Shu Uemura Summer Fresh Set via Taste Central

So while we’re on the subject of Shu…

The famous Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils have been calling out my name for a while now as I have been applying makeup more constantly and was in need of a more efficient (and maybe more cost-effective also) method of taking them off at the end of the day. I have been heavily relying on The Face Shop’s makeup remover wipes after having gone through a couple of packs of the Neutrogena ones. I still use these wipes when I just want to take off my makeup really quickly (read: when I’m feeling lazy or when I’m extra, extra tired) but I have been looking for a more thorough system.

Shu Uemura claims that their Cleansing Oil has been number 1 since 1967. They also launched the green Anti/Oxi variant of the Cleansing Oil which piqued my interest even more. It was anti-pollution etcetera etcetera etcetera. Not to mention, Ae of An Artechoke gave it a glowing review and if you get the chance to see her in person, you’d see just how close to perfection her skin is. I think that this can be attributed to her skincare routine (which includes the Cleansing Oil) amongst many other factors. Luckily, she was kind enough to give me her sample of the Anti/Oxi to try. She promised that I would love it. And well, I kind of do. (I’m saying kind of coz I’m in heavy denial.)

Now to get back to my topic (which still includes the Cleansing Oil except in a different variant), I chanced upon the Shu Uemura Sets sale at Taste Central via My Little Beauty Stash. I am following her blog in my WordPress Reader and she posted her Taste Central haul. I was like, Shu Uemura sets for less than a 1,000pesos??!! Of course I clicked the link, became a member, and the rest was well, online shopping history.

There were three Shu sets at Taste Central then. After hours of deliberation, I finally settled on the Summer Fresh Set which included 3 items – a 50ml Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Fresh Pore Clarifying (the pink one), a small bottle of Tsuya Skin Youthful Radiance Generator, and a travel-sized Tsuya Skin UV Under Base with SPF 30 PA++. I chose this particular set as I was recently able to try the Tsuya Skin line during the Beauty Workshop I attended and liked the particular variant. I just didn’t know how good it would be long term so I didn’t purchase the full-sized products then as they were a tad expensive to leave to chance. This set via Taste Central gives me the opportunity to test drive three products for an affordable price.

I have used all three products as of this writing but I don’t think I have used them enough to fully warrant a comprehensive review. Admittedly though, I really like the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil but in the Anti/Oxi variant. I find it more moisturizing in a way than the Fresh variant. If I were to buy full-size, I will most probably go with the Anti/Oxi one which is perfect as it is included in the Takashi Murakami for Shu Uemura Holiday 2013 collection. The special packaging would look divine on my dresser and that alone might already induce the “skin refining anti- dullness” claim of the Oil. But who am I kidding, the Cleansing Oil is really, really good. It effectively removes all traces of makeup quite easily and that includes my waterproof eyeliners and mascara. I use plenty of the waterproof version as I wear contact lenses and am frequently dropping solution into my eyes to combat dryness. The only thing that’s stopping me from making a reservation for the Takashi Murakami is that I have this still to be opened pot of Banila Co. Clean It Zero that I got from my Korea 2012 trip. I have used up three of my mini pots of this and I find that its effect is quite similar to the Oil’s except that the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil is a bit more moisturizing. I’ll let you all know more about who will be the winner in this internal battle of mine as I have quite the makeup wishlist this holiday season and I have to be extremely picky on my purchases and not just go get them all.

But I’m also actually reviewing Taste Central here. Aside from their great selection of products that include not just beauty but also food, and home and living amongst others. (I would love to get plenty of their food products especially the Chuao Chocolatier Potato Chip Chocolate Bar but I’m still trying to exercise some form of willpower.) As an online shopping destination, I find their interface quite easy to use and understand. They are tied up with Deal Grocer and apparently, if you’re a Deal Grocer member of a certain level, you get free shipping all the time. Unfortunately, I’m just a plain and simple Taste Central member via my Facebook account and all purchases have a 100php shipping fee on top. But I did like the sale price of my Shu Uemura set and I also got this Made by David Organics Orange and Vanilla Dry Shampoo along for the ride. I still have to try that one though.

What I loved about their service in particular is their super fast shipping. I ordered around midnight and got my items after lunch of the following day. An added bonus is their well-designed Taste Central delivery box. I’m a sucker for packaging and I must have taken plenty of photos of the box alone. There’s just so many detail there, from the colors, to the taglines, and even the tape they used to seal the box. So yup, I’m definitely recommending trying out their site if you’re into online shopping. Right now, I’m doing my best to resist the Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee. Do head over to their site and let’s see if you can resist as well.