Pores oh pores... my biggest (yet smallest) nemesis...  They are all over my face and doesn't seem to want to shrink because the 13 year old Rica didn't ponder skincare.  She thought she was young and invincible.  Fast forward to right now, all current Rica could do is to hide her pores.  This is where Shu Uemura UV Underbase Mousse Poreraser (CA $46) comes in handy.

Maybe not literally, but the new Shu Uemura Tint In Gelato (CA $32 / US $28) is definitely a mouth-watering beauty product.  These brand new lip & cheek colours are coming out along with the Shu Uemura Mika for Shu collection, available starting this month.  And they are going to be permanent! The first time I saw it in action and swatched it in person, I immediately thought I would like it, and I was right.


These lip and cheek tints are very different and unique, because usually tints come in a pot or a stick when it's a cream, or in liquid form.  While these one have a creamy and moussey texture reminiscent of gelato, hence the name Tint In Gelato.  All of the shades I tried are very easy to blend and quite pigmented.  They all have a cream base, and range from glittery to glossy, to matte.

Using the wand it came with is not always my prefer way of application.  I think it works great with the glossier shade, but not as well for the matte shades.  It is the same type of wand of the Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited.  To use it as a lip colour, I either apply it direct from the wand or use a lip brush to smooth it out.  To use it as a cheek colour, I would again, get some on the back of my hand, smooth it out with my fingers, and then dip the brush on the back of my hand like I'm applying regular cream blush and it's quite fool proof (see how I apply blush here).  I have used it with a flat top synthetic kabuki (Sigma F80) and a synthetic angled blush brush (MUFE #150), both give similar results.

The finish is a demi matte because I can see some glow show through.  Since it has add a slight stain, the staying powder is quite nice.  It last for almost a whole day (10am-6pm) on the cheeks.  It won't last as long on the lips because we need to eat and drink.  It is not a traditional stain, so it won't stay on for a long time either, but you can still see some colour even after eating (especially with AT01 Cassis Delight and PK02 Milky Framboise).

Swatches - L to R: Cassis Delight, Lemon Souffle, Milky Framboise, Sakura Creme

Stain - L to R: Cassis Delight, Lemon Souffle, Milky Framboise, Sakura Creme

AT01 Cassis Delight is a classic red shade and has a glossy cream finish.  It is the most pigmented shade and has the most long lasting stain.  I prefer to use it as a lip colour rather than cheek colour simply because I can't seem to pull this one off.  If you're going to use it as a cheek colour, be really careful with the amount of product you use.  A very small amount goes a long way.

Cassis Delight on lips & left cheek

AT04 Lemon Souffle is a light tangerine colour with golden shimmer.  It is my least favourite out of the four colours I have tried because I can't get it applied evenly on the lips and the shimmer particles are too big for my liking on the cheeks either.  It also doesn't show up as nice or last as long as the other shades.

Lemon Souffle on lips & right cheek

PK02 Milky Framboise is a light mauvey pink and it's my favourite out of these four shades I have tried.  It's a no brainer for me because I'm usually gravitate towards mauve shades.  It is also of a warmer tone, so it suits my skin tone better.  This might also be more universally flattering just because it's a creamy matte mauve colour.

Milky Framboise on lips & right cheek

PK03 Sakura Creme is a cool baby pink and it also has a creamy matte finish like Milky Framboise.  It is so pretty to look at but I can't seem to get it work for me.  I think it suits cooler skin better because it's a cool tone pink.  However, the formula is just a nice as Milky Framboise.  I will try to make it work for me :P.

Sakura Creme on lips & left cheek

Overall, these Shu Uemura Tint In Gelato has won me over.  Their creamy formula is really something different and works really well like a moussey lipstick.  I also love that I can use them on the cheeks as well.  If you were to try any shade, I would recommend either Cassis Delight or Milky Framboise because they're my personal favourite.  I would stay far away from Lemon Souffle if you're like me and don't prefer shimmer/glitter on lips or cheeks.

Until next time,


x Rica


*Disclosure: Products mentioned in this post were provided to The Office Chic for review consideration.  As always, all the opinions expressed here are my own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser, affiliate, public relations firm or brands.

Along with the release of Calligraph:ink, Shu Uemura also put together a selection of 5 Pressed Eye Shadow Refills (CA $19) that will complement the theme of the collection.

