I have always admired the thoughtfulness and close attention to details that can be found in pretty much all aspects of life in Japan. Hey, it's one of the reasons I decided to move to Tokyo in the first place.
My love for Japan actually wasn't one that happened at the first encounter, but I can confidently say that it has grown tremendously. In fact, not being completely head over heels for Japan at the very beginning opened up some curiosities and concerns for this place that deepened my appreciation over time. The more that I get to know and learn about the culture, the more I have come to really respect the way of thinking that embodies legendary fashion designers and beauty brands that are founded in Japan.
Within the past 2 and a half year, I've made over 8 trips to Japan. Each one significantly impacted my personal style and beauty regimen. In the past year and a half, I have been working with a beauty brand that I've come to love and pretty much bathe my skin in every day. It was an honor to be invited by the
Clé de Peau Beauté team to experience a
#RadiantDay right at its home city, Tokyo.
Below is just a few quick snapshots of what the day entails.
Morning
A special visit to the Ginza Shiseido Store
That morning, before the store opened up to the public, I was invited to come and peruse the space. I was blown away by all of the incorporations of the company's signature 'Camellia' flower symbol throughout -- such as the floor, counters, and displays. This was only one of the obvious aspect of how detailed-oriented the brand carries its stores and products. I even learned that there are shimmers from Clé de Peau Beauté's illuminating powder incorporated into the tiles on the floor.
Created to be the center of beauty for the brand, it takes the name of SHISEIDO THE STORE. Aside from all of the work that went into creating a space that embodies all of Shiseido brand's core beliefs, you'll probably find it super cool, like I did, that even the music of the store is carefully orchestrated. If you get the chance to visit, pay attention to the soothing natural melodies that play (called gokion) while you're contemplating on a lipstick color. I promise it's pretty awesome once it's something you start to take into account for.
Above the first floor are three other ones; each with its own purpose in providing the utmost luxurious skincare experience. The 3rd floor is the brand's very own beauty spa (where I'll be pampered with a Clé de Peau Beauté facial later on). What's cool about this space is that there's even a hair and make-up salon along with a photo studio for you to use.
Just a quick 5 minute walk away, I came upon the Clé de Peau Beauté's own brand shop in the newly established Ginza Six. The store takes inspiration of a "brilliant cell" hence the honeycomb structure and sharp cuts that emanates radiance.
Fun fact, but 'Clé de Peau' actually translate to 'key to the skin' which I found incredibly fitting for the brand and the design to harmoniously showcase the fusion of beauty and science.
Lunch
A quick stop at the Clé De Peau Beauté Boutique before a chic lunch at nR Table
Before we headed off to lunch, which happened to be close by to another Clé de Peau Beauté boutique, I obviously had to take a look. Unlike SHISEIDO THE STORE and the Clé de Peau Beauté counter at the Ginza Six, the Omotesando location was much brighter and a little less intimidating. I quickly learned that this was the whole purpose of the store -- to carry out a concept of a 'try it yourself' first.
Mid-day
Passing by the Shiseido Corporate Office to exclusively see past Clé De Peau Beauté 'La Creme' since 1982
Found myself in Ginza again right after lunch for a special treat at the Ginza Corporate office. For a brief hour, I was able to meet
Clé de Peau Beauté Director of Laboratories, Mr. Ishimatsu who humbly shared all of his experiences in creating the iconic '
La Creme' with me. He even showed us personal photos from a trip to Northeastern Thailand, at a mulberry farm where they harvest the brand's very own silk cocoons to extract '
Platinum Gold Silk'.
As science and technology improve, so does the brand's '
La Creme' that was
first introduced in 1982. Learning about the research behind the brand's skincare line truly helped me realize the luxury in being able to appreciate and use the products.
Afternoon
An exquisite Clé De Peau Beauté Facial Treatment at the Shiseido Ginza Salon
On to the part that I've waited all day for, the
Clé de Peau Beauté facial treatment. Known to be one of the brand's most luxurious experience, it was no surprise to me that we were greeted with a type of water that was supposed to be good for your skin. After a 20 minute consultation, I was able to learn more about my personal skin type and it helped me identify issues that I wanted my treatment to focus on. I opted for a more moisturizing mask and asked to have my dark circles and red spots (which I learned was from a terrible blood circulation on my face) be the focus of the session...which was amazingly 120 minutes. I definitely fell asleep for a good 15 minute at a time somewhere in between each mask.
The second best part about the Spa? Well, for someone who doesn't have a vanity table of my own, I'm now rethinking that because I'm dreaming of the one that was available here for me to touch up after my facial. It was fully stocked with all possible
Clé de Peau Beauté products available (yes, even the '
La Creme' in case you want to
lather some more on your face). It was such a comfortable and cozy experience to have warm tea served to your little vanity table while getting ready again. If I didn't have a dinner to go to after this, I probably could have gone out as is because my skin was GLOWING.
Evening
Dinner at the Shiseido Parlour
While I could probably live this day forever, I couldn't have imagined spending the end of it any other way than having dinner with my boyfriend at the Shiseido Parlour Restaurant right next door. It's an elegant space that serves a mix of Western and Japanese dishes. I opted for scallops and my boyfriend steak - but we couldn't pass on the chef's famous '
omurice'.
All and all, I went to bed that night with dewy skin and the biggest smile on my face. It's honestly such a satisfying feeling to be able to spend so much time enriching yourself, taking care of yourself, and learning about such a legendary brand. I guess at the end of the day, I think that's what the brand's core beliefs are all about when they say '
Unlock Your Radiance."
Thank you
Clé de Peau Beauté for allowing me to experience an incredible
#RadiantDay. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
