For Japanese businesswoman Kiyosa Kato, the ultimate beauty secret is refreshingly simple: self-love. At 36, the entrepreneur brings her philosophy of self-love and authentic Japanese beauty techniques to Manila with the reopening of Kiyosa Japanese Total Beauty in Bonifacio Global City.
Her flagship salon, which relaunched on Oct. 8, has become a destination for those seeking meticulous, customer-focused beauty care. In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard Life, Kiyosa shared her insights on beauty and self-care. She noted that true radiance begins from within.
“To me, beauty is loving yourself,” Kato shared, adding that grooming and self-care go beyond appearances. “When a person takes care of herself, grooms herself, it makes her happy, and that happiness reflects in her aura.”
Kato emphasized that while her salon offers the latest in beauty treatments, true beauty radiates from inner joy, which no product alone can replicate. This simple but profound belief has driven Kato’s mission to help clients feel beautiful from the inside out since she opened her first salon in 2014.
Kiyosa Japanese Total Beauty has been a trusted name in Manila for those seeking authentic Japanese beauty services. After closing for three months to complete a major renovation, the flagship location now boasts a refreshed aesthetic.
“We made the lighting brighter and introduced more white and beige to make the space feel elegant and inviting,” Kato explained.
The two-story salon at the F1 Hotel in BGC has become a sanctuary for clients who appreciate Japanese attention to detail and precision in beauty treatments.
When asked how the journey started, Kato said she initially set up her salon after moving to Manila and noticing a lack of options that met her standards for quality service.
“I couldn’t find anything that catered to my needs, so I decided to open my own,” Kato recalled. “Filipinos appreciate Japanese techniques that are detailed, careful, and customer-focused.”
Kiyosa Japanese Total Beauty remains the only salon in the Philippines to fly in technicians from Japan to ensure clients receive the highest standards of service. The salon also imports all its beauty products from Japan, including coloring agents, gels, eyelash extensions, and adhesives, which sets it apart in the crowded beauty landscape.
“We’re not just a salon—we’re a place where clients experience authentic Japanese care and expertise,” Kato said.
Kato is dedicated to improving the local beauty industry beyond her own salon. She plans to open more branches next year to expand Japanese beauty standards to a broader audience. Currently, Kiyosa Japanese Total Beauty has three locations: the flagship at F1 Hotel, one at Mitsukoshi Mall in BGC, and another at the Palisades Condominium in Makati.
Kato’s dedication has attracted a loyal clientele, including well-known figures like Barbie Imperial, Priscilla Meirelles, and Tessa Prieto.
Kiyosa Japanese Total Beauty specializes in professional eyelash extensions, lash lifts, and intricate nail art, catering to clients who seek meticulous, high-quality beauty services.
For Kato, the experience is about creating a holistic, luxurious escape where clients can relax and leave feeling renewed.
“Our clients come here for more than just a service; they come for the experience, to feel pampered and cared for in every detail,” Kato shared.
Kiyosa Japanese Total Beauty’s newly renovated flagship location at F1 Hotel in Bonifacio Global City welcomes clients from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
