Shu Uemura passes away, aged 79
Shu Uemura, the cosmetics pioneer known for his scientiďŹc approach to beauty, died from pneumonia December 29 in Tokyo aged 79.
   Uemura was born in Tokyo in 1928. He attended a beauty school and was the only man in his class, according to Reuter. In the 1950s, he began his career as an assistant on a movie in the US. His company website says his big break came when he made up Shirley MacLaine to resemble a geisha for My Geisha (1962) and became the make-up artist of choice for Frank Sinatra and Edward G. Robinson.
   He returned to Tokyo in the 1960s, opening a make-up studio there, and launching a line of products. His company took his name in 1982. He launched a cosmeticsâ boutique in the Japanese capital in 1983.
   His company expanded gradually with boutiques internationally, including in Paris, Milano, New York and London.
   LâOrĂŠal SA bought a controlling stake in his company in 2004, but Uemura remained active in the company, developing new products.
   A memorial service is to be held in Tokyo on January 31.











