New Skincare Brand Born from Individual Skin Concerns Unveiled at the 1st Cosmetics Owner Contest by WITH BRAND Project and LA CARPE

WITH BRAND Project Skincare Brand 'beArtMis' LA CARPE Inc. (Shibuya, Tokyo / CEO: Miho Arai), a PR and marketing firm for wellness and beauty, in collaboration with the cosmetics brand co-creation service WITH BRAND Project, officially announced the completion of the skincare brand 'beArtMis' on May 22, 2026, at the 'My Organic Friends Fes 2026' (LA CARPE Fes 2026). The brand was developed alongside Akiho Kuwahata, the grand prize winner of the '1st Cosmetics Owner Contest.' During the event, Satoshi Yamazaki, CEO of ESS Inc. and Saticine Medical Co., Ltd., who drives the WITH BRAND Project, spoke about the project and the development background of the completed product. This project, which started in September 2025, is based on the theme of 'creating cosmetics that are truly needed but do not yet exist in the market,' starting from years of personal skin concerns and real-life experiences. It represents a partnership between the WITH BRAND Project, which develops products by facing a single individual with a concern rather than mass-producing cosmetics for everyone, and LA CARPE Inc., which advocates 'co-creative beauty' to help deliver the value of future beauty to society. Pictured from left: Satoshi Yamazaki, CEO of ESS Inc. and Saticine Medical Co., Ltd.; Akiho Kuwahata, owner of beArtMis; Miho Arai, CEO of LA CARPE Inc. Brand Development Starting from a 'Childhood Concern That Concealers Couldn't Hide' Launched in September 2025, the '1st Cosmetics Owner Contest' was held for the 'LA CARPE Friends' community operated by LA CARPE. After soliciting skin concerns that could not be solved by existing products, along with the experiences and feelings behind them, Akiho Kuwahata was selected as the first grand prize winner from numerous applicants nationwide following document and presentation screenings. Kuwahata's long-standing concern was under-eye dark circles. Having felt a complex since childhood and experiencing a lack of fundamental resolution despite trying numerous cosmetics, she harbored a strong desire to 'create cosmetics that can support people with the same concerns.' For over half a year, Kuwahata worked on product development with the WITH BRAND Project and LA CARPE CEO Miho Arai. From concept design and formulation development to design and brand story construction, the brand was shaped starting from 'one person's real concern,' with the backing of ESS Inc. and Saticine Medical Co., Ltd., which promote the WITH BRAND Project, accompanied by many professionals. Birth of 'beArtMis,' a Skincare Brand Born from 'Years of Under-Eye Shadow Concerns' Through the WITH BRAND Project, the product development aimed at solving Kuwahata's concern focused not on mere color, but on the structural cause: 'shadow circles due to bone structure and depressions.' Previously, it was said there were three types of under-eye dark circles, but this development focused on this structural cause as the '4th type of dark circles.' The development began with the perspective of 'preparing the impression of the bare skin itself' rather than 'hiding it with makeup.' About 'beArtMis' The name is designed from the dual meaning of the words 'kuma' (shadow/dark circle) and 'bear.' The word 'bear' has meanings such as to endure, support, produce, and wear. For those who have struggled with and endured under-eye circles, the desire was infused for this product to be an existence that 'produces' new confidence by using it. Also, 'Artemis' is a goddess in Greek mythology. She is an existence that symbolizes the moon and manipulates light. Against the dark circles that appear as shadows, she changes the impression with the power of light. Furthermore, as she is also the goddess of the hunt, it layers the meaning of 'defeating the bear' = standing up to the dark circles. By reading it as 'Be Artemis,' it also includes the message to 'be like Artemis' = to be yourself, strong, and beautiful. - Brand Name: beArtMis - Product Name: Omni-Veil Balm Serum - Price: ¥2,640 (Tax included) - Volume: 20g Focusing on the 4th Type of Dark Circle that Does Not Fit 'Blue, Brown, or Black' It is an intensive under-eye serum that tackles the 'shadow' and 'deflation' of the eye area with moisture from the inside and physical correction from the outside. Arnica flower extract and two types of advanced hyaluronic acid deliver high-density moisture to every corner of the stratum corneum, providing a plump firmness that pushes back. Furthermore, it adopts Saticine Medical's proprietary 'pseudo-skin technology.' By physically filling in the depressions and unevenness caused by bone structure with a thick cushion film, it creates a smooth and flat eye area from the moment it is applied. Brand Owner Akiho Kuwahata Profile Since she was a child, she felt uncomfortable with her impression in photos. Especially her 'under-eye dark circles' appeared darker depending on the lighting, becoming a long-standing complex. Currently, aiming to look naturally beautiful at any moment, she is undertaking various initiatives to solve 'shadow circles due to bone structure.' ■ About WITH BRAND Project The 'WITH BRAND Project' is a cosmetics co-creation project jointly operated by ESS Inc., a mail-order manufacturer with over 40 years of history, and Saticine Medical Co., Ltd., which has a track record of developing and manufacturing for over 900 companies. Under the concept of 'the era of transitioning from 'hesitating' to 'creating' skincare cosmetics,' individuals can launch a brand starting from their own skin concerns, with comprehensive support from development to manufacturing and sales for a service fee starting at 300,000 JPY (excluding tax). ■ About LA CARPE Friends 'LA CARPE Friends' is a free community of LA CARPE that fully launched in March 2025. Gathering approximately 1,000 members interested in beauty and wellness, they share a lifestyle of 'comfortably refining oneself' through online beauty academies like the 'Yuru-Natu Beauty Academy' by CEO Miho Arai and priority participation in various events. Anyone can join for free by registering on LINE.