Shu Uemura Skin Perfector

The 2 biggest trends in beauty right now are cushions [reviewed to death here], and facial oils.  By now, most beauty lovers are no stranger to the idea of incorporating facial oils into their skincare routine, but few of us are aware that applying facial oils also help makeup to glide on smoother.  Not all oils are suitable however, and leading the charge is the the expert in oils – Shu Uemura with its Skin Perfector.

I have erratic skin, many of you have often commented on my half-faced foundation comparison shots that I have great skin, but the reality is I sometimes wake up with random red patches of irritated skin and flakiness.  I just try not to test new foundations during those periods.  So what do I do when my skin flares up and makeup just does not sit properly?  In the past, I would slather on rich creams, and even dab on a little moisturizer on top of my foundation where the skin is flaking up.  But that is not an ideal solution because heavy creams cause my foundation to oxidize and slide, and patting creams or lotions over makeup often results in streaking.

Since the whole facial oil trend started taking off, I have experimented with adding oils to my morning skincare routine in an attempt to soften the skin, particularly with regards to any dry flakes.  Not many facial oils are well suited for day-time use though, and with the exception of this and this, most of the other facial oils I own end up too heavy for makeup to last after layering with other serums, moisturizers and sunscreen.  The lighter, faster-absorbing oils have the opposite problem, in that they are more of a dry-oil and do not help prep the skin for makeup.

Shu Uemura Skin Perfector has been specially formulated to be a dual-purpose facial oil.  It contains 8 essential oils and 2 botanical oils to soothe and pamper the skin.

• Geranium fades scars and pigmentation; treats eczema, acne and dermatitis
• Peppermint brightens up dull skin, and helps control acne
• Lemon peel improves the luster of dull skin, and rejuvenates sagging or tired-looking skin.  It also helps control excess sebum production.
• Orange peel is a great source of Vitamin C, which helps fight wrinkles and dark spots, and promotes collagen production
• Lavender speeds up healing in the skin, and treats sunburns, cuts and eczema
• Sage is a potent antioxidant which protects the skin from free radicals
• Cypress helps in toxin removal, prevents acne and promotes healing
• Ginger fades scars, rejuvenates skin, and is also a good antioxidant
• Jojoba enhances skin’s barrier-repair properties and ability to heal from damage; it stimulates collagen production and helps skin better defend itself against UV damage
• Rosehip contains retinol to fight lines and wrinkles, is a good source of antioxidants, and prevents pigmentation

Apart from all the skin-loving benefits, Shu Uemura Skin Perfector has the perfectly balanced texture that softens and smoothens the skin to allow makeup to glide over, yet sits well on the skin without creasing, sliding or getting heavy as the day progresses.  As you can see from the swatch above, the texture of the oil is so light and fluid that it spreads itself out instantly from the moment it was applied to the back of my palm.  At the same time, it fuses well with makeup, does not cause makeup to separate.

Shu Uemura Skin Perfector is designed to be used as the last step of skincare, which may be a little bit confusing because generally facial oils are recommended to be applied immediately after cleansing and toning.  However, this is so that the oil stays on the surface of the skin long enough to help makeup spread on well.  If you are using it at night, feel free to switch up the order if you are using a heavier cream.  On my recent trip to a Shu Uemura counter, the BA was kind enough to touch up my makeup after trimming my brows, and then he dabbed a tiny bit of the Skin Perfector over my dry flakes and it was instant magic!  You may also add a drop of it to your foundation if you feel it is too drying for your skin.

I was a little skeptical when I first tried on Shu Uemura Skin Perfector, especially when it came to using it just before makeup.  It took a bit of experimentation to get the right dosage, but I found 2 drops ideal for makeup prep, and 3-4 drops for the night.  And now, I definitely see a difference in the way my makeup stays on throughout the day with and without Skin Perfector!

_{This post featured a product that was kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}