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RIP Shu Uemura - Japanese makeup guru

Jan 9, 2008

Mr. Shu Uemura passed away on 29 Dec 2007 at the age of 79 in Tokyo (Time). He had acute pneumonia. Like many others who make their self-named brand famous he had sold the controlling stake to cosmetics giant L’oreal, but he retained creative control.

This is the man who popularized the concept of using oil on your face in the form of cleansing oils as a makeup remover and as part of the skincare regime. His Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil remains a best seller the world over.

This is the man who gave women the world over the perfect tool to curl their eyelashes in the form of the Shu Uemura Eye Lash curler - giving you perfectly curled lashes every time.

This is the man who made wearing false eyelashes an art form. Where else can you find the Shu Uemura False Eyelashes Mini Black Crystal (false lashes with little crystals in them) or Shu Uemura False Eyelashes Feathery Pink (pink lashes!!).

This is the man whose makeup brushes are legendary. His by now infamous Botan brush with red bristles cost hundreds of USD! On a personal note, I love the Shu Uemura Cheek Brush - Natural Brush 17 I presently own (it works even for the most pigmented blushes) and am hoping to get the Shu Uemura Cheek Brush - Natural Brush 20 which is slightly larger. His eye brushes too are awesome with the Kolinsky hair brushes costing the earth (or nearly so).

He will be missed in the creative makeup world, but his name and legacy will live on I’m sure. RIP Shu Uemura. The makeup world mourns your passing but we thank you for your contributions and your legendary products.