Contents
- Over XNUMX years old: Shiseido and other iconic beauty brands in Asia
- Japanese brand Shiseido is about 150 years old
- The Japanese brand Kracie is over 130 years old
- Chinese Shanghai Vive is over 120 years old
- Xiefuchun Chinese cosmetics for over 190 years
- Korean cosmetics The History of Whoo with a century of history
- Korean cosmetics Sulwhasoo 90 years old
Over XNUMX years old: Shiseido and other iconic beauty brands in Asia
It turns out that these modern creams and decorative cosmetics were used by the imperial families a couple of centuries ago.
The stories about the effectiveness of cosmetics from Korea, China and Japan have long been known not only to avid beauty addicts. Asian face, body and hair care products are composed of ear-hearing ingredients:
chrysanthemum and camellia extract;
antler;
snow lotus;
fungus reishi;
peony root, ginseng, licorice and angelica;
snail mucin;
pomace from fruit fruits;
salmon oil products;
dandelion and aloe vera juices;
argon oil, shea and jojoba seeds;
seaweed;
orange skins;
mountain water;
freshly fermented oil water;
gold and pearls.
On the basis of these formulations, cosmetics of oriental brands are created, which are used by women all over the world. Most of the brands are very recent. So, for example, since 2000 such well-known Korean brands as Missha, Mizon, Holika Holika, Tony Moly, Secret Key, CosRX, Your: m37, Dr. Jart +, Cell Fusion C, Klavuu, Cell Fusion C and dozens of other brands. However, some Asian companies boast centuries of history.
Japanese brand Shiseido is about 150 years old
In 1872, the former chief pharmacist of the Naval Hospital, Arinobu Fukahara, opened the first private pharmacy in Tokyo. At that time, everyone used tooth powder for oral hygiene, and Arinobu began to sell toothpaste – this was a revolutionary development that turned the company into a popular brand. Then came lotion to moisturize dry skin, known as “red water” – it began to be used by the upper strata of society. This product with an improved formula is sold to this day.
The founder of the company developed new formulas and textures for various creams, and his son Shinzo continued his business. He finally transferred the activities of the company from the production of pharmaceuticals to cosmetic products. This is how it first appeared face powder of seven shades, which was a breakthrough in decorative cosmetics. The foundation adjusted to the natural color of the skin, and did not whiten it, as before. Vials were developed from high quality crystal and perfume from the aromas of Japanese flowers: wisteria, sakura, camellia. Shinzo Fukahara fulfilled his dream of “making everyone beautiful, healthy and spiritually rich” and brought his father’s company to the world level.
The Japanese brand Kracie is over 130 years old
More recently, the company was known under the name Kanebo, but in 2007 it was rebranded. Kracie is consonant with the Japanese word “kurashi”, which means “life” and corresponds to the general concept of the brand – to provide the buyer with a healthy and comfortable life.
Interestingly, the production was not initially concerned with the beauty of women, but with the creation of cotton textiles and silk fibers. One day, Sanji Muto drew attention to the ideal condition of the skin of the factory workers. The secret was the constant contact of the employees with the silk thread. Research has shown that silk contains a specific substance called fibroin. It retains moisture seven times better than other ingredients. The amino acids of this protein are similar in characteristics and structure of human skin cells. This discovery allowed the company to take up the cosmetic direction, after which it was released silk protein soap… Silkworm pupae were also used – they began to receive oil raw materials for the production of bar soap.
Now the brand is producing hair styling products, balms, conditioners, shampoos, liquid soaps, cosmetics for skin care. The cosmetic products still contain silk fibroin.
Chinese Shanghai Vive is over 120 years old
The cosmetics brand was founded in Shanghai in 1898 and won the gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition seventeen years later. Now Vive is an elite cosmetic brand and is comparable in price to European brands Dior and Chanel. A hundred years ago the brand was called Shuang Mei – “Two beauties” and over the decades enjoyed great success. But in 1949, a Hong Kong corporation bought the brand and began to produce very low quality creams, which contributed to the extinction and closure of production.
Recently, a Chinese cosmetics factory decided to take a chance and return the retro style to the public by releasing 40 types skin care products и perfume under the Shanghai Vive brand. Perfumes send clients back to the distant 30s of the last century and have a tart smell that is very different from Western perfumery.
Xiefuchun Chinese cosmetics for over 190 years
The oldest cosmetic brand “Sefuchun” was founded in 1830. There is documentary evidence that the imperial family of the Qing Dynasty used the body care products from this manufacturer. To this day, the brand does not change its patented formulation and makes products from the same ingredients as before. The most interesting products of the company are goose egg shell powder, dry perfume и cooling musk oil.
Interestingly, in 1913, the Sefuchun brand was the first in the history of China to protect its trademark from plagiarism. She guarded her signature perfume powder with an image of five bamboo sticks. It can be considered that this is one of the first logos in modern history. Competitors tried to forge both the recipe and the brand name, but at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the brand managed to win back its authorship in court and obtain registration for the trademark.
Korean cosmetics The History of Whoo with a century of history
The Story of the Empress brand is based on the ancient Chinese recipe of Konginbidan, which was specially developed for the imperial family. According to one of the legends, the empress Chja-Hi lived in Korea, who at the age of 80 had flawless skin, like a 17-year-old girl.
The South Korean consumer goods company LG Household & Health Care, founded in 1947, has released luxury cosmetics – The History of Whoo. By the way, the well-known brand of LG TVs belongs to the same holding. But the first products of the company were Toothpaste… Then the holding began to produce cosmetic products and decorative cosmetics using stem cells. The brand’s experts claim that they have taken into account the secret recipes for the beauty of empresses, Eastern ideology and cultural traditions of the country. Combined with nanotechnology, the result is a modern product that penetrates into the deep layers of the skin.
Korean cosmetics Sulwhasoo 90 years old
One of the most famous South Korean brands dates back to the 1930s. At the beginning of the last century, the mother of the founder of the company sold hair oil from camellia flowers. Her son Sun-Wah Su learned from his mother the secret qualities of traditional Korean herbs and began to process the ginseng grown in his region. Herbal ingredients were used to create anti-aging creams… This is how the Sulwhasoo brand was born, which means “a flower emerging from under the snow that brings spring with it.”