After two years of consistent use, my skin feels like its fundamental strength has improved.

We heard from actress Miki Mizuno that after attending CP Salon's facial esthetics, she began to pay more attention to her skin's maintenance and has since been able to face her own skin. In this conversation, we'll be asking about everything from Mizuno-san's recent favorite items to her encounter with Tai Chi, featured in her exercise DVD & BOOK "The Jane Tai Chi: Chao Yen's Aesthetic Tai Chi x Miki Mizuno" released this spring, and her future acting career.

NagatomiSo, to start, your skin condition has been good lately, hasn't it?

MizunoYes, it has. I used to be unable to stick with one cosmetic product and used them quite haphazardly. But about two years ago, I discovered CP Cosmetics' "Sowaynu Basic Line" and for the first time, I tried using the entire line seriously. To my surprise, my skin stabilized, I had fewer problems, and my makeup lasted longer.

NagatomiSo you finally noticed the effects of skincare?

MizunoExactly. It feels like my skin's fundamental strength has improved. That's why I use it diligently every day now.

NagatomiWhen you use a line consistently for two years, your skin starts to become what that brand aims for.

MizunoIs that so? I didn't really do much skincare in my 20s. Just thoroughly removing my makeup, I suppose. Other than that, I only used things like toners from drugstores...

NagatomiReally!? You do a lot of action scenes, and the stage lighting is intense; how did you manage with just that?

NagatomiWhen do you particularly notice your skin's condition improving?

MizunoI basically have dry skin, but when I apply the night cream before bed, I wake up in the morning with a translucent and moisturized complexion. When I travel overseas or to other parts of the country, I always bring just the toner and night cream; they've saved me. They taught me the importance of consistency.

Actress Miki Mizuno Appears

Miki Mizuno x Chiharu Nagatomi (Part 1)

“Physical Strength is Essential for Beauty” (2)

You must be strong as an energy being to convey your message.

NagatomiThirty does seem to be a significant milestone, doesn't it?

MizunoI truly felt it; I realized I couldn't continue with the same energy I had in my 20s. My stamina and skin's resilience were declining, and even with exercise and diet, I got tired more easily, right? When you're tired, nothing is fun. If you want to enjoy anything, fundamental physical strength is truly important.

NagatomiWhat kind of training do you usually do, Mizuno-san?

MizunoI train in action for about six hours once a week. I train so intensely that I can barely move the next day.

NagatomiThey say it leads to supple muscles. Stage performers are amazing. You train that hard.

MizunoAction is my job, so training is part of my work. Stage performances are incredibly draining. Just standing on stage and speaking lines is exhausting. Therefore, you need to be strong as an energy being to convey your message. If you want to truly reach the audience, you need stamina.

Actress Miki Mizuno Appears

Miki Mizuno x Chiharu Nagatomi (Part 1)

“Physical Strength is Essential for Beauty” (3)

What are the effects and benefits of Chen-style Tai Chi?

NagatomiI watched your exercise DVD. Can I do it too?

MizunoOf course. This was a project for "Jane" magazine, where they asked me, "Would you like to try learning Tai Chi?" I was already interested in it privately and had some experience, so I learned from Chao Yen, a disciple of the lineage holder of Chen-style Tai Chi, considered the origin of Tai Chi.

NagatomiIs it different from the Tai Chi we know?

MizunoIn Japan, when people say Tai Chi, they often mean the Simplified Tai Chi, where movements are abbreviated and made gentler. Chao Yen is a young, cute teacher in her 20s, a master of Chen-style Tai Chi, which originated 500 years ago. I wanted to meet her and studied with her for about a month.

NagatomiHow was it after you learned?

MizunoThere were parts similar to action, like how you lower your stance and the fist punches. The movements with varying tempo were difficult, but the stances are cool.

NagatomiYou learned it in a month?

MizunoChen-style Tai Chi has complex and diverse movements condensed into eight forms (8 postures) that are performed in sequence. The most important aspect is the visualization of 'qi'.

NagatomiVisualization of 'qi'?

MizunoThe sequence of movements takes only about a minute, but because you're lowering your stance, it's more strenuous than it looks (laughs). But it feels good while you're doing it, and when you concentrate, your distracting thoughts are washed away, leaving you feeling calm. The effect on your mind is particularly good.

NagatomiAre you still doing it now?

MizunoI did it in the garden in Hawaii. It feels incredibly good to do it outdoors. It's great not only when you're feeling unfit but also when you want to concentrate or warm up your body. When you lower your stance, your inner thigh muscles are engaged, and to maintain your upper body, you use your core abdominal muscles.

NagatomiInner muscles and core muscles! I have to do it right now!

MizunoYou don't have to be strict about the Tai Chi forms and flow. Once you vaguely remember the forms, you can move in a way that feels good to you. The important thing is to feel the 'qi'.