Aspiring to Be an Artist Who Enhances Inner Beauty Through Makeup

This year marks my 35th year as a hair and makeup artist. When I started this career, I never imagined I'd continue for so long (laughs). From the very beginning, and even now, one desire has remained constant: "I want to be an artist who can bring out inner beauty through makeup." For example, if I perceive a girl who acts tough but has a delicate heart, I want to express that sensitivity as her charm through makeup. To achieve this precise expression, I wanted to master various techniques and become a person who could recognize diverse forms of beauty. I believe this became the origin and core of my artistry.

As I encountered the faces of many women, I realized that after the age of 25, inner qualities begin to significantly influence appearance, more so than innate features. What one thinks, feels, and does in daily life gradually manifests in one's facial expressions over time. Even one's living environment seems to subtly imprint itself on a person's appearance, for better or worse. I also keenly felt the importance of knowing oneself – truly understanding who you are. Looking back, I think my late twenties were consumed by this very pursuit.

Discovering the Connection Between Body and Mind

Then, at 34, I established my agency. This felt like a release from a period of introspection, shifting my life into one of action. I found joy in pushing my limits and became immersed in work. However, this took its toll. By my early forties, my neck had become stiff, my entire back felt as rigid as if it were encased in steel, and even getting out of bed was a struggle. In an effort to address this, I sought out osteopathic treatments, massages, and acupuncture. As my body gradually began to feel better, I noticed something else: my mind felt lighter too. It was the moment I realized, "My body and mind are connected." It was also the moment my lifelong goal was born: "I want to become lighter, both in body and mind!" This happened when I was 42.

Since then, I've dedicated myself to stretching and regular massages, which gradually eased the tension in my body. Concurrently, I noticed subtle changes in my appearance. The excess fat on my back diminished, and swelling throughout my body subsided. My facial contours became less saggy, my eyes appeared more open... and so on. These experiences led me to my core belief: "Correcting the body is fundamental to health and beauty."

The Realization: "We Are What We Eat"

Around the age of 46, as my body began to regain its suppleness, I serendipitously discovered a passion for food. I found a flyer for a home-delivery service of organic, pesticide-free vegetables in my mailbox and, out of curiosity, placed an order. At that time, the terms "pesticide-free" and "organic vegetables" were not yet common and were considered quite novel. When I tasted the delivered vegetables, I was astonished by their deliciousness! More than that, I could savor the vitality of the produce. I believe I ate similar vegetables as a child, but as an adult, my focus had shifted to things like "This restaurant serves delicious food" or "I've never tasted anything like this dish!" I had become indifferent to the true taste of ingredients.

Awakened to the natural flavors of vegetables, my interest shifted from merely satisfying cravings to the essence of "food" itself, and I began experimenting with various dietary approaches. "Macrobiotics has this effect," or "A protein-focused diet yields these results," and so on. Recently, I became engrossed inraw food (featured in the May 2012 issue), which led me torent a plot of land to grow vegetables (featured in the November 2012 issue)andattend nutrition school (featured in the September 2013 issue). The more I explored different diets, grew vegetables, and studied, the more I appreciated the depth of "food." Simultaneously, I came to truly understand the saying, "We are what we eat." Oh, and I also switched to an early-to-bed, early-to-rise lifestyle around the age of 46. Perhaps the change in my diet influenced my behavior.

Finally Arriving at "Adult Beauty"

Then, at 50, an interview led me to start running marathons. Being able to continue this built my confidence, and I felt inspired to revisit yoga, which I had abandoned halfway through in my younger years. This, in turn, sparked a desire to learn proper muscle usage, leading me to take private Pilates lessons recently. As I gradually learned to use my body correctly, I realized something profound: "I was actually exerting effort just to stand normally before." When muscles become supple, you can use your body effortlessly, without strain. I discovered that this directly leads to the "lightness" I've been seeking.

Thus, the inner focus I prioritized in my youth has been gradually augmented by concrete elements like body care, diet, lifestyle habits, and exercise. Recently, I feel these aspects have finally begun to meld together. It is when all these elements are in balance that one feels happiness, and by accumulating this holistic approach to beauty, one's sense of well-being increases. I have become convinced that this is the fundamental source of a woman's radiance. In essence, adult beauty is pursued to cultivate happiness, and it is through experiencing such happiness that one becomes beautiful and shines.

—As I began writing this month's column, it unexpectedly turned into a reflection of my life so far (!). I believe this is because, while working on this book, my desire to approach women's beauty holistically, beyond just makeup, and to communicate from a broader perspective has intensified. I feel that my journey up to this point has been leading me here. Perhaps I simply wanted to confirm these feelings in writing. This book encapsulates the holistic beauty for adult women to shine, born from my own experiences. I hope you'll read it!