Paul & Joe Foundation Primer Part V

Now that I've tried several of Paul & Joe Foundation Primers, I totally get why they have a cult following in Japan. Even I have developed my own favorite among them. I dislike the idea of a "HG" product--I cringe at the word, but let's just say that I will always give a new P&J primer a try because, yes, they're totally worth it. 

First up is the Pearl Foundation Primer 005 Bonani Versale released in Spring 2022 as part of Paul & Joe 20th Anniversary Collection. This was the 4th Pearl Foundation Primer I've had from P&J, so I know they aren't without problems, but I'm a total sucker for them nonetheless. Who could resist these colorful pearls suspended in clear gel? 

 

All pictures taken in natural light without flash. 

 

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer

I had at least three of these 15mL/0.5fl. oz. deluxe travel sized tubes of Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer from three different GWP's. EL was hyping them up so much--I saw ads for it everywhere! Every time I opened up Instagram, I saw more ads. And then with every order I placed with EL, I got a sample. Naturally, I looked forward to trying it, because that's how marketing works, right?

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.  

 

Skincare Surprise Gift 

 

Revitalizing Supreme+ Gift

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer

When I finally understood the use of highlighting primers and bases, and the not so great use of liquid highlighters, I went back for more of the former and skip the latter altogether. Spotting these Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer on Nordstrom.com, I picked them up without a second thought: 50mL/1.7fl. oz. full size tubes of the Blurring and Illuminating variety, and 25mL/0.8fl. oz. half size tube of the Hydrating kind as I was iffy what it might do to my dry-combo skin. 

All pictures taken in natural light without flash. 

Burberry Illuminating Drops Glow Concentrate

In contrast with Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base Nude Radiance No.01, this 15mL/0.5fl. oz. deluxe travel-sized Illuminating Drops Glow Concentrate in Metallic Pearl No.01 is a straightforward liquid highlighter. This means it provides the glow and that's that. It's not a base so there's no grabbing onto the layer that goes on top, no added moisture, nothing. 

Still, this Glow Concentrate is a decent highlighter, a translucent and somewhat runny white milk with lots of yellowy gold shimmers. Because of its texture and the fact that it's in a tube, I ended up squeezing the whole thing into the empty pump bottle that used to house Paul & Joe Pearl Foundation Primer 002 Sweet Bon-Bon, just so I can dispense a consistent amount with every pump.  

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base

So...sometime during the pandemic lock-down of 2020-2021, my usual sources for Japanese skincare and cosmetics got cut off and, admittedly out of boredom and curiosity, I branched out to European higher-end brands and started posting about them on this blog around 2024-2025--I take a few years to get to my stuff ^.^ 

These Burberry goodies are no exception. Here I am posting about them now, some 3-4 years later, and even then, I got to them sooner than the rest because there are two freebies in this bunch that I particularly appreciate: a glowy base, this travel-sized 12mL/0.4fl. oz. tube of Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance No.01, and a liquid highlighter, also travel-sized, the Illuminating Drops Glow Concentrate in Metallic Pearl No.01, which I'll post next. 

 All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence SPF50+ PA++++

Been using this Biore UV Aqua Rich Light Up Essence SPF50+ PA++++ (2021 version, now discontinued) off and on for months. No, not that a 70g tube would last me for months, but rather I don't use this sunscreen on a daily basis, and not by itself either. 

Paul & Joe Foundation Primer Part IV

Another thing I was excited to try from this Paul & Joe Makeup Collection 2021 was the two 10mL/0.33fl. oz. trial bottles of Sparkling Foundation Primer 001 on Day 2 and Foundation Primer Limited 002 on Day 16. 

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

A'pieu Power Block Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

I've been carrying this 15g A'pieu Power Block Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ in my handbag since last summer so here's a review for it, finally. There are 2 types, Regular and Tone Up, and I'm using the Tone Up. Also, please note this stick is several years old now and there's of course a new version of it, which I don't have and don't plan on getting.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk Pink SPF50+ PA++++

Over the colder months, when Biore UV Perfect Bright Milk (2017 version, although I'm linking to 2015 version) proved too drying even as a 1/3 addition to my main sunscreens Nivea Sun Strong Fit Care UV Milky Gel and Nivea Men UV Protector, I busted out this 40mL bottle of Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk Pink SPF50+ PA++++ to use with its sister sunscreen, the UV Super Moisture Milk (2017 version, gold bottle).

I think this isn't official, but based on appearances of the packaging and of the sunscreen milk itself, I'm guessing this UV Super Moisture Milk Pink was the replacement for Skin Aqua UV Sara Sara Milk that was discontinued in 2014. Either way, this UV Super Moisture Milk Pink was the 2019 version, and it too had been discontinued as of earlier this year, January 2022. Yes, it's frustrating that they keep discontinuing stuff I like, and it's even more exhausting to have to keep up with replacement and/or new products, but that's just how the Japanese sunscreen market works.

The Organic Pharmacy Radiant Day Shield SPF10

This is the next installment in my search for a moisturizing base to layer over my moisturizer but under my sunscreen, because my skin gets way too dry in the winter with sunscreen on.

Before this, I'd tried Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm Bare Glow. However, it was so moisturizing that it prevented my sunscreen to set, and it was way too "glowy" and pearly for my taste as well.

And before Bobbi Brown, I'd tried Paul & Joe La Tout Eclat Moisturizing Foundation Primer L SPF18 PA+, but it turned out to be full coverage, a completely opaque and pearly lavender base. Nope.

And before P&J La Tout Eclat, I was using 3 different Paul & Joe Pearl Foundation Primers which were actually working out OK until the weather got too cold and my skin got too dry.

So here I am now, with this 30mL/1fl. oz. dropper bottle of The Organic Pharmacy Radiant Day Shield SPF10 from the Day Plump & Glow Kit I bought over this past holidays season.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.