KOBAKO | Chiharu Nagatomi x Kiho Watanabe: "KOBAKO nails" Debut Dialogue (Part 1)

KOBAKO

Chiharu Nagatomi x Kiho Watanabe: "KOBAKO nails" Debut Talk (Part 1)

“Let’s start by creating healthy, rosy nails” (1)

"KOBAKO nails," developed with top nailist Kiho Watanabe, who heads the total beauty salon "uka," as a product advisor, is launching this autumn. KOBAKO is a beauty tool brand advised by beauty journalist Chiharu Nagatomi. With Kaijirushi's technology, inheriting the tradition of Japanese craftsmanship, and Kiho Watanabe's expertise joining forces for a nail care line, expectations are high! To celebrate the release of the first collection, the "Loose Cuticle Care Line," on September 13th (Tuesday), we present a special talk between Chiharu Nagatomi and Kiho Watanabe.

Text by Harumi SomeyaPhotos by Emiko Hara

Congratulations! KOBAKO nails Debut! A Shared Vision for "Easy-to-Use Nail Tools"

Kiho“KOBAKO nails” has finally been released.

NagatomiYes, finally. The first release includes all 6 items from the "Loose Cuticle Care Line," and in November, the "Styling Line" with all 11 items will debut.

──First, could you tell us about this project?

Chiharu Nagatomi

NagatomiWe had talked about wanting to do nails for KOBAKO for a while, but it wasn't progressing concretely. Then, by chance, I had an opportunity to be with Kiho, and while talking with Takeuchi-san from Kaijirushi, Kiho mentioned, "Actually, I also want to create nail care products." So, we decided to go for it! That's how it all started.
As a nailist, Kiho has an exceptional sense, and she pursues the inherent beauty of nails beyond just design. Above all, I felt this was a matter of "destiny," so I knew I had to ask Kiho. Things came together very quickly after that.

KihoIn an era where gel nails and designs can be easily done at home, what nailists need to secure their work is, after all, "care techniques." Nailists who possess solid skills and can also provide advice on maintaining healthy nails will be increasingly in demand.

Nail care not only enhances appearance but also provides a sense of "well-being," and it is professional nailists who can offer this. I want more people to experience the satisfying care provided by professionals, but those who visit nail salons are still a minority.

Kiho Watanabe

So, what should we do? First, we need to increase the number of people interested in nails. For that, I believe we need solid tools that allow people to truly feel the importance of nail care. The future form might be a fusion of home care and salon care, where people occasionally visit a salon to learn techniques, practice them at home, and then return to the salon for touch-ups.

NagatomiI see.

KihoAfter hearing from you, Nagatomi-san, I felt that with Kaijirushi, we could create easy-to-use tools by adding a few professional touches to the products we use in salons. And under the KOBAKO brand! I said "I want to do it!" on the spot (laughs).

NagatomiIt's an honor!

KOBAKO

Chiharu Nagatomi x Kiho Watanabe: "KOBAKO nails" Debut Talk (Part 1)

“Let’s start by creating healthy, rosy nails” (2)

We Aimed for a Mature Look with a Deliberately Simple Design

KihoWhen considering the product lineup, Kaijirushi already had a solid foundation of ideas from their experience creating various tools, so we refined those with a more professional perspective. Then, as the products started to take shape and we moved into the design and sales strategy phase, it was Nagatomi-san's turn!

Regarding the product colors, I was the one who initially said I didn't want too much color. Commercially, cute things sell better, but I wanted to create something with a mature feel. There are plenty of cute pink nail polish kits available elsewhere (laughs). So, I wanted to create something that wouldn't look out of place sitting in a room, something that both women and men could use. I'm grateful they accommodated my rather stubborn opinion.

NagatomiI had absolutely no objections; I was completely in agreement.

KihoFor example, the "Nail File" from the Styling Line (releasing mid-November). This gradient is truly beautiful. We currently have six, but I'd love to increase that number if possible. In reality, the angle and grit can be adjusted in any way, so we can make as many as we want (laughs).

Compact Nippers That Easily Cut with Just a Pinch

KihoAmong the 6 items in the "Loose Cuticle Care Line" being released, the "Compact Nippers" were the most challenging to develop. We made quite a few requests, so Kaijirushi seemed to have a tough time (laughs).

NagatomiThese nippers are truly excellent. They are simple, highly safe, and easy to use. When I researched this time, it seems that this type of tweezer-style nipper apparently existed in the past. They were made overseas and seemed to have been available in Japan for a while.

