A powerful skincare collection is coming in January 2022 from cosmetic brand SHIRO. The Oil Collection will feature eight unique products with the company claiming that the life force of the Earth itself is put into each and every drop. 

Items in the collection utilize rich plant extracts and other healthy materials and offer something for each and every skin type. Depending on a user’s skin and the amount of water used, the oils may react differently. People’s skin changes as time goes on due to stress and things like temperature, and these may help reduce some of that damage. 

The eight oils come in three categories: FACE, FACE & BODY, and BODY. Choose the one that best suits your skin condition and daily needs!

FACE OIL

Calendula Oil

Tamanu Oil

St. John’s-wort Oil

Kalahari Melon Oil

These four oils each utilize a specific extraction method and essential oil depending on the plant used. With different textures and fragrances, they can be helpful for achieving the best possible skin. You can’t go wrong with this lineup, whether you’re new to beauty oil or are a regular user. 

FACE&BODY OIL

Japanese Mugwort Oil

Flax Oil

This is the first time SHIRO has released two types of oils that can be used on both the face and the body. Sold in a generous size, these are perfect for daily skin care and body massage. 

BODY OIL

Castor Oil

Arnica Oil

These two body oils soften and moisturize skin while giving off incredible fragrances tinged with essential oils. 

Japanese cosmetic brand SHIRO has announced two new soothing fragrances, the Hinoki Bath Salts and the Hiba Spray 80. These will be available at the SHIRO online store and at SHIRO retailers nationwide on September 9. 

The brand’s first Hinoki and Hiba-based items

Hinoki, or Japanese Cypress bark, and Hiba, the leaves from these Cypress trees, have subtle scents which will make customers feel as though they’re surrounded by nature. Having these items around will help clear anxious minds and soothe worried hearts. The bark used for the fragrances was sourced from the Kii mountain range, while the leaves came from Aomori prefecture. 

Hinoki Bath Salts (400g): ¥4,840 (Tax Included) 

These are the first bath salts to be released since rebranding. The soothing Japanese cypress essential oils were sourced from the Kii mountain range snaking through Mie and Wakayama prefectures, while the sun-dried salt from South Australia will help moisturize and hydrate the skin. Use this product during an evening bath to relax after a hard day’s work, or mornings when you wake up a little earlier than usual to prepare your mind for what the day may bring. 

Hiba Spray 80 (80ml): ¥1,980 (Tax Included) 

This hand spray contains 80% alcohol, as well as fragrant Aomori Japanese cypress essential oil and distilled cypress water. 

If you’re looking to practice more self-care, these items are sure to help. 

Japanese fragrance brand FAIRYTAIL released a new collection of perfumes via their online store and Amazon Japan based on the characters Megumi Noda and Shinichi Chiaki from the manga series Nodame Cantabile.

Nodame Cantabile Eau de Parfum – Chiaki

Top Notes: Elemi / Bergamot / Rose

Middle Notes: Violet / Jasmine

Last Notes: Musk / Vanilla / Patchouli 

Nodame Cantabile Eau de Parfum – Nodame

Top Notes: Lemon / Mandarin / Grapefruit / Bergamot / Bitter Orange

Middle Notes: Petitgrain / Cypress / Basil / Rosemary Tunisia

Last Notes: Musk

The Chiaki perfume enjoys a selection of sophisticated top notes like bergamot and rose to capture the qualities of Chiaki, a character with a beautiful face and figure and a sharp mind. Later comes the middle notes of smooth violet and warm musk and vanilla which capture his positivity towards music and his opening up to the people around him, normally being a perfectionist and awkward.

Nodame’s perfume is bright and cheerful like citrus fruits, and that positive vibe can be enjoyed in this fragrance which brings to life her love of music, with carefree cypress and rosemary, and a finishing touch of musk at the end.

Which of these Nodame Cantabile perfumes do you want the most?

©二ノ宮知子／講談社

Japanese cosmetic brand SHIRO is set to release its Ice Mint Body Mist, Ice Mint Body Lotion, and all-new Ice Mint Clay Hand Soap as part of its limited-edition Ice Mint fragrance series online on May 27 before the products head to stores on June 10.

Ice Mint Body Mist | ¥1,980 (Tax Included)

Ice Mint Body Lotion | ¥2,530 (Tax Included)

Ice Mint Clay Hand Soap | ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

The refreshing products arrive in time for the summer season for cooling down on those hot and humid days. Each is imbued with ethanol and refreshing mint for that relieving feeling of refreshment.

SK-II STUDIO, a film studio owned by the global skincare brand SK-II, has released a new animated anthology series entitled VS in collaboration with the world’s top athletes. It features six stories with athletes taking on pressures that threaten to dictate their destiny in order to #CHANGEDESTINY.

