Reviews: My Japanese SPFs (Shiseido Maquillage, Paul&Joe, Biore)

As I get older and more aware that I am technically and biologically no longer a child and will soon start aging, I've started to give this SPF thing a thought. Who wants wrinkles, age spots and more importantly, skin cancer? Yeah, no one.

So who better to trust when it comes to SPF, than the society where whiter skin is seen as desirable, and where everywhere you look - magazines, dermatologists, beauty counters - you're constantly reminded that you should wear SPF? I remember my cousin was absolutely horrified when I told her I only wore SPF that's included in products! This is why over time when I go back to Japan, I've done a bit of a SPF haul. Here are the three that I've tried, all with different levels of SPFs..


Shiseido Maquillage White Repair Essence Base SPF30 PA+
Out of the three, this is the most difficult to acquire in the UK, so I'm sure it'll be welcomed when I say it's not my favourite. The good parts are that the consistency is very watery and runny, and it blends incredibly well. It's so light and easy on the face compared to some thick cream SPFs out there. It also has a pearlescent pink colour to the liquid but on the face, this barely shows. That being said, on my medium skin, it casts a bit of a white layer which may be an issue to those who wear tinted moisturizers or nothing at all. It also has a slight dewy finish, and a lovely packaging and pump!

I can't really fault its consistency and it's the perfect level of protection for cloudy days and the winter, so when I say it's not my favourite, it's also not a bad product in the slightest. Just in comparison to my favourite, it's lacking some minor details that you will see later. But if it was cheaper, or if I couldn't find anything better with the same SPF for the wintertime,  I'd definitely consider repurchasing.

This is probably my least favourite out of the bunch, and it's just such a shame because it's the most accessible, and what I think is the most reasonable sun protection for the summer. As I'll say again later, I've read there are some health issues with ingredients that create SPFs that are higher than 50, so I feel 40 is a good call.

So why do I not like this? This is more of the typical SPF (or the ones that I've swatched here in the UK), in that it's like a creamy balm and gives you a very wet, dewy finish. Now this may be to some people's tastes, but for me, I don't really like that sticky feeling. I also find it quite difficult to blend which I've noticed is the biggest face-make up pet peeve of mine.

The good part though, is that if you DO like this kind of texture and finish, then this will not cast a white shade on you like many SPFs do, because these are tinted enough to avoid the cast, but not enough to give any coverage - it's absolutely genius! That's why it comes in 2 shades, and the one I have is 02, which is good for my face which is probably around NC25-30.

Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF50+ PA+++
This is one that I dug up a week or so ago, and is my absolute favourite - I've fallen in love with it. The texture is so watery and runny, and a lot like the Maquillage one in terms of lightweight-ness, but it has the slightest touch of a silicone-y feel, that makes it really work as a primer to smooth out your skin. I actually prefer this to typical primers which feel like 100% silicone (obviously aren't lol), not only because it's a 2-in-1 SPF/primer, but because it just feels so much lighter on the skin. Also, although the liquid is white, it hardly casts white over your face once it sinks in! These are the little details that sets it apart from the Maquillage one :)

My only concern about this one is what I mentioned earlier about SPF50 and above. Because I don't know a lot about this, I've been adoring this cuz I just feel really protected with a high SPF and PA+++. But in the future I think I will look for it in a lower SPF, unless I'm going somewhere with higher UV levels, because everything else is perfect - no white cast, 2-in-1, lightweight, make-up base, SPF & PA, and also, affordable!

Left to right: Shiseido Maquillage, Paul & Joe, Biore.

Left to right: Shiseido Maquillage, Paul & Joe, Biore.

Now regarding places to purchase, the Shiseido Maquillage seems to be virtually unavailable except from the countries that actually stock the Shiseido Maquillage range (mostly South East/East Asian countries), and this online store called Akinai. Paul & Joe is available from BeautyBay or ASOS for £18/£16.50, and I've found the best place to find the Biore one is eBay, where there are quite a few Thai sellers. Obviously you have to always have your wits about on eBay, so just keep that in mind :) It is definitely the most affordable of the 3 though, and in my opinion, the best of the bunch!

