Tofu face masks and other natural, edible, beauty treatments

With the LOHAS boom in full swing, more and more consumers are taking notice of what’s in their food and in their beauty products. Now the latest thing is to combine the two: beauty products that are made from all natural food stuffs.

While retailers, like the Girls’ Walker produced Cosme Kitchen, a select shop for imported natural beauty products, play up the idea for marketing, another company, Hiina is offering the real deal.

Hiina, a company staffed by all women, has introduced a face-mask made from 100% soy milk, or more specifically yuba, the sheet of soy milk that forms at the top when the liquid is heated at a low temperature.

Each face-mask is made by hand and, because it is 100% additive free, delivered frozen. While we’ve seen chilled cosmetics before, produced in medical quality labs, the Hiina face-masks are made of foodstuffs and thus produced in a food manufacturing plant, with the equivalent hygiene standards, and frozen immediately for preservation. Thanks to all this, a set of 5 masks retails for ¥6,000.

Like sake brewers (the inspiration for the famous SK-II skin care line), tofu makers often have noticeably bright and smooth skin on their hands. So Hiina applied this observation to where women are most concerned, the face, claiming that soy milk, which contains saponin, has the power to exfoliate dead skin and draw out pore-clogging debris.

Another, albeit unlikely, participant in this edible cosmetics movement is Tokyo Gas, which features an article on home kitchen made beauty treatments on its Food Lifestyle #110 Q&A website (110 is the Japanese 911).

Specifically, treatments that can be made from typically Japanese kitchen products, like sake, seaweed, and rice bran, making this just one more example of the “back to Japan” trend in beauty care.

Tags: beauty, cosmetics, health, LOHAS
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends, Press coverage

Hatarakiman skin care line for the working girl

If salarymen have Kosaku Shima to idolize then the current generation of young career women have Hiroko Matsukata to look up to. Matsukata, a hard-working magazine editor, is the protagonist from the manga Hatarakiman, which literally means “working man” and describes Matsukata’s work-oriented life style.

Not to be outdone in the product tie-in department, the Hatarakiman hero is the face for a new line-up of skin care products from PDC called “Skin Power Plus.”

The series of skin products are designed to keep skin looking soft and supple for an extended 24-hour stretch, for women, like Matsukata, who need a quick long-lasting beauty fix appropriate for their hectic schedules.

Despite the clever marketing, the products use much of the same ingredients found in skin care products these days, namely collagen, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide, plus a host of natural extracts (30+ ranging from rosemary to lime to royal jelly) intended to boast the effectiveness of the product.

The timing of the product release comes six months after the end of the popular TV live action mini-series staring popular actress Miho Kanno.

Tags: anime, beauty, Hatarakiman, Skin Care
Category: Technology & Gadget Trends
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Marketers court New Rich women

Marketing forces have named two new female groups of “new rich” to be targeted for their impressive buying power: the “career rich class,” women now in the their 30s and 40s who are making over ¥10,000,000 in annual income and the “highly sensitive senior rich class,” housewives in their 40s and up with an annual household income of over ¥20,000,000.

Shiseido is clearly targeting these new rich with the latest products to be added to their premium Synergique line on the Clé de Peau Beauté brand, with 40g of cream priced upwards of ¥120,000.

These new ultra-premium products (pictured in insert above) join the existing Synergique line-up of more “moderately” priced ¥20,000 items (larger picture).

Meanwhile Pola’s Linea-Esse undergarment brand has debuted a line of lingerie aimed at the disposable incomes of career women aged 30-40, an age group typically expected to begin leaning towards the beige tummy squashing variety.

In contrast, the marketing for the “Princess Medallion” series conjures images of European royalty and manages to sneak some very of-the-moment macaroons into the ad (though I guess you’d have to chose one or the other).

These 40-something new rich even have their own TV show, Around 40, which detailed the life of a 39-year-old single and successful psychiatrist.

The popular miniseries ran from April to June 2008 on TBS, on Friday nights at 10pm (proving that the audience did have nearly as an exciting life as the heroine Satoko Ogata) and pushed this new demographic into the public eye.

Tags: beauty, cosmetics, Fashion, New Rich, Women
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends
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Traditional craft meets modern glamour

Centuries-old calligraphy brush manufacturer, Kumano Fude, has collaborated with the Japanese branch of American cosmetics company Max Factor to produce a new series of make-up brushes.

This “Pro Finish” collection uses 100% natural fibers and draws on Kumano Fude’s artisan brush making techniques. Kumano is a town outside of Hiroshima that has a long tradition of brush crafting and today 80% of all calligraphy brushes are made by collectives in this area. Fude is the name for the brush.

