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Posted by Dain, Thursday, November 01, 2007 2:29 PM (Eastern)
Above: I am really fond of this image by Yoshitono Nara, titled Abandoned. It is such a simple picture, yet so much is suggested by so little. The flat, childish, cartoonish style suggests anime, but its subject matter is rather sinister, an abandoned puppy, who seems rather meditative about his doom.
I sometimes think that Asian culture has an obsession with honor, the way America has with money, in the sense that it is an undercurrent that ties society together as greed ties ours. The obligation due to ancestors, the politeness thing, a haunting by ghosts... The bone of contention in most plots is varying definitions of honor ("He was always the first to burst into tears, overwhelmed by the main character's conflict between duty and heart," writes Osamu Dazai). Honor is a beautiful philosophy in theory, but, as with many things, complex in execution. It can come off as naïve; I suppose greed takes a rougher view of human nature than does honor. While bad American television is populated by wealthy SoCal brats, bad Asian television focuses a lot on people being appallingly undignified and foolish, worse than children, or gross sentimentality to roll your eyes at—an indulgence in weakness, perhaps, or the admission of it.*
My picks this month were inspired by an Asian aesthetic, notably Nipponese (the Chinese are somewhat more decadent). Honor underscores Asian aesthetics too, I think. "So much is suggested by so little." Only a culture that particularly values stoicism (though a traditional and not necessarily widespread value) would create art so minimalist in nature.
 In Korean, the word for rice is the same as the generic word for food, such is the vital importance of rice in the cuisine. It is no surprise then, that the rarest "essence" (as my mother terms such things) from Asia might feature rice bran and sake. Komenuka Bijin NS-L C-10 Essence ($158) (the brand name translates literally into "rice bran beautiful person") is a little treasure box with vials of a watery, innocuous fluid, somewhat tacky at first, but upon absorption your skin is comfortably hydrated (look, ma, no moisturizer!), for a even-toned complexion with a subtle glow. Its benefits seem to be all-encompassing, if vague, much like its infamous cousin, SK-II. If you're obsessive about skincare as many Asian women are, you might enjoy this little splurge. |
 For the most part, I turn my nose up at eye creams, because I honestly feel it is the cosmetic companies' attempt to leech the consumer dry (moisturizer is moisturizer; if you don't believe me, look at the ingredients). The last I tried, Chanel Beauté Initiale, was quite the overpriced, irritating, lackluster, slimy mess. But the necessity of eye creams is such a pervasive myth that occasionally my interest is piqued enough to test one out. Though the copy—"influenced by the great alchemist Paracelsus (1498-1545) who studied the relation and interaction between the elements, plants and planetary influences"—is without a doubt gimmicky, I am pleasantly surprised by Julisis Copper Eyemulsion ($175). It has a light, soft texture (almost what I'd call a "soufflé" texture, almost, but not quite), a odd but faint scent, gentle enough for delicate skin, and though it is hydrating, it absorbs readily, making it the perfect base under concealer. A very simple product well made, I can honestly say, this is the first time I have contemplated purchasing an eye cream for myself. |
 A century-old hair treatment for long, silky tresses, Beautyhabit does offer traditionally produced camellia oil, but for a more user-friendly formula better suited to the non-Geishas in my audience, consider the modern offering from Massato (who styles the stupendous Isabelle Hupert) Styling Lotion with Camellia ($24), which is halfway between styling product (light, natural definition and shine) and a leave-in treatment (nourishment, protection), perfect for the unstyled styling typical of the model-off-duty, because the best hair is beautiful but unaffected. Go tell Ken Pavés (of Jessica Simpson fame) that! It has a scent reminiscent of Asian candy (which is far superior to American candy), not camellia which has no scent (in spite of the various Eau de Camellias on the market), and disappears into the hair for a look "undone" rather than "messy". |
