Meet Joomee Song: Author and Creator of KAIKA™️ facial massage

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joomee Song and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joomee, what role has risk played in your life or career?
What else is there without taking risks or challenging yourself in life? I’ve always wanted to create my own path since I was a child growing up in Japan.
Coming to America at age 20 was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. Not knowing the language well at the time and having no relatives or friends to rely on. Understand, diving into American owned establishments, instead of diving into the Japanese community in the US was a scary decision.

I went back to Japan to study about the Japanese beauty industry after being in the US for four years. Coming back to the US in 2006, I set a goal for myself to always aim for a position at the highest, most prestigious establishments. As a result of that goal setting I was chosen each time and singled out in each establishment as the highest valued in performance and sales.

After establishing my own business in 2014, I have focused specifically on nothing but inventing my own way of approaching beauty from my point of view. I chose only to use my bare hands and my own facial massage, KAIKA, to treat the skin. No gadgets or excess products, just my hands in tandem with the simplest products.

Over saturation happens no matter which industry we choose to be in. So, we need to take risks to be noticed and to rise above the crowd. Being truthful to who you are is what makes you feel alive. And that takes courage. The risks that you are taking is simply a part of the process of becoming who you truly are.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My facial business, Faceworks Inc, was established in 2014. I had worked internationally in the US and Japan since 1999. We opened our first studio in Brentwood in 2018, I only had handful of clients and a few magazine articles at the time. But I knew that what I was able to deliver to people’s skin and faces from using only my bare hands with my particular method was a new/foreign concept to the industry.

It’s been four years since then and now it’s solely a referral-based business. I wouldn’t say it was easy or challenging. It just is. But I would say that many around you tend to have their opinions about how you should run your business. And the best lessons that I’ve learned along the way are to figure out for yourself how to block all the noise out. Even if it’s from your closest friends. Be deaf to all the noise and stay focused on you and your goal.

I want the world to know that skincare is deeply connected to how you take care of yourself inside. It’s not about how many layers of creme you apply or whether you exfoliate everyday at all. It’s about you appreciating and preserving what you have i.e, oily skin, thick skin, fair skin, etc. versus focusing on what you don’t have. That road will never end if you follow it. Your skin is your organ. Take care of your skin the way you would take care of your liver. You can detoxify the liver by cleansing, you can detoxify your skin by massaging to stimulate blood flow.

Having moved to the United States in my twenties, I couldn’t help but notice that the states had access to lots of facial devices and chemical peels. Often times, these only compromise the health and immunity of one’s skin. Utilize your five senses, not gadgets, to take care of your skin.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I would take my friend to OSEA Studio on Abbot kinney in Venice. There is only one place in the entire US where you can get the OSEA Facial treatments with their special seaweed wraps and that is in Venice. After my friend’s face is refreshed and glowy I would take her to Tsujita Ramen on Sawtelle. I was born and raised in japan and I approve Tsujita. They are really good! I would take her to visit KLT floral on Wilshire x Bundy where they sell the most unique flowers, crystals and vases. The owners Kelli and Kevin are incredible with Ikebana – a flower arrangement and they would tell you many interesting stories. Before the day ends, I would finish by taking her to Urth Cafe to get Greentea Boba. You’ve got to get Urth cafe green tea boba when you are in LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Moe Irvin, who has been also my best friend and my confidant for the past two decades. He has been in my every corner, guiding me throughout darkness and unknowns.

Website: www.joomeesong.com

Instagram: @joomees

Twitter: @joomees

Facebook: www.facebook.com/faceworksinc

Image Credits
The profile picture is by Dana Patrick at Dana Partick Photography.