Flaws Cannot Be Fixed, So Compensate with Strengths

NagatomiWhat were you like as a child?

FujiwaraI was intuitive, and I still am. My life is guided by intuition (laughs)! Perhaps it's also because I'm not the type of person who can make plans or think things through carefully.

NagatomiCould you share an episode that led you to decide to live by your intuition?

FujiwaraFor example, during summer vacation in elementary school, I planned to go for a run with my brother every morning. But one morning, for some reason, I didn't feel like running. Yet, my brother ended up taking me along. Then, for some reason, my shoelaces came untied repeatedly, and in the end, I injured myself on the way home, leaving a scar that's still there today. Whenever I ignore my intuition and do something, I always end up with a serious leg injury. Also, the idea that I "can't make plans or think things through carefully" was a complex for me in my twenties. But at one point, I decided to accept myself as I am, thinking, "Flaws can't be fixed, that's just how it is." That made me feel so much lighter and gave me a great opportunity to develop my own strengths.

NagatomiWhen I struggle to fix my flaws, I often end up feeling even more "I'm such a failure..." So, just hearing this today has made me feel much clearer. If you only focus on your flaws, you end up not knowing what your strengths are.

FujiwaraExactly. Instead, I think you should find something that compensates for your flaws and combine them. For instance, I believe I have great concentration, but I also get bored easily. If I have three manuscripts to work on, I'll work on A for 30 minutes, then if I get tired, I'll clean or eat, then work on B for 10 minutes, do something else, then C for 15 minutes. I alternate between them. In essence, I compensate for my tendency to get bored with my concentration. I think it's about skillfully combining strengths and weaknesses.

We welcome makeup artist Michiko Fujiwara
Michiko Fujiwara x Chiharu Nagatomi: A Conversation (Part 1)

The Life of Michiko Fujiwara, a Top Runner in the Pursuit of Beauty (2)

NagatomiDid you start running in line with that?

FujiwaraI started running last year. My pelvis had become quite aligned, and I felt like I wanted to do something with this body. But I didn't know what. Then, I was offered a project for the New York Half Marathon. "Yes, this is it!" That was intuition too. After I started running, I figured out how to keep at it.

NagatomiYou, who get bored easily!

FujiwaraYes. I realized that if I find my own ways to maintain motivation and make an effort, I can continue. Then, with renewed confidence in my ability to stick with things, I also started Ashtanga yoga at the end of last year, something I had wanted to do for a long time. This time, I want to have a "usable body."

NagatomiBut your body is already more than perfect, with no wasted parts! It's a shame I can't show your entire outfit today, but seeing your toned, lean legs, I thought, "Only someone with legs like these could pull off sandals and jeans!" And I suspect that if it were me, I'd struggle and struggle, then give up and repeat the cycle of not reaching my goals. But you, Ms. Fujiwara, radiate an aura of "I'm enjoying myself" rather than "I'm working hard." You're so active!

FujiwaraI've always been light on my feet (laughs). If I think, "Oh, this looks interesting," I start right away. But I don't stick with things for long. I often used to say that the only thing I stick with is my work. But this time, as I've gotten older, a desire has grown within me to focus on and master something I truly want to do. The big catalyst was wanting to become a lighter version of myself. Yoga was the concrete method for achieving that.

NagatomiWhat do you mean by "lighter"?

FujiwaraIt's purely an image, but a light physique, light movements, and a light heart. In other words, I dislike a sluggish body or way of thinking. I believe that your mindset is reflected in your physique, so I want to become a supple, light self with nothing superfluous.

We welcome makeup artist Michiko Fujiwara
Michiko Fujiwara x Chiharu Nagatomi: A Conversation (Part 1)

The Life of Michiko Fujiwara, a Top Runner in the Pursuit of Beauty (3)

FujiwaraYes. I realized that life only moves in the direction you're consciously heading. As I wrote in the OPENERS series recently, perhaps life is surprisingly simple.

NagatomiWhen I hear inspiring people speak, I truly feel that's the case. By the way, there's something I've been wanting to ask you: How is married life?

FujiwaraIt's fun. It's like living in a shared dormitory (laughs). Since it's a marriage between adults, there's no role of wife or mother, we're like comrades. It's very easy.

NagatomiDid you want to get married?

FujiwaraNo. Not at all (laughs). But shortly before we met, I started thinking that perhaps it was time for me to enjoy my daily life too, and that it would be nice to have someone to share my life with. Of course, I was consciously living a busy, work-centered life. Then, the following year, we met. We knew of each other, but we'd never spoken, and he wasn't my type (laughs)! It seems he felt the same way (laughs). But we naturally ended up getting married. So, I really think the unconscious mind is powerful.

NagatomiIt's not just the unconscious, it feels like a form of summoning. Because, forgive me for saying so, but when you, Ms. Fujiwara, decide on something, it's as if it arrives saying, "I've been waiting!" The way you say, "Oh, it's here, oops!" is also very charming. Moreover, you're not hesitant, you're not lost, and there's no forced feeling or strange calculation. So, it makes people want to offer you more and more, saying, "Please take this, and this too!" That's why I think it's impossible to take my eyes off you. What do you all think? So, my final question is, what are Ms. Fujiwara's "three sacred treasures of beauty"? My colleagues insisted I absolutely had to ask you this...

FujiwaraNever give up, don't be lazy, and enjoy yourself. That mindset drives your actions, influences your choices, and leads to beauty.

NagatomiNoted, noted. Everyone, did you hear that? Thank you very much! In the second part, we will discuss autumn/winter makeup.