Hey Girlfriends & San Francisco's Finest Drag Queens!
Did you hear who is here to make us up?
shu uemura (pronounced shu ooh e mura)!
It all began in Tokyo. Then came a presence in New York. Today one of Asia's finest makeup artists has come West.
Everyone knows that Fillmore Street is becoming the destination in San Francisco for beauty, skincare, hair salons, day spas, yoga classes and art stores for the face.
On May 3rd 2005, add shu uemura, a clean, white, airy boutique filled with fabulous eye candy and Japanese-inspired skincare and body products to your not-to-miss list of Rugged Elegance Places of Taste in Pacific Heights.
The legendary Japanese make-up artist, Mr. Shu Uemura has invested in a 1,700 square foot space on the corner of Fillmore and Pine.
The Rugged Elegance Companion "Places of Taste" Guides
As a result, Rugged Elegance anticipates including this "art of beauty" boutique in the next edition of its Pacific Heights "Places of Taste" guide.
shu uemura san francisco was inspired by Mr. Shu Uemura. Uemura was a pioneer in Tokyo when he opened his first boutique dedicated to the art of beauty in 1983.
50 years ago, Mr. Uemura made his debut as a cinematic makeup artist in Hollywood when he infused a new level of artistry on Shirley MacLaine. MacLaine starred in Paramount Picture's My Geisha. From that film on, Mr. Uemura became the makeup artist of choice amongst leading actresses and actors in Los Angeles.
Until now, you could only find shu uemura at select Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Barneys in the states.
The company chose Pacific Heights, in addition to Tokyo and New York's SoHo neighborhood, as its third choice for growth -- after online product sales indicated that a significant number of customers were in San Francisco.
shu uemura General Manager, Chris Salgardo said:
San Francisco was a natural choice when deciding on the home of our second shu uemura U.S. boutique. This historic and culturally pioneering city expresses a colorful and creative spirit due to its unique mix of diverse cultural and lifestyle influences. As a cosmetics company with long-established artistic roots, we are excited to become a part of Fillmore Street and San Francisco's vibrant scene.
shu uemura will celebrate the official opening of their new boutique in San Francisco with a party benefiting RxArt.
The company is making a generous contribution to RxArt to aid the installation of an RxArt project in a San Francisco children's hospital. A generous contribution of $15,000 will be presented to RxArt to aid the installation of an RxArt project in a San Francisco children's hospital.
Muralist Ai Yamaguchi, a twenty-eight-year-old former associate of Louis Vuitton artist Takashi Murakami, has added a "rugged elegant" dimension to the stark white walls of the San Francisco boutique.
She spent three weeks Yamaguchi painting a girl who arrives in San Francisco on an origami boat. The boat and her arrival symbolize good fortune.
Following the boutique's May 3rd opening ceremonies, a launch party on May 12th will feature a live performance by singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata. In addition, if you stroll by 1971 Fillmore you may catch a glimpse of modern Geisha models. For those who dare to step in, prepare to be invited to have a calligraphist turnyour body into an artform.
shu uemura's product line is so delicious you can almost taste the colors.
In fact, some might say that if shu uemura products are good enough for Oprah, they should be good enough for us San Franciscans.
A Once Closely Guarded Beauty Secret Has Been Oprahfied
On The Oprah Winfrey Show Oprah's makeup artist, Reggie Wells invited Peter Malachi of shu uemura in New York to Oprah's show.
Oprah told Peter "That wonderful oil for cleansing is very good. That's the only thing I've found that takes off the nineteen layers of makeup that I wear."
The makeup remover she spoke about is called "Classic Cleansing Oil."
Peter told Oprah "A lot of women are finding that oil is a great way to cleanse your skin."
Shu Uemura explains, "The secret to beautiful skin is discovered in the simple routine of cleansing."
According to Shu Uemura, cleansing is the most essential process in effective skincare.
He explains:
Women who are devoted to beauty, start with their bare skin.
If you remove residue completely, your metabolism will be activated and your skin will naturally become clearer. Cleansing with oil purifies the skin from deep inside and leads to a healthy condition.
Oprah called it "the only way -- when you have as much makeup on as I do."
For my ten year old, who last week came home and announced she is scheduling in a shower a day and skincare regimen, I purchased their "light" high performance balancing cleansing oil in a beautiful bottle designed by artist ai yamaguchi.
The cost? $60 for fifteen ounces (450 ml).
This two-in-one cleanser and makeup remover contains tea tree, rosemary and rosewood extracts to calm and soothe sensitive skin. It claims to help maintain your skin's integral balance while thoroughly ridding skin of impurities. This oil leaves one's skin smooth and soft without stripping skin of its natural oils. shu uemura's "Light" skin purifier was created for skin with oily tendencies and sensitive skin.
They also offer a version that has been created for all skin conditions called Classic, as well as one for dry and dehydrated skin called Enriched.
Three shu uemura Cleansing Oils
Each distinctive oil is adorned with a character to match its type.
Now that this beauty secret has been "oprahfied" one bottle is purchased every 30 seconds.
Fake Eyelashes
Oprah and her makeup artist Reggie now also swear by shu uemura's mink eyelashes.
Oprah confessed she has been wearing eyelashes since she was nineteen years old. shu uemura has created a "haute couture" line for clients like Oprah or Madonna who wear eyelashes often, if not every day. The company has also perfected a version that will not cost you $1,000 a pair. The over-the-counter retail versions are also not made out of "shed" mink tail hairs. However, they look and feel fabulous.
If you have an upcoming event worthy of fluttering your lashes a bit consider going to shu uemura's Lash Bar where artists offer a unique Lash Styling service including the personal application of your choice of twenty styles from natural to dramatic.
In all, the San Francisco boutique offers more than 500 products.
Eye Candy for Your Face
Peter Malachi selected a blush called "Glow On M Peach" for me that was perfect. The packaging enables you to see the color from your makeup bag without having to open up the container. I love that! The price? $21.
Their lip glosses were also irresistible. At $18 a pop, we found three -- including Orange Sherbet which is a limited-edition variety.
I have just purchased the eyelash curler, a task I have avoided for forty-four years. It sounds like this one may be worth the $16.50 price tag and the effort. If not, I may have to look into a Rugged Elegance edition of the mink lashes.
For shu uemura's exact address, hours, phone number and a list of products, go to:
sf.ruggedelegance.com/shuuemura
shu uermura SoHo is located at 121 Greene Street (between Prince & Houston) in New York. Call 212.979.5500 for their present hours.
Welcome to San Francisco shu uemura!
Inspire & Be Inspired.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful "eye candy for the face" living.
~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC
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