A beginner's guide to J-beauty

Japanese skincare regimes have overtaken the Korean, product-based techniques – and with new technology it doesn't have to be time consuming

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If you don’t know about K-beauty, ahem, where have you been? Korean beauty has dominated the Western market in recent years – famous for its sheet masks and tree sap cleansers, snail gel creams and lace eye patches, not to mention it’s most famous of all techniques, the 10-step skincare routine.

In recent months, however, a new style of beauty has emerged, one currently piquing the interest of the West, gently – but assuredly – nudging K-beauty aside. It too derives from the East, and its name is J-beauty.

The first thing to know about J-beauty – Japanese beauty – is to never call it “a trend”. J-beauty has been carefully honed over centuries and incorporates ancient practices, which, although new to the West, are longstanding in Eastern culture. It is predominantly about practice – careful, precise techniques.

But it’s the beauty routine that defines J-beauty – and at the heart of it is cleansing. A Zen mindset can be achieved through deep and careful cleansing, and those keen to master the art of J-beauty need to master this.

Luckily, not too much learning is involved with innovations such as Braun’s FaceSpa Pro. An impressive all-in-one, it comes complete with a variety of tools to take your skincare regime to the next level with no additional fuss – including a cleansing brush, precision epilator and innovative new MicroVibration toning head.

Braun FaceSpa Pro, £74.67, Buy now

Inspired by the Japanese practice of using a tapping motion to apply your skincare products, the MicroVibration toning head boasts a high-speed pulsating motion – an impressive 25 micro pulsations per second. Use it after cleansing to boost the efficacy of potent serums and essences, such as SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence – the tapping motion will allow your products to better penetrate skin and it’s much gentler on delicate facial skin than rubbing. You can also use it to give yourself a glow-giving lymph drainage massage to kick-start your cleanse – just switch the power off and apply gentle pressure from your cheekbones down towards your jawbone.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, £171

Circulation-boosting massage complete, it’s time to turn your attention to the central tenet of J-beauty – cleansing. Try the cleansing brush attachment on the Braun FaceSpa Pro for a cleanse that’s up to six times more effective than cleansing by hand. Plus, it’s waterproof – so you can cleanse in the shower – and self-timing, vibrating every 20 seconds to guide your hand around your face. Use with Shiseido’s WASO Quick Gentle Cleanser for an invigorating facial refresh.

Shiseido WASO Quick Gentle Cleanser, £24

Finally, create a smooth base for make-up with its precision epilator – great for removing stray facial hair, from the moustache to the eyebrow, including those just 0.2mm long.

Braun FaceSpa Pro will revolutionise your skincare regime and is available at amazon.co.uk

For more information, go to uk.braun.com or follow @Braun_Beauty on Instagram