Shu Uemura 25th Anniversary Hana-Bi
June 13, 2008 A pioneer in the international beauty realm, Shu Uemura was more than just an artist. His visionary methods changed the way we thought about makeup art, opening up a new world that successfully blended art, beauty, fashion, science, and nature into each product. From the iconic eyelash curler to the wildly popular cleansing oils (and don't forget those gorgeous lashes and stellar makeup brushes!), there is so much to be remembered from this prolific and legendary master.
As a young man, Uemura knew he wanted to create beauty. As the only male student at the Tokyo Beauty Academy, he soon rose above other aspiring artists by being chosen to work on Joe Butterfly in 1955, and soon became the darling amongst Hollywood's elite. Uemura elevated beauty to an art form, and stars like Shirley MacLaine and Frank Sinatra were loyal fans.
Uemura's meteoric rise continued to shine. He returned to Japan in 1965 and established the Shu Uemura Make-up Institute, the first Hollywood-style makeup studio in Japan. In 1968, he launched the first Mode Make-up look (the revolutionary concept of using makeup design as an artistic expression) and became the beauty industry's big sensation. Subsequently he created an in-house line of skincare, and opened his first Beauty Boutique in 1983. Today, the Shu Uemura art has expanded to Paris, London, Milan, Taipei, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and San Francisco.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Tokyo Beauty Boutique opening, this year's special HANA-BI limited edition collection features the dynamic shape of fireworks in the artwork. Designed by noted graphic designer Gwenael Nicolas, the fireworks are a burst of spontaneous beauty that represents this special occasion.
Inspired by three elements of nature (earth, flower, and water), the collection features brilliant eyeshadow palettes offering earthy, bright, and cool shades to mix and match to your heart's content. I love the Fleur de Rose palette. You can definitely do a smoky eye, or opt for more neutral looks with the lighter colors. The Shimmer Liquid Eyeliner (long-lasting formula) compliments the pretty hues.
Three natural origin fragrances formulated with Depsea Water are also showcased: Fleur de Rose (Ylang Ylang & Turkish Rose), Fleur de Source (Coriander, Papyrus & Basil), and Fleur de Terre (Rosemary & Bergamot).
Happy birthday, Mr. Uemura. You will be in our hearts forever.
-Tami
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