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In the quest for more beautiful skin, I have some exciting taste tests planned my lovely readers in the coming weeks.  And while preparing myself mentally I pondered a question: how far would you go for beauty? would you eat weird stuff if it really made you lose weight, not need a facelift, banish all wrinkles, etc…?  Warning the footage is unsettling and gives boy2001 nightmares.

Shu Uemura’s Summer 2008 collection, Hana-Bi

Hana-Bi, Japanese for fireworks, literally translated as flower-fire!  Isn’t that awesome…?! In Japan there’s always a link to nature and with summertime almost here, it’s time for Shu Uemura’s limited edition collection.  Every year a festive array of beauty items are selected to commemorate Mr. Uemura’s 1983 opening of the beauty boutique in Omotesando, Tokyo.  I think I can see it in my mind’s eye, I must admit I spent much more time walking the streets of Harajuku.  Why oh why is youth wasted on the young?!

25th Anniversary! and core values

This year is extra-special because it is the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the boutique.  A Tokyo based graphic artist, Gweneal Nicolas, was brought in to design the packaging.  Great big splashes of colors bursting all over make me long for warm summer nights.  The three fragrances embody the Shu Uemura core values, nature, science and art.

Three 100% Natural Origin Fragrances using Deapsea water to choose from. 

fleur de terre EDT is a light floral with a woody note, it’s quite an interesting scent

fleur de rose EDT is described as a floral with an amber note

fleur de source EDT is described as serene and cooling

 Three stunning eyeshadow palettes…

Limited Edition, Fleur de Rose Palette

Limited Edition, Fleur de Source Palette

Limited Edition, Fleur de Terre Palette

and a Limited Edition, Shimmer Liquid Eyeliner

Shu Uemura 25th Anniversary Product Reviews coming soon!

Did you know that nightingale droppings are the secret of the Geisha’s flawless complexion?

I did from one of the 100 plus books I have on Japan from when I lived there.  However I never even remotely considered nightingale droppings for myself, it’s actually a dream come true!  I am totally into the idea, I cannot get to Shizuka’s Day spa fast enough.  It’s an interesting offering for New York, there are for sure more pigeons available to get poop from.

Safety: I know many people will be concerned about the safety of the bird poop facial.  All the reports say that the bird poop (Uguisu no Fun in Japanese) is “sanitized through exposure to ultraviolet light to kill bacteria before being finely milled into powder…”

How far will you go for beauty?

So are you up to using the ancient Japanese ingredient in your next facial?  watch the vids they are great, the Japanese one loops after 2 minutes.  Let me know what you think…