Fresh MLBB Pink: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in PK 331

This was bound to happen: I had resisted all the Shu offers and discount codes I'd been getting in my inbox for a looong time, and then a 20% off and free shipping offer hit, and I resisted no more. Those mailing lists and promotional newsletters will be the death of me!

I'd previously never tried anything from Shu Uemura, a beloved Japanese brand now under the L'Oreal companies umbrella. It doesn't help that to my knowledge, there are no counters anywhere in the US, the product distribution and availability is much different than that in the Asian countries, and online swatches are rather scarce. But with all the raves from my trusted beauty blogging friends, I decided to just go for it - and armed with a coupon code, ordered three little bits and bobs, including the Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in PK 331, described as 'fresh pink - cool undertone' ($30 for 3.4 g/ 0.11 oz).

The lipstick is packaged in a somewhat futuristic, silver bullet-shaped tube that has a surprising weight to it. The shade can be easily seen through the clear plastic lid for easy morning grabbing, and there's an additional label with a shade name on the bottom (although I *hate* the Asian color coding system, I don't have the memory for all the numbers, people! Gimme actual WORDS!).

Through what I assume to be pure luck, I settled on a wearable pink shade that I don't already have a dupe for in my lipstick drawer (How. Is. That. Possible!). In the bullet, PK 331 is a neutral, clear medium-depth pink with very fine silver and magenta shimmer. To my eye, it has some slight yellow/rose tones to it, especially compared to something like Revlon Superlustrous Shine Lipstick in Kissable Pink (which, in turn, is not even that cool/ blue-toned when compared to something like Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Shalimar). On my pale cool pink lips though, PK 331 swatches as a pretty spot-on My Lips But Better Shade - it evens out some of the more purple/mauve tones but overall leans a lot cooler and more pastel baby pink (as in, it seems to have more of a white base) than in the bullet.

 

L-R: Shu Uemura Supreme Shine in PK 331, Revlon Superlustrous Shine in Kissable Pink, L'Oreal Caresse in Blushing Sequin (all three lipsticks swiped 4-5 times), Chanel Rouge Allure in Conquise (2 swipes) to show differences in pigmentation

The pigmentation is sheer but buildable, and the finish definitely on the glossy side. The lipstick has a good glide but doesn't slip and slide on the lips. The silver and violet magenta shimmers catch the light prettily, and sit rather weightlessly on the lips; they definitely do not feel gritty. The formula doesn't sink into vertical lip lines too much, but unfortunately catches and collects on any dry bits, so some exfoliation is required prior to application. The glossy finish wears off slightly after 2-3 hours, but the color remains until I have to eat something, and the lipstick doesn't leave my lips feeling dry or tight. There's no taste (huge plus!) and a very, very faint fruity scent to it - so faint in fact that I'd classify this as unscented.

Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Isoeicosane, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Stearyl Heptanoate, Synthetic Beeswax, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Microcristallina Cera, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Aqua, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Alumina, Dimethicone, BHT, Ectoin, Tin Oxide, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octedecanediol, Benzyl Benzoate, Methicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Parfum [+/- Mica, CI 77891, CI 45410, CI 15850, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 453080, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 15985, CI 75470]
 
Overall, I really enjoy wearing Shu's Rouge Unlimited Shine lipstick formula - and I come to enjoy it even more the more I wear it. What I first considered a borderline Barbie shade translates as a comfortable light wash of pink over the lips that can be touched up on the go without a mirror. It beautifies! While the price point is definitely a bit high, I'm glad that I decided to give Shu Uemura lipsticks a try.

Have you tried the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine formula? What are your favorite products from Shu?