water which moisturizes the face and what I really really love is that my face does not become oily during the day.
Another plus is : NO breakouts here.
What can you ask for more?
For reference , I am NC15 in MAC and the shade 954 suits me just perfect!

Fantastic coverage - I dont feel like I am wearing a mask AND I feel like a porcelain doll!