I'm guilty of sticking to what works and not being adventurous at times.  So when something just spark my creativity, I try to push myself to seize it right away.  That something is the Shu Uemura Vision of Beauty Vol.2: Haute Street Collection.

I was inspired by the Cool x Chic look by Shu Uemura, and I did my own rendition of it.  Everything was done with the Cool x Chic Eye Shadow Palette (easy to use as usual, it's the buildable kinda product) and Dual-Ended Eye Color Pencil (so creamy and opaque, and great as a base colour).

Here are two ways (out of many) you can wear this collection:

shu uemura brave beauty eye palettes

How would you categorize your day to day makeup?  For me, it has definitely become more neutral in the past few years.  I rarely do bold looks nowadays, part of it is because of my work, and part of it is just I'm kind of scared of it.

I remember when I first started with makeup, when I got a collection of colourful eyeshadows, I would always play around with different looks.  It seems like my brave self has taken a deep hibernation.

"be brave, there is no need for hesitation, beauty is where you find it", Kakuyasu Uchide—shu uemuera International Artistic Director.

It's my study time again, so I've fallen into a makeup routine (or rutine) lately... I vow to change my it up starting today, but not before I give it the spotlight it deserves because these products have been amazing to me.

Shu Uemura wanted women "to enjoy make-up more freely" and have fun playing with colours.  With that in mind, the brand has created a new line of eyeliners called Drawing Pencils that are inspired by their own Aterlier's professional palette.  These pencils feature a soft blend able formula that allows you to mix and match, draw and blend, while also provide a great colour payoff.  There are in total of 21 shades and 4 textures (matte, pearl, metallic, glitter).

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.

I have never talked about my skincare routine before because I constantly switch up my routine that I couldn't even keep up.  I do realize it's a bad habit of me, I just can't resist the urge to try new things (it's the beauty blogger in me).  But recently I find myself going back to products that I finished up, so I guess it's safe to say I'm finally getting happier with my skincare routine.

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.

Inspired by Asian calligraphy, Shu Uemura is introducing a brand new liquid eyeliner–Calligraph:ink–that will be available starting March 2014 at Holt Renfrew, Hudson's Bay & selected Sephora stores or online at shuuemura.ca in Canada.  For US, it will be available on shuuemura-usa.com.  This liner has a brush tip similar to a calligraphy brush that would allow you to draw lines as thin as 0.5mm to as thick as 2.0mm in a single stroke.  Shu Uemura believes the eye is the central element of make up and the heart of beauty.  Therefore, they want to create an eyeliner that would make drawing eyeliner easy.


Along with the release of Calligraph:ink, the collection also come with 5 complimentary shades that would emphasize the intense calligraphy black of the liner.  No Shu Uemura is complete without false lashes, they are also collaborating with PAPERSELF for the first time to create exclusive designs of paper false lashes to this collection.

calligraph:ink eye liner - permanent

• liquid eyeliner refillable applicator (CA $24)
• liquid eyeliner cartridge (CA $22)

pressed eyeshadow (CA $19) (from T to B, L to R)

• S light beige 815
• ME vermillion 252
• S dark brown 884
• G beige 821
• S medium brown 853

paperlashes (CA $36) - LE (from T to B)

• cupid angel
• love lasts forever

After seeing Uchiide-san's demo on Calligraph:ink, I'm convinced that I need that liner in my life. Maybe I won't be able to apply eyeliner from the wing like he did (oh yeah, it was magical), but it sounds like it would give me a great control over eyelining and I need that in the morning after only 5 hours sleep and trying not to mess up my eyeliner, again.  I can't wait when it comes out!

Until next time,


x Rica

This Spring, Shu Uemura is bringing us the word of mystery and enchantment from Japanese renowned photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa.  This is the third collaboration Shu Uemura has had with Mika Ninagawa and it will be available in April 2014 at Hudson's Bay & selected Sephora stores in Canada..  Mika has created four exclusive visuals –Curiosity, Forbidden Fruits, Singing Forest, & Melting Sweet Dream–as the packaging for some of the cult favourite products as well as limited edition shades.

"To me, make-up is a way to open the door to an unknown world, a world filled with excitement. The magic that takes you from your regular life to an unknown new world and the sense of adventure that accompanies this journey are what I wanted to express through this collaboration." — Mika Ninagawa

Cleansing Oils - LE packaging (from L to R)

• POREfinist anti-shine fresh cleansing oil (CA $82)
• ultime8 sublime beauty cleansing oil (CA $98)
• Anti/Oxi skin refining cleansing oil (CA $92)
• whitefficient clear brightening gentle cleansing oil (CA $92)

UV Under Base mousse (CA $46) - LE packaging (from L to R)

• POREraser - pink
• POREraser - beige
• BB mousse - BB beige
• Brightening Whitefficient

Dual Fit Pressed Powder Compact - LE packaging

• limited edition empty compact case (CA $23)
• compact pressed powder refill (CA $42)

Eye Shadow Spiral Duo (CA $60) - LE (from T to B)

• shade 01 - pink & orange
• shade 02 - beige & medium brown

Nail stickers (CA $28) - LE (from L to R)

• shade 01 (singing forest)
• shade 02 (melting sweet dream)

Mika for Shu Natural False Lashes (CA $35) - LE



Tint in Gelato lip & cheek stain (CA $28) - new to permanent

• AT01
• AT02
• AT03
• AT04
• PK01
• PK02
• PK03
• CR01
• CR02
• CR03
• CR04
• BG01

As always, the Shu Uemura collaboration always brings out fun packaging and incredible lashes.  This time around, they are also releasing a new line of lip & cheek stain called Tint in Gelato.  It is of a smooth creamy texture that will gives a nice stain (that is still on my hand after swatching it during lunch).  This whole new line of products is definitely a must have for this collection, but more on that later.  If you're a fan of Mika Ninagawa's art, you may want to stock up some of your favourite Shu products in this collection.

Until next time,


x Rica

©Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

I grew up watching Japanese anime and always have a soft spot for Majokko (魔女っ子) Princesses characters (basically princesses or witches with magical power).  I'm sure a lot of us have that in common wanting to be Sailor Moon or Card Captor Sakura when we're little.  Majokko is a cultural phenomenon for decades and it's very popular in many age groups (let's not talk about otaku though).

This holiday season, renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has teamed up with Shu Uemura to create the 6 ♥ Princess Holiday Collection based on his upcoming animation series "6 ♥ Princess".  Whether you like anime or makeup, or both, your jaws will completely dropped for this collection.  It is uber super duper cute!  Oh, and this collection is already available online!