Thursday, July 24, 2008

You Can Stand Under My Umbrella


Many Japanese women carry UV
protection umbrellas to protect
their skin from the bright sun.
One trend that comes along in Japan ever spring/summer season is the UV protection umbrellas. If you didn't know, Japanese women care for their skin like crazy and the majority hate the thought of getting a tan. (Well, besides those yamambas that I talked about a long time ago and beach lovers.) Some of my Japanese friends use SPF 50+ sunscreen! I usually only use SPF 15 or 30, so I was shocked.

UV protection umbrellas are mostly used by 30 year old women and up, but every now and then I see a young teenager or some 20 something year olds using these umbrellas. Some think the use of umbrellas is a sign of getting old, but I think that their just becoming more aware of their skin and protecting it from wrinkling and skin diseases.

Although I dislike the thought of lugging around an umbrella everywhere I go, it is a great way to always stay in the shade. The umbrella's are pretty cute and come in many colors and designs, but some turn out to look really old-fashioned which doesn't always match the outfit.

Do I use these umbrellas? Nah. For now I think I'm going to stick with sunscreen lotion and maybe when I start getting "old" I might think about using one of these umbrellas.

40 comments:

♥ Marta ♥ said...

It is so true ... all of the Japanese women that I have met have stunning skin...I'm quite a sun protection freak myself and hate tanning, but I don't think that I will adapt an umbrella anytime soon...it's too much hassle :)

Unknown said...

when i was stayin in macau for 4 months almost everyone used umbrella. i used on my face sunscreen 40spf and body 30 or 20 spf. i am so affraid of wrinkles :D theres was so hot at the time :) all that sunscreen i still got a tan. we visited also malaysia,singapore, hong kong.
it was nice. <3 i dont really care of tanning, i got white face and its okay.

Anonymous said...

i'm all about sunscreen! =) i have spf 70! the problem is i always forget to put it on. haha. i always remember when i go to the beach, for sure. but i always forget to do it on a day to day basis. i like the umbrella concept. but, i am into those small things that fold to be like 4 inches. =) and fit in any purse. hehe.

i'm all for trading links. i added you to my favorites so that i can remember to add you onto my blog roll. if you don't see yourself up on my blog roll in the next 2 or 3 days then leave me a comment to remind me!

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

try carry around an umbrella in the the blistering Aussie summer...30+ for me!

Inès said...

Yes of course I would like to do a link exchange. I'm really happy that you like my blog!!!
Despite my english is not so good, I think your articles are interesting......bye bye

Claudia said...

Haha, great post! I can't image walking around with an umbrella when it's summer, but hey, maybe it will be the new big thing.

Alice @Ogni cosa bella è viola said...

I love umbrella and this a usefull trend to me, i'm redhaired with milky complexion and scared about wrinkles and sunburning, so a sunscreen isn't enought. Umbrella is fancy and i don't expose my delicate skin at excessive risk.

Ida said...

SP Umbrellas? Really? Soooooooo nice! I really like the idea.
Pity that we, Europeans are so keen on getting tan they usually forget about proper sun protection.

Arielle said...

that piture is so elegant. I love how the umbrellas look with their outfits but I'll stick to my tanning oil

Darling Deer said...

ooh thats a great idea!the umbrella looks so pretty too.id consider it if they made one small enough for my little handbag..xx

the Launderette said...

I was in Japan a couple years ago and Japanese people were just ready for everything! They all would carry around fans and little oil absorbing sheets. I felt so unprepared!

I'm def down for a link exchange. Thanks!

diana said...

I need one of those!!!

ADIOS

Hanna said...

I think it's a great way to stay in the shade! Even though, as you say, umbrellas don't always match the outfit, you might try going for an eclectic look... Great post!

Marina said...

It's good for shade.....or for an "i'm so ironic and dress like this to be sooooo ironichipandcool". But I dunno about sun protection...I'm too paranoid to be convinced that an umbrella that manages to get me wet when it rains will block UV rays.
And i'm absolutely up to a link exchange. Your blog is awesome, the quality of writing far surpasses anything I can come up with (I know that much).

Anonymous said...

