JAPAN RETAIL NEWS - Inside consuming Japan: Japan retail, Japan market, Japan economy, Japan trends, Japanese people, Japan brands, Japan tech
 
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Photos are everything for Yuka Obara, a well-known Japanese blogger who insists anything showing her online be picture-perfect -- especially because it's hard these days to delete poor-quality photos once on the web. The 20-year-old Obara, known by her online profile Yunkoro, has honed her art for four years in line with Japan's cult of the "kawaii" or cute, which has given rise to creative profile picture-taking.
 
 
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When the Japanese government allowed ear cleaning salons to operate unlicensed, a new business model took off. The ancient Egyptians, who brought us paper, locks, clocks and eye makeup, were also ahead of the curve in earwax removal, creating concoctions that included Cypress tree oil, pig fat, cat blood or male bat’s head. Several millennia later, Japan has made another evolutionary leap in ear care.
 
 
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Younger women wanting to pamper themselves in the office are providing a ready market for a new breed of portable electric devices. While older generations of women may have tended to confine their crimping and preening to their own boudoirs, twenty- and thirtysomethings are increasingly demanding electric beauty equipment they can take on the go
 
 
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There's gold in mineral makeup...at least for shareholders of Bare Escentuals. Shiseido acquired Bare Escentuals for approximately $1.7 billion through an all-cash tender offer and second-step merger. The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of both companies by unanimous vote of those directors present and voting.
 
 
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The Japanese toy giant Bandai teamed up with cosmetics powerhouse Fancl to produce Bihada Kantei: a small digital skin condition checker that will be released on 30 november (suggested retail price 3.570 yen.).
 
 
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For a few years already several websites such as online stores or beauty communities offer a service to try out clothes or a new hair style. Upload your photo and simply drag the favoured  fashion items onto it. Unfortunately the results of those services were never really s pleasing, as picture quality has been generally low. Japanese cosmetics brand Shiseido now developed a real-time Make-up simulator which captures your face on screen while your apply the latest products on - all using high-tech made in Japan.
 
 
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Kiehls since 1851 is a leading cosmetics company today even though back in 1851 it started as a old-world apothecary in New Yorks East End. Still operating out of New York City’s East Village Kiehl’s is finally getting around to launching its first branch in Tokyo. The new outlet, located in Shinjuku Isetan, will offer over 140 balms and beauty products, all made with natural ingredients and eschewing preservatives.
 
 
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Male beauty grooming is booming in Japan. The conventional image of a grey-suited and grey-faced businessman is being usurped by a colourful new generation of beauty-conscious Japanese men. With new products ranging from men-only make up and manicures to moisturisers and facials, it is Japan's men who are fuelling the nation's beauty industry.