The Animations

‘VS Trolls’ featuring Simone Biles

‘VS Obsession’ featuring Liu Xiang

‘VS Pressure’ featuring Kasumi Ishikawa

‘VS Rules’ featuring Mahina Maeda

‘VS Limitations’ featuring Hinotori Nippon

‘VS Machines’ featuring Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsutomo

SK-II STUDIO’s VS series is a collection of six animated films based on the life experiences of six Olympic athletes: Simone Biles, the gymnast who has won the most medals worldwide; LiuXiang, a world-record swimmer; Ishikawa Kasumi, table tennis player and two-time Olympic medalist; Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsutomo, badminton duo and Olympic gold medalists; Mahina Maeda, surfer; and Hinotori Nippon, the Japan women’s national volleyball team. Each athlete explores what it means to take destiny in their own hands, overcoming societal expectations that dictate how perfect we should look and act.

Each short film explores a different societal pressure experience by women: online trolls, pressure from those around us, looks, rules on what’s considered beautiful, limitations imposed by others, and seeking perfection like machines. Each is represented as a ‘kaiju,’ a form of giant monster seen in Japanese movies.

The VR series combines animation with live-action woven together through multiple genres like sci-fi, action, sports, and more. It invites award-winning studios on board including Imaginary Forces, Passion Pictures, Platige Image, and C3, as well as original music by guest artists John Legend, Lexie Liu, and others.

The animated series released worldwide on May 1, 2021 on SK-II’s official  YouTube channel. A virtual premiere was also held on the brand’s Twitter page, and an in-person premiere took place in Hainan, China with a pop-up store at Haitang Bay Duty Free Shopping Centre in Sanya in partnership with China Duty Free Group. It also saw the opening of SK-II City, a virtual city built by SK-II where visitors can watch all six films in a the virtual SK-II Cinema. It’s also home to the SK-II Mall where users can buy products, and they can also enjoy a backstage tour of SK-II STUDIO.

SK-II STUDIO was established in March this year in an effort to further promote SK-II’s #CHANGEDESTINY campaign to support female empowerment over social pressures. The VR series comes as part of this with a string of positive messages.

Ueni Trading has opened pre-orders for a new reed diffuser set by RADSKY, a perfume brand with SKY-HI acting as the brand ambassador. The set is available to pre-order at LOFT, both in-store and online.

RADSKY Sexual Healing Coffret Set | ¥3,850 (Tax Included)

The new fragrance gets its name from the title of SKY-HI’s new song Sexual Healing. The fragrances captures the fragrance of a ‘sexy man’ with tempting white musk, which users can have around their home wherever they like with the sleek reed diffuser bottle which has a handwritten-style logo on it. The clear case is also made from a biodegradable material.

The first fragrance collaboration continues to enjoy sales

SKY-HI’s first collaboration with the brand was the RADSKY Neon Eau De Toilette perfume which is still enjoying sales for its “Night Fruity” aroma. It’s a more natural, refreshing smell balanced by sweet fruity notes.

Nostalgia Syndrome opened pre-orders for its new Lily & Jasmine series of fragrances on March 31. The products will be released on April 22.

Nostalgia Syndrome is a fragrance brand produced by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu which launched last year. The new Lily & Jasmine series will be available to purchase online and will also be sold at two brand pop-up shops in Tokyo and Osaka. Those who spend over ¥10,000 online or at either of the stores (tax included) will receive a free Nostalgia Syndrome novelty – these are available in limited supply.

Online Store Novelty: Original Thermal Bottle

Pop-Up Store Novelty: Original Big Eco-Bag

Lily & Jasmine Series

Eau de Toilette | ¥8,250 (Tax Included)

Room & Fragrance Spray | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Aroma Diffuser | ¥7,150 (Tax Included)

Bath Salts | ¥3,410 (Tax Included)

Hand Soap | ¥3,520 (Tax Included)

Scented Candle | ¥8,140 (Tax Included)

Eau de Toilette Two-Set (9mL)

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu | Comment

“This is Nostalgia Syndrome’s second fragrance release. After mixing together various ingredients, I was finally able to catch the right scent. The theme for this one is ‘travel fragrance.’ Because of COVID, our time spent outdoors has gone down dramatically, but smells tied to our memories make up part of us all. And smelling them brings back those memories. This is a blend of sweet, sophisticated lily and refreshing jasmine, so it’s a really easy one to use that can be enjoyed by both guys and girls. We’re also opening our first pop-up shop so please be sure to drop by to try out!”

Lily and jasmine are vibrant fragrances and perfect for the spring season. Order yours today!

SHISEIDO MEN has teamed up with FC Barcelona and the popular soccer manga series Captain Tsubasa to launch the BARÇA x SHISEIDO FC Manga Player Generator App to promote men’s skincare. This app shows men how to properly care for their skin with a quick virtual skin checkup. Users can also BARÇA x SHISEIDO FC, a virtual football team led by SHISEIDO MEN ambassador Sergi Roberto as well as Tsubasa Ozora, the main character of Captain Tsubasa.

BARÇA x SHISEIDO FC Manga Player Generator

Available for a limited time now until June 29, users can take a quick skincare check-up. The collaboration aims to encourage men to learn about their own skincare concerns as well as promote the importance of skincare amongst men in a more fun and engaging way.

Japanese cosmetic brand SHIRO has announced the release of its new “Happy Verbena” collection of limited-edition fragrance items that will be released via their website on February 25, with orders rolling out from March 11.

