Why is it that some people become beautiful using the same cosmetics, while others do not? It turns out there's a secret law of comfort at play. In this final installment of the series, Ms. Okabe discusses "lifestyle beauty," a subject she has been researching.

Four Keywords for Achieving "Lifestyle Beauty"

Q. First, could you please explain the meaning of "lifestyle beauty"?

Lifestyle beauty is about naturally enhancing one's beauty and charm by practicing what feels comfortable in daily life. My journey began when, after many years of researching cosmetics, I realized that cosmetics alone weren't enough to achieve beauty. I understood that something more crucial was needed to make cosmetics effective. That crucial element, I believe, is lifestyle. While conducting research, I observed many customers visiting cosmetic specialty stores and noticed that beautiful people tend to have well-ordered lifestyles.

The more comfortably people live their daily lives, the more effectively cosmetics work to enhance their beauty. Faced with this reality, I became convinced of the deep connection between lifestyle and beauty. Since then, the two concepts merged into "lifestyle beauty." I began concrete activities five years ago. To explore beauty-enhancing lifestyles and establish them as the foundation of beauty, I gathered doctors, cosmetic store owners, and journalists to start our research.

Q. You say "lifestyle beauty," not "lifestyle disease." Is this intentional, given the single character difference?

Yes, the term "lifestyle beauty" came first. However, in spoken language, it was often misheard as "lifestyle disease," which became a bit of an issue. Then, one day, a member of our research group noticed that in Japanese, the word for disease (病 - byō) uses a small 'yo' (ょ), while beauty (美容 - biyō) uses a large 'yo' (よ). We immediately thought this offered an interesting angle.

It might seem like a pun at first glance, but it's actually more profound. This 'yo' can also represent 'yoi' (余裕 -余裕), meaning余裕, or 'yo' (与える - to give), signifying giving things to others. It's not just a small 'yo' becoming large; it carries a significant meaning. For instance, when one is rushed and busy, there's a lack of 'yoi' (余裕). Such a situation is detrimental to beauty. In other words, without 'yo' (余裕), one cannot become beautiful. Thus, 余裕 is incredibly important. A life filled with 'yo' (余裕) creates "comfort," the most vital aspect of beauty.

Q. I understand that lifestyle beauty has four keywords?

When the members brainstormed words related to lifestyle and beauty, most of them fell under these four keywords.
The first is the "Law of Comfort." To find comfortable lifestyles, we must pursue what brings us comfort: enjoying delicious food, a relaxing bath, or a fun time with friends. The second is to be mindful of the "Flow of Time and Space." Since we live within the flow of time and space, it's important to occasionally go outside, feel the wind and scents, and experience the changing seasons. Having such moments fosters 余裕, leading to actions that yield positive results.

The third is to cultivate "Senses and Intuition." When we feel comfort, our senses, particularly the five senses, are paramount. By regularly training our sight, hearing, touch, and taste, we develop the ability to perceive what is comfortable for us. Furthermore, there's the sixth sense. For example, inspiration often strikes only when one has 余裕. Therefore, let's create situations with enough 余裕 to not only engage our five senses but also to perceive our sixth sense.

And the final, fourth keyword is "Human Relationships." To become beautiful, it's essential to meet people, talk, and interact. This is because beauty also resides in the connections between people. Enjoying encounters and being mindful of being seen by others refines new perceptions and sensibilities.

Miyoji Okabe Series

Vol. 21: Lifestyle Beauty for True Radiance (Part 2)

Comfort is Abundant in Daily Life. That's What Makes It Interesting.

Q. How can one specifically pursue what is comfortable for them?

There are no set rules. Simply make a habit of doing what satisfies you and feels good. For example, if you love music, you might always have music playing in your room that you want to listen to at that moment. That is undoubtedly comfortable. Furthermore, when inviting guests, you might search for the perfect music for the occasion while considering your guests' preferences. That's exciting, isn't it? In other words, that moment is also comfortable.

Comfort is all around us in daily life. That's what makes it so interesting. In fact, for me, even this conversation right now is comfortable (laughs).

Q. I see. So, being mindful of the flow of time and space is also simple?

Yes. While walking down the street, you might notice the beauty of the leaves on a tree, or see a beautiful sunset in the western sky, or sense the scent of winter in the air today. You can perceive the flow of wind and the changing seasons with just a little awareness.

Q. It might be good to find one beautiful thing each day.

However, if you try too hard to find something beautiful, it ceases to be comfortable at that very moment. Habits are things done unconsciously. Don't make it an obligation. I enjoy photography and always carry my camera. When I see something beautiful, I quickly take a picture. It's almost a reflex. In essence, it has become a habit. The act of pressing the shutter when encountering something beautiful or moving has naturally become ingrained in my body. This naturally sharpens the five senses.



Q. I'm beginning to understand the significant difference between "lifestyle disease" and "lifestyle beauty."

While being mindful of lifestyle diseases is certainly important, I don't advocate for creating too many rules like "must do this" or "must not do that." Because such a life would be tedious, wouldn't it? A tedious situation is clearly not comfortable, and beauty recedes. To put it extremely, even if someone is ill, if they have 'yo' (余裕) and actively lead a comfortable life, their beauty can flourish, and they can lead a healthy and charming life.

Ultimately, enjoying life is the most important thing. It's incredibly simple, yet surprisingly, many people forget it. So, take a moment to remember: what is comfort for you? It could be a glass of beer after returning home, or a long, relaxing bath.

Indeed, cosmetics alone cannot create beauty. Throughout this series, I've discussed beauty broadly from a scientific perspective, but to achieve true beauty, nothing surpasses the comfort felt through the five senses and human connection. Let's make our lives more enjoyable and comfortable. Isn't that way of living, in the end, the ultimate knowledge for becoming beautiful?