Shiseido • Sun Block Compact SPF 32 • Foundations

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bebemonte on 11/24/2010 11:31:00 PM more reviews by bebemonte

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

SP40 is a good match for NC25 and the powder foundation looks good when first applied but on me there is NO OIL CONTROL whatsoever. I look shiny within 20 minutes and that's not what I expected from powder foundation so I will be returning this to Nordies.
For me, Merle Norman Luxiva powder foundation works 1 times better, and even NYX Twin Cake has better oil control.
Still waiting to receive my Mark Powder Buff in the mail for comparison but other then the awesome SPF, this did not cut if for me.
By they way, I put the NYX twin cake in the Shiseido case and it fits perfectly so at least the case is a keeper.

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luanafp on 11/11/2010 8:35:00 PM more reviews by luanafp

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I had never purchased anything from Shiseido until this. I'm really impressed with this foundation/face powder. It gives light/medium coverage (you can build it up if you want), has SPF and doesn't make me break out. Match made in heaven. I LOVE it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* kathhh on 8/27/2010 10:13:00 PM more reviews by kathhh

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

i absolutely love this.
been using this for about a month now, and i can honestly say that it's perfect for me. so my skin type: EXTREMELY oily t-zone and normal cheeks. i have found that this is the best foundation for my oily parts, it controls the oil better than my previous powder foundation. the thing i like best, however, is its amazing staying power. it lasts and lasts throughout the entire day, not to mention SPF 30+. although it may look a tad powdery when i first apply it, after half an hour or so (when my skin has produced a little bit of oil), it looks totally natural.

excellent coverage, too.

HG for sure.

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Brendonoahsmom on 5/16/2010 5:54:00 PM more reviews by Brendonoahsmom

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other, Tan, Cool   Hair: Other, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Great compact for the summer time! Ive had my case (the teal and orange) since i was 18 (im 28 now) and it is still in good condition. Ive been getting refills every summer. there a lot of product, and it lasts long compared to my other compacts (i pack on alot), And the color is great if you want that tan look and protection from the sun. The trick is, You have to get the right color. If you dont, youll end up looking darkEr or oompa loompa orange.

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direoui on 4/3/2010 5:59:00 AM more reviews by direoui

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

i've never been in love with a foundation before, none have ever thrilled me, but this one excites me. i've tried many drugstore and mid-range department store brands. Vincent Longo, laura mercier, Prescriptives, Revlon's Age Defying, and Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse all stand out as ones i haven't hated. i was skeptical that a powder could provide good coverage without looking chalky since i have been disappointed by them in the past. i apply this with the NARS #19 brush for the fastest application ever. i use shade 30 and it really seems to disappear into my skin undetectable and be layered for moderate coverage. i can apply it over primer and creme concealers or apply liquid highlighters on top of it without it affecting the color or consistency of the other products. my skin is extremely oily so i use lots of blotting papers (E.L.F. Blotting Sheets are my current fave.) and need touch-ups throughout the day (or evening). it doesn't seem to settle into lines, but i'd recommend diligent exfoliation and moisturizer for drier skins because it magnifies flakes and the dryness i sometimes experience because of glycolics or retinols. i'm very happy with this purchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* grouchie on 3/14/2010 8:25:00 PM more reviews by grouchie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Right now I'm just commenting on the finish & the color match. I will update accordingly about performance and whether it causes and skin sensitivity or breakouts after trialing it for longer.



Color: SP20 (SP10 is of the same shade, but with a much pinker tone) is a perfect match for my MAC NC 20 skin. It did highlight my flaky areas at first though it's set in now. It has a natural/matte finish.



Case: it's $10CND for the case, I bought the Sun Block Compact as I thought it was watertight however upon inspecting it the sides where the sponge sits are open so it's definitely not. I wish I had bought the Powdery Foundation compact now as it's tortoise shell finish is much classier then the teal & orange on this one. Nonetheless, it's a pretty sturdy compact thus far, will update if I note any problems.


*EDITED TO ADD** I find this tends to oxidize & makes me look a bit like an oompa loompa later in the day.

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mndmn75 on 1/1/2010 8:12:00 AM more reviews by mndmn75

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Gives me perfect and flawless coverage. Best of all it protects me from the sun!

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Lunah on 12/10/2009 9:49:00 AM more reviews by Lunah

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This product is discontinued I think. :( Can't find it anywhere.

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sorceress77 on 8/24/2009 9:24:00 PM more reviews by sorceress77

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I tried this after reading several reviews on this site.
I was looking for something with SPF that would even out my skin tone. I can`t stand the feeling of thick foundation, and alot of products with SPF make me break out, so I was thrilled to find this powder.

