“An adult with something to be passionate about is unstoppable”

Kiho WatanabeToday, our theme is “When you have something you're passionate about, you become more beautiful.” Hiromi, you're currently obsessed with Takarazuka, right?

Hiromi YamamotoAs you get older, it becomes harder to fall in love (laughs), and you tend to have fewer things to be passionate about. But now that I've become a fan of Takarazuka, it feels like everything else has blossomed at once. An adult with something to be passionate about is unstoppable (laughs).

KihoExactly (laughs).

Hiromi Yamamoto

HiromiWhen one thing takes off, it lifts everything else up with it, and everything else works out positively. First of all, I became more energetic. That's for sure. I started paying more attention to fashion, became more proactive in various areas, and my range of interests has greatly expanded.

KihoWhat I'm passionate about now are the performers. After getting involved in stage productions as part of my nail work, I first fell in love with the charm of the stage, and now I'm captivated by the talent of the performers. Of course, thanks to Hiromi, I'm also a fan of Takarazuka.

— We hear you share many hobbies besides Takarazuka.

KihoThat's right. I've known Hiromi for over 10 years now.

HiromiWe met by chance while working together and hit it off immediately. A few months later, we were on a trip to LA together (laughs).

KihoBack then, I wasn't used to working on photoshoots, so I was very nervous when I heard I'd be working with Hiromi. When I got to the set, she was stuffing her luggage into a large Birkin bag, and I thought, 'Wow, she's a celebrity! She's amazing.'

HiromiHahaha.

KihoBut when we started talking, she was so friendly. We ended up going out for dinner right after, so we really hit it off quickly.

HiromiAnd then, to Los Angeles. That trip really brought us closer. Since then, our trips to LA have become an annual tradition. Although I've paused them a bit since I got into Takarazuka (laughs).

It’s great to have small goals that make you feel fulfilled each time.

HiromiWhen you have something you're passionate about, you become more beautiful. Kiho, you've become particularly beautiful. Before, you were rather indifferent to your appearance, weren't you? But now you put effort into it.

KihoWhen I go to see Takarazuka with Hiromi and others, the performers on stage are dazzling, but everyone in the audience is dazzling too. Seeing that made me think I should be dazzling too.

HiromiBeauty is a balance between appearance and inner self. When you're young, outward beauty is paramount, but as you get older, that outward beauty gradually fades. So, you compensate with inner beauty, such as health. But as you age, even maintaining good health becomes challenging. In the end, what supports you is inner beauty—your spirit, your energy.
By having outward beauty, inner beauty, and spiritual beauty, adults can generate various kinds of energy. That's why adults who have something they're passionate about—whether it's work, love, or a hobby—are strong.

KihoDoing what we love, seeing what we love—we have these small goals appearing before us, and we strive towards them. I feel like that's what creates this good state we're in now.

HiromiI agree! People often say that when you fall in love, your body produces a wonderful beauty serum from within. And that it's far more effective than any serum you apply to your skin. I truly believe that's the case. Being passionate requires energy, and that energy is generated by being passionate.

KihoIt's like a powerful force pulls you up from above. That makes you feel energetic. And because you feel energetic, you become beautiful.

I'm having way more fun now than in my 20s!

HiromiJust as there were ways to enjoy things in your 20s because you were young, adults have their own ways of being passionate. The best part? We have money. We can make things happen with money, at least (laughs).

KihoWe can even go all the way to Osaka to see Takarazuka.

HiromiIf I had tried to go to Osaka in my 20s, I probably would have taken a local train. In other words, I had plenty of time but no money. As an adult, you have less time, but you have various forms of wisdom and financial freedom, so you can be passionate in different ways.

KihoSince we're going anyway, let's stay at the Ritz-Carlton. And while we're there, let's do this and that—we can pack our trips with activities. We've learned to enjoy things in that way.

HiromiAdults have a sense of propriety, which, for better or worse, can hold us back, making it hard to fully enjoy things. But when you have something you're passionate about, you can easily shed those inhibitions and think, 'I don't need this.' In that sense, having something to be passionate about is incredibly valuable for adults.

Profile
Hiromi Yamamoto (Hair & Makeup Artist)

After graduating from the Shiseido Beauty School, she worked for a cosmetics company as a hair and makeup artist, involved in advertising, public relations, and product development. She became a freelancer in 1992.
Focusing on “beauty from a consumer's perspective,” she presents simple and easy-to-understand beauty theories, primarily in beauty and women's magazines. She is active in a wide range of fields, including makeup, writing columns, appearing in talk shows, and advising on cosmetic product development.