Beauty
March 11, 2015
No. 28: Spring 2008 Beauty Trends (4) Advice: Skincare
Hiromi Kobayashi Guides! 2008 Spring Beauty Trends (4)
Personal Edition: My Own Beauty Trends
From spring into summer, skin concerns include clogged pores and thickened cuticles due to dust, sebum, and sweat. The skin also endures significant stress from UV rays and air pollution. So, we asked Ms. Kobayashi, "Hiromi-san, do you have any good product recommendations?"
Compiled by Harumi Someya (This Magazine)Narration by Hiromi KobayashiPhoto by Jamandfix
Rejuvenate Skin Cells with Night Cream
If you properly cleanse, moisturize, nourish, and seal in nutrients, cell division accelerates during sleep, generating new cells. Therefore, it's worth putting a little extra effort into your nighttime skincare routine. That's where night cream comes in.
My current favorite cream is Annick Goutal's "Crème Splendide Nuit." It's packed with vitamins and minerals, and rich in essential oils that help tired skin recover and replenish nutrients overnight. My skin feels incredibly smooth when I wake up.
Annick Goutal is a brand renowned for its fragrances, and the scent of this cream is truly wonderful. It's 100% rose, but not the common Damask or Bulgarian rose; it's a 'wild rose.' That's why it carries a leafy aroma. When you apply it before bed, as your body warms up under the covers, the fragrance rises, allowing the aromatherapy effect to lull you into a deep sleep.
Reveal Radiance with Scrub
When pores enlarge and cuticles thicken, skin becomes rough and dull. It's a shame to have a dull complexion when the season calls for bright makeup. It can also make you look older.
For daily care that keeps the skin's surface clear and smooth, minimizing the appearance of pores, scrubs are indispensable. Eve Lom's "Rescue Mask" is excellent. It contains finely crushed almonds, leaving your skin incredibly smooth after rinsing. Using it after your whitening treatments enhances translucency even further. Eve Lom is a British brand that has become very popular in Japan recently, with more shops opening.
From left: Blispa's body scrub "Lemon Peel," Eve Lom's "Rescue
Mask," and Annick Goutal's "Crème Splendide Nuit" (all personal items)
Removing dead skin cells invigorates metabolism and promotes skin turnover, restoring youthful, beautiful skin. As we'll be showing more skin heading into summer, let's not forget to care for our bodies as well as our faces.
After this kind of 'cleansing care,' it's crucial to intensify your UV protection. Many people get caught up in 'attack' treatments but tend to forget 'defensive care.' Aggressive beauty treatments can have adverse effects if not performed with adequate protection, so be mindful.
Eyelashes: Can They Be Grown and Multiplied?
Thick, long eyelashes make eyes appear larger and more beautiful. Consequently, many women are particular about mascara, but recently, the idea of 'just growing them longer' has become another option. First, there are eyelash extensions. And then there are 'lash-enhancing serums.'
Left: M·A·C "LIQUIDLAST LINER," Right: Jan Marini "Age Intervention
Lash Conditioner" (both personal items)
Jan Marini's "Age Intervention Lash Conditioner" is applied with a thin stroke along the lash line each night before bed, gradually making lashes thicker and longer. Its shape and application are very similar to a liquid eyeliner.
It retails for around 25,000 yen in Japan. It's a bit pricey for a serum, but it sells out incredibly fast. After all, the final result is your own natural lashes. While extensions cost around 15,000 yen per session, they require touch-ups as your natural lashes grow, leading to continuous expenses. That's the drawback.
Vibrant, Bright Colors for the Eyes
The dark, heavy deep colors of winter are over, and the streets are gradually becoming more colorful. This spring and summer fashion, in particular, is bursting with color, pattern, and art, so let's brighten up our makeup too!
When it comes to enjoying color, the eyes are the place to be, especially with eyeliner. The key is to use color as an accent – perhaps just on the upper lid, lower lid, or along the lash line. This year, there are many bright and beautiful colored eyeliners available, so find your favorite. My recommendation is M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics) liquid liner. They have a wide range of colors, but the "Aqua Line" in green-blue is particularly stunning. It's a metallic shade with gold pearl, a truly beautiful color that will give you a modern look.
Next time is the final installmentPersonal Edition: My Own Beauty Trends. Please look forward to it!
