Shu Uemura, the cosmetics pioneer known for his scientific 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 cosmetics’ boutique in the Japanese capital in 1983.
   His company expanded gradually with boutiques internationally, including in Paris, Milano, New York and London.
   L’Oréal 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.