Review | Shu Uemura Face Architect Sheer Refining Mousse Foundation

The latest addition to the brand’s foundation range, Shu Uemura Face Architect Sheer Refining Mousse Foundation (S$78/65 g) was created using a new – patent-pending – stabilised foam formula which evenly suspends ultra-fine powders. The formula promises to impart a ‘mistake-proof finish’, minimise pores and prevent shine.

It also contains water lily for anti-oxidant protection, as well as hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate on the ingredient list) and Shu Uemura’s very own Depsea Water to endow/seal in moisture.

While it is similar in form and texture to the brand’s popular UV Under Base Mousse, it has better coverage than the latter and comes in a range of shades to suit different skin tones.

Despite its airy form, the foam bubble ball of this foundation is incredibly stable – it stays intact for quite a while and takes some time to fall flat. This means that the product goes on more evenly: the air + product ratio is more or less the same in the time that I take to apply and blend it out on my skin.

I’ve been using it consistently ever since I received it as a press sample from Shu Uemura Singapore two weeks ago. It is relatively easy to apply – it can be applied with fingers, a brush or a sponge.

With its lightweight and airy texture, this foundation feels soft and velvety on my skin. It isn’t masky at all and looks like second skin on me. I really like its comfortable feel – great for our humid climes!

My shade is 7YR-ML Medium Light Beige, which looks somewhat yellow on my skin tone but is perfect over Shu Uemura UV Under Base Mousse in Beige and blends well to seamlessly match my neck colour.

It has buildable coverage too and I like that it can cover my spider veins, when paired with the mousse base. It will not cover all blemishes – its coverage is medium, at most – so you will need a concealer, if you’re particular about hiding them.

You can see how it looks on me in different lighting/with different makeup in the photos above.

Here’s what I’ve been using with it for the past two weeks: Shu Uemura UV Under Base in Beige (the one I have is from the Shu Uemura Mika Ninagawa Sakura Collection) and Elianto Baked Face Powder. This combination seems to help oil control somewhat; the photos taken above are of me several hours after application and though there’s shine on my face, my skin looks more dewy than greasy.

This foundation will be available in Singapore this June. To find out more about the discrepancies among the different shades of the foundation, do read Iris’s excellent review of this product.

Image source: Shu Uemura Singapore