I'm a makeup artist based in Tokyo.

Makeup that focuses on artistic design is my forte.

Hi, I'm DAKUZAKU.

This is what I focus on when I do makeup.

I make sure to portray the personality of the person I'm doing makeup for.

Hi, I'm Yusuke Saeki, a makeup artist.

From nude makeup to chic makeup,

my style keeps the person's good qualities intact.

An image of fallen sakuras at the waterside.

This technique is a first for me.

I'll be using paste and lip gloss to produce a 3D effect.

I love sakuras in full bloom.

I want to capture the beauty of the moment they fall

by using "washi" paper to create that feel and 3D effect.

The first episode of VOGUE JAPAN's Triple Take.

When I think of sakuras, I think of "pink" and "Japanese."

So I've decided to incorporate the Kabuki feel into it.

Hi there.

- I'm DANNI. - My name's DAKUZAKU.

Let's get started.

- Ready? - Yes.

I shall begin now.

I'll clean your skin first.

I'll reset your complexion now. [L'EAU MICELLAIRE]

This step removes any dirt or excess sebum.

I'll then follow up with a moisturizer and that keeps the makeup intact longer.

I'm using M·A·C today.

I'm using a lotion that has some shine in it

to create a sunlight reflection feel starting from the base.

I'll be painting her white later, so moisturizing first is a must.

If not, the makeup will appear dry later.

I love using POLA's B.A LOTION.

I'm tapping on her skin to cool it down.

This lotion is by ACSEINE. [Moistbalance Lotion]

I chose a lotion that has mainly ceramides

as they're essential to the skin.

I wanted to paint her white the traditional way.

But I have only an hour today.

I'll combine the Western and Japanese ways of doing it.

Instead of pomade, I'll be using NIVEA Creme as the base for this.

To prevent abrasions, I'm using some cream.

I'm massaging them in starting with the bigger muscles.

I'm using this common base from Chifure. [UV Liquid Foundation 33]

It's really good.

For "glowy" makeup, I'd usually go with a matte base,

or it would melt easily.

This base helps to minimize pores.

It's by MAKE UP FOR EVER. [STEP 1 PRIMER PORE MINIMIZER]

The theme is "Sakura,"

but it's not just about making it Japanese by painting white.

I thought of making it more fanciful

and was reminded of dry landscape gardens.

I'm using protective film that are used on people with metal allergies.

I created graphics of these shapes and cut them out after that.

Like an art class project.

Sorry, it's almost empty.

I use this type to cover below the eyes. [2WAY FOUNDATION H 01]

It's a matte foundation, but the glow appears once it settles in.

So I'm applying to just areas where it's needed.

If it looks wet all over, it'd appear sticky.

I'm careful to not over apply foundation.

Just putting it in places that cast a shadow.

Such brushes have been popping up in the makeup world

in the past years.

I use it often as it blends better

than using fingers to do so.

I'm applying white paint with a paste texture.

Water-based paints are often used for Kabuki,

but the one I'm using now is oil-based and easier to apply.

The paint used for Kabuki would sometimes get smudged after a while.

I'll start by creating a graduation at the eyes.

A light shade first and ending with a dark one makes it too dark instantly.

This is by M·A·C. [POWDER BLUSH BRIGHT PINK]

This color's so "sakura."

The initial dark shade can be applied thicker than usual.

Followed by a lighter shade to "erase" it.

I want to enhance her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

I curled her lashes so that it doesn't cover her pupils.

For Asians, our lashes tend to droop easily.

So I'm applying a little mascara to the roots at this point to keep them up.

The image here is

like many sakuras have fallen onto the water.

So I went bold instead of drawing one by one.

Giving the skin a slight translucent feel.

I want to make it look like it's painted in white at the end.

My interest in this traditional Japanese makeup was piqued.

I found out about how it was actually used.

After trying it for shoots, I've learned how to do it.

I'll apply the eyeliner now.

Her beautiful eyes were what struck me the most.

I want to bring out their beauty by putting on eyeliner.

This palette is by M·A·C too. [FULL FACE KIT CICERO]

I'll add some pink glitter now.

This is by MITSUYOSHI stage makeup. [Clown Color Pink]

It's a Kabuki-inspired design.

Adding a little mascara.

This is by NARS. [CLIMAX MASCARA]

This vibrant-colored mascara is easy to use and doesn't smudge.

Setting her beautiful brows in the right mood while enhancing them.

This is a brow-setting gel by M·A·C.

It hardens the brow hair a little [BROW SET]

and gives the brows shape.

There are many variations of red, but this represents Japan best.

So I chose to use this.

I'm going to paste the "washi" paper now.

When I heard about the sakura theme,

I wanted to reenact the texture and dimensions of sakuras.

