Pop Japan

Shu Uemura is a Japanese makeup artist from Tokyo. He also founded his own cosmetic line.

Shu Uemura studied at the Tokyo Beauty Academy, where he was the only male enrolled in a class of more than a hundred students. His first professional experience with makeup was in the 1957 film, Joe’s Butterfly. He skyrocketed to stardom after becoming the main makeup artist in the 1962 Hollywood film, My Geisha, where he transformed the Caucasian actress Shirley MacLaine into a Japanese woman.  This was the start of his collaboration with the most popular actors of the time, including Lucille Ball of the 'I Love Lucy' fame and other entertainment and fashion icons.

Shu Uemura launched his first cosmetic product in 1960, which was a cleansing oil. He came out with his makeup line called 'Japan Makeup' in 1967, and changed its name into 'Shu Uemura' in 1983. His makeup philosophy is all about enhancing one’s natural beauty instead of covering it with cosmetics. 

Photo by ookikioo. Licensed under Creative Commons. 

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