Feng Shui for Beauty
Be inspired by the elements -earth, water, fire, metal, and wood-to enhance your best features.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
The ancient art of feng shui (literally translated, “wind and water”) is used to create balance and harmony in your environment, and the same principles can be applied to your hair and makeup.
Historically, feng shui was used to orient buildings in an auspicious manner, but it’s no longer just about the placement of objects or home decor. Celebrity hair-stylist Billy Yamaguchi is credited with creating the first salons to adapt feng shui principles to beauty. His locations reach from the newest Yamaguchi Salon at Naupaka Spa & Wellness at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu to salons in California, New York, and Texas.
Yamaguchi determines which of the five basic elements you relate to from responses to a lifestyle and personality questionnaire, the colors you associate with your answers, and a sniff test of essential oil blends that correspond to the elements. He then translates the results to hair color, cut, style, and even makeup to complement your features. The result is an expert style specially tailored to reflect your inner and outer beauty.
“Feng shui hairstyling is more than cutting and coloring, it’s about wellness and the whole person,” says Yamaguchi. “While everyone has all five elements in their nature, two elements are predominant at any given time. A personalized consultation introduces you to your best elements. Once you know what they are, your hairstyle and makeup can enhance, balance, or harmonize your elements and your look.”
For example, the look for an earth element is natural, while water is chic, fire is bold, metal is classic, and wood is casual and active. During a consultation, Yamaguchi will also make dietary, fashion, and lifestyle suggestions to complete the experience.
“There is a wellness approach to feng shui beauty,” says Yamaguchi. “The five elements also have foods, herbs, and physical exercises that correspond to each of the them. When you are in balance with the elements, you unleash your best energy.”
A Good Hair Day
Celebrity hairstylist Billy Yamaguchi, shown above, gives clients a personality questionnaire as part of his feng shui approach to hairstyles.
1. Winterize Your Hair
Protect your hair from harsh winter elements with Giovanni 2 Chic Pineapple & Ginger Ultra-Revive Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir. It detangles, tames frizz, protects against heat damage, and hydrates each strand.
2. All Eyebrows
Frame your face by emphasizing your eyebrows with 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Long Last Brows. This multi-tasking gel shapes, fills, and conditions brows with pigments of cocoa beans and black tea leaves for natural-looking, rich color and healthier brows. Available in four shades.
3. Alluring Curls
Give your curls some TLC with Alaffia Beautiful Curls Hydrating Curl Oil Curly to Kinky. This hair-smoothing elixir contains Fair Trade shea butter and virgin coconut oil. West African sesame and baobab oils are added to help tame frizz for a sophisticated style.
4. Salon Chic
Keep that polished salon look with Pacifica Best Day Ever 10 in 1 Style Extending Balm. Passion fruit and Abyssinian oil make your style last longer in between shampoos and blowouts. This light cream protects hair from heat damage, adds texture and curl definition, controls frizz, and repels pollution while ensuring you never have a bad hair day.
5. At First Blush
Get your glow on with Gabriel Cosmetics Blush. Infused with jojoba seed oil to prevent a powdery buildup, this mineral-based blush glides easily onto skin for a natural flush or a pop of color. Available in six shades for warm or cool skin tones.
Achieving Balance with the right makeup
Clever makeup can visually reduce minor asymmetries and balance facial structure. Focus on your eyes. According to feng shui principles, eyebrows are viewed as protectors. They should be darker than your hair, thick inside and gradually becoming thinner to the outer tip. The use of heavy black eyeliner and mascara is considered inauspicious. Go lighter and less with your eyeliner and mascara.
Glowing cheeks indicate good fortune and give you a healthy look. Experiment with blush to determine which color best suits your skin tone. If you have red undertones, pink looks best. If you have yellow undertones, peach is a better match. Remember, if your hairstyle and makeup mirror your lifestyle and personality, you will look and feel more zen.