Shisseido is a renowned Japanese cosmetics and hair-care company that traces its roots back to 1872. Despite its Japanese origin, the company’s name stems from a passage in the famous Chinese text, I Ching. A translation of the name signifies “Praising the virtues of the great Earth, which nurtures new life and brings forth new values.” Apothecary Shiseido was founded by Arinobu Fukuhara, a former Head Pharmacist for the Japanese Navy, who, after a visit to the United States, expanded the pharmacy to include a soda fountain. This marked the advent of the “East meets West” concept, which would later fuel the success of this cosmetics giant.
Shiseido’s growth and transformation were further galvanized by Arinobu’s son, Shinzo, who became the company’s first president. Shinzo pursued Eastern medicine at a Japanese university and subsequently undertook pharmacology studies at Columbia University in the United States. Combining his passion for travel and photography, he journeyed to Paris in 1915, where he discovered photography as an art form influenced by Western aesthetics. Shinzo later became a celebrated photographer, and his distinctive background, which encompassed both Eastern and Western traditions, played a pivotal role in propelling Shiseido from its origins as an apothecary to the cosmetics empire it has become today.
Shiseido’s pioneering spirit shines through in various aspects of its history. As the first company to create a softening lotion in liquid form, Shiseido revolutionized the beauty industry. Moreover, the introduction of seven colors of face powder to Japan challenged the prevailing norm of white face powder at that time. By 1923, Shiseido had expanded its original shop to multiple outlets and subsequently became a publicly-held stock company in 1927. The company’s expansion efforts commenced in Taiwan and Singapore in 1957 and later extended to Hawaii in 1962, thus facilitating its entry into the American market and the establishment of Shiseido Cosmetics America. European expansion followed suit in 1968, with New Zealand opening up Oceania in 1971.
Today, Shiseido boasts an extensive portfolio of approximately 18 different brands catered to consumers worldwide. These include the renowned Shiseido skin care line, NARS cosmetics, Joico hair care products, as well as perfumes produced under the Shiseido label in collaboration with Beaute Prestige International and the Serge Lutens label. Zen, the first fragrance introduced by Shiseido, remains part of their collection, offered in two formulas: the original Zen, featuring packaging from 1965, and a new version introduced in 2007. Shiseido also added a men’s Zen fragrance in 2009. Notably, former Shiseido employee Serge Lutens, known for his proficiency as a make-up artist and designer, contributed to the Shiseido fragrance line by creating classics like Nombre Noir and Feminite du Bois. He now operates an independent fragrance brand under the Shiseido umbrella.
Shiseido’s Beaute Prestige International division collaborates with renowned designers such as Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Narciso Rodriguez, producing fine fragrances. With an extensive range of perfumes, Shiseido has presented 74 distinct fragrances since its inception in 1917, with the latest release in 2023. These fragrances have been crafted in collaboration with esteemed perfumers including Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Dominique Preyssas, Claudette Belnavis, Pierre Bourdon, Christopher Sheldrake, Serge Lutens, Jean-Yves Leroy, Jean Jacques, Jacques Cavallier, Maurice Roucel, Aurelien Guichard, Marie Salamagne, Karine Dubreuil-Sereni, Maïa Lernout, Michel Almairac, Nathalie Lorson, Josephine Catapano, and Francoise Caron.
