Shu Uemura collaborates with filmmaker Wong Kar Wai for holiday collection

MANILA, Philippines - Awarded filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai showcases Shu Uemura’s beauty looks in cinematic glory for its holiday collection. To mark the collaboration, Wong directed an exclusive short film that showcased his vision of femininity in a dreamily nostalgic and cool, contemporary mood. The film inspired a collection of atmospheric makeup shades and packaging featuring images from the film and the signature of the director. The high luxe-meets-high tech packaging features the highest grade Japanese technology for the enigmatic hologram images on the cover.

The Chinese writer/director’s films, including Happy Together, In the Mood for Love and 2046, are favorites of fashion folk for his highly stylized images and memorable visual treatment. Wong is currently working on his next film, The Grand Master.

“Elegant” and “passionate” is how Shu Uemura international education expert Hirofumi Kuono describes the beauty look this season as captured in the Wong Kar Wai film. The distinguished color expert was in Manila recently to train the brand’s Philippine makeup artist team, now composed of seven makeup associates and three accredited makeup artists. Kuono has steadily gained experience training various teams abroad, after honing his skills in Japan as a technical trainer for the brand.

For Shu Uemura’s holiday look, Kuono says the key colors are blue, red and gold. Two holiday palettes, Burning in Water (blue) and Drowning in Flame (red) anchor the collection. Each palette contains five pressed eyeshadows, a cream eyeshadow liner, and a glow-on cream. Dance in Glitter false eyelashes create dramatically seductive eyes for big nights out. For the cheeks, the Lustrous Glow Powder is a warm rosy tone with shimmering gold pearls. “The cream cheek blush can also be used for eyeshadow,” advises Kuono. For lips, Rouge Unlimited comes in three brightly glittering shades, Rouge Luster, Pink Flush, and Glitter Fuse to complete a fun and festive bold look. The collection includes a limited-edition Flashing Gold mini brush set, which contains four professional brushes in a portable brush case printed with an exclusive image from the short film.

Get the look

Shu Uemura International Education Expert Hirofumi Kuono shows YStyle how to create this season’s bold holiday look.

Eyes: Kuono uses two blue eye shadows of the Burning in Water palette. The first shade is used to create a shadow by following the outer eye socket. With the cream eyeshadow liner, define with a thin line on the outer half of the eye. “When the model opens the eye, make sure the eye is not drooping,” advises Kuono. Apply glow-on glitter on the lid area above eye or highlight area. Apply liner again at the end.

Cheeks: Kuono uses the Lustrous Glow Powder, a cream blush applied using fingertips or sponge, in light dabbing motions under the cheekbone for a natural rosy look.