From Kyoto to La Jolla: What Japan Taught Me About Skin, Ritual, and Slowing Down
If you’ve been coming to Salt & Rind for a while, you already know I’m skincare-obsessed—but even more obsessed with the experiences behind it. I live for the rituals. The intention. The way other cultures approach beauty not as something to fix, but something to feel.
And after a handful of incredible trips—and a lot of time dreaming in the treatment room—it finally hit me: it’s time to bring those experiences to you.
Jet-set skin, no TSA required.
Last spring, I went to Japan. No itinerary. No plan. I pieced it all together mid-flight somewhere over the Pacific on Japan Airlines—thanks to a mix of saved TikToks, in-flight Wi-Fi, and great advice from friends who just get me. And somehow, with nothing but vibes and curiosity, I landed in Tokyo and had the trip of a lifetime.
Tokyo and Kyoto were both absolutely magic—and completely different. Tokyo was fast, fun, and fashion-forward. I hit the best little bars tucked away in tiny alleyways, found secondhand couture shops in Ginza that nearly ruined my suitcase weight limit, and had the best Kobe steak of my life at Premier Steak in Kyoto. And even though I didn’t make it to the Shibuya Sky building, I stood at the famous Shibuya Crossing—watching the crowds criss-cross in every direction like organized chaos. That moment was surreal and totally unforgettable.
But what surprised me the most? Even in a city that never slows down, I found so many pockets of calm. A quiet temple tucked into the middle of the city. A serene garden behind a shrine. A spa on the third floor of a building in Tokyo that completely shifted how I think about skincare.
How Japanese Wellness Rituals Shifted My View on Skincare..
While I was in Tokyo, I booked a facial at Koh Gen Do, a spot known for working with celebrities and delivering serious skin. I figured I’d get some high-tech magic—but what I got instead? Way better.
No exfoliation, no peels, no fancy tools. Just massage, mask, massage, mask, mist… repeat. It was all about rhythm, hydration, and calm. I honestly lost count of how many hydrating layers they used—but I left glowing in that soft, effortless way only Japanese skincare seems to pull off.
And just when I thought we were done—they offered to do my makeup. Their style was totally different from the bold contour and bronzer we’re used to here. Instead of war stripes and blending, they spent the entire service evening out my skin tone and finished with the tiniest drop of blush on each cheek. Definitely not how I usually wear my makeup—but honestly? I kind of loved it, pale skin was in, and I rocked it all day. It felt fresh and perfectly in tune with the culture and the facial vibe.
A few days later in Kyoto, I visited the spa at Roku Kyoto, and it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. They had me toss paper over my shoulder three times as part of a traditional good luck ritual (I didn’t ask questions—I was all in). Then came warm stones from the Tejing River, followed by a soak in their onsen—a mineral-rich hot spring that felt like being wrapped in peace itself. Even the hallways smelled like wellness. I left that spa floating… and thinking, yep, this is the energy I want to bring home.
Where We Go From Here..
That trip changed something for me.
I’ve always been curious about the way skincare looks around the world—not just the ingredients or techniques, but the entire experience. How people slow down. How they connect. How beauty becomes a feeling, not a routine.
Now I’m finally creating something I’ve dreamed about for years—a way to share those discoveries with you, right here at Salt & Rind.
This is just the beginning.
Let’s take your skin on tour.