Madama Butterfly, crafted by the esteemed Shiseido fragrance house, presents an exquisite olfactory experience tailored for the sophisticated feminine palate. This fragrance belongs to the Floral Fruity family, where vibrant…
Read More
Rose Rouge, a captivating fragrance created by the renowned brand Shiseido, is specifically designed with women in mind. It falls under the floral fragrance category, boasting a rich and enchanting…
Read More
Camelia Superieur, created by the renowned brand Shiseido, is a sophisticated floral fragrance specifically designed for women. With its captivating essence, Camelia Superieur exudes elegance and charm. This exquisite fragrance…
Read More
Ever Bloom, an exquisite creation by Shiseido, captivates women with its enchanting floral essence. The fragrance was first introduced to the world in 2015, displaying the remarkable craftsmanship of renowned…
Read More
Ever Bloom Sakura Art Edition by Shiseido is a captivating fragrance crafted especially for women. Introduced in 2018, this exquisite scent belongs to the Floral Fruity family. The top notes…
Read More
Zen Eau de Parfum, created by Shiseido, is a captivating Floral Fruity fragrance specifically designed for women. This exquisite scent made its debut in 2010, delighting fragrance enthusiasts around the…
Read More
Feminite du Bois by Shiseido is an exquisite fragrance that exudes elegance and sophistication. Launched in 1992, this timeless scent was created by the talented perfumers Pierre Bourdon and Christopher…
Read More
Basala by Shiseido is a sophisticated and timeless Chypre fragrance specially designed for men. Making its debut in 1993, it showcases the craftsmanship and expertise of French perfumer Dominique Preyssas.…
Read More
Zen Gold Elixir, created by the renowned house of Shiseido, presents an exquisite Amber Floral fragrance exclusively designed for women. Introduced to the world in 2013, this captivating scent was…
Read More
Auslese by Shiseido is an invigorating fragrance crafted specifically for sophisticated gentlemen. Its citrus notes create a refreshing and dynamic aroma that has captivated the senses since its debut in…
Read More
Zen Gold, a captivating fragrance by Shiseido, gracefully embodies the essence of amber and florals for the sophisticated woman. This luxurious scent made its debut in 2008, charming wearers with…
Read More
Zen Gold, a delightful creation by Shiseido, unveils an exquisite Amber Floral fragrance designed exclusively for women. This captivating scent made its debut in 2008, capturing the hearts and senses…
Read More
More by Shiseido is an exquisite Floral Green fragrance designed for women. With its introduction in the year 2000, this fragrance has captivated the senses of many. The top notes…
Read More
More by Shiseido is an exquisite Floral Green fragrance curated specifically for women. This remarkable scent was first introduced in the year 2000. The top notes of More feature a…
Read More
Memoire by Shiseido is an elegant Amber Floral fragrance designed exclusively for women. It made its debut in 1982 and continues to captivate with its timeless appeal. The fragrant composition…
Read More
Dignita, a magnificent creation by Shiseido, is an exquisite fragrance that falls within the Floral Woody Musk category, distinctly designed for women. This captivating scent was first introduced to the…
Read More
Dignita, a fragrance for women crafted by the esteemed brand Shiseido, embraces the essence of Floral Woody Musk aromas. Its debut took place in the year 1998, captivating numerous olfactory…
Read More
Ever Bloom Eau de Toilette for women, created by Aurelien Guichard and Marie Salamagne, is a captivating Floral fragrance that was introduced in 2016 by the renowned brand Shiseido. This…
Read More
Tanima No Himeyuri, developed by the renowned brand Shiseido, is an exquisite fragrance that caters to both the sophisticated tastes of women and men. This timeless scent made its debut…
Read More
Rose Royale, a captivating fragrance for women, embodies the essence of floral beauty. Crafted by renowned brand Shiseido, this timeless scent was introduced in 2006, captivating the hearts of fragrance…
Read More
Tanima No Himeyuri, created by renowned brand Shiseido, is an exquisite fragrance that caters to both women and men. This exceptional scent was first introduced to the world in 1917,…
Read More
Rose Royale, a fragrance uniquely crafted by Shiseido, is a captivating floral scent designed specifically for women. With its introduction to the market in 2006, Rose Royale has become synonymous…
Read More
Zen Gold Elixir, a remarkable fragrance for the elegant women, was skillfully crafted by Shiseido. Introduced to the market in 2018, this exquisite fragrance embraces an amber floral composition that…
Read More
Shirosobi, developed by the renowned brand Shiseido, is an exquisite floral fragrance specially crafted for women. This timeless scent first graced the world in 1917, captivating the senses with its…
Read More
Zen Gold Elixir, created by the renowned brand Shiseido, is an exquisite Amber Floral fragrance designed exclusively for women. This remarkable scent first graced the market in 2018, captivating the…
Read More
Ginza Murasaki by Shiseido is an exquisite Floral Fruity fragrance curated especially for the sophisticated woman. With its immaculate fragrance composition, this scent is a testament to Shiseido’s dedication to…
Read More
Shiseido’s Relaxing Fragrance embodies the essence of tranquility with its Floral Green scent designed exclusively for women. This exquisite fragrance made its debut in 1997, captivating the senses of those…
Read More
Ginza, a fragrance for women by Shiseido, falls under the category of Floral Fruity scents. This exquisite scent was introduced in 2021, a testament to Shiseido’s commitment to creating innovative…
Read More
Shiseido MG 5, designed by the renowned brand Shiseido, is an exquisite fragrance specifically crafted for the modern man. Its launch in 2017 has since established it as a sophisticated…
Read More
Vocalise, created by the renowned perfumer Jacques Cavallier, is an exquisite Amber Floral fragrance designed exclusively for women. Introduced to the world in 1997 by the reputable brand Shiseido, Vocalise…
Read More