Shiseido is a pricey brand, but how many of their products are actually worth the price? I can’t definitely say across the board. However, I did finally pull the trigger on the Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+. It’s apparently the #1 sunscreen stick in the US (says their website)!
Read on to learn about my experience with this $32 SPF stick.
Why Are Sun Sticks Popular?
I’m sure you’ve all heard that sun protection is essential (duh). And with that, there’s been an increase in concern for re-application of SPF throughout the day. There are many different ways to re-apply: the same lotion/cream that you applied originally, setting powders, SPF sprays, sun sticks, cushions, and probably so many more that I have not yet seen.
The most optimal one? Applying with the same lotion that you applied on your first layer.
But sun sticks have definitely crept up in my personal rankings.
They’re less mess
Instead of squirting out your SPF onto your fingers, then applying to your face, you can just open the cap of the stick and apply directly to your skin. Fingers who?
And not only is it easier since you don’t have to worry about residue on your hands, but you also don’t need to look for a sink to wash your hands (or sanitize your hands) beforehand. You can just use your dirty hands to apply the sun stick since your hands don’t touch the actual product (a win!).
They can provide a more even application
A lot of people hate on powders and sprays because the application can be a lot less accurate or full where you need it. I’ve found that with SPF sticks, I can go over the same area multiple times to really make sure it applies the appropriate amount. With powders, you usually end up pretty chalky. With sprays, you end up overly glossy.
But with the right sun stick? You get the full protection without being overly oily or dewy.
They travel better
As someone who sometimes relies on just pockets to carry everything but also sometimes uses a bag, I love a sun stick. The shape is usually (for lack of a better word) flask-like, so it is flat and tall. So you can easily fit it into your jeans pockets or into your bag.
No worries about explosions of liquids. Plus, you get to bring it through TSA without the drama of size limits!
Why Is the Shiseido SPF Stick Good?
I won’t lie to you and tell you that I’m an expert in sun sticks. I’m fully not. I’ve only used two in my life (the AHC one and this one). But I am happy to share my experience with the Shiseido one!
Natural Finish
Whenever I used the AHC Fresh Sun Stick, I would get really shiny and oily. I wasn’t really a fan of that, but I continued to use it because my friend brought it back from Korea for me, and I felt like I needed to. But as an oily skinned person, it was never a big win for me.
The Shiseido one is much more of a natural, semi-matte finish. I like how it makes my skin look refreshed without being shiny. Of course your mileage may vary and your skin may react differently to it. But my skin liked this product both immediately after application and over a couple hours.
Applies Well over My (Minimal) Makeup
Before we get into the makeup application, I have to make it clear that I do not wear much makeup. I rely on the Tatcha Silk Sunscreen as my “base” layer. I don’t use concealer or foundation. But I will do a contour, blush, highlight, brow pencil, brow gel, and occasionally eye makeup. So do with what you will with that information.
In my testing, I have not seen much smudging of my face makeup or any pilling. One of my main concerns with sun sticks is that there is a decent amount of friction (and skin pulling in my case). But I don’t see my makeup shifting (at least too much), even when I am applying with multiple swipes over the same spot.
However, I could imagine that people who like to use foundation or concealer could see more pilling or makeup lifting, revealing their natural skin below. And for those folks, I would definitely recommend being more cautious during application.
The Ingredient Technology
I am a big sucker for a good marketing sell when it comes to beauty ingredients. And what really sold me on the Shiseido one was the WetForce x HeatForce technology and SynchroShield. The first helps the product become more protective when wet or hot. And the latter strengthens the layer when it is exposed to sun, water, and sweat.
And as I am sure you already know, SPF works by creating a thing, uniform layer across your skin. That layer gets disturbed by friction or your natural sebum over time, which is why you have to reapply. So having this formulation technology behind it will help preserve that sun protection over time.
So yes, you definitely do need to reapply over time, but it isn’t as dire of a need as it would be otherwise. And to me, that is so cool!
What Could the Shiseido SPF Improve On?
From a formulation perspective, this SPF is pretty solid. I really enjoy the texture, the technology, the test results. There are small changes that I would love to see if they offer a second SPF stick in the future:
A silicone-free/“clean” option
Whether you like it or not, clean beauty is definitely a thing that beauty consumers like. So offering something that would work within those guidelines/restrictions would be nice: so no silicones (rip to the nice silky texture) or mineral oil would be the top suggestion I’d have.
More “soothing” ingredients
I would love it if there was some allantoin or cicapair in it. It would make for a really nice “sun” story because it would soothe skin if it got burnt or irritated. And I feel like they could make a great marketing story around that as well. And I would personally love it because my skin just dreams of tiger grass in everything!
Multi-pack or value-size options
Let’s face it: she’s pricey. And I do love a good sale (can’t wait for the Sephora sale!), but I wish they had a value-oriented option. I know Shiseido is not really known for their aggressive pricing…. But throw a dog a bone with this SPF please!
But until then, I’ll just be purchasing this with my FSA money (because yes, you can use your FSA at Sephora!).
Final Thoughts on the Sun Stick
Honestly, I love this SPF so much. I’m normally a mineral SPF type of boy (ahem, Summer Fridays ShadeDrops on the daily). But I do love that as my base (2 applications in the morning, then 1 application of the Tatcha Silk Sunscreen before I leave the house for work!) and then this chemical/organic sun stick to give continued protection throughout the day.
The price is justified for me because it is a product that I actually look forward to re-applying. I would rather spend more and use it than spend less and get a greasy product I would not use.
Who’s it good for? Sun protection is for everyone under the sun! And this one specifically can be used for everyone, but I think the people who would like it the most are those with combo skin or oily skin. But if you are excessively oily, this is still not going to be enough for you. But I do wonder if the Beauty of Joseon one would be a better fit for the excessively oily folks since it was formulated with that in mind!
If you’d like to purchase the Shiseido sun stick ($32), here’s where to pick it up:
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