I believe the concepts of organic and natural cosmetics, and holistic beauty, began to blossom in Japan around 2006. The market was buzzing with terms like LOHAS and ecology, and lifestyle and beauty were starting to become closely intertwined. The quintessential retail space for this was, of course, BPQC on the second basement floor of Isetan Shinjuku.

Two years later, BPQC was reborn as a beauty apothecary on the second floor. With this, organic and natural cosmetics became widely recognized as being for the discerning. Natural products, often associated with being gentle on the skin or bringing a sense of healing, were now in the spotlight, exuding a certain luxurious aura. Standing out brilliantly among them was SHIGETA.

SHIGETA was ahead of its time in proposing beauty methods through lifestyle. By combining the power of plants with dietary practices, self-massage, and breathing techniques, inner beauty is refined. While this is a common value today, there were no brands at the time that presented these ideas with such a modern worldview.

Among them, the blend essential oils, applied directly to the skin for massage, were particularly distinctive. In Japan, where it was recommended to always dilute essential oils to 1% or less due to their potential skin irritation, CHICO SHIGETA boldly introduced the "French method." In France, essential oils are used even for medical treatments, with direct application and even ingestion being recommended. For CHICO, who had been a therapist in France, this was a natural choice.

However, CHICO is, of course, mindful of skin sensitivity. Not only is it important that the essential oils are pure, with no chemical substances used in their distillation or extraction, but the art of blending is paramount. CHICO personally determines all combinations after analyzing the molecular structure of the essential oils.

Originally, CHICO wanted to encourage self-care for clients with diverse concerns when providing treatments at her salon. One day, she thought, "If I could create blends that address about 10 common concerns, people without aromatherapy knowledge could practice self-care." Thus, 10 blend essential oils were born, named poetically yet accurately reflecting their purpose, such as "River of Life" and "Innocent Purity."

Beyond their efficacy, the scents themselves are wonderfully profound. "Good medicine tastes bitter" is not a phrase that applies to SHIGETA. They possess a narrative quality, like fine perfumes, that can enchant those around you.

CHICO explains that she combines scents as if creating a person. Instead of setting a goal like "I want this kind of scent" from the outset, she considers a character and delves into it, which naturally leads to the selection of essential oils. This approach, she says, is common to all SHIGETA products, not just the blend essential oils. Rather than focusing solely on objectives like "balancing the autonomic nervous system" or "detoxifying the body and mind," she perceives them as "people who bring comfort" or "people who uplift." The latter perspective allows for a much deeper and broader range of elements to be encompassed. This can be considered a holistic viewpoint, and it is why the scents carry such stories.

SHIGETA is a perfect match for women who exude a certain effortless yet supremely stylish charm – those who wear a bold red lipstick with bare skin, or pair a crisp shirt with casual denim. I believe this is because SHIGETA's essential yet charming allure fits perfectly with their individual characters.

SHIGETA
Blend Essential Oils
Deep Breath 5mL ¥3,240 (incl. tax)
Morning Spark 5mL ¥3,240 (incl. tax)
Bon Appetit 5mL ¥3,240 (incl. tax)
Golden Drops 15mL ¥7,560 (incl. tax)
Midnight Lustre 15mL ¥5,400 (incl. tax)
Sweet Dream 15mL ¥5,400 (incl. tax)
Innocent Purity 15mL ¥6,480 (incl. tax)
Body Mind Spirit 15mL ¥6,480 (incl. tax)
Free Me 15mL ¥5,400 (incl. tax)
River of Life 15mL ¥6,480 (incl. tax)

AYANA
Beauty writer. After gaining experience in product planning and development at a cosmetics company, she became independent. Her main work involves articulating the essence of products created for beauty and the people involved in beauty. She helps women find new ways to perceive themselves and the world beautifully.

Instagram:tw0lipswithfang
www.ayana.tokyo

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