The lady at the Shiseido counter encouraged me to try different shades and go outside with a mirror to find my best match. Together we picked a shade, I brought it home, and have been using ever day since! Does a very good evening out my skin tone, and knowing I have SPF 35 on makes me feel good. My skin is combination, I havent had any breakouts or dryness from this product. This compact seems to be marketed as a summer product, but I will continue to use in the winter, with a thicker moisturizer. I even use it on my eyelids and around my eyes, applied with a cosmetic wedge. ( I need to point out that I don`t have sensitive skin). I find that I get the most natural and long lasting coverage, when I spray a light mist of mineral on face after applying.

To sum up:
good coverage - for uneven skintone and dark circles et any rate
easy to apply and blend
nice texture, especially if you don't like the feeling of heavy makeup
for longest coverage, spritz with mineral water after applying (probably applies to most makeup!)

This is my first makeup review, thanks for your patience!

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edtennisbabe on 4/28/2009 9:28:00 PM more reviews by edtennisbabe

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I liked the way this went on--very smooth and good coverage. The packaging wasn't too bad. But it was too dark. I have very fair skin (Bobbi Brown Porcelain or Alabaster, MAC NC20). Although it did go on much lighter than appeared in the compact, it was too yellowed toned. This would probably be perfect for fair Asian skin.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mrstrii on 3/30/2009 1:28:00 AM more reviews by mrstrii

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I got this at a Shiseido Bazaar Sale late last year for only S$10 a pop (minus casing). Trouble is I got the lightest shade available and although I'm pretty fair (NW20), I find that the shade might be a tad too light. I intend to get myself to a counter to try out the next shade up.

On to performance: I really like the powder but realized that it does have a shine to it - I look a little too "bright" in pictures. So I strayed... on to MAC Studio Fix... but today I returned to Shiseido (I'm fickle that way) and realized that Shiseido's performance kicks MAC outta orbit!

With MAC, I couldn't really layer to conceal problem areas that well. But with Shiseido, I layer with MAC's 187 brush or Alima's #25 for heavier application, and the blemishes just disappear...

So, lasting power is pretty good (I got badass skin that just WON'T behave) and coverage is great... plus high SPF... I just use a bit of MAC Blot to tone down the shine and it didn't make it thick or cakey...

At press time, I think I won't be straying again... I *think*... :)

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annxiong on 2/7/2009 12:03:00 AM more reviews by annxiong

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

love it. i use the lightest shade with pink undertone. coverage is sheer to medium. love the spf. powder is not drying at all. definitely go to the store and get color match before you buy it. can use the sponge which is included or use a powder brush.

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*TOP REVIEWER* CharismaSL on 9/26/2008 8:29:00 AM more reviews by CharismaSL

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I don't have to say much since the reviewers below has described this product quite well. I used to use this on a regular basis for quite a few years but then due to my wandering eyes, I tried many other brands of makeup. This is the only reason why I haven't come back to it but I still have the compact case, so when I can't find anything that I like, I will revert back to my beloved Shiseido Sun Block Compact SPF 32 in SP30 in a heartbeat. EDIT 2011: I recently went on vacation and especially bought this to be used there (for minimal makeup feel as it was a hot/humid country) and for some reason it started to break me out. Tried it when I got back home (after a few weeks of my break out calming down, and the little bumps on my skin returned). It is also too matte for my liking as the look is just flat. Still a good powder foundation with SPF but just not for me, hence I'm giving it a 4.

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mivums on 7/5/2008 10:02:00 PM more reviews by mivums

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

My skin: Oily but not embarrassingly so unless I use (most types of) facial moisturizer. Asian, I20 but might try I00 towards the winter. Have some blemishes, medium-sized pores but I am pretty comfortable without any products on.

While I wasn't sure how well the color match would work with only a few shades there, I was matched to SP20 (SP30 was a close match too, but the MA felt it was too yellow) and once it's all blended in it looks perfect. It also keeps my face matte for almost the entire day without any powder touch-ups! It's also cheaper than Shiseido's other powder foundations! I usually hate to use exclamation marks, but this stuff is amazing and I actually think the compact itself is pretty cool. I might end up buying one of Shiseido's other compacts for going out at night so I don't feel as if I'm wasting this foundation though.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Carrol on 7/1/2008 1:57:00 PM more reviews by Carrol

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is definitely a holy grail one/two punch - can you believe it? On my super oily/sometimes combo skin, I have been using this product for over 4 years, so I am a definite repurchaser. I'm very conscious about getting no tan on my face, so during the Canadian summers or if travelling to hot spots, I will wear this religiously, sometimes over Sofina SPF 50 Lucent, another fave product.


Over the years I have been using Sun Block Compact SPF32 as my foundation. If I want a heavier application, I use the sponge they provide. For a lighter application, I use a soft, big brush to swirl it on my face similar to mineral makeup application. I switch between 2 shades, a lighter one for late fall, winter, spring, and a darker shade for late spring and summer. The darker shade (the darkest available) I have to usually pick up in Hawaii during a winter vacation, as I cannot find it in Vancouver/Seattle. It's even hard for me to find the second to last darkest shade here - though if I look hard enough during the summer months sometimes it is brought in as a bronzer for those with very fair/fair skin.