"Compact Nippers" ¥1,890

KihoThis shape is achievable if you think about it, so I thought there must be others like it, and that they should naturally exist. Indeed, I saw them in Paris in the spring. Of course, I bought one. But after using it, my impression was that it didn't cut well. They clearly didn't focus on the blade's sharpness. The point of nippers is to cut cuticle and hangnails smoothly, but these weren't made to cut.

NagatomiNippers that don't cut force you to pull at the cuticle and hangnails, which is painful, isn't it?

KihoJapan also had similar products in the past, but they didn't catch on, probably for that very reason. So, not as a direct copy, but as a lesson learned, we focused intensely on the blade's sharpness for KOBAKO's nippers. We kept saying, "Make it cut better, make it cut better," and after countless prototypes, we finally achieved nippers that "easily cut with just a pinch." Naturally, we're very proud of them.

"Cuticle Pusher" ¥1,890

NagatomiThe "Cuticle Pusher" perfectly fits the curve of the nail surface, so with just a gentle glide, the loose cuticle (nail keratin) comes off smoothly and surprisingly easily. Previously, when trimming cuticles, I'd have to push hard and sometimes it would hurt! But with this cuticle pusher, it can be done without strain, and then the remaining parts can be neatly trimmed with the compact nippers. It's truly smart.

KihoBefore that, don't forget the "Cuticle Remover." When applied, it softens hardened cuticles and sebum, so it doesn't strain the nails. Just as you'd soak your body in a sauna before a scrub to soften the skin, soak your nails in warm water. If you don't have time to soak them, apply plenty of this cuticle remover before care.

KOBAKO

Chiharu Nagatomi x Kiho Watanabe: "KOBAKO nails" Debut Talk (Part 1)

“Let’s start by creating healthy, rosy nails” (3)

Nail Care Should Naturally Be a Pleasant Experience

NagatomiWhen you receive care at a skilled salon, it's truly pleasant and the results are wonderful. However, I hear that at less meticulous salons, it can be painful.

"Cuticle Pusher"

KihoExactly. People who avoid nail care often dislike it because it's painful.

NagatomiI'm currently researching this and gathering specific accounts. Quite a few people say, "I had a painful experience at an inexpensive salon, so I don't want to go to salons anymore." Therefore, they want to do it themselves. This is where tools become necessary, and many voices express a desire for something more stylish than professional tools, something that makes the care process enjoyable.

KihoIn essence, unskilled care is painful. As one gains understanding and skill, the care becomes not just painless but pleasant. Nail care should naturally be a pleasant experience. I hope to convey that through KOBAKO's nail tools.

NagatomiMoreover, once you achieve beautiful nails, you naturally want to maintain that beauty. The way your nails grow changes, and even just applying a top coat can give your nails a beautiful, rosy hue. Nail polish also applies completely differently.

KihoFor those who find detailed work challenging, there's the "Multi-Remover Cloth." It uses fibers to remove dirt from the nail surface, so with a gentle scrubbing motion, similar to an exfoliating towel, you can achieve easy care without special tools. It's quite a remarkable item!

NagatomiThe cloth is truly convenient. You can even use it on the train (laughs).

KihoIn any case, the cuticle remover is absolutely essential. Please be sure not to scrub dry nails vigorously.

NagatomiTo gauge the time required for the entire care routine, I timed myself. The first time, it took 40 minutes. At that point, I thought, "I can't call this easy or quick." So, I set a goal to get it under 30 minutes (laughs). Now, it takes about 25 minutes.

KihoWe spend 40 minutes on client care.

NagatomiIndeed, when you're chatting, it takes about that long, doesn't it?

KihoNo, we're working intently (laughs). If it takes us professional nailists 40 minutes, it's natural for general users to take longer.

NagatomiSo that's how it is. Well, I guess that's unavoidable.

KihoYes, it's unavoidable. But considering the time and effort to go to a salon, self-care can be done anytime at home, whenever you like. In that sense, I think it's very convenient. Above all, it's simple.

NagatomiThat's right. Simplicity is the best.

KihoNow, let's talk about the "Styling Line" releasing in November.

To be continued in "KOBAKO nails" Debut Talk (Part 2)

Nagatomi-san and Kiho-san are drinking this!
uka's Original Drink "Bison"
Price: ¥800
A mix of soy milk, rich in protein essential for nail growth, low-calorie dried apricots, which are great for women, and yogurt, known for its skin-beautifying effects. Available at the total beauty salon "uka."

<INFORMATION>
Until September 17th (Saturday), a sales event for the "KOBAKO nails" Loose Cuticle Line is being held at the promotional space on the 1st floor cosmetics floor of Matsuya Ginza.
http://www.kobako.com/info/event/detail30.php

Kaijirushi Co., Ltd. Customer Service