KOSE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazutoshi Kobayashi) held a makeup course for athletes representing Japan's artistic swimming team “Mermaid Japan” on 2024/4/9. Our makeup artist, Ishii Isao (Ishii Isao), taught the contestants so that they could finish the makeup with their own hands, developed according to the costumes and the world view of the performance.
Since signing an official sponsorship agreement for Japan's artistic swimming representative “Mermaid Japan” of the Japan Swimming Federation in 2006/4, we have regularly held makeup classes, and have supported athletes so that they can concentrate on their performances with peace of mind by teaching makeup expressions suitable for the program and makeup techniques that won't break even when performing violently underwater. In artistic swimming, athletes compete for their “artistic” and beautiful performances, so we are in charge of everything from skin care advice, makeup design ideas, and guidance so that athletes can do their own makeup for the competition so that they can express the world view that matches their costumes and songs, even with makeup.
Last year, the scoring method for artistic swimming changed drastically, and it is said that “makeup that matches the theme may influence scoring,” and the importance of makeup has increased even more.
For makeup, we use only commercially available products, such as our makeup brands “Fasio” and “Makeup Keep” series, which use waterproof technology that is resistant to sweat and water, and “Addiction” and “Visse,” which are available in a wide variety of colors. By devising application methods and combinations, it is possible to create makeup that is hard to remove even when moving violently underwater.
This time, the theme “Alligator” for the team acrobatic routine, the theme “Cool Japan” for the duet technical routine, and the theme “Pegasus” for the duet free routine were added as new programs, and guidance centered around that design.
Going forward, we will continue to more actively support athletes who shine on the world stage and support the development of sports.
Team acrobatic routine theme “Alligator”
[Items used]
・Eye Shadow: Viséavant Lip & Eye Color Pencil
Upper eyelid: 001 SNOWFLAKE, 003 CITRUS, 002 KIWI, 004 MARINE, 014 MIDNIGHT DAZZLE
Lower eyelid: 006 PSYCHEDELIC
・Lip/Cheek: ADDICTION THE MATTE LIP LIQUID 011 Carmine Red
[POINT]
While sharply expressing the crocodile's sharp eyesight with gradation,
Putting purple on the lower eyelid gives an eerie and frightening look.
Duet technical routine theme “Cool Japan”
[Items used]
・Eye Shadow: Viséavant Lip & Eye Color Pencil
001 SNOWFLAKE, 004 MARINE, 014 MIDNIGHT DAZZLE
・Lip/Cheek: ADDICTION THE MATTE LIP LIQUID 011 Carmine Red
[POINT]
A sharp, long line at the inner corner of the eye,
The contrast between white and blue like splashes of water gives it a cool look.
Duet free routine theme “Pegasus”
[Items used]
・Eye Shadow: Viséavant Lip & Eye Color Pencil
001 SNOWFLAKE, 013 STARDOM
・Lip/Cheek: ADDICTION THE MATTE LIP LIQUID 006 Femme Chapeau
[POINT]
Draw a creative line like a feather on the upper eyelid,
It represents Pegasus flying powerfully and lightly.
Commonly used items
COSME DECORTE ZENWEAR FLUID, MAKEUP KEEPING POWDER, FACIO LIQUID EYELINER, FACIO PERMANENT CURL MASCARA WP VOLUME, FACIO PENCIL & POWDER EYEBROW, VISE AVAN PERFECT FINISH HIGHLIGHT
■Comment from makeup artist Isao Ishii
I believe that artistic swimming makeup is a very important element as part of expressive power to enhance the world view. The balance of colors and the way they are applied are changed depending on the swimsuit, music, and image of the performance, and I am conscious of makeup that looks three-dimensional even when viewed from a distance. In the makeup for the current team acrobatic routine “Alligator,” I designed makeup that expresses the sharpness and creepiness of eyesight. I would like the athletes to perform bold and delicate makeup, such as the angle of the eyeliner that makes the area around the eyes sharp and long, and attention to detail, such as drawing the tip of the line so that it gradually becomes thinner. Going forward, we will continue to support athletes so that they can perform with peace of mind and confidence with makeup that is resistant to sweat and water and doesn't come off easily.
Ishii Isao (Isao Ishii) profile
KOSE Co., Ltd. Beauty Development Department Group Manager Makeup Artist
While working as a lecturer at various events and beauty seminars in Japan and overseas, including shooting for TV-commercials, posters, and magazines for makeup brands, he is active in a wide range of activities, such as appearing on TV and radio. In particular, as an expert in “makeup that won't fall off,” he supervises makeup for the Japanese artistic swimming team, figure skaters, and also handles makeup for the dance league “KOSÉ 8ROCKS,” and is highly trusted by athletes. In addition to being in charge of the backyard as a makeup artist for the Paris Collection and the Tokyo Collection, he has received many offers from overseas media, and his techniques have been highly praised. A specialist who can express “now” as “the most beautiful and shining moment,” regardless of generation or genre, from likeable makeup such as job hunting makeup and freshers to sports beauty makeup that dramatizes athletes' performances, and even modal makeup that gorgeously colors fashion show runways.
Our Sports Promotion Initiatives
We are working on sports promotion support from various aspects, including sponsoring various athletic organizations and individual athletes for the purpose of supporting a healthy and happy lifestyle for each person and raising awareness of health.
・2006- Official sponsor agreement with Japan Skating Federation
・2006 - Official sponsor agreement with Japan's artistic swimming representative “Mermaid Japan” of the Japan Swimming Federation
・2012 - Official partner agreement with the International Skating Federation
・2016- Support for female professional golfers (individual players)
・2018- Official sponsor agreement with All Japan Ski Federation (SNOW JAPAN)
・2019- First gold partner agreement with the Japan Disabled Ski Federation
・2020 ~ Participate in the Pro Dance League “D. LEAGUE” (opening from 2021/1/10) as KOSÉ 8ROCKS
Sponsoring the breakdance headquarters operated by the Japan Dance Sports Federation
An owned site that specializes in disseminating sports information
“KOSÉ SPORTS BEAUTY”:https://sports.kose.co.jp/