I have never broken out using Shiseido Sun Block Compact SPF 32, but I use a makeup wipe and then cleanse with DDF Mild Facial Cleanser. I really believe that anything with sunscreen in it has to be gently but diligently removed from your skin. I have large pores on my face and it's easy to see if I have been being lax with my skin care regime.


I really hope this product is never discontinued by Shiseido, because the only other pressed powder that I know of is only SPF 20. It's so nice to just apply a bit of concealer around my lower eyes, the Shiseido SPF 32 compact powder, a little blush and a bit of lipstick and be done with my makeup AND facial sunscreen in 5 minutes.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* sweetestpea80 on 7/1/2008 10:57:00 AM more reviews by sweetestpea80

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This is simply put convenience in a compact. I have uneven skin and look like a monster (okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration) unless I have some type of foundation on my skin. However, I get annoyed putting on concealer, foundation, and powder every day, especially when I'm only going to be running to the post office. This allows me to look presentable in about 30 seconds. I have actually found myself reaching for this more than my regular makeup because not only does it give the heavier coverage that I need to hide my imperfections, but it also gives me sun protection when I'm out in the yard. It is especially handy when I'm going out for a day on the boat or going camping. I was also surprised by how water resistant it was after applying it one morning and spending a good 5 or 6 hours at a water park. And the best thing is I didn't get burnt which is what usually happens especially when I'm playing in the water. You can find this cheaper sometimes on ebay, but I'll even pay full price for this that's how much I love it! I word of warning though, this stuff does accentuate any dry flaky skin so I can only use it in the summer when my skin is super oily.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

makeupkit on 6/8/2008 1:27:00 AM more reviews by makeupkit

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

i just got this in the 40 shade (i'm a mac c30). tried the 30 shade but it was too yellowish, 10 way too pinky. shades 10-40 seem to be about the same lightness, but they just vary from pink to yellowish in no particular order. for example 30 isn't darker than 40. my friend who is pale tried both 30 and 40 , and they both blended in with her skin tone. this is going to be my summer foundation--worn over sunscreen moisturizers (la roche posay hydrophase spf30. so far so good. i only wished it would come in a lighter shade for my winter skin tone.

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hippiexchic on 6/5/2008 6:58:00 PM more reviews by hippiexchic

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

i love this product! i've been using it for 2 months now, almost everyday, and i'm now on my second refill. i prefer to put it on with a wet sponge as it lasts all day for me that way, but i do touch up from time to time specially when the weather's hot and humid. it is not sticky nor oily, and it does not clog my pores as long as I wash it off at night with soap (the instruction that came with the powder suggested the use of Shiseido clenser to completely remove the powder off, but any soap i used worked fine, took it off completely) which is beneficial for my uber oily, acne-prone skin. it covers everything (provided you have the right color match). it is actually better than the cream foundation i bought at cinema secrets. it has a matt finish, so i would not suggest this to someone with dry skin. also, i noticed the whole month i used this, my breakouts lessened and my complexion got better (i only recently got over the appalling result i got from using murad acne complex - see my review) so this really helped repair my broken out face.

the compact it came with is ok, it actually is quite adorable. it has the shape of a pebble, perfect for the beach. the compact alone costs $7+, which isn't too bad. the refill costs $24+ at Nordstrom, but i heard you can buy it cheaper elsewhere.

UPDATE: I'm still using this compact for 6 months now, and I am still completely in love with it. No regrets!

UPDATE 10/19/09: It's been a year now and I'm still loving this product! It does get a little heavy on the pocket, I have to buy a refill every two months (I use this everyday). But I wouldn't go out without this on my face! Cinema Secret is still awesome, but it's only wearable for me in winter and on special occasions, specially when the weather's dry and windy, and my face doesn't get too oily in the winter.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kayelle on 4/18/2008 10:19:00 AM more reviews by Kayelle

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I love powders with included SPF, so I had to give this one a try. I'm so glad I did. This powder is soft with great coverage, a high SPF, and included are a nice sponge and refill. The shade match is perfect for my fair coloring; for some reason Shiseido seems to match me better than any other brand out there. This is one of my overall favorite products, which is saying a lot!

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hillybilly78 on 4/8/2008 4:35:00 AM more reviews by hillybilly78

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I love this compact, its the best compact foundation i have ever tried, i dont use it everyday as i prefer the liquid foundation in this brand plus it works out cheaper. But it is my ultimate color match in SP60 plus it long wearing on my oily skin. Great product with the added bonus of a high SPF which dosnt make me break out in acne.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No