Let me tell you that I used to be among those who snobbed Shu Uemura cleansing oils because of their steep price points. However, after trying out the Sakura Fresh (Pink) variant that Pammy gave me, I knew I deserved the guillotine for not giving this oil-based cleanser a chance.
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| Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil in Fresh, 150mL, $28 |
Packaging. This cleanser comes in 450mL, 150mL and travel-size 8mL's.
8 mL- perfect for testing the best cleansing oil in town
150mL- I have weird skin: my HG skin products can turn against me after 8-10months. Remember my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel nightmare? This size is perfect for my "extended trial" period.
450mL- most users claim that it lasts them a year (cost-efficient!)
Except for the minis, these cleansing oils come in lovely clear bottles with pumps. They are such sink candies, I tell you. My only gripe is that the pump can dispense too much product that shoots out too strong from the nozzle that can result to wasted oil. I prevent this from happening by pressing the pump slowly and halfway through so that I get the desired amount of cleanser on my palm (2 pumps is perfect for me).
Product Efficacy. It is an amazing makeup remover, a gentle facial cleanser and an absolutely effective skin mattifier.
As a makeup remover, It works as well as my Pond's cold cream. It leaves the face squeaky clean minus the tugging from facial wipes that always happens with cream and gel cleansers. I feel like I'm stalling wrinkles from appearing on my face because I've cut down on using facial wipes.
This does not work well on eye makeup, though.
As a gentle cleanser, this variant did not break me out. However, unlike most users who claim that this cleanser lessened their zits (or dried the pimples), I feel that it cannot stand against hormonal acne.
As a mattifier, Shu Uemura Balancing Oil in Fresh Pink has helped suck out the icky oil off my face! There are so many signs that clearly shows how less oily my skin has been ever since I've added this to my local obagi skincare routine and I'm loving these results to bits. I can not award the decrease in facial oiliness to Shu alone, though. My derma's meds helped a lot, too. But having the oil cleanser around has truly made an even more significant difference in having a matte and brighter skin!
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| Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Mini/Travel size (8mL) that Pammy gave me! |
What to Expect. If you have never tried cleansing oils, you might be taken aback at how non-matte the skin can be after washing the cleanser off. The Shu Uemura cleansing oil will leave the face a lil slippery after washing, but once dried out, the face becomes a perfect canvass --- not too oily, not too dry.
Some follow up with soap. I don't.
Procurement. Rustan's carry Shu Uemura with a whopping 4,000php for the full size, and 1800ish on the 150mL bottle. If you don't want to put a dent on that card, you may want to:
a. ask a relative/friend from the U.S. or Japan or Taiwan to buy for you
b. get one from duty free! my 150mL bottle costs the same ($28) as the Shu website sells it.
c. buy from reputable Taiwanese sellers in ebay. Most of them offer free shipping and have fair-priced products.
Scent. It leaves a pleasant floral scent that isn't too strong.
I should've followed my instincts to try out cleansing oils in place of my good old Pond's cold cream makeup remover when my co-beauty blogger, Crystal, raved about the Shu Uemura Skin Purifier High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil in Fresh. Crystal has tried cleansing oils from Elianto and DHC, and she ended up loving Shu Uemura's famed cleasnser.
While it comes with a hefty price tag, its pump not too effective, and its eye makeup-removing ability a failure, I will definitely have this product around. Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil in Fresh Pink is truly a good investment if you want better skin.
SU oil cleansers are very good 'no? But my wallet is still scared sh*tless from all the shopping last holidays. Maybe mag-mu-Muji na lang muna ako.
I miss seeing that pretty little bottle. Haha! I'm really glad this works for you and hopefully, it won't turn against your skin after a while. Sadly, my skin hates oils.
i haven't tried this variant yet but i have tried the yellow one & the purple one..
i didn't notice any change on my skin though. they are just good in removing makeup.
but maybe i should have taken a closer look at my skin after usage...
now i really have to observe..hehe
i'm glad you like it dear! you know that i have this and i love using this! i don't use this to remove eye makeup either, mainly because i think it's too expensive to be used for that purpose. haha. enjoy!
@E
I have a not-so-great skin and I would shell out as much as I can for products that work. This oil included :D How much ba sa Muji? Review mo naman, o :D
@Pammy
Yep, hopefully sis. I'm really crossing my fingers because I'm saving up for a sweet 450mL baby.
@Thiamere
if there are no FAB results on you, i think you have to skip on this because it's already too pricey to spend on if it cannot deliver as much as it did for me. that's IMO. sakin kasi after 2 uses, bam, i knew it helped a lot in brightening my skin.
@Crystal
I remember you and Pammy whenever I pump some "royal oil" onto my palm. And I am enjoying :D
i so want one..but..with that price..ill just have to settle for my emu or any other cleansing oils..but hey shu offers great quality naman..
I love Shu cleansing oil. To remove eye makeup, I wet a cotton pad with water, squeeze out the excess water, put a pump of the cleansing oil on it, and then slowly wipe my eyes. (You may need more than one pad for each eye if you have heavier makeup.) Then I rinse, and follow up with a foaming cleanser.
(You're not getting my updates? *sobs* Hope that RSS problem corrects itself soon! If not, try un-following and then re-following. Miss you too! Haha...I'm glad to hear the post made you brainy. XP *giggles* You remembered my nickname!)
i have the green one of this. and its my HG cleansing oil. it easily removes my makeup. 1/4 left and im done with it. how i wish theres a cheaper version of this. lol.
I think that oil based cleanser are more suitable for dry or prone to dry skin. I love this product and I wouldn't want to replace it ever.
Glad to know you girls love this oil cleanser, too!