Usually, when a foreigner relocates to Japan, there are a few things that go wrong in the beauty department. Previously luscious hair turns to frizzy straw overnight. Skin gets so dry you can scratch on the word dry. Pores get blocked by summer sweat and city pollutants. And all the products that used to work for you no longer do a thing to combat the above set of problems. So begins the hunt for a new beauty regime, but the scarcity of natural and organic products on offer, and the fact ingredients are usually listed in Japanese, only add to the frustration.
Nodding your head in agreement yet? Well, here is a solution – a new spa in Daikanyama founded by Yoko Tagami, who is passionate about ethical products and cosmetics composition. She wanted to change the perception of organic beauty products among Japanese women, who generally tend to prefer stylish packaging and well-known brands. Her ‘eco chic’ skin-care range is based on four main active ingredients: cotton thistle, demask rose, pomegranate and frankincense oil, while the moisture-balancing hair-care range includes ingredients such as marine seaweed extracts, argan oil and olive oil.
The spa is housed in a century-old Japanese home and has been beautifully renovated with a calming black-and-white wood interior. They offer facial and body treatments – from ¥5,000 for a 30-minute ‘express’ treatment and ¥10,000 for a 60-minute treatment – and you can purchase the products after the treatment if you wish, while enjoying a complimentary cup of herbal tea and relaxing on the comfy white couch. We recommend the silky Moisture Foaming Wash (from ¥700 for 30ml) and the Moisture Milk (¥800 for 25ml) which is a mix of avocado and rich oils such as argan and macadamia.
