Ritual Calm

Beauty routines and the Japanese art of ikebana have many similarities —both are calming rites that allow you to enjoy the moment. We explore these natural parallels with Shiseido and society personalities Shirley Kuan and Linda Soo-Tan

The busy lives we lead sometimes take us away from what is most important—taking care of ourselves. Even the simple act of caring for your skin can—and should—be elevated to become a richly indulgent ritual and luxury experience. The skincare ritual is one that Japanese beauty brand Shiseido believes should be more than just a simple routine. It should be an enriching sensorial experience, with the use of the right products, that allows you to be present and connected with the act of caring for your skin. The Shiseido Future Solution LX collection seeks to help you tap into that well of experience.

The beauty ritual begins far away from any vanity table, on the ridge of Mount Koya in Japan where a special herb called Enmei grows in lush abundance. Shiseido’s research into the plant revealed that the Enmei herb possessed potent healing properties that could revitalise skin. Shiseido harnessed the plant and combined it with other skin strengthening ingredients to create SkingenecellEnmei, the key ingredient in its anti-ageing collection. The Future Solution LX Beauty Longevity System promotes regeneration at cellular level by supplying SkingenecellEnmei to skin for long-lasting radiance and vitality.

Other Japanese botanicals such as the Hokkaido angelica root and Oshima sakura leaf extract also give life to the Future Solution LX collection. Even the fragrance, a white floral bouquet, comes from the fragile blooms of Japanese flowers such as the hamanasu, sakura and ume. Japanese flowers and botanicals also have another clear significance to some end users—particularly those who have a keen interest in the Japanese art of ikebana, which in itself is a calm practice rooted in appreciating the fleeting beauty of delicate blossoms. Ikebana practitioners Shirley Kuan and Linda Soo-Tan share their take on the Japanese art of flower arrangement and skincare rituals alike.

SHIRLEY KUAN