Everytime you purchase Essence Absolue, you will be entered to win an 18 carat gold necklace! Ask your stylist to upgrade your blowout to a ultra-shine blowout. You wont believe the difference!

Shu Uemura’s New Hair Ceremony

They had us at eyelash curler and now Shu Uemura is giving our hair and scalps another reason to turn Japanese. As a complement to last year’s Art of Hair product launch, six salons across the country added “Hair Ceremonies” to their menus. It’s shiatsu for the scalp, which equals big benefits for your head and hair. But that’s just the tip of the follicle. The treatment is a sensory experience that begins with a warm cloth and a cup of tea and leaves you with silkier strands and a feeling of euphoria.

Depending on your hair’s needs, you get to choose from five treatment oils and two Depsea Base conditioning intensities, applied with an invigorating or relaxing massage. I selected Moisture Velvet (loaded with Camellia Oil, the secret to healthy Geisha shine) + intense conditioning + relaxing massage. As my stylist at Azur Salon in Houston worked the treatment into my scalp and massaged my head, neck and shoulders the aroma was intoxicating, not overpowering. (It was more than 30 minutes of sheer heaven—beyond any chair massage I’ve experienced.) I also soaked up the moisture benefits afterward, cocooned away from the outside salon world in a cashmere blanket (a Japanese standard), neck pillow, eye mask—even an iPod complete with Shu tunes composed specifically for the moment (the playlist was cool and lounge-y, but relaxing enough that I drifted to sleep at the shampoo bowl). When I finally awoke from my peaceful reverie I walked away with commercial-worthy style, feeling renewed and confident.

Six lucky cities—Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Manhattan Beach, Summit, and Boston—have access to the hair ceremony and about 300 other salons will follow by August. And no matter where you go, you can expect the same standard of service: Shu Uemura is doing extensive training to make sure you always get your money’s worth (approximately $75). Click here to find an Art of Hair salon near you!

—Holly Crawford

A gold rush has begun in several countries from Spain to the United Kingdom to Belgium. In Italy the press has confirmed that Essence Absolue is one of the richest and most miraculous products of its generation.  Essence Absolue not only marks the introduction of a great haircare products, but is also poised to become a signature offering for Shu Uemura luxury salons.

Essence Absolue is a multi-use nourishing and protective oil elixir which is designed especially for dry hair. This provides intense nutrition, deep moisturizing, and amazing shine.

Harrison Braun Salon has this amazing product in stock.

Depsea foundation refines the hair texture and creates a optimal canvas for styling. These weightless mists prep the hair and provide a moisture balance and enhance the ability of styling products.