Being of “professional quality” and priced from ¥2,100 (lip brush) to ¥9,450 (face) the brushes are marketed at make-up artists, although they are sure to be coveted by more than a few amateur beauticians.

Natural cosmetics have been a major trend recently in the beauty industry and so has a general “back to Japan” movement over the past few years that has seen a number of health, beauty, and fashion products draw on traditional Japanese materials. The Pro Finish series fits in nicely with this, while getting an additional edge from Max Factor’s glamorous image.

Likewise, a number of fans of natural cosmetics, another growing trend, are taking interest in lipsticks created from the beni flower, a traditional Japanese cosmetic used by courtesans and geisha and can be traced to ancient China. Like fude, beni is made by craftsmen.

In other somewhat related east meets west news, Mattel International has announced plans to release a second limited edition Barbie doll wearing Hello Kitty fashion. Following the success of last year’s Hello Kitty Barbie (pictured right), the latest model, Hello Kitty Apple Tree Barbie (pictured left) will feature a Hello Kitty inspired outfit with an apple theme.

4000 dolls will be available from July 26 for ¥5,670, orders will be taken from June 3.

Tags: beauty, cosmetics, crafts, FMCG, tradition
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Press coverage

Bamboo gets a boost from new products

Bamboo is next on the list of traditional Asian ingredients to get a trendy makeover. Taketori, a company that specializes in manufacturing bamboo products, has come out with “Bamboo Salt,” that promises to be healthier than ordinary table salt.

The bamboo is grown in an area known for high mineral content and, in what seems like a complicated process that involves packing salt inside the bamboo pipes and roasting them at a high temperature until the bamboo turns to charcoal, the resulting “Bamboo Salt” is also rich in minerals. Minerals, apparently being good for you, and a selling point in today’s health obsessed market.

Next up is the Bamboo Toothbrush (¥430), courtesy of Fine. The handle is made from synthesis of bamboo local to Shizuoka prefecture and resin while the brush, which comes in two varieties, is either made from the usual PBT plastic or natural pig’s hair.

According to the press release, the Bamboo Toothbrush is for those who are “sensitive about what they put in their mouths.” We agree, the less chemicals the better, but pig’s hair?

And while clothing made from bamboo is hardly new, Japanese sportswear brand Godwin is re-launching a campaign for their line of shirts made from panda food.

Finally, fashion brand Kenzo draws on the brand’s Asian heritage with its latest product, Fresh Frosty Bamboo Moisturizing Gel.

This “stimulating” body moisturizer is made specifically from the water extracted from young bamboo shoots grown from March until May in the hilly region in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. Bamboo’s use in health and beauty treatments dates back to ancient China.

Though the Kenzo brand was originally created by Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada, the company is based in France and has been owned by luxury giant LVMH since 1993. We anticipate, however, that Fresh Frosty Bamboo, available throughout Japan from June 1, ¥6,825 for 200ml, will be a hit among consumers following the natural and traditional beauty trends.

Tags: Bamboo, beauty, ecology, Fashion, FMCG, health
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Press coverage

Flavagenol, the latest beauty fix from Suntory

Is there life after collagen? With collagen showing up in just about everything these days, promising prolonged youthful beauty, we’re on the look out for the next big thing. Set to debut on April 22, Suntory has a new beauty supplement made from flavangenol, a pine bark extract that promises to fight free radicals, improve circulation, and reduce dark pigmentation.

Each capsule includes 40mg of France-harvested flavangenol plus ceramide, firethorn berries (an ancient Chinese beauty secret), rose extract, and vitamin C. A month’s supply (at three doses a day) costs an impressive ¥5,460. The product is a result of research from Suntory’s Flavangenol Research Laboratory.

Tags: beauty, Flavagenol, health, Suntory
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
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Fresh and natural Chilled Cosmetics from DHC

DHC, Japan’s number one direct mail skin care and cosmetics company, thinks it has the answer for sensitive skin that often reacts poorly to products: chilled skin care products that because they are designed to be refrigerated contain only fresh, natural ingredients.

This new line of “Chilled Delicate” moisturizers contains dokudami leaves, aloe, and additional plant extracts, plus amino acids and vitamin E. Both the lotion and cream form are designed to create maximize moisture retention, and are notably free of alcohol, coloring and other possible skin irritants.

According to a survey conducted by DHC of 20-40 year olds, 88.8% of respondents claimed to have skin that occasionally reacts to products, especially during the spring (which coincides nicely with the product launch).