Happy Verbena Eau de Parfum | ¥4,055 (Tax Included)

Happy Verbena Room Fragrance | ¥4,481 (Tax Included)

Happy Verbena Hand Serum | ¥2,988 (Tax Included)

Happy Verbena Oil in Hand Spray | ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

On March 11, 2011, the Tohoku region of Japan was struck with a magnitude 9.0-9.1 earthquake, the most powerful ever recorded in the country, and subsequent tsunami which plunged the country into despair. The effects of the disaster are still felt today, both emotionally and financially. In May of the same year, SHIRO launched its Happy Verbena series as a means of providing support to the people of Tohoku.

This year, SHIRO is relaunching its Happy Verbena series, which is made using environmentally-friendly packaging. The proceeds collected from sales of the series will be donated to the Tohoku region.

The flagship store of cosmetic brand SHIRO, SHIRO Omotesando, received a makeover on Friday last week (December 18). The shop, which has moved to the building’s second floor, has increased in size by 30%, allowing for SHIRO to display its 70 or so skincare and cosmetic products like a museum.

Ingredients Showcase

The many ingredients used in SHIRO’s products are now on display—something which customers don’t normally get to see―such as extract of gagome kombu, tamanu, pot marigold, and more. The line-up is packed solely with high quality ingredients by trusted producers and is a chance for people to get to know about the products they are buying even more.

The Edible Display

A special display of edibles, which will change depending on the harvesting seasons, can be enjoyed including ginger, yuzu, aloe, and more.

8 Drawers

Underneath the displayed ingredients are eight drawers which reveal the actual size of the ingredients before they are turned into products. It also reveals when they are produced, information about the producers, and so on.

Store Design

The store has of course undergone a full revamp, with the walls layered with gravel and soil, further adding to the display of the raw materials and ingredients. The wall design incorporates a traditional Japanese architecture method which results in it looking like something straight out of nature.

Limited Edition Products

To celebrate the renovations at SHIRO Omotesando, the store will be selling a limited-edition SHIRO PERFUME as well as a selection of products available at only select stores like SHIRO LIFE and SHIRO HOME items.

SHIRO BEAUTY (B1F)

SHIRO BEAUTY is a salon on floor B1F that manages SHIRO Omotesando. It’s set to close on December 31 and will reopen in mid-February next year to bring in haircut, hair colouring, head spa, and other services as well as facials, body treatments, and more.

SHIRO PERFUME

SHIRO PERFUME will be sold in limited quantities and is exclusive to SHIRO Omotesando.

SHIRO PERFUME – WISHING WELL | ¥10,500 (Before Tax)

SHIRO PERFUME – WISHING WELL Fragrance
A warm and cosy fragrance with fresh berry notes on top and bitter orange for accent.

TOP: Bitter Orange, Berries, Redcurrants
MIDDLE: Jasmine, Rose
LAST: Wood, Cedarwood, Musk

Cosmetic brand SHIRO has announced that orders for its Sakura 219 fragrance will open on Christmas Eve at 10:00am (JST). It will be released exclusively on SHIRO’s online store on January 7, 2021. Sakura 219 is a fragrance that enjoys popular sales every year and is part of SHIRO’s limited edition series. It will arrive in two springtime scents: Sakura 219 Eau de Parfum and Sakura 219 Room Fragrance.

Spring is the season for new beginnings and lifestyle changes. Sakura 219 is a fragrance imbued with a wish for everyone to enjoy a happy spring. It gets its name from going through 219 iterations of trial and error before arriving at the final product.
Sakura 219 was first released in 2012 to pray for the cherry blossoms to bloom beautifully that year. Today, it is enjoyed as an annual seasonal product during springtime.

Sakura 219 Eau de Parfum ¥3,800 (Before Tax) / Ethical ¥3,690 (Before Tax)

A fresh and fruity fragrance with vibrant floral notes and a musk base that leaves an impression. It keeps for 5-6 hours to keep you smelling fresh.

Sakura 219 Room Fragrance ¥4,200 (Before Tax) / Ethical ¥4,080 (Before Tax)

A room fragrance that gently spreads throughout spacious areas like the living room or bedroom. The perfect seasonal fragrance for some well earned relaxation. It keeps for 2 and a half months and you can adjust the strength of the fragrance with the amount of sticks you use.

Feel spring come early with SHIRO’s popular Sakura 219 fragrances in both perfume and room fragrance form.

Cosmetic brand SHIRO released two new special editions of its fragrances on November 19 for this year’s holiday season.

JUST FOR YOU 50mL | ¥10,500 (Before Tax)

Smell great this holiday season with the honey floral-scented “JUST FOR YOU” and the warm and smokey, wreath and Christmas tree-inspired “HOLIDAY WREATH.” Both offer completely different scents while maintaining that holiday season vibe.

HOLIDAY WREATH 50mL | ¥10,500 (Before Tax)

Whether you’ll be staying at home this Christmas and still want to feel good, or will be spending it with someone people, set the mood right with a warm and welcoming fragrance.