Beauty
January 29, 2015
interview│Chico SHIGETA Special Interview (1)
Chico SHIGETA Special Interview
True Beauty Through Vitality Coaching® (1)
Chico SHIGETA, a well-being consultant with numerous celebrity clients in Paris, including Isabelle Adjani, John Galliano, and Sofia Coppola, and highly regarded not only in France but also in Japan, has visited the country. An interview was realized at the request of OPENERS.
Chico's self-care method, "Vitality Coaching®," is a coaching approach aligned with the laws of nature, built on four pillars: the healing power of plants, daily nutrition, mindful breathing, and self-massage. Furthermore, the "SHIGETA at home series" products, made from organic plant ingredients and designed for more effective and enjoyable care, are also popular. We explore the appeal of "SHIGETA," which is drawing significant attention in Japan.
Text by Harumi SomeyaPhoto by Jamandfix
Many Women Need Support
— Your brand, "SHIGETA," has opened a store in the Beauty Apothecary on the second floor of Isetan Shinjuku Main Building, which launched this autumn. Your activities are becoming even more prominent.
Thank you.
— "SHIGETA" has long garnered fervent support among beauty enthusiasts, and now its popularity has reached a national level. Why do you think it has been so widely accepted?
Every time I visit Japan, I notice how many people are exhausted, both mentally and physically. Everyone works incredibly hard. However, they seem to be overexerting themselves to the point of nervous exhaustion, pouring all their energy into it. I feel they might need something to change this state of intense tension, or perhaps some form of support.
— So, people were searching for something, and SHIGETA appeared?
Yes, perhaps SHIGETA's method, "Vitality Coaching®," and the products based on it perfectly matched the state where their bodies and minds were seeking support. I believe those who have actually used them and felt a change in themselves have incorporated them into their lifestyles.
I think Japanese people have a more sensitive sensibility compared to people in other countries.
People often report back to me about their experiences incorporating SHIGETA's methods and products, and they truly perceive things with great sensitivity. They already understand the efficacy of plant-based products without me needing to explain it. Since SHIGETA is committed to real organic ingredients, I believe we have earned their trust in that regard as well.
I Believe "Something Different" Is Value
— SHIGETA's blended essential oils are reputed to be highly effective, with immediate results. Why do they work so quickly?
Because they are made to be effective (laughs).
If there's no effect from practice, it won't continue. It needs to have an immediate impact.
The blending is a collaboration with a French chemist. He provides advice down to the molecular level. Specifically, I plan the effects, scent, aesthetic, and usability based on my knowledge, experience, and intuition, and he supports it with his scientific knowledge and experiments as we pursue it as a team.
Of course, effectiveness is important, but so are the scent and the user experience. Even if something is highly effective, it's unusable if it's not pleasant. Furthermore, since the human body doesn't always react predictably, we conducted numerous tests to observe its response during actual use.
Ultimately, all products are judged by my own sensory experience and perceived effects when I use them, so I made quite a few demands (laughs).
For example, when creating "Perfect Essence," an anti-aging blend oil, I asked to increase the amount of rose and sandalwood by a few percent midway through. Rose is a very expensive essential oil, so the chemist told me, "Increasing the rose content that much will raise the price, and a few percent increase won't change the scent or effect." But I really wanted something that I myself could be satisfied with.
When it was finished, the depth of the fragrance was indeed different. He argued that this difference was imperceptible to humans, but in a blind test, the subtle difference was clear to me. Furthermore, "Perfect Essence" is a blend oil that removes dead skin cells, and the way it removed them was completely different. This greatly surprised the chemists.
Fundamentally, it's a difference of just a few percent, so perhaps some people won't notice. But there is definitely something different. I would be happy if those who resonate with that could appreciate it, and I believe that "something different" is value.
If It's Easy, You Can Use It, and If You Feel It's Working, You Can Continue Using It
— Essential oils are generally used diluted, but SHIGETA oils can be used undiluted. Is this because of the high quality of the essential oils?
Quality is a factor, but the key is the blending. SHIGETA's essential oils are blended to be applied directly to the body. Therefore, not all commercially available oils can be applied directly, so please be careful about that.
The series of blended essential oils, selectable by purpose, comprises 11 types in total.
"River of Life" is a circulation blend that leads to a healthy body.
SHIGETA's essential oils are extracted from organically grown plants. Organic plants are very powerful, so the efficacy of the essential oils is also potent. We carefully select the farming families, such as chamomile from this farm and sage from that farm. To create safe blended oils, the quality of the essential oils themselves must be high.
The reason people use oils is usually for a specific purpose, such as relaxation or improving their physical condition. However, many people are busy with their daily lives and have limited time to dedicate to themselves. Consequently, things that require a lot of effort are hard to maintain. I understand this well, as I am also quite lazy (laughs).
Therefore, when creating these oils, I thought based on myself, assuming that if I, who dislike hassle, can't do it, then others probably can't either. As a result, we developed oils that can be used without dilution or blending, and that are effective even when just applied, although massage is also recommended.
If it's easy, you can use it, and if you feel it's working, you can continue using it. Furthermore, when you see results from continued use, you can move on to the next step. That's the goal (laughs).
With just a little effort, your body can change dramatically. I would be delighted if SHIGETA could be the "spark for your beauty."
Chico SHIGETA
Founder of SHIGETA. After exploring and experiencing various aspects of well-being in Japan and France, she established her original method based on natural therapies: Vitality Coaching®. Her highly sensitive therapies are frequently featured in French media and are highly acclaimed, particularly among celebrities, artists, and fashion designers in Paris. Currently, she is engaged in awareness activities to promote the importance of self-care, while also working as a consultant and brand spokesperson for major cosmetic companies.
SHIGETA
http://www.shigeta.fr