So that's my take on the 3 Japanese SPFs I have! They're super different from ones I've swatched in the UK, so I thought it'd be interesting to do a post :) I hope you've got something from this post for the upcoming summer months, but let me know your favourite SPFs - I'd love to know more great options or if there is anything similar to these ones from other brands! :) Also, please let me know if I'm wrong in thinking that most "Western" brands have a creamy SPF - it's just from my experience swatching them that I've noticed this!

Happy UV protecting! ;)

<3yu

Comments

  1. The only SPF I currently wear is the one in my moisturiser (Olau beauty fluid with SPF15) but I think I need something more "proper". Most of the facial sunscreens I've tried leave my face really greasy :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I hate the greasy feeling! If you can get your hands on the Biore one, it's far from greasy! :)

      Delete
  2. Western sunscreens are just so rubbish compared to the Asian ones I've tried! I love the Sofina white protect which is similar to your biore, then I love the watery essence & watery mousse which leave your skin mega soft! The clarins one (I forget the name) is nice but so much pricier and less good. Asian ones all the way! Xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I've heard of Sofina but never tried it! I must look for it when I'm back :) Thanks!

      Delete
  3. Nice review, i am already using some Oriflame day fluid whitening which contain SPF 15 and its excellent


    http://fakhrarafique.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post! I did a recent review of spf's for under makeup and by far the best is Vichy's SPF 50 matte fluid, it's fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, I've yet to try something from Vichy! When it says 'fluid' is it actually watery?

      Delete
  5. Great review! I really like my Biore UV Perfect sunscreen. I've never tried any Western sunscreen. So far, the only sunscreens I've tried are all under Biore and they've never broke me out and I like the lightweight texture.

    http://neonrockrose.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'm a convert too - I agree, they're amazing! :)

      Delete
  6. Fab review. I tend to only use my tinted moisturiser with SPF15 for daily use but when it is warmer or I am actually going to be outside for more than 5 minutes, I will wear sunscreen. I usually go for clinique's City Block which I find is less greasy than normal SPFs.
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard that one was good - I must swatch it some time :) Thanks!

      Delete
  7. Interesting to read a review about Japanese products :) I adore Japanese brands, but the problem is they are so hard to get here in the West!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, it's such a pain and while I do feel awful posting about things that are hard to get, I think it's also interesting and exciting! Glad you liked it :)

      Delete
  8. Most western sun screens tend to be thicker and creamier, but there are a few that have a more liquid and runny consistency. Le Roche Posay, Nutrogena, and the Shiseido ultimate sun protection are the few brands that I am aware of with less creamy consistency. I'm still concurrently searching for a sun screen I love. The main thing I'm currently obsessing over with my search of my ideal sun screen is that it must protect against UVA rays since they are the ones that penetrate much deeper and cause more damage. Most sun screens seem to only really protect against UVB rays (the more common ones).



    http://2sistersadecadeapart.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you can get your hands on the Biore one it sounds like your ideal product! Shiseido is also Japanese, but LRP may be a good call! :)

      Delete
  9. Can you pick the Biore one up in most drugstores in Japan? How much is it? I might get my mom to pick it up next time she's out there, or my grandma to send some over. Could you do other japanese/asian products you really recommend? Thanks! :)

    www.londonramblers.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes you can in Japan! I think I got it for like 580yen? Very cheap!

      I actually don't use too much Japanese products, but some that I do like are the Canmake Shading Powder, Kose Softymo Oil Cleanser and the Koh Gen Do Face Powder :) I also generally like their false eyelashes! :) I hope that helps!

      Delete
    2. That's great! Thanks :) I pick up most of my false eyelashes from a 100yen shop .. they're surprisingly good ... Have you heard of the makeup artist takako? She recently set up a shop in shirogane, reasonably close to shinagawa. Some of her stuff is amazing!

      Delete
    3. Yes that's exactly where I get mine, and I adore them! :) I haven't, I must look her up! I've checked out ADDICTION by Ayako, but didn't find anything in particular I quite liked. Are you originally from Japan too?

      Delete
    4. I'm half and half :) Mom's out there at the moment so gonna send her a list :)

      Delete
  10. I thought the shesheido product was nail polish, looks so cute haha! I've never seen these around so I can only imagine how hard it'll be for me to get my hands on these! Thank you for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol that's so true! It's a gorgeous bottle, they actually have a foundation in that bottle too :) Yeah they're hard to get a hold of, but the Biore one will be worth the search :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts