Friday, June 27, 2008

Shu Uemura VS Fanny Serrano Eyelash Curler

I know a lot of comparisons has been done between Shu Uemura and Shiseido...
I never owned a Shiseido lash curler
I've had my fair share of plastic lash curlers, really cheap lash curlers etc...
Since I'm a die-hard magazine reader, I've read 2 years ago on the Cosmopolitan yearly award on the Splurge vs. Save portion and there I've seen the Fanny Serrano Eyelash curler won the Cosmo award as a good Dupe for the Shu Uemura curler.
Considering it's price, for less than Php200.00! (approx $4.00) compared to Shu's Php1,000 (approx $22.00), I'm definitely giving this a try!

So here's my head to head comparison of the expensive vs. the cheap! :)

(again, this is just my opinion, feel free to comment)




Side by side, you can see that the Shu Uemura curler is a bit bigger, in terms of the arm, the head, but as you can see, the FS curler looks like a medium sized version of the Shu.



Check out the head, they both have the brand name written/carved. The Shu curler is wider and bigger while the FS curler is a bit more curved.

The FS curler being more curved, it is a li'l bit difficult to reach the short lashes that I have. (Just a teeny bit difficult)




Top view, again as stated, the Shu is wider compared to the FS, but the foam used, well in my opinion, they are "almost" identical, same black, same silicon pad "feeling" !




And here's a close up shot on the "arm/latch".

The Shu Uemura Curler ---

Pros
  • does its job in curling my lashes
  • easy to reach the "hard to reach" part
  • fits my eye

Cons
  • pinches my left eye
  • expensive
  • can change pad upto 2x and you have to buy a new one
The Fanny Serrano Eyelash Curler ---

Pros
  • can easily buy the refill, can use the curler longer (can be lifetime if you take care of this)
  • the refills can be purchased in all beauty stores for a pack of 3 for less than Php100 (approx $3.00)
  • very affordable
  • does its job in curling my lashes

Cons
  • pinches my left eye (same with Shu, even Shiseido! I borrowed from my friend)
  • that's all! I can't find any con for now
Overall?

To be honest, both curlers work for me! I find that when I curl my left eye, both eyelash curler pinches my eye so i have to use my finger to "LIFT" my left eye manually as I think I have extra skin on my left eye or something.

If you are on a budget, the FS is A-OK. If you have the extra moolah! then go for the Shu. Both works for me, I alternate in using them so that my Shu doesn't get too "molested" LOL <--- what a term! I am not sure if FS is available for our international readers, it's definitely available in all beauty shops in the Philippines. Fanny Serrano by the way is a name of a famous make-up artist here in the Philippines. He's got a whole range of good cosmetics that are affordable and of good quality! :)

Have you curled your lashes lately?

Do you think curling your lashes makes a huge difference to your overall look?

Want to check out my bare lashes?
Want to see my old review on mascaras?
Smile and say "lashes!"


40 comments :

  1. wow! this is a great review nikki! i've been using my shu for years now, and it is "molested" as we speak. haha!

    i can't believe FS is cheap! thought it'd be expensive too! you think i could buy the silicon thingy for my shu?

    and you have a very special left eye pala. :)

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  2. LOL thanks for using the term "molested" at least I'm not the only one using it. LOL Yes, FS is cheap, i don't think the FS silicon would be ok to be used for the Shu as you can see, the SHU head is larger compared to the FS :) hahaha not a special left eye, it's not obvious naman but i just find it weird as well why I get pinched on my left eye "most of the time"

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  3. i think i have that cosmo ish, too! :p i was about to splurge on a shu when i read the article, so i ended buying an FS curler. no regrets!

    :p

    i naturally have short lashes so aside from giving the curler a good press and using good mascara... dinadagdagan ko ng DASAL.

    prayers work. hahaha.

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  4. I have never heard of Fanny Serrano, but than you for the review... hehe~ :D

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  5. SHU sounds like it does it job very well, although not a good investment. I'm thinking of getting a heated eyelash curler. Too bad there aren't many review out there.

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  6. Iya, I've been using my FS for quite sometime before I purchase the SHU :) I am very happy with it and I can really do a review on it because I've used my Shu for months also :) That is so funny about praying for your lashes! LOL

    Alyssa, yeah Fanny Serrano is a local artist, local brand and quite famous in the market now here in Manila :) I wasn't sure though if they do export that's why I didn't state that it's only in the philippines :)

    Ebeautyblog :) I know Shu is a great product but I don't consider it an investment coz it has its own life span :)

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  7. The CG mascara I got is the purple one (Lash Exact). The one that's popular right now is the orange one (Lash Blast). Don't ask me why they have very similar names... lol~ I haven't tried the Lash Blast, but I've heard good and bad things about it *sigh*. So I don't know what to say! :P

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  8. I have Lash Blast, it's alright, I heard kissme heroine is the Bomb ! That's what I'm planning to get it next time :D Oh by the way, Shu uemura is having F&F til 29th 20% off !!

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  9. If you get the Lash Blast, I hope you do a review on it! :)

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  10. i have shu eyelash curler too, but i hardly use it. coz, everyday in the morning i tend to oversleep and rush like mad to work. hehe

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  11. I personally find Shu Uemura's eyelash curler to be highly OVER-rated.

    I got my first ever eyelash curler at Watson's when I was 17, long before my first lipgloss or mascara! It lasted me for over 10 years (I bought replacement pads at beauty supply stores or other big pharmacies). I finally had to throw it out after one too many drops. That's when I got a Shu. I got mine at the airport in Taipei on my way back to Dublin (I paid NTD350/USD11.50; normal retail price is NTD400 in Taiwan and USD19 in the US). I only started using it about 6 months ago as I had already got a Jemma Kidd one (which was much more expensive, at EUR13/USD20.50). It's really only okay. It doesn't pinch my lids (but none of the other curlers do). For $11.50, it's not a bad investment, as the replacement silicon pads I get at beauty supply stores fit this curler too. But if you're paying anything more than $13, it's not worth it.

    I don't think the FS curler would suit me then, seeing as I already find the Shu one too short for my eyes!

    To eBeautyBlog: I've tried heated curlers before, only once though, and didn't like it. A handy trick is to blast your usual metal eyelash curler with a hairdryer for a few seconds. Touch the metal plate to make sure that it's not too hot before you use it on your lids/lashes.

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  12. i'm with iya on the prayer.

    ohh. is the heated one good? i want to try that too! kinda scared about burning my eye tho. haha

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  13. I went through that phase comparing shu and shiseido. I even end up comparing Asia (drugstore) Shiseido to US The makeup Shiseido, which some claimed to be identical. I used shiseido for a loong time, so I was disappointed with shu when i started using it. But as I use it more, it's warming up to me. But I have to admit, it's easier to curl with shiseido.

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  14. i heard some actually buy FS refill pads on Shu curler but personally, i think replenishing the Shu curler is also adviseable since i suppose overtime the performance is affected greatly, like when you use it it sorta gets "stuck" -- what i mean is that it tends to be "rusty" not gliding when you use it for the first time. it's like it is calibrate for that timeframe (6 months) to work perfectly and if you want the same quality you gotta get a new one. no complaints on my side even if i have to do this 2x a year 'cause i just love this beauty tool! :D

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  15. Thanks for this. I've always wanted to try shu, but after reading this, it doesn't sound like a good investment

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  16. Alyssa, if I buy any new mascara, you'll definitely see a review from me :) thanks

    Nabi, ugggghhhh another sale there ?? come on!!!! that's a mean thing to do, posting it here telling me about it and I can't even avail a discount! LOL

    Prettybeautiful, I am those guilty ones that don't curl my lashes everyday, i think I curl them 2-3x a week only, I am so lazy as well as my lashes are "almost" invisible :P

    Liz, well....i guess even if you like Fanny Serrano eyelash curler, it won't be available there as well, so good thing you're not lemming on it! i know how it feels to want something so much and its not available! LOL

    Sab, I never tried the heated ones as well!

    Jiejie, I have to use Shiseido more before I can really compare it...but with my stubborn short and invisible lashes? All eyelash curler will be challenged with my lashes! lol

    Mhean, i'm glad you love the tool so much!!!! I am liking it too but I guess I just don't get what most people have as their lashes are longer!

    ohh Gio, don't get me wrong, do give it a try still, it does curl! I've used it to a lot of people and it does its job in curling! It's just that it's almost the same as our local brand here who's done a great dupe of it :)

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  17. Great review and comparison! I have the Shu and loooove it but had I known about the Fanny I would have purchased that one first.

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  18. thanks for the review! i've been wanting to try the shu curler and since shu is having a 20% off coupon, i might get it!

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  19. Oh B, I think you purchased Shu is the right move coz you guys won't have Fanny Serrano there :) how'd you like the Shu?

    Lily, yes! Go ahead and buy!! it's really good but it's a good thing we have an "almost" dupe here. You guys have the coupon! I saw it!!!! LOL so go ahead and BUY!!!!! Tell me what you think!

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  20. great review sis nikki!! i have been thinking of getting shu.. but im too kuripot to spend moolah on eyelash curler.. hehehe.. but your review, pushes me to buy shu na.. huhuhuhu

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  21. maybe you can try out their mini curler, it's designed to reach the most unreachable lashes i suppose. :)

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  22. Hi dianatan, if you're kuripot with it, try the Fanny serrano, I believe they have the "tester" inside the mall, test it first, who knows? If it works for you, you can save moolah :D

    Mhean, ohhh I tried my friend's mini curler and it does NOTHING for my lashes, thanks for the suggestion though, I appreciate it :D How's ur weekend?

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  23. ohh is that so? that's too bad. :( my weekend was both fab and sucked -- fab for fashion 'cause of the sale hauling yet sucked for my wallet! lol. how 'bout you? :)

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  24. I am sure you spent so much! i've seen a lot of sale at Glorietta mall when i went there Saturday :) I'll definitely check out more of your haul :D uuugggh weekend's almost over!

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  25. thanks for this side by side review, ive had FS curler but my bag got stolen with my makeup kit in it..thus my curler's gone, and as im rebuilding a new makeup kit, im thinking of investing on shu curlers..but after reading your blog, ive decided might as well save the 800+ pesos and spend it on other makeup items. ill just get an FS curler again :)

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  26. HI Samira, thanks for the comment and I'm glad I was able to help you save up :)

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  27. Hey sis, I',ve owned a lot of eyelash curlers but FS was the one for me. Comparing it to high-end products such as Shu, this is a one big save.

    The thing I like about it is that it will take long for you to change the pads. Unlike Shu's.

    Yeah! This is two thumbs up for me! :)

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  28. .after praying for the day i would save enough money for a FS, my friends bought me one & i didn't have to drop a dime!
    .the Fanny Serrano is greeeaaat!..i love it..it actually only costs P145 and the lashpad refills P45 for 3..the Shu and Shi are kinda overrated..very nice curl esp. when you use it with Nichido Clear Mascara.

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  29. Sofia! I'm glad you enjoyed your FS curler, it does work well on our eye shape!

    Anonymous, I'm glad you got yourself FS curler! I highly recommend it for someone on a budget :)

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  30. I bought a self-heating eyelash curler from Watsons in my obsession to get really curly lashes but it broke the second time I tries to use it. And my 1yr old daughter chewed on the receipt so so much for the warranty.

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  31. Hi Nikki, which of the two is better for chinita eyes? The Shu or Shiseido one? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Depending on your eye shape, but Shiseido really works even for monolids :)

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  32. Hey i was wondering which stores you can find the FS eyelash curler in Manilla? Thanks xo!

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    1. try any SM department stores with FS counter/booth!

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  33. Hi! i just stumbled upon this post since I was thinking of buying shu curlers. I've had the FS curler for about 7 years now and I am really pleased with it. Ive changed pads for only 2-3 times in those years! It still works wonders for me. I keep it well, I don't drop it, I clean it after every use. :) Thank you for this post, I won't be changing curlers soon. I'll just use the money to buy something else.:)

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    Replies
    1. Hey, thanks for sharing your experience with your Fanny Serrano curler, I am glad you were able to save up by using a cheaper alternative and best of all? It worked for you! :)

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  34. Wow! This eyelash curler looks interesting. :)
    xo,
    ~Pauline @neutrogena philippines

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  35. Looking for eyelash curlers and stumbled upon your review. Very helpful. I wonder if FS is still available in stores. I hope it is. Will try to look for it. Or do you have a new suggestion/recommendation for an alternative? Thanks so much! :)

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    Replies
    1. My favorite for now :) http://www.askmewhats.com/2016/07/Koji-Curving-Eyelash-Curler-Review.html

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