Cuore Cosmetics Visits SNY

Representatives from Cuore Cosmetics company in Japan visited Shizuka New York Day Spa last Monday December 10th, 2012 to attend a lecture given by Shizuka.

Shizuka discussed the latest trends in the spa and beauty industry in the United States and highlighted how she was able to imbue a Japanese day spa within New York City’s already saturated spa scene. Among those in attendance were professional estheticians from Cuore Cosmetics as well as the company’s president.

Shizuka also demonstrated her Signature Micro Facial on one *lucky* participant.

Tatzu Nishi’s “Discovering Columbus” Exhibit

“Discovering Columbus”, Japanese conceptual artist, Tatzu Nishi’s 6-story art installation is still on view in Columbus Circle until December 2^nd, 2012.

Viewers are invited into a fully furnished 6^th floor walk-up apartment to interact with the statue in an unconventional, yet cozy way.  In the apartment you’ll find couches, TV, mini-library filled with classic American literature, and even wallpaper (designed by Nishi himself) with iconic images of Americana like Elvis, the Empire State Building, Michael Jackson, Mickey Mouse, and the Hot Dog. The apartment even has windows allowing visitors 6^th floor views of Central Park South and Columbus Circle.

As if all is homage to Columbus and his ever-adventurous spirit.

Nishi's drawing of the planned living room exhibit space.

Machida Design College Visits SNY

Machida Design College, located in Tokyo, Japan, is a school specializing in “beauty design” (or cosmetology) where students concentrate on becoming manicurists, estheticians or beauty advisors (certified business professionals in the beauty industry).

Bird Poop Facial was featured in Good Morning America!

Shizuka New York Day Spa was featured in Good Morning America on Monday, Aug 29th. 2011.

Our famous Bird Poop Facial was introduced as one of all natural and unusual facial!
 

(Please be patient as video loads.)

owner Shizuka Bernstein says her geisha facial® – which includes the use of purified bird droppings — is in high demand.

“The ingredients in the droppings have a natural enzyme and it exfoliates, it breaks down the top layer of the skin, so it’s a good exfoliation,” Bernstein said.

But Day wasn’t so sure.

“Anything that is a leftover or a by-product especially in feces of another animal I would be very hesitant to use on my skin,” she said.

For centuries, geishas used the droppings to remove makeup and revitalize their skin. Bernstein incorporated the idea to make it a substitute for clients who didn’t want to use harsh chemicals on their face.

Mixed with rice bran and applied to the face, the bird droppings emit an “organic” aroma, but first-time client Jennifer Teman didn’t seem to mind, and she’s looking forward to her next visit.

“It smelled a little funny, but I was expecting that… I would recommend other people to do it because it’s definitely a different kind of a facial to get,” Teman said.

The geisha facial takes about 60 minutes and costs $180.

Bird Poop Facial – Daily Mail (UK)

The UK’s Daily Mail recently featured the Geisha Facial® at Shizuka New York Day Spa:

It’s been hailed as a beauty wonder product and Victoria Beckham loves it… but would you put bird poo on your face?

From bull’s semen to flesh-eating fish, women have endured some bizarre things in the name of beauty.

But the latest treatment to hit high-end spas features what is perhaps the strangest ingredient to date.

Nightingale excrement, collected from the Japanese island of Kyushu, is being hailed as the hottest beauty wonder product.

…

Known in Japan as uguisu no fun, the facial was conceived in November 2007 by New York facialist Shizuka Bernstein, who was inspired by her mother describing how geisha girls in feudal Japan removed their thick white lead make-up.

Mrs Bernstein, 52 explained: ‘The bird poop facial works because of an enzyme that breaks down the dead skin on the upper layers of the face.

Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/beauty/article-1350741/Its-hailed-beauty-wonder-product-Victoria-Beckham-loves–bird-poo-face.html

Loving Breath, Hello Kitty?

Check out this space-age-looking Japanese creation that tells you if your breath is date-ready. The Digital Bad Breath Checker is $50 at Japan Trend Shop. They say it’s for women, but maybe we all could benefit from such a handy gadget. BTW, the English product name does not do the original Japanese justice, loosely translating to Loving Breath. [TheFrisky.com]

Here’s a bit more of Japanese culture in a crazy kitty. From Chopsticks Feeding Squirrel-Like Kitten on Youtube:

“To avoid being bitten and pounced on during kitty training, we have been using chopsticks and toothpicks to feed the kittens their treat. As seen in this video, this technique has worked particularly well with training “Gluteus,” where the kittens will sit up straight, balancing on their buttocks muscles (the largest of which is the gluteus maximus).”

Crazy? Cute? Crazy cute?