This is a series of interviews exploring the secrets behind the radiance of women active in a variety of fields. Our eighth installment features HABA beauty producer, Chieko Hiromori. --You hold seminars for people of all ages. We all want to look vibrant and beautiful, no matter how old we are. However, when people in their 50s and 60s come to see me, they often ask questions like, "How should I apply foundation?" When I respond, "But if your skin is beautiful, you don't need to apply it," they respond, "That's true, but that's impossible." But that's not the case. I first ask questions like, "What do you usually use to wash your face?" or, "Are you scrubbing your face with a towel when you dry it?" From there, I identify areas for improvement and help them make changes where possible. --What kind of answers do you get?

Many people don't use cleansing or sunscreen, and I often hear that they simply pat on a one-step toner and emulsion.

--It's something that people of all ages tend to do without thinking.

That's right. As we get older, hair is something we worry about. So I ask questions like, "How often do you shampoo?" and "Are you scrubbing your hair with hot water?" and then I explain how to shampoo your hair in a way that's good for your hair. Diet is also important. Many people avoid meat because they don't want to gain weight, but it's better for your skin and hair to eat meat at least once a week, not just light foods.

--So it's like trying to make a few lifestyle changes?

That's right! Many people think that using expensive cosmetics will make them beautiful, or that adding one more cosmetic product will make them beautiful, but the feeling of moisture only lasts for a moment. You might think that blemishes will disappear instantly, but that's not the case, right? That's why my job is to introduce easy, everyday steps you can take to become more beautiful. Actually, I'm not even wearing foundation right now.

--What?! My skin is smooth, translucent, and beautiful.

I apply sunscreen multiple times, tamp down any shiny spots with a little powder, and that's it. But, of course, I'm not using any particularly high-end or expensive products. It's all HABA products. My beauty secret is "eat, sleep, excrete." In my daily life, I go to bed at 11 p.m. and treat my skin with a face mask every two days. People often ask me, "Do you go to the spa?" But if I have the time and money to go to the spa, I'd rather eat something delicious.

--When it comes to healthy cosmetics, additive-free products are the best bet these days.

I wasn't particularly interested in things like additive-free or safe products before, but I've always had a tendency toward atopic dermatitis, and one day it suddenly got worse. That's when I was introduced to HABA beauty oil.

But no matter how good something is, I'm the type of person who won't be convinced until I try it myself (lol), so I experimented by using HABA oil on the right half of my face and the serum I had been using on the left half. The oil was by far the better! That's when I finally realized it was really good. And as I continued to use it, my skin became one that didn't need foundation. I tell friends of my age that dryness is the worst thing, so I tell them to apply lots of lotion, and if they feel dry, try using just one drop of oil.

--Could you tell me some key points about your fashion today?

I enjoyed a layered style by layering a shirt under a leather suit. I meet people of all ages, from young to old, at seminars and lectures, so I change my outfit accordingly. For example, when meeting young people such as students, she wears a miniskirt. Perhaps influenced by her mother, she always wants to appear feminine, even when dressing appropriately for the occasion.

[Profile of Hiromori Chieko]
After working for a foreign cosmetics manufacturer, she joined HABA Laboratories in 1999. During her 36-year career in the beauty industry, she has observed the skin of over 30,000 women through counseling and seminars, and has developed her own unique beauty methods. In 2013, she published the book "The Real Beauty Skin Care Book."