Ubiquitous to luxury beauty and raved by beauty editors,
bloggers, and stylists, alike, is the Shu Uemura line of hair-care products.
Since its inception by Japanese make-up artist and founder of the same name, Shu Uemura has always been faithful to the belief of enhancing an individual’s natural beauty.
Allure Magazine voted the hair-care product as “Best of Beauty” in 2011, Manhattan-based hairstylist Jeff Chastain swears it’s “liquid gold,” and beauty-blogger Café Makeup calls it the “holy grail.”
The steep price of $68 for a 150 ml. (5 fl. oz.) bottle may deter some. However, the product, which is formulated for daily-use and safe for color-treated hair, performs several functions in one: it’s a deep conditioner when rubbed on dry hair before shampooing, a leave-in conditioner when massaged into hair and scalp before bed, a frizz fighter when applied (sparingly) to wet curls, and a shine serum when patted over just-dried hair.
The key ingredients are Camelia Oil (a plant-derived, natural-beauty secret, traditionally used by Japanese geishas to keep their hair shiny, soft and hydrated) and cyclopentasiloxane (a silicone-based fluid used in cosmetics, and common in hair conditioners, for its smoothing properties).
The light, transparent serum absorbs quickly, leaves your hair sweetly scented (of camellia flowers), helps protect hair fibers against dryness, frizz, and sun damage while providing intense nutrition to your hair/scalp.
This is a godsend multi-tasking elixir for frazzled, dry, or damaged locks – though it’s ideal for all hair types! The conditioning oil moisturizes hair (leaving you with velvet-soft locks), tames frizz, and adds a naturally shiny luster to hair, without leaving a greasy aftereffect.
Just one small pump of Shu Uemura’s Essence Absolue will work wonders to the hair; you’ll notice the sublime difference immediately! Add two pumps, if you have extremely long hair, or if needed. Though the pumps may appear to be diminutive, a little really does go a long way! Warning: over 2 pumps will leave your tresses with a greasy, oily finish. Also, the product is best used on dry hair – no matter if your hair is color-treated, damaged, or normal – the product won’t cling well to wet hair!
The bottle will honestly last you a few months, if not years, so it’s a great beauty investment – for your arsenal of products (if you’re a “product junkie”) or for a minimal, natural beauty (for those of whom are low-maintenance).
It’s highly recommended that you purchase Shu Uemura’s Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil from Birchbox! The $68 (free shipping) will translate to 68 beauty-reward points, and each 100 beauty-reward points can be redeemed for $10.00 towards other beauty-product purchases on NYC-based Birchbox’s website.
