JAPAN|COVET

So. You Want Something Pretty.

If you’ve ever felt that your morning routine could use a bit more elegance and a bit less panic, allow me to introduce you to the **Japanese handmade hair comb**—a tiny wooden masterpiece that will have you rethinking your entire hair-care philosophy. These combs, or *kushi*, are so intricately crafted that you’ll wonder how something designed to tackle knots can look like it belongs in a museum. Spoiler: it probably does.

Now, don’t be fooled into thinking this is your run-of-the-mill plastic comb situation. These combs are often made from boxwood and lacquered to a glossy finish that’s as smooth as a David Attenborough narration. They’re delicate, so forget about tossing one into your backpack like a scrunchie. You treat these combs with the respect normally reserved for royalty, or at least a really nice bottle of wine.

But let’s get to the important part—**how you’re supposed to use them**. Japanese women don’t just run this comb through their hair like it’s a mad dash to catch a train. Oh no. There’s a ritual to it. First, you oil the comb (yes, oil it) to prevent it from damaging your hair. Then, in the most graceful fashion possible (read: far more gracefully than you’re probably used to), you sweep the comb through your hair in slow, deliberate motions, as though you’re starring in a period drama.

The goal is not just detangling but achieving hair nirvana—smooth, shiny locks that look like they’ve never even heard of humidity. And if you’re really ambitious, you can attempt one of those elaborate, lacquered hairdos that geishas wear. Just be prepared to spend the next 45 minutes feeling like you’re solving a Rubik’s cube made of hair.

So, if you're looking for a beauty routine that’s part grooming, part performance art, the Japanese hair comb might be just the thing. Just don’t expect to master it on the first try.