shu uemura : lash me up

When you've been a full-time 24/7 Beauty Editor you become accustomed to never having to buy any beauty product. So when 24/7 BE becomes a freelancer, developing other areas of interest to write about and not getting all the freebies, you become a most discerning beauty shopper. To cut it short, I know who, what and where to go on the cosmetic floor. Fuss-free. Direct.

This particular time was for a new foundation. (OK, guys have been lost on this post now. Bye now x). Your skin can get accustomed to a skincare routine as it does with makeup, and change is beneficial to your look. I've had foundation love affairs with MAC, La Prairie, Napoleon, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Chanel and Giorgio Armani. I needed a change as my makeup started looking lacklustre - even with sleep and the help of my ever fabulous Becca Luminous Skin Colour -  so today I was looking for something new. Radiant, light, even, smooth and trusted. As soon as I walked on the David Jones floor I swanned straight to Shu Uemura.

I was given the professional advice needed from Lisa and Brea (below) and was brushed with the perfectly light "face architect smoothing fluid". Sold.  I left with their cult oil cleanser as well (the Green Tea version) and a packet of "Black Focal" lashes (like Brea, on the right, is wearing). See, nothing scary but up close they have that discreet hotness quality; that edge you want from a false lash.

Shu Uemura (1928 -2007) was an international Japanese make-up artist who grew to fame in the 1960s. Today that era's legacy lives on with eyeshadows, lip shades, face and his mad fluttering range of false lashes. The long silver or gold butterfly wing lashes are for the brave and beautiful. Visit the "Tokyo Bar" to have your chosen piece applied professionally before your next sexy event.  You'll get all the help and advice you need.

Take a look at this brilliant song by Empire of the Sun and the lashes on Luke Steele's galactic girlfriend. They're very Shu. Very now-nightclub. Team with a metallic encrusted dress from Sass and Bide. Tease hair 60s style. You got the look. Minus halo orb thing.

Empire of the Sun 4 minute + film clip of Half Mast

Shu Uemura make the best eyelash curler in the world ($A40). Seriously. The brand is famous for this secret beauty weapon and no-one else can really match up to it. Don't ask me why. I've guinea pigged a number of versions.  So if you can't dare the false lash, get the curler. You won't ever blink back.

Australians get your Shu fix at David Jones

French girls at Lafayette, Printemps or the boutique store on Bld. Saint Germain.

Londoners at the boutique on Neal Street, at Harvey Nichs, Liberty, Space NK and (love this!) Heathrow airport. 

Italians, the Shu boutique in Milan (but you already know that)

Dutch girls at Magna Plaza (you know that too)

Canadians at Holt Renfrew (as you)

Pretty much every fab place in HK, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan (you've known it for decades)

America, we're sorry their big daddy company L'Oreal pulled Shu out of the States but you can still buy online at www.shuuemura-usa.com.  Don't overlook this brand but shame you miss the instore vibe.

Quality, serious, does the job, super pro and can be as natural as you want or as fun as you want.  Can you explore and stimulate your creativity and stop playing J-Lo safe all the time? That's nice to meet mum but embrace your inner vixen and LASH OUT.