 So limpid and peaceful, like fog rising in a bamboo forest, Andrée Putman Préparation Parfumée ($55-$160) incorporates driftwood, grey pepper, water lily, and coriander leaves (I also detect a fleeting, ephemeral carrot note): but everything is so soft and understated, beautifully evocative, like the ghost of a fragrance. Meditative and austere, the notes (woods, spice, florals, green) that might compete in some other perfume achieve impeccable harmony, indeed the most dominant aspect is the ozonic quality that shimmers over its whole. Given my prediliction for perfumes of near overpowering intensity, I am surprised by how much I am drawn to this wonderfully elusive scent. I would recommend this to the duly oversensitive: those who dislike the artifice of wearing perfumes, and those whoses noses are so jaded that they seldom sniff anything new. Truly, like a breath of fresh air. Love the flacon, too, very message in a bottle. |
 BURN Hinoki Temple Incense Body Wash ($42) was inspired by the incense-suffused atmosphere of Buddhist temples in Japan, pure romance writ in sandalwood, aloeswood, black tea, and moss. But incense body wash? Should not incense remain atmospheric? Why not? It is an unconventional way to suds yourself, but the first moment when the pungent aroma blossoms in your shower, breathe deeply, ah, maaahvelous. It is low-lathering, should that surprise you, but you are no less clean. |
To get you in the mood:
WATCH
Anime can be awfully silly and self-indulgent: fillers, otiose sentimentality, immature jokes, snailspace plot development drawn out past their climax, and characters that can kill fifty enemies in a go in spite of a dozen fatal wounds WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. But, Samurai Champloo is one worth obsessive rewatching. It's very Westernized and anachronistic, set to a pretty good hip hop track, but somehow... true-to-life. By this, I mean, (1) no matter how skilled a swordsman you are, fights are exhausting and there is a natural limit to the number of wounds you can take and men you can kill, (2) young men do think about sex all the time (or, in lieu of that, competition with each other), (3) people don't usually want to deal with deep feelings, and when characters come to terms with themselves it is really for the audience's gratification (real people are much more selfish). Rare cool fun.
READ
I wracked my brains for English prose with the proper austerity of style rather than "minority literature" (The Joy Luck Club, bahhh!), and I considered, say, T.S. Eliot, until my eyes lit on the cover of The Elegant Universe. All the physical phenomena of the universe, large and small, (purportedly) explained by one unified theory (the one Einstein never found), if that's not "so much suggested by so little", I don't know what is. It also makes pleasant reading, Greene strikes a good balance between informative and entertaining, so it's not dry as a textbook.
WEAR
Once I was rehearsing favorite restaurants, and as I stammered about the dreamy tomato soup and prosciutto-wrapped chicken of some bistro a skip down from Harrod's, my friend insisted on a New York steak house. "Steak has popular appeal," I said snidely, and privately recollected that I had twice gorged on too much rare beef and red wine and ignominiously thrown up afterwards. "Because," he insisted, breaking through my thoughts, "it is actually hard to cook simple things, really well." Here is a little black dress ($200) of humbling simplicity—the neckline, the hem, the diagonal seam, the slightly iridescent, slightly sheer silk—so much work is involved, and yet, it is entirely and utterly without flourish; it is intimate. I love this dress, I would wear it with witty shoes and a silver fox fur.
EAT
Fried rice is comfort food for any Asian, and infinitely variable, perfect for using up leftovers. To cook perfect white rice: Asian brands are best because they are sticky rather than fluffy which will break apart in a sauté, wash vigorously until the water runs clear, in the pot the rice should be about 2/3 of the volume of the water, bring to boil and turn down heat to a simmer to prevent a burn, which will ruin the flavor. Here is the basic recipe, for one: scramble an egg in butter, whilst chopping one half small onion fine as well as equal amount ham or bacon. Trade eggs for onions/pork (a cutting board/frying pan switch), no grease necessary, and singe slightly before returning all ingredients to the cutting board. Onto the now empty pan, add three cups cooked rice and a tablespoon of butter, the rice will pick up the previous flavors, making sure to stir well so that the butter coats the rice evenly. Add eggs, onions, pork, and salt to taste. Add a tablespoon of ketchup, which adds color and flavor (not what you think, it evaporates). I like to allow the rice to "crisp" somewhat, so I let it rest for several minutes before stirring again. Repeat.
*I am not a sociologist, and am aware of the danger of making sweeping generalizations of cultures. I am pretty whitewashed myself. Just making idle food-for-thought before I dive into cosmetics banter.
Labels: beauty notebook, beautyhabit
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