Shu Uemura – Celebrating 70 Years of Beauty

The beauty brand Shu Uemura was founded by a makeup artist who believed in enhancing a person’s unique beauty rather than masking it with cosmetics. This principle is at the heart of the eponymous brand’s legacy, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

The story of the brand began in 1928 in Tokyo, Japan where Shu Uemura was born into a wealthy family. After contracting tuberculosis during WWII, he was bedridden for five years, leaving him plenty of time to ponder his future. Uemura realized that he needed a career that required minimal stamina, and that required a skill set that matched his natural talent. He found that he could make a difference in people’s lives through beauty.

While other makeup artists were busy transforming actors for their film roles, Uemura focused on skincare and beauty that would last. He was soon in high demand and became the go-to makeup artist for many Hollywood actresses. Uemura’s big break came when he stood in for the lead makeup artist on the film My Geisha, transforming Shirley MacLaine into a Japanese courtesan so perfectly that he won praise from both her and the film crew.

Following his success in Hollywood, Uemura returned to Japan where he started his own cosmetics company. His first product was the cleansing oil, which revolutionised how people removed their makeup. It is still a bestseller today. Using sustainably cultivated and carefully handpicked sesame seeds, the iconic cleansing oil is powerful enough to dissolve stubborn traces of makeup yet gentle enough to leave skin soft and supple.

In addition to its skincare and makeup, Shu Uemura is a leading force in the world of fragrances. Their Aura Essence fragrances are inspired by Japanese flowers and the brand continues to be a favourite of celebrities and industry insiders. Shu Uemura’s brush sets, lipstick, foundation, and eyeshadow palettes are beloved by everyone from Gwen Stefani to Madonna.

Shu Uemura has been credited with introducing the West to the art of double cleansing, which was a practice pioneered in Asia and has since become a popular technique for cleansing and prepping skin before applying makeup. It also helped usher in the idea of layering beauty products, such as a pore refining cleanser and then applying a serum followed by a moisturizer.

Throughout the decades, the brand has kept true to its roots, while evolving with the times and continuing to be a beauty favorite for generations. The renowned brand’s brushes, skincare, and makeup are all created with the philosophy that ‘beauty starts from within.’ Today, the brand is a leader in innovative skincare, professional makeup artistry, and a deep connection to Japanese culture, including femininity, finesse, and sophistication.

We are proud to carry a wide variety of Shu Uemura products at Stylevana, from the best-selling Eyelash Curler and POREfinist2 Sakura Refreshing Cleansing Oil to their bestselling lipsticks, eyeshadows, and other popular items. We’re here to help you find the perfect product that suits your needs, whether you’re looking for a bold red lip color or a smooth cream foundation that feels like a second skin.