Shu Uemura

Me: «Hi, I’m looking for your Shu Uemura line.»
Sales Lady: «Sure, right this way… are you looking for anything in particular?»
Me: «Just your eyelash curler and face powder.»
Sales Lady: «Ok, your total is… and we don’t accept ATM cards only cash, American Ex and Neiman Marcus cards.»
Me: «Wonderful. I’ll just walk over to NORDSTROM.»

I like cosmetics in theory but not in practice. Let’s just say that I while I’m vain (I actually do think this song is about me), I don’t see the point of making myself look like something I’m not. And I like to maximize time spent cuddling with Hugo in the morning.
My daily routine consists of:
sunscreen (to stave off the inevitable Botox)
powder (to de-​shine the sunscreen)
eye brow powder (hey, I’m Asian and have barely any body hair let alone facial hair)
mascara (again, no facial hair)
lip balm with sunscreen.
Occasionally, I’ll go all out with eyeliner. More often than not, my beautification process takes approximately less than 5 minutes.
When I was asked to be in a fitness video, I knew I’d have to up my game. Unfortunately, they didn’t have a makeup artist on set. So, given my lack of cosmetics and skill I thought it best to call in a professional.
Enter Melissa at Shu Uemura (I figured that Shu might have a better match for my skin tone seeing has how they are my peeps). She is so sweet and her makeup looked really good. If you don’t like your makeup artist’s makeup, then it is safe to assume you might not like what she/​he does to you.
I explained my situation to her that I needed to look fresh, healthy, natural AND that I would be sweating like a notorious P.I.G. for the next four hours. She brought out an arsenal of products, gadgets and utensils. I think it took a total of 27 separate items to make me look like J. Lo exercising. The whole process took less than half and hour and the make up lasted through the entire shoot. I checked at the end and there were no black smudges under my eyes.
I know Melissa did a fantastic job when my kickboxing partner (and ultimate girl crush), Elizabeth Faulkner told me that my makeup looked good. Ooooh baby.

I came here twice and didn’t like the big tall white guy (BTWG) who was helping me. The first time, he spent 5 minutes checking himself out in the mirror. The seond time, I don’t think he knew what he was talking about because he told me that all the limited edition eye shadow colors look good on Asian skin but when I came back a 3^rd time, a different lady told me to get the black/​brownze gold limited edition duo eye shadow palette because it comes off really well on Asian skin and not the other one I was considering. I made my purchase with her since she was much more helpful. The BTWG just wanted to push sales for commission perhaps? Who knows, shrug.
Save yourself the trouble and visit the actual Shu Uemura boutique on Fillmore. Neiman Marcus doesn’t take Visa so cash only, NM card, or AmEx. Suckyyy esp since Shu Uemura products are expensive and who carries that much cash anyway?

All the girls at Shu Uemura Neiman-​Marcus are absolute sweeties, but Judy is a G-​E-​M!!! She is super down-​to-​earth, patient, knowledgeable, and *never* busts out the hard-​sell. She is, first and foremost, an artist who wants you to look and feel beautiful. Judy is a beauty-​maker!!!

A sure sign that I am heading for a psych crisis is that I begin buying lovely, superfluous skin products.
Friday’s trip to Shu Uemera in NM:
Me: «um, yeah, I need to, um hydrate, exfoliate, tone, and brighten my face. can you help me?»
Her: «ooh yes. you have beautiful skin, but how about our deepsea treatment line. It contains essential minerals that…»
Me: «I’ll take it»
A couple of tubes and $$$ later, I return home, place them next to my multiple other products, pop a benzo, and lather up my face.
Unbelievable.

Ask for Judy!
She patiently helped me pick out a lovely shade of blush, which involved prep, application, «mmm…no, don’t like it», remove, prep again, application again, etc. etc.
Very knowledgeable, no pressure, no snooty attitude. Love!

Shu Uemura could easily be a five stars anywhere.
They’re a quality makeup company that consistently hires passionate make-​up artists, who not only enjoy selling the line, but who obviously use it as well.
This particular Shu Uemura will continue to hold a special place in my heart, because it was here that my mom bought her first pair of life-​changing fake eyelashes (I inherited my dad’s)
If you’re not familiar with eyelashes in general — — Shu Uemura is THE place to go for long thick batted lashes. From their staple eye-​lash curler, to their gorgeous array of fake eyelashes — Shu Uemura has been helping women bag men for a good couple of years now
All with the single close of a well dressed eyelid.
My mom wore her lashes, the day she bought them. Her face beamed red, when the local convenience store clerk winked at her, as he bagged our groceries, and commented on her «beautiful eyes.»
(If you ever have a big event or presentation — be sure to make an appointment well in advance with one of Neiman Marcus’ Shu Uemura’s make-​up extraordinaries. Don’t forget to buy some lashes and be sure to take notes too!)
*************Please keep in mind that Neiman Marcus ONLY accepts American Express. VERY LAME — but not Shu Uemura’s fault.