maiko-san's skincare

hello again!

I've been thinking lately about how geimaiko-san look after their skin, & wish to apply that curiosity to help myself & others take better care of their skin, too. I've struggled with acne for a long time & am looking for a way to treat it that is soothing to both my skin & my soul. it's always my priority to be true to myself, which includes being selective about what I engage with, so that I can always focus on living as closely as I can to the things I love. for that reason, I've never been very interested in beauty or skincare- especially not the commercial or pharmaceutical kind- but I hope that my findings will help guide me toward enriching & rewarding routines. with that said, I hope this post will hold value for you as well!

first of all, I'd like to mention the geiko mamefuku-san (who I believe was a member of the shibata okiya in gion kōbu, though is now retired), who started her own skincare line! it sadly seems to no longer be in business, but during its time her brand was named 'mame.fu'. what I found especially interesting was its usage of 'han'nari' as the name for her product line- as the term I chose for my senior jacket name, I used to have a lot of mixed feelings about it, but as I lean more into my truest passion for the hanamachi (despite how demeaning the high school life is), it's something I'm beginning to identify more with & feel proud of. I feel a special connection to this topic, having seen myself in it in more ways than one. it's in her honour, as somebody else who has struggled with unpleasant skin, that I'd like to write this blog post.

I read recently on the tumblr blog of 'missmyloko' that geimaiko-san use oat bran to scrub the oshiroi- which, due to its thick application, takes some effort to remove- from their faces each night. the coarseness of this oat bran (combined with its frequent use) soon corrects any blemishes that young maiko may have, beautifully clearing up & smoothing their skin. I developed a great curiosity & resolved to try an oatmeal soap out on my own blemished skin. I distinctly remember the feeling of relief, calm & beauty that washed over my face during my first application! it was nothing like I'd experienced before- it was notably smooth & soft. I am especially grateful that my skin has dramatically cleared up within only a few days of usage. I feel optimistic that regardless of any phase in the menstrual cycle, or dis-eased state of mind I bring home with me, I can develop & maintain lovely, clean skin like theirs.

part of my intention in emulating the skincare routines of geimaiko-san is to nurture their elegance & beauty within myself. for this reason, I set an intention each time I use my oatmeal soap. I have a little ritual while preparing it in which I mindfully consider the charming & pleasant aspects of those in the hanamachi, with the hope of awakening those characteristics within myself. it's a valuable moment to connect with the person I want to be, & it feels refreshing to focus solely on cultivating that positive state of mind. when washing my face with it, I reflect not just on whichever mental element appeals to me in that moment, but also physical areas on which I'd like to focus. I set the intention not just to create a lasting beautiful state of mind from which the rest of my soul radiates, but to heal the most troubled parts of my skin. I found that in doing so, some painful little bumps near my jawline had really calmed down overnight! I am grateful not just for the relief that brought, but also the excitement that I'd found a treatment that pleased both my skin & my heart.

that's all I have to share right now. I considered delving into the role of oshiroi & bintsuke wax in creating smooth skin as well, given that they go hand-in-hand. however, it's unlikely that I'd be able to provide my own perspective on them any time soon, & it was important to me to stay true to experiences of my own, that I could describe truthfully. thank you, as always, for your continued support & interest! as we part ways now, I wish you many days of clear, calm skin & mind. ♡