BEAUTY / THE EXPERTS
January 22, 2015

Series | Michiko Fujiwara | December 2014 | Elevate Your Femininity with the "Three Sacred Treasures" of Beauty Appliances


Michiko Fujiwara's Column: December 2014 Essay
Reporting on How Today's Beauty Appliances Have Evolved


Boost Your Femininity with the "Three Sacred Treasures" of Beauty Appliances


Following up from last month, this isn't a report on "discovering something good," but rather on "encountering something wonderful." What I'm talking about are the hair dryer, steamer, and booster mask released by "Panasonic Beauty PREMIUM." By using these, I was able to personally experience just how much beauty appliances have evolved today.

Photographs&Text by FUJIWARA Michiko




A Pro Tip for Your Hair Dryer!


My encounter with these products began when I was asked to test them for work. I already knew how excellent Panasonic Beauty's appliances were, so I was very curious to try the even higher-tier "PREMIUM" line. When I did,.

The first thing that surprised me was the hair dryer. The ability to easily add or reduce hair volume simply by selecting the appropriate mode was astonishing. "Let's see," I thought, and first selected the 'down' mode, directing the airflow to my bangs. "Oh, it really works!" My frizzy, unruly bangs were instantly tamed, and my hair even gained a lovely sheen! Next, for the crown of my head where I wanted more volume, I used the 'up' mode. The result was a soft, voluminous finish... "Wow, how is this possible?" Volume could be added or reduced with such effortless control. Apparently, this is achieved by controlling the amount of "nanoe" moisture and double minerals emitted (please forgive me, I can't explain it any further).

Here's a pro tip (from me!) for styling: When you want a straight look with reduced volume, gently pull the hair section downwards and direct the dryer's airflow from above. For added volume, gently cup the hair section as if holding it softly and direct the airflow from below. This way, both volume reduction and addition become even more controllable. If you struggle with hair volume or frizz, give it a try.

A Steamer That Delivers a Blissfully Abundant Amount of Steam


Now, many of you may have used steamers before, but what sets this one apart? First, it alternates between warm steam and cool mist. This means it first hydrates the skin with warm steam, then rapidly cools and tightens it with a cool mist. The duration of the warm and cool cycles varies depending on the "desired skin" course, and the fact that it repeats automatically is remarkable. Of course, it can be used for single functions as well. In this cold season, when my skin temperature tends to be low, I use the warm steam while cleansing. Furthermore, what's truly impressive about this product is its design, which allows steam to reach not only the entire face but also the décolletage, and the sheer abundance of steam it produces. It's an amount of steam so generous that it's incredibly relaxing and makes you feel blissfully happy.

Another significant feature is the "electric gua sha" function, which vibrates rhythmically (with three patterns) when you insert batteries and press a button. While you can use it on your face with the steam, my recommended method is to massage the acupressure points at the base of your ears (called "Gyo-fu"), the entire area around your ears, your hairline, scalp, and the base of your neck. Massaging the ears and scalp is effective for preventing facial sagging, and using the electric gua sha makes it effortless on your hands while doubling the effect! You can use the gua sha on your ears and head even without steam (※when using gua sha on the face, do so while applying steam), so I often use it while working on my computer.

The Booster Mask's Effects Revealed the Next Morning


Finally, the booster mask. Since the hair dryer and steamer were somewhat familiar (?), I could imagine their effects, but experiencing a "booster mask" itself was entirely new (which is natural, as it's a novel product). To be honest, I didn't have high expectations for its effectiveness. Cosmetics also have "booster serums" that, when applied after cleansing, soften the stratum corneum and improve the penetration of subsequent skincare products. However, I prefer to use as few cosmetics as possible. So, I've always thought, "Why don't they just create cosmetics that are effective from the start?" – I'm something of an anti-booster cosmetic person (perhaps a contrarian?). But this isn't a cosmetic, and they say you'll notice improved skin texture with continued use. "Well, maybe I'll give it a try..." I thought, and decided to test it with some skepticism.

First, the sensation of use. As soon as I placed the warmed mask on my face, I felt a comforting sense of relief. Apparently, extensive experiments were conducted to determine the optimal temperature setting for both comfort and booster effects. The crucial booster effect became apparent the next morning! I always start my skincare routine by applying a vitamin C lotion, then wait for it to absorb (about 5-10 minutes) before applying the next product. This routine helped me understand just how effective this device is as a booster. Because, immediately after using the mask, when I applied my usual vitamin C lotion, my skin appeared less dull (though not entirely) the next morning. This means the vitamin C had penetrated deeply. "So this is what a booster effect feels like!" I realized, experiencing it for the first time not through cosmetics, but through this mask.
*Choose your skincare products carefully after using the mask

Thus, I was reminded that "it's a waste not to use the tools of civilization," with these "three sacred treasures" of beauty appliances. I resolved at the end of the year to master their use and enhance my femininity next year.

Thank you for reading this year. I look forward to your continued support in the New Year.
May you all have a wonderful year!