Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2010

Courtesy of Cluxta

Self-described “ladies’ beauty lounge” Cluxta is the perfect antidote to the rainy season’s soggy hair and runny makeup. This spacious, squeaky-clean powder room offers not only excellent lighting and comfortable chairs, but also a selection of rentable cosmetic and hair products. For a fixed price of just ¥300 an hour, customers use a variety of hair-care goods, including dryers, irons and sprays, along with a full range of colors from makeup company Kao. And yes, all non-disposable items like brushes are sterilized after use, and cosmetics come with fresh applicators. Products are labeled by number and rented five at a time using pencil and paper (so very little Japanese is required).

An extra fee (¥200-¥1,200) gains access to the latest skin-care gadgets from Panasonic Beauty, with staff members on call to show novices how to use the brand’s steamers, shapers and pore-care items. Nothing is for sale at Cluxta, meaning customers can use the space not only to touch up but also to experiment with new products—without the pressure to buy.

Located in Ikebukuro station’s Echika complex, Cluxta opened last spring and has already found fans among both after-school teens and housewives. With summer just around the corner, they anticipate that women will take advantage of the space before heading to matsuri, using the carpeted changing rooms to slip into their yukata.

3-28-14 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku. Tel: 03-5956-3588. Open daily 10am-9pm. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. http://cluxta.jp