uka

uka is a Japanese total beauty brand originating from Tokyo, rooted in a hair salon founded as EXCeL in 1970 and later expanded with a dedicated nail division in 1996 led by nail artist Kio Watanabe. In 2009 this activity was spun off and established as the independent brand uka, with Watanabe as representative, turning the salon’s craft-focused approach into a broader beauty label offering products and services for daily care.

The name "uka" comes from the Japanese word for metamorphosis when a pupa becomes a butterfly, expressing a wish to help spread beauty through the world the way butterflies pollinate from flower to flower. The brand positions itself as a holistic, lifestyle-oriented line that aims to integrate beauty routines into everyday life without effort, paying close attention not only to results but also to scent and sensorial pleasure. Its portfolio covers nail oils, hand and body care, hair and scalp products, and, more recently, fragrance.

In 2022 uka launched its first perfume series with fragrances such as 7:15, 24:45, ma/jo, and Japanese Night, translating the brand’s well-known scented nail oils into fine fragrance form. These perfumes use ethanol derived from organic wheat and vegan formulas with more than 90 percent natural-origin ingredients, reflecting the brand’s focus on sustainability and gentle formulations. As the fragrance line grows, uka continues to build on Japanese craftsmanship, functional design, and mindful self-care, targeting consumers who are attentive to both wellbeing and olfactory detail.