A swipe here and a dab there. If that is what you think being a make-up artist is about, think again.

The secret, says Yuji Asano (Photo 2), the top make-up artist at Japanese beauty brand Shu Uemura, is practice, practice and more practice.

'It is impossible to be a good make-up artist if you are not constantly striving to perfect your skills,' says Asano, 43, the brand's international chief make-up artist.

He ought to know. He trained under the brand's founder, Shu Uemura, until the latter died in 2007, and later became its top make-up artist.

Asano was in town last week for the official opening of Shu Uemura's first standalone boutique here at Ion Orchard and also did an exclusive photo shoot with Urban.

The look he created for us was inspired by the brand's fall make-up collection and is meant to 'express the energy that can be derived through nature'.

The most important quality a make-up artist must have is the ability to listen to the needs of others and respond to them, he says.

For this look, he explains, he 'listened' to the world's gloomy economic situation and gave the model strong smoky eyes in earth tones, lightened with vibrant touches of pink and gold to signify the hope of better times to come.

Asano started out as a freelance make-up artist in 1987 and joined Shu Uemura in 1990 as a trainer. He tells Urban more about working with its make-up maestro.

What was it like working with the late Shu Uemura?

He inspired me to carry on his legacy and preserve the education style that he so strongly believed in.

He was someone who did not say a thing - he would not give out directions or orders. Instead, he encouraged us to think for ourselves and to be the judge of our own decisions.

How did that benefit you as a make-up artist?

A lot of people who start out want to have a manual with step-by-step instructions. In make-up, a manual does not work because each person's face is different.

So to be a good make-up artist, you need to learn to be innovative and adapt to the situation.

What is your favourite memory of Shu Uemura?

In 2000, the two of us went on a work trip to New York and Paris together.

By the time we made our way to Paris, we had grown tired of each other.

So when we had some free time in Paris, I suggested that we go our separate ways.

I then made my way to a bridge that I had wanted to visit.

When I got there, I saw him walking towards the bridge from the opposite direction.

I laughed as this made me realise we were not so different after all.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

When I first started out, I was rather arrogant as I had received numerous accolades.

Once, when I was freelancing, an 82-year-old woman asked that I put on make-up for her.

I did not take the job too seriously as I thought her face was filled with wrinkles and make-up would not make much of a difference.

However, after I finished, she was so touched by what I had done that she began crying.

Seeing how make-up can enhance, transform and beautify someone's life has changed my perspective. I am convinced that make-up enhances and brings out each person's unique traits regardless of age.

What advice would you give make-up artists who are taking part in the Shu Uemura Beauty Art 2009 Make-up Competition?

Make-up is about personal expression. Take the time to think about how you can express your personal point of view using the theme of the competition - Mother Nature.

Also, the difference between a painter and a make-up artist is that a painter works on a flat surface while a make-up artist works in 3-D.

Be sure to consider how you want to bring out the best in your model.

What are your beauty must-haves from Shu Uemura?

I love the Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/I ($155) as it is moisturising and does not aggravate my eczema.

Shu Uemura's Brush 14H ($53), which has an angled brush head, makes it easy to vary the width of my brush stroke, depending on how much pressure I apply.

This brush is so versatile it can be used on eyelids, cheeks and the under-eye area.

I am also in love with the new Eyebrow Gel ($37). This product helps to create a very precise eyebrow with just one swipe.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.