The Fascinating World of shu uemura

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!