Tag: Japan

You normally wont find fish or bird droppings at the beauty section of big department stores. But these bizarre cosmetic ingredients have been used by Japanese women for ages to maintain their smooth, wrinkle-free complexion.

Now, trendy, high-end spas are offering these ancient remedies to both men and women who are willing to try anything in the name of beauty. These geisha-inspired treatments are the latest craze and are taking the beauty industry by storm.

For several centuries, Japanese women made their own skincare formulas at home with natural food products and the trade secrets of their female ancestors were passed from generation to generation. It is these ancient beauty rituals and renewed interest in the once denigrated geisha that have been resurrected in Japan and sold around the world, said Stephanie Rafanelli in the Daily Mail.

For starters, how about a goldfish pedicure? In this procedure, hundreds of miniature fish eat your feet right before your very eyes! But dont panic. Were not talking about piranhas here. The treatment uses doctor fish or gara rufa that nibble away dead, scaly skin in a matter of minutes.

Several beauty salons have picked up on this trend, which has long been used in Turkey, China, and Japan. The fish feed on dead skin, leaving the healthy, new skin exposed. The result is supposed to be soft smooth skin without a hint of roughness, explained Amy White in AssociatedContent.com.

Your most unpleasant flaky bits will be swiftly nibbled away in 15 unbearably ticklish minutes to reveal baby, clean feet. So the only thing youre likely to die of is laughing, Rafanelli added.

If you have a strong stomach, get a nightingale-dropping facial at Haris Salon in London. This 90-minute treatment will help lighten and brighten dull skin. The birds feces were used by early geishas and Kabuki actors to remove their thick make-up. Prior to applying, the droppings were dried in the sun. This has been replaced by ultraviolet light to sterilize them. At 135 its one of the most expensive facials but customers swear it leaves the skin shiny, clean, and fresh looking for the rest of the week. Plus its odor-free!

Nightingale droppings contain an enzyme called guanine which bleaches and heals the skin, which makes it such an effective facial ingredient. This amino acid’s benefits have long been known by Japanese geishas and Kabuki actors. Even monks have used these droppings to condition their exposed scalps, revealed White.

Believing that beauty is not only skin deep, the Takano Yuri Beauty Clinic in Japan is known for its Etiquette Up treatment that supposedly purifies the body. This weird beauty regimen promises to detoxify your internal organs and make your feces odor-free. Your bathroom visits will be more pleasant afterwards. Did I mention this procedure is also good for the skin and eliminates wrinkles? Indeed, Japan is the place to be for pretty feces I mean faces!

Are you looking for ways to look younger and feel revitalized?

Hydrolyzed collagen has been shown to decrease fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin in dozens of comprehensive clinical studies conducted in Japan, France, and other parts of the world.

For Beauty

Hydrolyzed collagen has been used in beauty treatments for over 20 years. Its use as a dietary supplement has been going on even longer, with continued evidence of safety and cosmetic benefit. From the “Jell-O for healthy nails” slogans of the 1950s, to the sophisticated topical creams and body lotions of the 21st century, it is widely promoted for its affect upon the skin, hair, nails, and overall health.

The Source

Collagen is a highly purified extract taken from the connective tissues of animals (such as pigs, cows, fish, etc.). When boiled, these connective tissues release this vital substance that is essential to healthy hair, nails, and skin. Hydrolyzed collagen is chemically purified, and is chemically distinct from its original form enough that is considered kosher.

The Need

Scientific studies conducted within the last 20 years show that part of the reason for the visual effects of aging is the fact that our bodies lose collagen as we get older. When young, our skin is highly elastic, our hair is supple, and nothing sags. As we increase in years, the body’s ability to manufacture it from elements found in our diet decreases. This is compounded by stress, poor diet, chemical alterations in the soil, and other conditions.

Age + Stress = Wrinkles and Sagging Skin

So does this mean that the more stress and worry we have, the older we look? In part, yes. But we can help the human body regain some of the collagen it is missing by supplementing with the hydrolyzed kind, either as a dietary supplement (taken internally) or applied topically (such as in a beauty cream or lotion that contains some).

Best for Beauty

Hydrolyzed collagen is the easiest form for the body to absorb. 75 percent of it that you apply to your skin topically will be absorbed by the bloodstream within 1 hour. Once in the bloodstream, it spreads throughout the body and goes where it is needed.

When it comes to innovation, nothing beats the Japanese. Our Asian friends often leave no stone unturned in their quest for beauty and perfection. Thats probably the reason why theyve come up with lots of unusual and sometimes silly inventions.