I use spf 8 :D

Anonymous said...

also a link swap sounds great.

Angela said...

I think it is so important to protect the skin agains the sun. I tried to carry one around after seeing how women in Asia protect their skin, but it's just not done here in California.

michelle said...

I don't use any umbrellas, but if I had a cute one I might xP

Secretista said...

I lovee umbrellas! Back in high school I would walk around the track with an umbrella during practice. I was a shot putter so we didn't have to run, but we did a lot of walking, so the umbrella came in handy for the hot hot sun.

Well, the only way I'll be inside the tents is if I sneak in like I did last time. And that wasn't the tents. I snuck in Marc Jacobs show at the NY Armory. Shows that aren't at the tents might be easier to get in, but they are still a challenge.

Jane said...

hi! U wanted to trade? I added you. Thanks

Human Racing said...

That's why so many Japanese women have such great skin! I guess it makes sense though. Take care of your skin and it will look good- simple but very effective.

Unknown said...

haha.. great post!! I see this all the time and I loathe the fact I would have to carry an umbrella everywhere.... I stick to the sunscreen too.. I was talking to this one girl and I thought she was no older than 26 .... the woman was 43!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

ohhhh i love this post, i love umbrellas, i honestly wish i was japanese, a blond girl looks ridiculous in a lolita get up! haha! p.s. added your blog to my links xx

Economy of Style said...

Ha. It was common for folks to carry umbrellas in the sun where I grew up. Hmmm...I wonder if that practice is still common there?

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I love seeing the little old ladies carry umbrellas around (they do it in Hawaii too), it's so charming and eccentric looking.

Anonymous said...

i only wish i was this dedicated to a good skin care regimen. i just started wearing lotion that has spf, so it's a start!

colette rose said...

yes, yes a link exchange with you would be wonderful. great blog you have !
xoxo

TINA said...

Interesting post, and I do find that most Japanese women have amazingly fair skin.

Tu-Anh said...

I've actually considered using an umbrella in the hot summer, if not to tan, but to stay cool in the shade like you mentioned.

One thing that I do do often is carry a fan around with me, especially when I go out dancing at night. It's so useful, not to mention it really sets you apart--in a good way, or at least I like to pretend so. =)

Tricia said...

I prefer some kind of hat, but that gets hot, too. it's just such a pain carrying an umbrella in the city.

Elisa Kwon said...

those umbrellas are so sweet! All you need is a dirndl and a bonnet! :D

simplysteph said...

spf 50 lol...

Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn said...

I think the umbrella is cute! And a good idea..no wonder Japnaese women have such gorgeous skin!

Reena Rai said...

Very interesting, I knew Japanese women liked to look after themselves but this is new to me. Very cute accessory but you're right, it is a bit much to carry around.

ps - added you to my blogroll x

Always In Style said...

I think someone came out with SPF85 or something like that - amazing!

I do like the umbrella idea...nice accessory.

Anonymous said...

Here in Kuwait, there is a french company that sells 100spf creme, which is the sole and only reason my pale Irish ass isn't constantly sunburnt. There's also sun protection pills you can take now, but they're uberpricey...appreciated the idea, may have to try this (and increase the WTF crazy white girl looks I get every day ;b )
soupprincess

About me said...

At times, but being asian myself, alot of it has to do with beauty ideals and society. I know I get alot of heat for being 'dark' and am seen as lower class when I'm in the Philippines. The lighter the skin, the higher they are in the beauty ladder. Sorta sucks.

Gen Williams said...

I reaaally wish I could get away with walking around London toting a pretty parasol or sun brolly. I suppose London's weather rarely justifies it, and it'd just look very odd. The notion of shielding your skin rigorously from the sun at all times is an old-fashioned one, and it's cheering to see that the Japanese still embrace it.

MizzJ said...

I think the umbrella thing is a great idea! Although I wish there were cute mini versions that fit into your purse. Sun protection is not a new thing - didn't they use parasols back in the Victorian ages too?

ivyylimm said...

yes, lots of cute umbrella design, material, structure style different, the price are different completely.

some UV protection umbrella is far more expensive than univeral umberlla. it's becoming a fasion industry now.