From Hollywood makeup artist to hair care line
Shu Uemura started out in 1955 as a makeup assistant on the set of the American film "Joe Butterfly," shot in Japan, and in 1962 he transformed Shirley MacLaine into a geisha for "My Geisha." In 1965 he opened a Hollywood-style makeup studio in Japan, and in 1967 he launched Unmask, his first cleansing oil, which led to the company Shu Uemura Cosmetics. He believed makeup, skin and hair should be cared for together, and that idea gave rise to Shu Uemura Art of Hair, the hair line designed for hairdressers. The brand joined L'Oréal in 2003, and the group presents the hair products as made in Japan.
The care lines we carry
Izumi Tonic: fine, fragile hair
Izumi means "fountain," and the line draws on the Japanese custom of washing hair in rice water. The brand offers it for thin hair that breaks and has split ends. The Izumi Tonic shampoo has a light, clear formula, while the conditioner, mask and thickening serum are formulated with rice water, and the serum adds ceramides. There is also Izumi Tonic Water, a spray with a light, watery texture containing rice water and ceramides, suited to a sensitive scalp and with anti-breakage properties.
Ultimate Reset: very damaged hair
This is the line for anyone who bleaches, colors or frequently has chemical treatments. It includes the Ultimate Reset Extreme Repair conditioner, formulated with rice extract, which makes hair easier to comb.
Essence Absolue: nourishment and frizz
The Nourishing Overnight Serum is a light cream with Japanese red camellia oil that you apply in the evening; in the morning the lengths are detangled and ready to style. From the same line comes the Universal Balm, used on hair and body, with notes of blueberry, freesia, cinnamon and sandalwood.
Yubi Blonde: blondes and highlights
The line is designed for bleached blondes and highlighted hair. The conditioner contains Japanese white peony, while the Yubi Blonde Serum is a purple leave-in serum with an oily texture that hydrates, neutralizes yellow tones and protects the hair fiber from the heat of styling tools.
Deep Cleansing, Ashita Supreme and the other lines
The Deep Cleansing shampoos contain ferments inspired by onsen, the Japanese hot springs, and deeply cleanse scalp and hair. Pure Serenity, with yuzu, removes excess sebum and leaves the scalp non-oily, while Delicate Comfort, with cherry blossom, cleanses while staying gentle on the scalp. Ashita Supreme shampoo is based on ashitaba, a Japanese plant, and is the revitalizing line, with a conditioner and leave-in serum. For fine hair there is the Muroto Volume shampoo, with deep sea water, which purifies while respecting the balance of the scalp. The same line includes the mask, a rich rinse-out cream with deep sea water and ceramides that nourishes hair without weighing it down, and the conditioner, a hydrating formula that helps achieve optimal volume. Finally, there is Silk Bloom, with argan oil and vitamin E, which repairs, and Urban Moisture, with moringa and red algae, which hydrates dry hair exposed to pollution and humidity.
Art of Hair styling
The names of the styling products come from Japanese. For wavy or curly hair there is Uzu Cotton, a cream with a whipped consistency that defines with flexible hold. For shaping there is Ishi Sculpt, a strong-hold paste with a semi-matte finish, designed for sculpted looks, slicked-back hair and frizz-free styles. Awa ("bubble") Volume is a mousse that gives volume and body with a silky finish and no visible residue. Finally, Kumo ("cloud") Hold is a fine spray with strong but flexible hold that respects hair and color.
How to choose the right line
The starting point is the condition of your hair, because each line is made for a stated need. If your hair is thin, fragile or has split ends, start with Izumi Tonic, from the shampoo to the thickening serum. For hair damaged by bleaching, coloring or chemical treatments there is Ultimate Reset, with the night serum; Silk Bloom restores the structure of damaged hair. For bleached blondes and highlights there is Yubi Blonde, with the white peony conditioner and the purple serum against yellow tones, and for frizz the Essence Absolue Overnight Serum, a light cream with camellia oil. For dry hair exposed to pollution and humidity, choose Urban Moisture, with moringa and red algae; for fine hair that needs volume, the Muroto Volume line, with shampoo, conditioner and a mask with ceramides. Finally, for a scalp with excess sebum, there is the Deep Cleansing Pure Serenity shampoo with yuzu.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shu Uemura a Japanese brand?
Yes, Shu Uemura is a Japanese brand named after makeup artist Shu Uemura, who opened a makeup studio in Japan in 1965 and launched his first cleansing oil in 1967. Since 2003 the brand has been part of the French group L'Oréal.
What is Shu Uemura Art of Hair?
Shu Uemura Art of Hair is the brand's professional hair care line, created in 2007 and designed for hairdressers. It includes the Izumi Tonic, Ultimate Reset, Essence Absolue and Yubi Blonde care lines, the Deep Cleansing shampoos and styling products such as Ishi Sculpt, Uzu Cotton, Awa Volume and Kumo Hold.
What does the Shu Uemura Izumi Tonic line do?
Izumi Tonic is meant to strengthen fine, fragile hair that breaks or has split ends. The shampoo, conditioner, mask and serum are formulated with rice water and draw on the Japanese custom of washing hair in it. The serum also contains ceramides, and the brand presents it as a thickener.
Which Shu Uemura product is best for bleached, damaged hair?
For bleached and damaged hair the recommended line is Ultimate Reset, designed for anyone who frequently bleaches, colors or has chemical treatments. It includes the night serum for damaged hair and the Extreme Repair conditioner with rice extract, which leaves hair repaired and easy to comb from roots to ends.
How do you use the Essence Absolue Overnight Serum?
Apply the Essence Absolue Overnight Serum in the evening and leave it on overnight. It is a light, non-greasy cream with Japanese red camellia oil, and in the morning your hair is detangled, smoother and ready to style. The brand recommends it above all for frizz.
What is the difference between the Deep Cleansing shampoos?
The Deep Cleansing shampoos share bio-tech ferments inspired by onsen, but differ in ingredient and result. Pure Serenity, with yuzu, removes excess sebum and leaves the scalp non-oily, while Delicate Comfort, with Japanese cherry blossom, cleanses while staying gentle on the scalp. Gentle Radiance, finally, is a weightless formula that leaves hair shiny.
Which Shu Uemura product is best for curly hair?
For curly or wavy hair the go-to product is Uzu Cotton, a defining cream with a whipped consistency, enriched with cotton fibers. It offers flexible hold with a light finish and a soft but controlled touch, and gives curls movement, body and shine.
What is the difference between Ishi Sculpt and Kumo Hold?
Ishi Sculpt is a strong-hold, workable shaping paste with a semi-matte finish, suited to sculpted or slicked-back styles. Kumo Hold, on the other hand, is a fine spray with strong but flexible hold that defines your style while respecting the integrity of the hair and the color, with a modern, soft finish.
Which Shu Uemura line is best for blonde hair?
For blonde hair the line is Yubi Blonde, dedicated to bleached and highlighted blondes. The Full Replenishing conditioner, with Japanese white peony, leaves the hair fiber full and soft, and the Yubi Blonde Serum is a purple leave-in that neutralizes yellow tones and protects the fiber from styling heat.
Which Shu Uemura shampoo is best for fine hair?
For fine hair the brand offers the Muroto Volume Lightweight Care shampoo, with deep sea water and ceramides that gradually strengthen the hair fiber, and which gently purifies while respecting the balance of the scalp. If fine hair is also fragile and breaks, there is the Izumi Tonic shampoo with rice water.
