(pictured: my SUQQU lipstick,
samples, and catalogue)
As requested by a reader, I decided to write a post about some individual SUQQU products after I had a more thorough look and got several samples earlier this month.
What really impresses me is the texture of their makeup. The lipsticks are so creamy, and the eyeshadows and blushers are so luxuriously silky that they almost seem creamy as well.
I am particularly keen on Powdery Cheeks in #11 (Ashibi), which is such a universally flattering color for most medium and light skin-tones.
One of their best-sellers is the Stick Concealer. The white one is used first as a base. Blending only comes after one of the two beige ones is layered on top of it. The white concealer is light-reflective and enhances the coverage of the beige concealer.
Here are some thoughts about what I have actually used:
1.Creamy Lip Stick in #22 (Benikoji)
I bought this in my first visit. It is a nice beige pink (even though it looks quite red in the photo). Pigmented and creamy, it is a great color for this season’s polished (and non-glossy) nude look.
I got a sample of this. Out of all their foundation formulations, this one provides the most coverage. It is not too difficult to blend (with my fingers) and it covers my pores fairly well. The staying power isn’t too bad. It has a dewy finish, which I don’t really like since I have quite oily skin. But I can use a matte loose powder to set the foundation, so that doesn’t bother me too much. (The color I got (#03) is slightly too pale and ashy for my medium skin-tone.)
I also got a sample of this. It provides more coverage than Liquid Foundation Skinny (light coverage) and Liquid Foundation Lucent (sheer coverage). It is one of the most easily blendable foundations I have ever tried. But the drawback is the staying power, which is not as good as the Creamy Foundation. The coverage is light to medium, and I would prefer more. Overall, I much prefer the Creamy Foundation.
I got this one in #04. Even though #04 should be the immediate darker shade than #03 for all their foundations, it is actually slightly too dark for me (while #03 is slightly too pale). Maybe the secret lies in #03B, which is between the two shades?
Sample again. (The actual product costs about 240 USD for 30g…) I actually don’t like it that much simply because I am quite certain it has alcohol. Even though I couldn’t smell it, my skin turned a bit red about 10 minutes after application, which is typical with any moisturizer with any amount of alcohol. (I will probably have my neck enjoy this very expensive moisturizer…)
I have also got samples of HA Complex Lotion, HA Complex Emulsion, and Make Up Base. But I can really smell alcohol in all these (which is unfortunately so common with a lot of Japanese skincare products). I don’t think my face can handle any of these…
All skincare products have their signature orchid fragrance. It does smell gorgeous, even though it is much better for skincare products to be fragrance-free. In Japan last Christmas, SUQQU had a limited-edition perfume based on this orchid note. I am really hoping it will be re-released as part of the permanent collection!
One skincare product I am actually quite keen on is the Lip Essence Cream. It is very emollient and creamy. Too bad it is so pricey (about 60 USD)!
I personally think SUQQU is stronger in makeup than in skincare. But it is only because my skin can’t really tolerate alcohol and any massaging (the Musculate Massage Cream, which is used daily, is the heart of their skincare regime) and because I do think their color makeup range is simply sublime.
I look forward to seeing their spring 2007 collection. It looks great on the website and I love a makeup collection with a strong theme. I’ll definitely review it after I see it in store.
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Edited, on February 25, 2007, as requested by reader:
Price list of reviewed products in UK
(from SUQQU catalogue)
Creamy Lip Stick: £24
Powdery Cheeks: £22
Stick Concealer: £20
Cream Foundation: £60
Liquid Foundation Natural: £40
Liquid Foundation Skinny: £40
Liquid Foundation Lucent: £30
Make Up Base: £24
HA Complex Lotion: £45
HA Complex Emulsion: £70
HA Complex Cream: £120
Lip Essence Cream: £30
Musculate Massage Cream: £60
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
hi, dear, feel interested with this brand as well. why dont you put uk price along with your review? thanks.
Thank you for your comment. I’ve added the prices in the UK.
I’ve been wishing they would sell SUQQU products online on their websites. Unfortunately I don’t live anywhere SUQQU is being sold.
I love the packaging of this product, though as much enthusiasm I have to try them the prices just makes my jaw drop… Or perhaps if they sold this in US or in Japan it would be less expensive. :(
Hi there,
In most cases, websites of Japanese cosmetics brands do not offer on-line ordering, not even for Japanese residents. (The websites are mostly for information only.)
SUQQU is already a high-end brand in Japan, and the prices in the UK are even more expensive. They can be up to 40% more than those in Japan.
One of the sites you can purchase Japanese cosmetics items from is ichibankao.com. It carries products from SUQQU. It accepts PayPal and ships internationally. I shall leave you to browse the site and compare the prices.
Thank you for leaving your comment. Let me know if you have any other question! :)
Hi, PJ
I compared the price you posted on your blog and the Japanese price.
I found out that the makeup products are cheaper than skincare products.
Some of them are even a bit cheaper than the Japanese price since the pound exchange rate.
Is that true? (I’m not good at math and it took me a while to calculate the price. XD)
PS. I would like to know other products’ prices if you have time to post it. Thank you so much!!
Hi Ko-Chin,
It seems that Japanese Yen has been very strong against GBP. For example, according to the exchange rate as of today, the Masculate Massage Cream (10500 yen) is equal to around 52 pounds. However, as you can see in the link above, the exchange rate was 1:0.004 back in July/August 2007. At that time, 10500 yen would be equal to around 42 pounds.
This is mainly why I mentioned that some products (but by no means all) could be around 40% more expensive. (The massage cream is sold at 60 pounds.) I do apologize for the inaccuracy, since the comparison was made a few months ago and at the moment the price difference is generally less. This might also be why some items are cheaper in the UK at this moment.
But, if JPY continues to do well, I won’t be surprised if SUQQU decides to increase the prices in the UK to retain the profit margin.
As for the prices of the items, I have a full price list that comes with the product catalog (which you can get while you are at the SUQQU counter). But there are about 90 items on the list and I am afraid I might not have time to type them all. If you have any specific products in mind, let me know and I will reply with the prices.
Thank you for commenting again! :)
I've been using Suqqu products since their launch in Japan and later when we moved to the UK. The Brand is actually belongs to Technolabo (same as RMK), Kanebo's daughter company. It's targeted to women in their 40s & +. It's what they call in Japan "a madame's cosmetics".
The massage cream and lush curler won numerous awards in Japanese cosmetics mags. I have tried their whitening range of skincare and it had no effect whatsoever on me. Pretty similar to RMK's stuff. Foundations are good (I use skinny and liqiud), yet again I have an impression that it comes from the same factory as Rumiko's. But I am addicted to their eye-shadows. Simply gorgeous and flattering for my Asian skin. Lipsticks are too creamy and tend to crease.
If in search of a good "Japanese" skincare (belongs to P&G) in the UK, I would say try SK-II.
Hi Marichan,
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts!
I love SUQQU's eyeshdaows as well. I generally like SUQQU's powder-based point makeup products. Their powder eyeshadows and blushers have a great texture and the powder is very fine and silky.
I have been very happy with the fact that SUQQU is available in the UK. I hope it will be here for a long time to come.
Thank you again for your comment! :)