For this revision, various sections have been rewritten to reflect the present.

This includes not only the order and techniques for makeup and hair, but also the types and descriptions of hair tools and cosmetics, how to choose makeup colors, and which colors are suitable. For example, what eyeshadow colors are okay and what colors are not for people with monolids. What blush colors suit people with fair skin, and so on. It also explains little tips separately for the general public and professionals, illustrates suitable cosmetics, colors, and techniques for creating feminine or cool images, and includes a glossary of makeup terms. It's a book that offers plenty to read and see (apologies for the self-praise).

I wrote this book during winter, and I remember diligently working on the manuscript even during the brief moments after returning home from work at night, not wanting to waste any time. That's how much manuscript there was; it felt like no matter how much I wrote, it would never decrease. Moreover, the layout was inconsistent, with some sections having X lines per Y columns and others having different dimensions. Initially, I felt dizzy from the sheer complexity, but as I got used to it, fitting the text precisely into the allotted space became a pleasure. Habit is a fearsome yet helpful thing, I thought, as I busily worked on the manuscript, recalling it as if it were yesterday.

For this revision, various sections have been rewritten to reflect the present, starting with the types of cosmetics and hair tools. Things that didn't exist or weren't common back then have been added. Among cosmetics, there's gel eyeliner, and among hair tools, curling irons and straighteners. It's been about three or four years since gel eyeliner appeared. At first, I wondered, "Hmm, I wonder? Will regular people use this?" But its positioning as a product that's more effective than eye pencils and easier to use than liquid liners was good, and it became a popular item along with the recent "eye-power makeup" trend. Curling irons became essential with the "voluminous hair" trend, and the rising awareness among young women who prioritize cute hairstyles pushed straighteners into becoming must-have items as well.

What Has Changed and What Hasn't in 13 Years (2)

The era will likely shift from "excess" to "refinement."

What has changed in 13 years is perhaps most notably the passion young women invest in their hair and makeup. Women's eyebrows are now 100% perfectly groomed, and false eyelashes, eyelash extensions, and gel nails are no longer special items but everyday essentials. The number of women who can skillfully use curling irons and straighteners to create cute hairstyles with their beautifully colored hair has increased, making it as easy as having breakfast. This passion among young women is currently at its peak. Looking ahead, I predict the era will shift from "excess" to "refinement." Refinement is born from the sense and余裕 (yoyu - composure/leeway) that allows one to subtract the superfluous from the maximum. And just as excess is naturally eliminated after reaching a boiling point, I believe women's hair and makeup will similarly enter an era of refinement.

Acquired Techniques Are Lifelong Assets

While women's attitudes have changed considerably in 13 years, the techniques themselves have hardly changed at all. In fact, one could say that techniques are precisely what don't change. Even with the same technique, the finished result might appear different due to advancements in cosmetics. Or, the way it's applied might change, using more or less product to match the trend. Furthermore, a technique might become obsolete or necessary again depending on the era. In fact, I often find myself thinking, "Ah, I haven't used this technique in 20 years," and conversely, there are times when I suddenly lose interest in a technique I once favored. In other words, once acquired, techniques are lifelong assets; they don't spoil or become useless. They are convenient tools that allow you to create something closer to your imagined ideal the more you have in your repertoire.

Ultimately, no matter how much the world progresses or how much cosmetics evolve, what will never change is that makeup and hair are created by human hands. And it is one's own thoughts and wisdom that move those hands, with techniques serving as the crucial tools. Therefore, I urge you to dedicate the energy and time you might spend searching for the mirage of "easy and quick beauty" to acquiring techniques.

Which would you choose: a moment's inconvenience or a lifelong asset? Just kidding! But if you're aiming to be a professional, or if you desire a lifelong asset, please pick up this book!