Shu Uemura • Face Powder Matte in Colorless • Loose Powders

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mayyami on 11/16/2011 7:34:00 AM more reviews by mayyami

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I like shu products so this powder was disappointing. In comparison to my Laura Mercier powder, it didn't have good staying power. My foundation started to wear off my early afternoon. I also found that I had to use more product for better staying power and it left a bit of a white cast over my foundation for a powder that is apparently "colourless".

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*TOP REVIEWER* babykitten9 on 6/24/2011 5:09:00 PM more reviews by babykitten9

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

It's colorless and it very finely milled so it doesn't show up on my skin (fair! NC15-NC20). It's supposed to be mattifying. Well, I do get the mattifying effect the first half an hour, that is it. I am not going to re-purchase because it's just doesn't cut it for me. Packaging is horrible and makes it uncontrollable, it's just all over the place. You'll get too much product if you are not careful. It doesn't break me out - one good thing. I am really looking forward to finishing it so that I can buy something else!

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miumew on 5/6/2011 11:19:00 AM more reviews by miumew

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Overall: EXCELLENT, I'm very happy to have this product in my collection and use it daily. It is the only loose powder that has an effect on my combination skin - it sets my makeup, controls my shiny areas without highlighting my drier patches. Since I am so pale, it really is colourless on me - you would never know I was wearing powder.

Price: I believe it's around £26. I find all Shu products to be excellent value for their quality and this is no exception.

Packaging: A sturdy clear jar with a white lid and a mesh to control the powder. Nice and clean and not too bulky.

Would I buy this product again? Yes, absolutely. I will probably also buy the non-matte version for the colder months when I am not oily.

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peonia on 9/30/2010 9:14:00 PM more reviews by peonia

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Other, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

Pros:

Packaging is nice and convenient; comes in a plastic transparent screw-top jar that lets you see how much product you have, and the screw lid prevents messiness unlike the many powders out there whose lids are not fastened to the container.


Cons:

The puff that comes with it is useless because it's not smooth or soft. It acts as more of a snug stopper in the jar than anything.
The powder is supposed to be matte and therefore oil-controlling, but that wasn't the case for me. The finish left a bit of a white cast on me (I'm NC-25) and the powder looked a little chalky. After using a few "translucent" powders (both pressed and loose), I'd say that they're not for people with medium to dark skin tones.


I believe I bought it at the Shu Uemura counter in Holt Renfrew for around $38 CAD for 28 g / 0.98 oz. I would not repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* TheReviewLady on 9/22/2010 11:17:00 AM more reviews by TheReviewLady

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

Those of you who break out from this might want to check out octyldodecyl lanolate. I'm pretty sure it's a form of lanolin, which in it's pure form isn't supposed to be bad for acne prone skin. Neither is cosmetic grade mineral oil. Even at my greasiest stage at 15, I could still use mineral oil on my face. But I have (still have, at 33) problems with some forms of lanolins and silicones. YMMV.

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kit_e_kat on 6/30/2010 10:22:00 AM more reviews by kit_e_kat

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Green    

This is my favourite loose powder, I came across it when I got it as a GWP in HK. When that ran out I bought the full sized one. The powder is so finely milled and the mesh lets through a good amount of product. Usually I find loose powders can get a bit messy, but the packaging is excellent and no fuss.

I like the fact that it is colourless and sets my makeup beautifully. It doesn't look obvious and just gives a lovely veil over my face. I use a mac 187 brush to apply as puffs get a bit yucky after a while.

All in all, this is definately a keeper, love it!

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*TOP REVIEWER* michybabe on 9/25/2009 12:28:00 PM more reviews by michybabe

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Love this! It truly is a matte powder and it makes my skin look great. Recommended for all skin types, although it is a bit dry!

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s1 on 8/11/2007 2:03:00 AM more reviews by s1

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

For the price of this, I would not buy it again. I found the product average; the only thing I liked was that it was finely milled, but I didn't find that it had any more staying powder than other brands.

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CamaroChick on 12/8/2006 2:38:00 PM more reviews by CamaroChick

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought this due to its placement on In Style magazine's "best of" list. I agree with a previous reviewer -- it's okay, but nothing outstanding, particulary for the price tag. I agree that I can't justify spending this kind of money on loose powder when I can get a container of Coty Airspun for a fraction of the cost.

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sarboo on 8/19/2006 5:13:00 PM more reviews by sarboo

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Not bad at all! I have light brown skin so was wary of this at first - it does look rather pink in the container. However, it is almost colourless (not fully - I do change colour slightly after putting it on, but nothing noticeable unless I overdo it!).

The container is a pain, but then again, it limits the amount that you use so that could be a blessing in disguise. I haven't had any reactions to it. Wish it controlled shine a bit better (I wear it over moisturiser, without foundation).

It's definitely the best loose powder I've found so far so I'll keep buying it until I find better.

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happybunny888 on 5/16/2006 9:30:00 AM more reviews by happybunny888

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Basically,I guess this is one of the shu uemuras clever ways of describing this loose powder as 'colorless'.In my opinion,it basically means 'translucent' powder.goes on with a white hue on it but after buffing it with my mac powder brush,it blends in flawless,however my complexion does appear lighter after the application of powder.The powder is very finely milled,once applied onto face,it feels silky to touch with a matt finish.The overall packaging is very nice,comes packaged with a powder puff fitted inside the tub,with a very tight fish netting so powder doesnt overun.No fragrance and had no allergy to it.I will be buying this product again.However this is a translucent powder,colorless is just a way of attracting more customers to a new 'so called' new dimension of powder,I hope you all agree when you try this,and you will see what I mean =).

