Vault

Max value reached

Adding this item would put you over your total vault limit of $250. please review your cart to stay under the limit.

The Fascinating World of shu uemura

28 December, 2014 - 11:00pm by - First Lady | 28 Comments

Article by BR Tabatha

images: Lagerfeld, Shu Uemura and Wikimedia

The Art of Beauty - "beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin'.

We love delving behind the brand and finding out more about the pioneers, founders and visionnaires whose monikers fill the shelves and counters of our favourite place - the beauty counter.

Born in 1928, Shu Uemura first became interested in hairstyling when he became bedridden after a teenage illness.  He became the only boy to enrol in the Tokyo Beauty Academy.

Shu Uemura was working as a beautician in Hollywood when a makeup artist on the Shirley MacLaine film My Geisha became ill.  His talents spoke for themselves when he turned white Shirley MacLaine into a Japanese woman using only clever makeup and cosmetic skills.

After making a name for himself as a makeup artist the next big thing for Shu Uemura was creating a product that has become the must have product this year - yes the cleansing oil was created by Shu Uemura way back when in 1960!

Heading back to Japan in 1964 armed with an impressive portfolio and the mission to encourage women to first perfect their skin before hiding it with cosmetics, he opened the Shu Uemura Makeup School.  He founded his company Shu Uemura Cosmetics (orginally called Japan Makeup) in 1967.  The company now earns around $100 million a year!  Up until his death Shu Uemura would demonstrate his techniques and products in public twice a year.

The standout product remains his famous oil based cleanser, which is still the number 1 oil cleanser in the world.  Shu Uemura discovered that oils were powerful enough to remove heavy stage makeup without irritating the actresses' skin - even if they were used several times through out the day.  They also maintained the skin's moisture, unlike harsh cleansers and makeup removers.

Shu Uemura died of pneumonia in 2007 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that would never be forgotten, but would continue to grow, and spread his art of beauty.

The latest vision of the Shu Uemura brand is a collaboration with one of the most pampered pets in the world (and BR Natalie's favourite cat after her own) Choupette.  Choupette's daddy is designer Karl Lagerfeld and not only does she live a life of luxury, she models and has even written a book.  Well the Shupette by Karl Lagerfeld for shu uemura range is the latest makeup range that will make you 'purr with delight' 


What's your experience of Shu Uemura?  Have you tried the products or had you never heard of them until now? Can we tempt you into trying the oh so cute Shupette range?

Get chatting below!

Comments

Please sign in or register to add a comment.

30th December, 2014

I've heard of the Shu Uemura eyelash curlers on Youtube but not much else about the rest of the line. Would love to see one of these done on Eye of Horus to hear more about them!!!

30th December, 2014

I've seen shu uemera at David jones in Melbourne, and was tempted to try the cleansing foam, which I did at the counter. It was beautifully luxurious and foamy, but also really gentle. The price range was out of my reach- around the same as an Estée Lauder or Shiseido cleanser, so I didn't buy it. Regrets! Is this brand coming to New Zealand? Might be able to budget on a farmers card.

30th December, 2014

Ooo I have only just heard of this brand. I got a mini skin purifier cleansing oil in my advent calender and am yet to use it

30th December, 2014

Climbs out from under the rock I have sheltered under... Now I really want to try this cleansing oil. What an amazingly talented artist (went off and Google'd more images) Wow!

30th December, 2014

Oh my goodness DO WANT ALL THE CAT THINGS! So cute!

This was actually a really interesting read, thanks for doing the digging :) I've heard plenty about Shu Uemura's famous lash curlers (which I'm still trying to get my hands on!), but I knew little about him or his brand.

29th December, 2014

I have never heard of his range but put a cat on something and I'll buy it, it's that simple! #crazycatlady

29th December, 2014

Never heard of Shu Uemura, but would love to try the products though.

29th December, 2014

Another brand/products that I knew nothing about until BR ;-) great article

29th December, 2014

The range looks lovely and who could resist a stylish cat.

29th December, 2014

I've tried the Shu Uemura eyelash curler and can definitely recommend it :)

29th December, 2014

Never heard of him before, I am a sucker for a cute product especially if it has a cat on it :)

29th December, 2014

I'm with Whittakers-lover, I'd never heard of Shu Uemura before. But I have heard of Choupette! (I read too many gossip sites, ha). A really interesting read - although I'm not sure how I'd feel about buying makeup featuring the image of a cat, no matter how cute the cat is.

28th December, 2014

Again, I must have been under a rock because I have never heard of Shu Uemura before reading your story. Is that Shirley MacLaine dressed as a Geisha one Shu Uemura had done her makeup??

itsclearascrystal
30th December, 2014

I think it might be Shirley MacLaine in the photo http://www.themakeupgallery.info/disguise/prosth/geisha.htm

Lutece
30th December, 2014

I agree with you lol I must have been under the same rock as you lol

WELCOME TO NZ'S BIGGEST BEAUTY GUIDE!

READ AND WRITE REVIEWS ON YOUR FAVOURITE (or not so favourite!) PRODUCTS!

Sign up to receive our newsletter and stay up to date with all of the latest happenings here at Beauty Review!

You'll be the first to know about Trial Teams, Vault restocks and Giveaways.

We promise never to spam you - only to share the best in NZ beauty!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MAILING LIST!