I went on a hunt for materials

and found that "washi" paper was the best fit.

Sakura is also the flower that represents Japan's spring season.

I felt that "washi" paper and sakura are like a match made in heaven.

So I chose "washi" paper.

It's my first time using it for makeup.

I want to give it a watery feel to show the image of petals on the water.

My first time using this technique.

I have a cup here that I'll be using.

It's not so difficult that I'd ask you to get excited.

Looks like what an artist would use. [PRO PALETTE PAINTSTICK X 12]

I'm dabbing on some clear lip gloss from M·A·C.

If I mix them evenly, it'll end up as one color.

So I'll mix them in different places.

Next is the cup.

Yes, this is what I'm going to do.

Like this.

I picked this technique up at an art school.

They use this in oil painting.

It's like sakuras in full bloom are gradually falling.

This texture of the shredded paper is beautiful

and I want to make use of it.

To give the eyes a sharp look,

I'm adding in some black lines in a few areas.

Like sakuras falling onto this landscape garden part,

I used one color at the initial stage. [BACKSTAGE ROSY GLOW]

After that, I wanted to add a little more glow.

So I used a highlighter that has a mix of colors

to enhance it. [DIOR BACKSTAGE GLOW FACE PALETTE 004]

I worked on giving it a "light" look.

I'm going to do something innovative again.

I'm sorry, this doesn't look good aesthetically.

It's like what they use for cake decorations.

Piping whip cream and such.

I made this using the same M·A·C paint palette and Vaseline.

I mixed large amounts and made it safe for facial use.

Then I created "sakuras on water" with it.

Her lips are very pretty just the way they are.

I'm just adding

a little color as brush up. [PRECISION LIP LINER 9075 Dusty Mauve]

Lipstick's not the main focus for this makeup.

So I'll make it subtle,

but with a glow.

This is a lip gloss from NARS. [AFTERGLOW LIP SHINE SUNRUSH]

A pink-gold shade.

About a minute more?

Time just flew by.

Sorry, I can't talk at the same time.

Running out of time.

Done.

Okay, good to go.

Yes, completed.

Very sakura-like.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Hi, everyone.

From inside.

Good.

Yes, that'll work.

This is beautiful.

- This one's good. - Agree.

- Nice work. - Good job.

Nerve-racking.

I'm more jittery about speaking than doing.

I can't do them at the same time.

MIKI, how was it?

- I was so nervous. - Really?

Absolutely.

- I was curious about your designs. - I see.

- Couldn't wait to see them. - Right.

Wow!

- Awesome. - All different.

Impressive.

- Beautiful. - Looks great.

- Totally different. - Yeah.

Wow.

My image of sakura is that it's very Japanese.

So when I found "washi" paper, I thought, "Ah, this is it!"

And I went with just "washi."

I personally like the "washi" part and also how you drew her eyebrows.

- Thank you. - Pretty.

What made you choose this shape?

- Yeah, she drew one line in the middle. - I'm intrigued.

It didn't occur to me to do it this way.

Yes, her eyes and eyebrows were captivating to me.

I wanted to enhance them.

And also I wanted the look to somewhat exude a Japanese feel.

So I incorporated that factor in the eyelines and brows.

This was my solution to

striking a balance with her bare skin.

Fabulous.

Is this traditional way of painting the face white time-consuming?

Um...

I mean, it's so flawless.

Using the traditional water-based ones would've been much easier.

But it'd crack after a while,

so I used M·A·C's paste in stick and tube forms.

Whoa, how innovative.

Then I followed up with the white Kabuki powder on top.

- Oh, I see. - Just tap it on.

It's a portrayal of a landscape garden.

- Right. - I see it.

- Promoting the Japanese style. - Yes.

Doing the traditional white painting in these circumstances.

The technique required must've been pressurizing.

I was stressed.

While doing it, I was thinking...

"Oops, did I make a wrong move?"

- Really? - Yeah.

But I had to do it.

I love weeping sakuras

and I wanted to paint them in an artistic manner.

The graduation part is like sakuras carpeting the water.

- Oh, yes. - I get it.

The pink and white portions represent their diffused reflections.

I see.

The 3D parts on top are the sakuras that fell on them.

Three portrayals of the sakuras.

It's so modern.

I picked this up from oil painting.

It's reflected in the texture.

Yes, and the different shades of pink change the image.

I'm kind of mesmerized.

The vibrancy makes it beautiful.

Thank you for the compliment.

The one-hour time limit was too short.

- There was a timer. - Yeah.

Just doing the base could've taken an hour.

- Possibilities are endless. - Exactly.

- I'm glad it's over. - Yeah.

- Thank goodness. - It was a tough one.

- I can sleep now. - Yeah.

Finally, a good night's rest.