Japanese women have enjoyed the protective and enhancing properties of camellia oil since ancient times.
As an oil specialist, it made sense for me to use camellia oil on my hair and since I started to do so regularly, my dry, wavy hair has been straight and shiny.

Seeing such positive results, I decided to go all the way and started using a traditional Japanese boxwood comb with the camellia oil. Three years into this beauty ritual, people around me started to comment on how beautiful and lustrous my hair was. That’s not a compliment I was used to hearing!

My grandmother was born in the Meiji Era, over a hundred year ago. Her small dressing table wafted the aroma of camellia oil. In fact, some customers say, “Wow, this oil smells like my grandma” or “It brings back memories of grandma!”

he first boxwood comb I bought is called a “detangling comb”. My hair is a little bit coarse and stiff, and tangles easily, so I chose one with teeth that were not too fine. Boxwood combs come in various sizes so when choosing one I held them in my hand until I could tell which was easiest for me to handle.

Made of authentic boxwood from Satsuma, or the southernmost Kyushu Island, my comb was expensive. I decided to buy it anyway, the craftsman’s words convinced me: use it carefully and it will last a lifetime.

I strolled into some other shops and bought a larger comb, as well as a smaller one for my makeup bag; both play slightly different roles.
The comb in the photo is my favorite, it caresses my scalp so gently. The way the comb feels is said to differ depending on the craftsman who made it. The experience also differs depending on who uses the comb. Meaning the best way to find your perfect boxwood comb is to try a few.

Later, I will tell you about other types of boxwood combs as well as how to take care of the combs, and your hair as well.