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.
Rising Sun, created by the renowned fragrance brand Shiseido, offers a captivating olfactory experience with its Floral Fruity composition. Introduced to the market in 2019, this exquisite fragrance is a…
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Ever Bloom Extrait Absolu, created by renowned perfumer Aurelien Guichard, is a sophisticated floral fragrance designed exclusively for women. Presented by Shiseido in 2016, this exquisite perfume captures the essence…
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Majoromantica by Shiseido is an exquisite fragrance that falls under the category of Floral Fruity Gourmand, catering specifically to women. This impeccable scent was introduced to the market in 2010,…
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Zen by Shiseido epitomizes the essence of a Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women. Its debut in 2007 marked a significant milestone in the world of perfumery. This captivating scent…
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Fleur Excellente, a fragrance created by the renowned brand Shiseido, is an exquisite floral scent crafted specifically for women. This timeless fragrance first made its entrance into the perfume world…
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Inoui by Shiseido represents a sophisticated Chypre fragrance tailored for the modern woman. The fragrance was gracefully introduced in 1976, showcasing a timeless essence that transcends generations. Its captivating olfactory…
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Shiseido MG 5 is an impeccably crafted fragrance designed specifically for men. Introduced in 2017 by the renowned brand Shiseido, this captivating scent is a sensory masterpiece. The top note…
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Vocalise, created by the renowned house of Shiseido, is an exquisite Amber Floral fragrance designed exclusively for women. Introduced to the market in 1997, this captivating scent was crafted by…
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Murasaki by Shiseido represents a captivating Floral Green fragrance tailored for the modern woman. This exquisite scent was introduced to the world in 1980, unveiling a harmonious composition of notes…
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Ever Bloom Extrait Absolu, a creation by Shiseido, unveils a captivating and feminine Floral fragrance designed specifically for women. Introduced to the market in 2016, this exquisite scent was expertly…
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Zen Concentrated by Shiseido is an exquisite Amber Floral fragrance designed for women. It was introduced to the market in 2009, showcasing a harmonious blend of carefully selected notes. The…
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Bravas by Shiseido is an invigorating citrus fragrance suitable for both women and men. It first debuted in 1993 and was masterfully created by the talented nose, Dominique Preyssas. The…
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Majoromantica by Shiseido is an exquisite Floral Fruity Gourmand fragrance designed specifically for women. It was first introduced to the market in 2010. This captivating scent unfolds with a vibrant…
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Zen by Shiseido is an exquisite Floral Woody Musk fragrance specially crafted for women. This timeless scent made its debut in 2007, capturing the essence of tranquility and harmony. Michel…
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Fleur Excellente, created by the renowned brand Shiseido, is a delicate and captivating floral fragrance designed specifically for women. This exquisite scent was first introduced to the market in 1998,…
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Ever Bloom Ginza Flower by Shiseido is an exquisite fragrance designed specifically for women. Introduced in 2017, this floral scent embodies elegance and sophistication. Masterfully crafted by renowned perfumer Aurelien…
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Nombre Noir, a captivating fragrance for women, was artfully crafted by the esteemed collaboration of Serge Lutens and Jean-Yves Leroy and introduced by Shiseido in 1982. This exquisite scent combines…
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Hanatsubaki Kai Sumire, brought to you by the renowned brand Shiseido, is an exquisite Floral fragrance specially curated for the sophisticated and discerning women. This refined scent was initially released…
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We’re by Shiseido is an exquisite Floral Fruity fragrance crafted for sophisticated women. This timeless scent made its debut in 1994 and was expertly composed by the renowned perfumer Maurice…
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Zen Concentrated by Shiseido is an exquisite fragrance designed specifically for women. Introduced to the market in 2009, it offers a unique olfactory experience that captivates the senses. The top…
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Bara, created by Shiseido, is an exquisite floral fragrance tailored specifically for women. This timeless scent was first introduced to the world in 1917, making it a true classic in…
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The exquisite Rosarium fragrance by Shiseido is a luxurious floral scent designed specifically for sophisticated women. This delightful fragrance, introduced to the market in 2012, embodies the essence of femininity…
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Ever Bloom Ginza Flower by Shiseido exudes an alluring Floral fragrance that captures the essence of femininity. This dynamic fragrance made its debut in the year 2017, crafted by the…
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Zen for Men Sun by Shiseido is an exquisite fragrance designed specially for men, capturing the essence of a woody aquatic scent. This remarkable fragrance made its debut in 2013,…
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Zen Original by Shiseido is an exquisite Chypre fragrance specifically designed for women. It made its debut in 1964, showcasing the unparalleled expertise of renowned perfumer Josephine Catapano. Embodying timeless…
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Muge, created by the esteemed brand Shiseido, embodies the essence of femininity with its captivating floral fragrance. This exquisite scent is designed specifically for women, offering a delicate and alluring…
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Lordos by Shiseido is a sophisticated fragrance designed exclusively for men. It first made its debut in 1972, instantly capturing the attention of fragrance connoisseurs and style aficionados alike. The…
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Nyumonhei, a captivating fragrance crafted by the renowned brand Shiseido, caters to both women and men seeking an exceptional olfactory experience. Originally introduced to the market in 1917, Nyumonhei has…
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Zen Secret Bloom by Shiseido is an exquisite Chypre Floral fragrance specifically designed for women. This fragrance made its debut in the year 2012, showcasing the exceptional skills of the…
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