The 10 Most Iconic Shiseido Beauty Products Of All Time
Founded all the way back in 1872 by Arinobu Fukuhara, the brand started out as Japan’s very first Western-style pharmacy. Now, it’s a prestigious, leading beauty brand that covers every angle of the beauty world – skincare, makeup and fragrance included.
But if you’ve ever wondered, ‘why is Shiseido so famous?’, well to start with, I’m going to unashamedly point you in the direction of my edit on the history of Shiseido:
And then I’m going to prove why Shiseido are so good by covering ten of their most iconic products. Keep reading to discover the best Shiseido beauty products as approved by Escentual…
1. The Best-Selling Facial Serum
The Icon: Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate with ImuGenerationRED Technology 3.0
Why It’s An Icon: If you ever meet someone who claims to be a Shiseido fan, but they haven’t heard of the iconic Shiseido serum that is Ultimune, don’t trust them – they’re lying. The Power Infusing Concentrate is, hands down, the best Shiseido skincare product around – and yes, that makes it the most iconic, too. It’s their No. 1 anti-ageing serum, driven by no less than 25 years of research. The result of all of this research? 224 beauty awards to date.
With one Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate selling worldwide every 8.6 seconds, it’s fair to say that this isn’t just a Shiseido icon but also a skincare icon full stop. In fact, the stats are pretty impressive; 90% of beauty lovers said it renewed their complexion. And that’s all down to the revolutionary that powers it.
But how does Shiseido Ultimune work, exactly? The latest iteration of the Ultimune serum is now stronger than ever before; it features an innovative double anti-ageing technology powered by eight botanical ingredients to unlock healthy, youthful-looking skin. The star of the show is, of course, Shiseido’s patented ImuGenerationRED anti-ageing technology; it boosts the skin’s immunity and circulation for strong, plump results.
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate with ImuGenerationRED Technology Review
2. The Revolutionary Liquid Foundation
The Icon: Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF30
Why It’s An Icon: If you were to ask me which Shiseido foundation is best, I’d say Synchro Skin every single time. I like to think of Synchro Skin as a little bit of a hidden gem within the makeup world. Sure, those who know about it appreciate just how good it is, but frankly, I think everyone should know about it. But what makes this medium coverage Shiseido foundation so special? ActiveForceTM tech works with your skin to resist heat, humidity, oil and even motion. The result? You get that flawless just-applied feel all day long.
3. The Broad-Spectrum SPF
The Icon: Shiseido Clear Suncare Stick SPF50+
Why It’s An Icon: Desperate to know which Shiseido sunscreen is? Clear Stick is the *it* sun care formula from Shiseido. Super quick and easy to apply, it’s no surprise that it’s a best-seller for the brand. The thing that makes it so effective is its SynchroShield™ tech, which creates a protective veil over your skin that somehow becomes even stronger when it detects heat, water or sweat. So, you know your skin is safely protected against UVA and UVB rays, no matter the weather.
4. The Overnight Moisturiser
The Icon: Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Regenerating Night Cream
Why It’s An Icon: The crème de la crème of Shiseido skincare, the Future Solution collection is as deluxe as it gets. Created to encourage your skin to renew itself overnight, the Total Regenerating Night Cream combines breakthrough science with high-performance botanicals to delay the effects of future ageing. While keeping future signs of ageing at bay, it also targets existing signs – wrinkles and a loss of firmness included – using some of the most innovative actives in the Japanese skincare market.
5. The Anti-Ageing Eye Cream
The Icon: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
Why It’s An Icon: Part of the skin-smoothing anti-ageing Benefiance range, the Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream is packed with anti-ageing actives, so it’s no surprise why it’s such a fan-favourite. And as these anti-ageing star ingredients are so good, Shiseido wants you to get the most out of them. As a result, the formula reawakens your skin’s sensory receptors that naturally decline over time; with receptors ready and raring to go, your skin will better respond to the age-defying benefits of your skincare.