To give you an idea of what I mean, heres a brief overview of bizarre beauty products from the Land of the Rising Sun courtesy of UniqueDaily.com and 3yen.com. The products featured here are not guaranteed to work but I promise theyll give you plenty of laughs.

Are you bothered by the size of your nose? Many Japanese women are and want to do something about their small, flat noses. The Hana Hana Nose Stretcher will change all that.

This beauty accessory is nothing more than an industrial-strength clothespin. Wear it for just a few minutes for a couple of days and it will supposedly make your nose bigger and longer. The manufacturer claims it stretches the nose cartilage to give the user a beautiful and balanced face – whatever the heck that means! At less than $7, this natural nose lift is a real bargain. Perfect for those who are afraid of plastic surgery!

Fans of the ax-wielding maniac Jason Vorhees in the Friday the 13th film series can now look like their favorite horror icon with the Face Slimmer. In Japan, a slim face is a mark of beauty. Put on this rubber mask and it supposedly massages and melts away fat from your face. No batteries required.

The Head Bath Cap looks like it was made especially for Marquis de Sade, the French aristocrat and writer of violent pornography. Put the cap over your head and fill it with water. The trapped water is said to be good for the scalp and will help you grow thicker and fuller hair. Since the cap covers the entire face and only has one opening on top, dont wear it tightly or you could drown in the damned thing!

Want to look taller? Then the Neck Stretcher is for you! Just place this accordion-like device around your neck and fill it with air with the included hand pump. In minutes, it will stretch your neck and hopefully increase your height. Warning: overuse of this product can make you look like a giraffe!

The Slim Mouth Piece supposedly exercises the muscles around the mouth to help you lose fat. The manufacturer said it tones your face by expanding and contracting flaccid facial muscles. Use it for only 2-3 minutes a day to “sharpen your features.

Despite its misleading name, this gadget is supposed to make your mouth bigger, not smaller. Bigger? Yes, bigger. Who on earth would want this? Well, the theory is that if you widen your mouth, you will have the appearance of a small face, so prized by the Japanese, said an unnamed English teacher in Fungus Mungus Weird Stuff in Japan.

Exercising the mouth sounds like a good idea. But if you ask me, that area gets all the exercise it needs from smiling, talking and eating. Still, the Slim Mouth Piece would make a good conversation piece. Get yours for $9.50.

If youre looking for a natural way to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles without having to go through the pains of costly plastic surgery or cosmetic injections, dont waste time going to Japan. The solution is right here with the Rejuvinol AM/PM Botox Alternative Age-Defying System. This powerful anti-aging formula consists of the Rejuvinol morning moisturizer that nourishes and strengthens the skin; and the Rejuvox night cream that relaxes tense, tired facial muscles.

Cherry blossom tattoos are one of the worlds most famous body art tattoos. Delicate and feminine, Cherry blossom tattoos are very popular tattoo designs amongst young girls and women. It is seen as an ultimate symbol of beauty and grace.

Cherry blossom tattoos designs are inspired from a cherry blossom flower which has symbolic meaning and significance. The cherry blossom tattoo has a powerful significance. Both, in the Chinese and the Japanese culture, cherry blossom flowers hold different symbolism. Chinese Cherry Blossom is a symbol of love. It represents a feminine beauty and sexuality. The Japanese Cherry Blossom represents the transience of the life. It is a delicate flower that blooms for a very short time.

The tattoo inspired by the cheery blossom flower, blooms in the Cheery Blossom Season in Japan. The season starts around the end of March in Southern Japan and finishes around the end of April. It is two week long season to enjoy.

Cherry Blossom tattoos are world famous, symbolizing the womens beauty and sexuality. Girls ink it on different part of the body including left shoulder, ankle, naval area etc. They are one of the most feminine styles of tattoos for women.

Deciding to get a tattoo is a monumental decision, as it something that will stay for the rest of your life. Dont rush to make a tattoo, think over it to before you get a tattoo. Here are ideas for Cherry Blossom tattoos:

1. Small or large flowing and graceful tattoos look great.

2. Girls can go for can a small branch, a few blossoms or a whole tree.

3. Cherry blossoms can be tattooed with other elements as well like birds, roses, angel etc.

Note:

People often confuse the Cherry Blossom Tattoo with a Plum Blossom. To spot the difference between the two is that the Cherry Blossom leaves have a small V cut on the tips of the leaves, whereas, the Plum Blossom is rounded all the way.