I used to practice Chinese Calligraphy when I was little, but I was never fantastic at it.  It's only when I use a Sharpie-like calligraphy pen instead of a calligraphy brush that I can write great penmanship, but it was considered cheating that way.  Fast forward to present days, I no longer practice calligraphy, instead I picked up another art, the art of eyeliner.  Again, I'm still not so great at it, but with a good tool, I'm slowly but surely getting a hang of it.

Shu Uemura Calligraph:ink

The brush tip

One tool in particular is the all new Shu Uemura Calligraph:ink Liquid Eyeliner.  The Calligrap:ink is sold in two separate components: Calligraph:ink Applicator (CA $24) and Calligraph:ink Cartridge (CA $22).  The "system" different than most eyeliner out there in that it comes with a brush tip applicator that resembles the traditional Calligraphy Brushes in Asia.  It has a rather stiff brush head that gives you a lot of control when you go and line your eyes.  Like calligraphy brushes, you can create lines of different thickness using the Calligraph:ink Applicator.

As for the formula, it is an intense black liquid liner that is not runny (i.e. not running down from the brush tip, no dripping), so that's nice.  It doesn't set right after you apply, so if you made a mistake you can fix it if you're real quick.  Once it's set, it has a semi-shiny finish like most liquid eyeliner and then it doesn't budge, until you remove it with a make up remover.  I have tried using Micellar solution, but it doesn't remove it completely, so I'd recommend an oil base make up remover, like the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils.

Calligraph:ink swatches

From natural lash enhancer to slightly dramatic cat eye with one Calligraph:ink

To change the cartridge (or to use it for the first time), you simply unscrew the holder from the brush tip side and slowly insert the cartridge.  I do need to apply a bit of pressure in order to insert it.  It didn't cause any splash, but they did warn that it may happen.  Next you would hold the eyeliner brush tip down so that the product come down to the brush.  I would store it flat to avoid ink leakage.

Cartridge and the applicator attachment

Brush tip side down to bring the product to the tip.

The Shu Uemura Calligraph:ink might not be a life changing product, but it does help you with eyeliner applicator.  I like that it is a brush tip so it won't dry out like sponge/felt tip applicators.  I also like that this brush is on a stiffer side, which provides more control.  The formula is also very black and intense, and it stays put all day long.  While I still haven't mastered the art of eye-lining from the wing, I have not messed up my eyeliner (just yet) with this product (but it may happen when I have a shaky hand day :/).  If you're on a market for a new liquid eyeliner, definitely try out the Calligraph:ink.

Until next time,


x Rica


*Disclosure: Products mentioned in this post were provided to The Office Chic for review consideration.  As always, all the opinions expressed here are my own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser, affiliate, public relations firm or brands.

Last month I had the chance to go to the Shu Uemura SS2014 Press Event to learn and explore about their upcoming collection, and to witness the magical makeup techniques of Shu Uemura's Global Creative Director—Kakuyasu Uchiide.

Two posts ago, I was just talking about using my boyfriend's styling spray FOG Bar by UNO, a Shiseido company. So after work today, I literally rushed to the post office to pick up my parcel, because I already missed my chance yesterday.  I am so happy to report that now I got the pink FOG Bar in my hand =).  Along with the FOG Bar, I also order other Japanese beauty products from eBay, and coincidentally, they're all kind of pink-ish LOL.

From L to R: Kose Nose Clean Black Pack, FITS Pink Brown Mascara uno FOG BAR Pink (LE), Hada Labo BB Moist Cream in Natural Beige

On New Years Day, I placed a huge order at PinkyParadise.com because they were having a sitewide sale on lenses. It was quite a bit of savings, so I decided it's time for me to get some new Asian beauty products. So here's a sneak peek of what I'm going to test out!

Although I don’t wear false lashes often, I have quite a few different pairs of them in my collection.  When I asked my friends to buy some more from Asia, one of my friends said: “You bought so many of them, but I’ve never seen you wear them”.  So this gives me a motivation to wear falsies more often.  And lately, my go-to is always Dolly Wink Lashes No.4 Feminine Style.

These have become my go-to false lashes because they are corner lashes, or accent lashes, if you will.  However, these go a little further in than the other corner lashes, but they’re not all the way into the outer corner.  This makes them ultra easy to apply (huzzah!).  They give pretty natural length and an extra oomph at the outer corner.  It might not be the most “volumizing” or doll-like lashes out there, but it gives just what I need.