But what actives will your skin benefit from when it comes to this iconic formula? To start with, it’s powered by an innovative Kombu-Bounce Complex that contains three types of algae to target lines and wrinkles. An Aqua Peptide with 4MSK further supports the eye cream’s skin-smoothing action, a Shiseido exclusive; this moisturising ingredient softens skin to prevent the appearance of stress wrinkles (AKA crease marks caused by facial expressions).
6. The Pillowy-Soft Blusher
The Icon: Shiseido Minimalist Whipped Powder Blush
Why It’s An Icon: Who doesn’t love a fresh flushed look? Clearly, everyone loves it, seeing as the Minimalist WhippedPowder Blush is so popular with loyal Shiseido shoppers.
The thing that sets this blusher apart is, of course, its texture. Its unlike most traditional blushes you see out there. The breathable and blendable powder has an air-whipped texture that feels heavenly on your skin. As you apply the pretty pink mousse, it transforms miraculously into a natural-looking powder for a airy-light kiss of colour on your cheeks.
But this is Shiseido we’re talking about, so of course they’re going to add a little bit of tech in. The powder blush is powered by AirFushion Technology, which boosts your complexion by delivering eight hours’ colour.
7. The Skin-Softening Essence
The Icon: Shiseido Eudermine Revitalising Essence
Why It’s An Icon: The Eudermine Essence might not be as old as time, but it’s almost as old as the brand of Shiseido itself – and the fact that it’s stuck around this long only goes to show how good it is. Dating all the way back to 1897, Eudermine well and truly secured its place in the line-up of Shiseido icons. Although the skin-softening essence has been revamped throughout its 125-year history to offer the best Eudermine possible, it’s been a fan-favourite since the very beginning.
In fact, it marked Shiseido’s venture into cosmetics, and it broke the mould at the same time. At this point in history, the cosmetics commonly available in Japan were typically medicinal-looking, but Shiseido’s Revitalising Essence offered a glamorous alternative.
8. The Face Cream For your 40s
The Icon: Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream
Why It’s An Icon: I hope I’ve managed to prove to you that if you want research-driven skincare, you need to try out Shiseido if you haven’t already. But if you still need a little bit more convincing, I’m confident that the Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream will seal the deal.
Powered by cutting-edge research in skin science, the peach-hued anti-ageing moisturiser directly targets elasticity, wrinkles and dullness. Made for those over the age of 45, it’s proven to visibly lift the skin in just one week while brightening and firming the complexion in four weeks. But how exactly does it do just that? Using an impressive range of next-gen skincare tech, of course!
It delivers a firm, sculpted look using a KURENAI-TruLift Complex, while Shiseido’s VP8 complex with 4MSK effectively minimises the appearance of age spots for a radiant, youthful glow.
9. The Tone-Evening Facial Serum
The Icon: Shiseido White Lucent Illuminating Micro-Spot Serum
Why It’s An Icon: Anyone who struggles with dark spots will know just how tricky they can be to treat; there’s no quick-fix way of getting rid of hyperpigmentation. But, Shiseido have found a solution that works with consistent use: their White Lucent collection. The star of the range has to be the serum.
Perfect for those experiencing dullness and dark spots, the pro-glow White Lucent Serum is packed with Shiseido’s most advanced skin-brightening innovations, including the can’t-get-it-anywhere-else exclusive SAKURA-Bright technology that targets melanin across multiple layers of skin to reduce and prevent hyperpigmentation. As if that wasn’t enough, it also features Shiseido’s brightening 4MSK for lit-from-within radiance. It’s another one of Shiseido’s skincare formulas to include their ReNeura Technology+™, which helps your skin get the most out of your skincare actives.
10. The Volume-Boosting Mascara
The Icon: Shiseido Controlled Chaos MascaraInk
Why It’s An Icon: Controlled Chaos deserves a spot in Shiseido’s Hall of Fame due to its high-pigment, long-lasting and best-selling formula – if you’re looking for the best Shiseido mascara, this would be my top recommendation. Available in four shades, this innovative mascara showcases a unique brush design; it features two concave sides to boost volume and two flat sides for extra lift. And the stats behind Shiseido’s 24-hour clump-free, flake-free and smudge-resistant formula show why it’s an icon: it increased volume by 250% volume and length by 47% with just one coat.