One plus one equals three!” so declares Yasushi Ishibashi, a lean, elderly Japanese gentleman who is surprisingly not joking. But Ishibashi isn’t bad at maths; he is just referring to the reason why he named his botanical-based beauty brand, Three. “When natural ingredients combine with modern technology, you get Three.” The beauty veteran founded the brand in 2009, after spending decades at other famous cosmetics houses. Three is the culmination of all of his years of experience.
However unique the nomenclature of the brand, what we cannot deny is the incredible efficacy of its products. Most Three products are between 80 and 99 per cent naturally‑derived (you can see a comprehensive ingredient breakdown of each product on its website), with the remaining percentage points largely owed to the use of modern preservatives. Without these preservatives, Ishibashi reasons, the products would begin to spoil the moment they leave the factory. With them, however, the consumer is free to reap the powerful benefits of the essential oils and plant-based ingredients that make up the active formula in Three’s skincare and make-up products.
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