BEAUTY /
THE EXPERTS
October 1, 2018
Series: Michiko Fujiwara, September 2018 | Backward Thinking for a Beautiful Life
Series: Michiko Fujiwara, September 2018 | Backward Thinking for a Beautiful Life
My New Book on What to Consider and Do to Live Beautifully
This book is my new release, "LIFE IS BEAUTY: Backward Thinking for a Beautiful and Happy Life" (Shueisha). It compiles my 15-year serialization in the women's magazine "BAILA" (Shueisha), which was themed around "a series that provides guidance for living," with added and revised content. It touches upon not only makeup and beauty concerns but also fashion, romance, relationships, work, finances, and life itself.
Photographs ＆ Text by FUJIWARA Michiko
How My Work as a Hair and Makeup Artist Broadened My Thinking
Some of you might be wondering why I, as a hair and makeup artist, delve into topics beyond makeup and beauty. The truth is, being a hair and makeup artist requires the ability to grasp and assess various elements instantaneously.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a person's facial features? What is their inner charm and individuality? I must discern these the moment I meet them, emphasizing their best features while downplaying any perceived flaws. Sometimes, what appears to be a flaw can be transformed into a unique characteristic, or I might bring forth an inner charm that the person themselves hasn't yet recognized through their hair and makeup.
Therefore, it's not enough to simply create trendy hairstyles and makeup or follow a manual; it's a profession that demands the ability to read a multitude of external and internal human elements.
Furthermore, for fashion shoots, I create looks that meet the requests of stylists and photographers. For commercial shoots, the hair and makeup are tailored to the director's vision.
However, for beauty shoots in magazines, I decide on the specific look based on the storyboard provided by the editor and beauty editor, and I select outfits prepared by the stylist that complement the hair and makeup concept and the model.
After the shoot, explaining the makeup, the concept behind it, and the type of woman currently in demand are all part of a hair and makeup artist's job, providing necessary information for the editorial content.
I believe that the many demands of my work have expanded my way of thinking.
What Is the Meaning of Aging?
For several years now, I've held a firm conviction: "The meaning of aging is to become happy," and "We age in order to become happier." This stems from my growing certainty that women truly shine and become more attractive when they are in a state of happiness.
While becoming cute or beautiful through makeup and fashion, or expressing one's unique individuality, is important for women, it is merely a step in the process toward achieving a happy state, not the final destination.
In reality, we often face difficulties and lack emotional余裕. However, it's also true that changing one's perspective or way of thinking can instantly transform both reality and one's facial expression and beauty. I've witnessed this transformation firsthand in the makeup room for many years. During or immediately after a hair and makeup session, I've often seen the expressions and aura of models, previously clouded by various factors, transform into radiance.
I privately refer to this moment as "stars entering the eyes."
Being able to witness these moments is the true reward of this profession, and I can say that I've honed my hair and makeup techniques and studied psychology precisely to be able to see them.
Aiming for a Beauty Beyond "Cute" and "Beautiful"
Of course, as a person and a woman myself, I've experienced my share of worries and difficult times, and I've gone through much trial and error to figure out how I should think and act.
And so, a few years ago, driven by a desire to be helpful to others by leveraging my experiences and the many insights gained practically through my profession as a hair and makeup artist, I added the title "Lifestyle Designer"—implying "way of life"—to my professional title of "Hair and Makeup Artist."
I believe this book truly symbolizes both of these aspects. I would be delighted if women who aspire to a total beauty—a captivating, radiant, and happy woman beyond just "cute" or "beautiful"—would read it.