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*TOP REVIEWER* ghoo on 4/9/2006 12:20:00 AM more reviews by ghoo

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

I am sadly very sensitive to talc which this formula contains as one of its top ingredients, but otherwise this powder is in my opinion really the best on the market. It's so silky and finely milled, the matte-ness lasts throughout the day, but is never cakey or heavy looking- just controlled and shine free. Because it's colorless, it also lets your skin "shine" through. The color is unbeatable- I use T.Leclerc now and mix 2 of their powders, using this Shu one as the color target to match.

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muscat on 4/4/2006 4:01:00 PM more reviews by muscat

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I used to have a jar of Shu loose powder in lavender (counteracts sallowness) that was the ultimate HG - gorgeous, finely milled texture, beautiful satiny yet natural finish, controlled oil without chalkiness, and lasted for more than 2 years. Beat T. Le Clerc's overhyped, overpriced Gallic little heinie to a powdery shame, IMO. Most importantly, somehow, it just magically made me look better when I put it on. Then they discontinued it.

So I tried this powder with great hope. Sure, the price had gone up (it used to be $21 a few years ago - a screaming bargain - when Shu was relatively "undiscovered"), but I thought $30 was still really good. The texture is still there, and the finish is still gorgeous, but somehow, it just didn't stay on like the old formula, and worse, it broke me out in tiny little bumps.

So with a heavy heart, I returned it and go on to try finding a replacement. EDIT: it has mineral oil in the ingredient list, I'm not sure if it's the culprit (Paula said it's fine for most people) but just so you know if you're sensitive to mineral oil.

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melloly on 1/3/2006 1:26:00 AM more reviews by melloly

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

i loved this. the packaging is great...and prevents overapplication. looks great without being cakey. what everyone has said is true - it really is a terrific loose powder. Doesnt control oil that well buy hey, nothing does for me. its the finish that this powder gives to my foundation overall that 'ups' its rating. I would repurchase if i ever ran out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tobacco_flower on 12/20/2005 6:34:00 AM more reviews by tobacco_flower

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

Oops, just realised I left out doing a review just for the loose powder. Usually I apply it with the Shu water-in-liquid foundation and it sets the face just right, but recently, I wore it alone over some oil-free moisturiser and it looks passable. Just a hint of made-up-ness, but my true skin colour shows up perfectly. This is really Colorless!! What I don't like is the packaging...too little comes out!! I have to give the jar several hard shakes before a decent amount comes out. Since loose powders last forever, I doubt I will repurchase, since I want to try something more illuminating and less matte.

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pancakeshoes on 7/7/2005 8:37:00 PM more reviews by pancakeshoes

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is my HG loose powder and I've tried many - Lancome, Laura Mercier, Stila, Armani, which is good by the way, but not as finely milled as Shu Uemera. Armani luminous silk is still my HQ foundation, and this powder makes it look that much better. I always stay away from "translucent" because they tend to look chalky. This is very different. It just buffs in to a beautiful soft focus effect. And lasts all day. In fact, the LSF was not wearing so well until I started using the Shu Uemera powder. Now it looks picture perfect throughout the day. This was an excellent In Style recommendation. It's worth the price.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ocmommy on 6/4/2005 6:12:00 PM more reviews by ocmommy

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This is the powder that I have been looking for all of my life. When I tried it for the first time, the heavens opened wide and a chorus of angels sang.


Where to start? Well, this is unlike any powder I have ever tried, and I have tried them all. No powdery finish. None. Nada. ZIP! Perfect for setting sheer foundations and tinted moisturisers as it stays sheer and adds no color.


To apply: I use the puff it comes with to press on the powder and then I buff it out with the Bobbi Brown kabuki brush. The finish is amazingly, wonderfully perfect! I have dry skin that shows every flake and imperfection...not with this!


A small tip: The mesh sifter on the powder is extremely tightly woven, so getting powder onto the puff or brush is a chore. I apply with the puff, so I place the puff on the sifter and tip it over once then apply. Repeat each time. If I am using a brush, I take out the puff and screw the top on. Tip and swirl the brush in the lid to pick up the powder. :)

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suelll on 6/2/2005 12:43:00 AM more reviews by suelll

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

Works like a charm with a velour puff or any puffy puffs like the one shiseido makes which i think is heavenly. It really does what it says, gives you a matte, soft-focus look. Can be drying if used too much on smile lines. Use a good foundation and you get better results. Works great with Shu's WaterPerfect Foundation. I will repurchase, value for money. edit*~* i have stopped from using this a while back and after coming back to it today and by god, i looked like a ghost. it's not colorless as how i used to be believe it was. and i thought it also highlighted fine lines and simply made me looked casperish. 2 lippies off but now i m stuck with the colorless pressed powder compact too which i just remembered i still keep.

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bergamot on 5/1/2005 12:20:00 PM more reviews by bergamot

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Great as a finishing powder. Natural looking. Much better than their pressed powder. Lasts for ages.

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chochotte on 4/29/2005 5:47:00 AM more reviews by chochotte

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great matifier if applied with a brush. The applicator/puff that comes along has to be washed every day otherwise you get caky. The con is that this so-called colorless powder is too pinkish and would suit fair toned skin only. It might be deceptive for more coloured skin.

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