The products are manufactured in a 5°C refrigerated factory that meets the same purity standards (class 100) as those used to produce medical supplies. This technical aspect is well-documented on the product webpage, including pictures of NASA-esque employees going through the sterilizing air showers.

A seven day supply (30mg of the lotion or 15mg of the cream) is available for ¥1,900 ordered from the DHC site, or conveniently at the local 7/11.

If this concept sounds vaguely familiar, its because we reported on it over two years ago, when Nissin Medico, of “air stocking” fame launched a similar product, Chilled for Skin. While this line didn’t quite take off, the concept apparently merited a second look, since DHC is now marketing a similar product.

A unique aspect of Chilled for Skin (twice the price of the new DHC line) was that the products would be shipped via cool-delivery to the customer. Chilled Delicate are being sold at room temperature, as it seems that DHC is banking on the convenience/impulse buying factor of the convenience store and perhaps with the eco and LOHAS movements in full swing, the timing is better for pure cosmetics to gain momentum.

And what is Nissin Medico up to now (when they’re not brooding over their loss to DHC)? The company has recently launched the “Air Launcher” cleaning gun that blasts cleaning mist, foam, or powder into those hard to reach areas (like your ceiling-mounted air conditioning unit) or unpleasant ones (like your hubcaps).

Replaceable “cleaning rockets” with products for different cleaning tasks are inserted into the plastic gun that just might entice the kids to help around the house.

Keep the ideas coming Nissin Medico!

Tags: Back to Nature, beauty, cosmetics, DHC
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends, Press coverage

Fracora 500 collagen drink for beauty and health

With collagen showing up these days in many products in Japan from bath gels to yogurt, manufacturers are betting high on the appeal of this purported anti-aging ingredient.

If you really want to test its effectiveness, however, it makes sense to take it straight up: by imbibing one of these little bottles of Fracora 500 that contain 10,000mg of the precious stuff.

With 20 million bottle sold, maker Kyowa has a seriously popular product on its hands, despite the steep ¥420 price per 50g serving.

Each dose (can we call it a dose?) also contains 18 different amino acids and 1,000mg of vitamin C, all in the name of beauty, inside and out. On second thought, it couldn’t hurt to trade in that daily double latte for a chance at holding onto a youthful appearance.

Tags: beauty, health
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
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Time-sensitive yogurt and more convenience store goodness

Now that you’ve got a pair of F-cup breasts, how about a trim waist to go along? That’s what I thought when I encountered this “Belly Reducing Midnight Yogurt” from Nippon Luna.

Midnight yogurt, as the name suggests, is available at the convenience store only at night (for ¥105), for those of us who come home a little bit drunk and hungry and know all to well the effects of all of those mayo-laden convenience store sandwiches on our figures. This sugarless snack has only 60 calories, plus added collagen (750 mg) and theanine (50 mg) for “good sleep and beauty support,” according to the product description.

While offering seasonal items has long been a strategy of packaged food companies for maximizing placement on crowded convenient store shelves, time-of-the-day sensitive products push this even further (and make going to the convenience store multiple times a day seem almost sensible).

In other convenience store news, since Oyatsu introduced “Fransu Pan Koubou” (French bread Workshop chips, soy sauce and garlic flavors, 148¥) recently it seems that an all out gourmet chip war has broken out on the snack food shelf.

Rivals of the trendy little toasts include these “Oh! Chips Gourmet Select” potato chips from Koikeya (158¥), in spare rib with barbecue sauce or cream gratin with camembert flavors, and Bourbon’s “Croutos Cheese” cream cheese rusk snacks (147¥).

Just in case you like your belly just fine the way it is, thank you very much.

Tags: Affordable Gourmet, beauty, Convenience Stores, FMCG
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends
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F-Cup Pudding boosts busts through snacking

Instead of trying to slim down this new year, why not make bigger breasts your new year’s resolution? Trade in those questionable fad diets and pricey gym memberships for Yokoyama Corporations’s F-Cup Pudding snacks.

The magic ingredient is pueraria mirifica, a southeast Asian plant containing phytoestrogens that is being marketed as a natural breast enhancer. The mango-flavored pudding snacks also contain soy protein and red clover, other products with phytoestrogens that, it should be noted, are used for treating menopause.

Popular girl glossy Vivi ranks F-Cup Pudding number five on their top twenty new products of 2007 round-up. While the results are questionable, you could do worse than eat mango pudding everyday. In fact, at only 1,890¥ for a month’s supply (available online), these pudding snacks are actually cheaper then the ones at the convenience store that only promise to make your stomach bigger.

Tags: beauty
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends, Press coverage