Mienai Oshare; The Unseen Japanese Beauty

Writer and expert4 years ago

You have probably heard of the popular beauty craze K-Beauty from Korea, but did you know there is a different Asian derived beauty trend which was founded before Korean Beauty? So, what is it? J-Beauty.J-Beauty incorporates beauty, skincare, and regimes in Japan. K-Beauty tends to feature a lot more colours in their makeup palettes and quirkiness within their skincare regimen such as bubble masks, whereas J-Beauty likes to keep things a little simpler. You may think that J-Beauty would incorporate the same type of products as K-Beauty, however, Japan has a long history of traditions when it comes to skincare and cosmetics. Below the mystery of Japanese beauty secrets are unravelled:

Timeless Traditions

Japanese minimalist and timeless traditions have been rooted in their culture from as early as 700 AD. When you think of traditional Japanese beauty, what comes to mind? Possibly a Geisha? Women cover their face with a white powder called Oshiroi as a symbol of beauty. Fast-forward to the 1600s and beauty cosmetics in Japan were primarily focused on three colours: white, black and red. White powder was used to lighten the face whilst red lips were painted on top in a smaller shape than the natural lip. Red lipstick was also used to accent the outer corners of their eyes with red. Some Japanese women would colour their teeth black as it was a traditional expression of beauty and grandeur.

Western Influences

Skip forward to the late 1800s and Western influences were growing ever-stronger in Asia after Japan opened their borders to Dutch merchants. Japanese women started to use a broader range of palettes and colours for their make-up as opposed to the traditional three colours. The 20th century provided face powders and lipsticks in a wider range of shades. Extensive variations of skincare products appeared within the cosmetics industry. After World War II and Japan's surrender to the United States, Japan's beauty regimes became heavily influenced by Western media - especially American films, celebrities and print magazines.

Innovation Of Cleansing

So, what is the main focus when it comes to J-Beautyskincare? Primarily, J-Beauty is all about simplicity, freshness, velvet-like skin and enhancing natural beauty. Did you know that Japanese women introduced us to the concept of double-cleansing? Protecting the skin from the sun is important within the J-Beauty trend, so expect a lot of products to contain SPF. Having clean, moisturised skin is important so products such as serums, facemasks, cleansers and oils are popular, with lighter textures such as milks, gels and emulsions being favoured over thicker creams. Japanese Beauty prioritises taking care of the skin with respect and creating products with the intention of making the skin look and feel its absolute best by offering long-term benefits as a result of preventative care. Why don't you give Sensai's2 Step Cleanse & Purify range a go? Let the results do the talking:

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Genuine Ingredients

How does a J-Beauty skincare regime differ? Japanese beauty products tend to avoid ingredients with a high percentage of alcohol or the use of harsh chemicals which can irritate the skin. J-Beauty makes use of natural ingredients which derives from the Japanese tradition of using fruits/vegetables, leaves and other organic ingredients in their skincare products. A few examples of popular ingredients used include collagen, pearls, seaweed and green tea extracts. These all-natural ingredients have provided Japanese women with a number of benefits for the skin for centuries, such as softer skin with more elasticity.

Creating Circles

Here’s another Japanese beauty secret for you - as well as being mindful about what is being put on the skin, J Beauty also considers the method of application. Japanese tradition considers the beauty regime as a sign of self-love with the philosophy that skincare should be like a marathon rather than a sprint. Being delicate and applying lotions in a circular motion instead of rubbing are examples of this. Have you tried SENSAI Silky Purifying Sponge?

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Time Is Of The Essence

So, if you are looking for skincare and beauty products which prioritise creating healthy skin and natural ingredients, J Beauty would be perfect for you! Do you want to know how to start your own J-Beauty routine?#1 Use products with a high percentage of natural ingredients, and a low percentage of alcohol and harsh chemicals.#2 Double-cleanse and use light textured products such as gels, emulsions and milks.#3 Always use an SPF to protect your skin from UV rays.#4 Take your time with your new skincare regime and think of it as an act of self-love and self-care.