Kyoko's Direct Tips for Using "Laminaze"!

Kyoko has been a fan of Hifuken's products since the days of "Consider Mal," the precursor to the "Laminaze" skincare series, which is now discontinued. She began to focus more on herself around the age of 40.

──Could you tell us about your usual skincare routine?

Until my 30s, I thought my skin was strong, and I even chose cosmetics based on their packaging design (laughs). Nothing really stuck. But after turning 40, I started to feel that I needed to take better care of my face and body. When I take good care of my skin, I feel confident on any stage, and by taking care of my body, I've been able to try various styles of clothing. Since realizing this, skincare and body care have become the absolute basics of my daily life.

──How is your skin condition?

It varies from day to day and season to season. I think it's common for women, but I have an oily T-zone and dry skin around my eyes.

My personal way of using Laminaze involves applying my own small-portioned "Moist Lotion" for hydration when I fly, followed by a mask. To further enhance hydration, I apply a thick layer of the "Face Up Cream" serum, soak a commercially available sheet mask in Moist Lotion, place it on my face, wrap it with plastic wrap, and leave it for about an hour. After removing the wrap and mask, my skin feels plump, and I gently pat in the remaining lotion, thinking, "Absorb, absorb." This makes a significant difference in how foundation applies. Since an hour in the morning flies by while I'm doing other things, I highly recommend trying this.

──What do you like about the Laminaze series?

I think many people feel this way, but when you come home after drinking at night, if there are too many skincare steps, you tend to think, "I'll skip it tonight." Laminaze is easy because it only requires three steps: removing makeup and impurities, hydrating the skin, and protecting it. When I get home, I first apply the "Moist Cleansing Balm" cleanser and let it sit for a while to loosen impurities before washing, then I use the lotion and cream.

──What are your impressions of the results?

I truly recommend the viscous lotion and the gel-like cream. When I started using Laminaze, the Hifuken professor, who had conducted research at Shiseido for many years, lectured me, emphasizing that "the future of cosmetics will be led by nanotechnology peptides and lamellar structures (※1)." His explanation was fascinating, and as I continued to use the products, I really felt the effects of "penetration and persistence."※1This refers to the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum of the skin, where water and oil form alternating layers, resembling a sandwich. This is called a lamellar structure. Hifuken developed the "Laminaze Skincare Series" cosmetics with a structure similar to these intercellular lipids and obtained world patents (Europe, USA, Japan). Lamellar technology is even a registered trademark of Hifuken.

※1＝The intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum of the skin have water and oil forming alternating layers, resembling a sandwich. This is called a lamellar structure. Hifuken developed the "Laminaze Skincare Series" cosmetics with a structure similar to these intercellular lipids and obtained world patents (Europe, USA, Japan). Lamellar technology is even a registered trademark of Hifuken.

Hifuken｜SKINCARE

Regarding my skin, I often think, "I can't go back to those days."

Kyoko and Hifuken Discuss "Laminaze" (Part 2)

The important thing is, "I'll start now, from today!"

──Where do you get your cosmetic information, Kyoko?

Actually, I have a girls' night out called "Cosme Kai" with a beauty magazine editor, a PR person from a foreign cosmetics company, and the drummer Yuuko Araki. We chat and have fun. This summer, I bought and tried many sunscreens, but they told me at Cosme Kai, "You apply lotion first, then sunscreen!! That's the norm now (laughs)," so I've been doing that (laughs).

──Sun exposure is a major enemy, isn't it?

Absolutely. Sun exposure is a direct cause of aging, and your eyes can get sunburned too, so sunglasses are essential. Even if you think "it's okay" at the time, if you don't properly address it, it can lead to serious problems.

Regarding my skin, I often think, "I can't go back to those days." Therefore, the important thing is, "I'll start now, from today!" I start now because I won't see a difference between today and tomorrow. It's about "maintaining the present" and not letting aging progress from the moment I decide. But I really wish I had taken better care of myself when I was younger.

──What about body care?

Since going solo, I've started wearing various outfits, and my body is like an instrument itself, so I've done a lot of training. Recently, I've been doing Fanbo, a professional workout method. It's designed by someone in the ballet world to train the inner muscles, and when you build balanced muscles, you don't get as tired. Similarly, my face has muscles, so I often do face stretching (face yoga, facial muscle exercises).

──What are your favorite items from the Laminaze line?

I always want to keep the Moist Lotion on hand, but as we head into winter, the Face Up Cream, which blends well with the skin, becomes indispensable.

──Besides skincare, what do you do for your skin in terms of diet and lifestyle?

In the past, raw vegetables were avoided because they were thought to "cool the body," but recently, people say, "Enzymes are good for the body, so eat them first." Enzymes are often discussed at Cosme Kai. They are good for dieting and significantly improve skin firmness, so I now eat raw vegetables first. Beauty is constantly evolving, so I want to remain sensitive without holding onto fixed ideas.

Hifuken｜SKINCARE
Because you get immediate reactions, live performances are truly exciting!

Kyoko and Hifuken Discuss "Laminaze" (Part 3)

I'm practicing sword fighting privately for a stage play next year.

──So, you have a live performance in December and a play at Honda Theater in the new year, correct?

The live performance "Kyoko LIVE 'Saisei 3 ~Narcissus White~'" on December 21st (Wednesday) at Blues Alley Japan in Meguro is part of a series held in spring and summer this year. This time, the theme is Narcissus White.

──What were the themes for spring and summer?

Spring's theme was Cherry Blossom Pink, and summer's was Helianthus Yellow. For this live performance, both the songs and costumes adhere to the theme color. Narcissus White for this occasion represents the white of daffodils. As Christmas is also approaching, it will be an acoustic live performance with guitar, violin, and percussion. Please come and join us.

──And then, in the new year, you have the period drama musical "URASUJI IV ~Adabana~," correct?

This is the fourth installment of the period drama musical, written and directed by Takeshi Matsumura of Kamikamu Mini Kinna. It's scaled up from the previous productions at Shimokitazawa's Suzunari to the Honda Theater this time, and it will be my first time co-starring with Nana Kinomi. The music ranges from rock to enka and original songs, and the sword fighting is sharp, so please look forward to it.

──I'm looking forward to it.

Period Drama Musical "URASUJI IV ~Adabana~"
Shimokitazawa Honda Theater
Main Performances: January 25 (Wed) - January 29 (Sun), 2012
Special Live: January 30 (Mon)

Kyoko Official Website
http://www.office-augusta.com/kyoko/

Hifuken
http://hifuken.com/