Female Pros Glow at Shiseido × JAL Event—Their Go-To Fixes for Summer Beauty Struggles

Playing with an unwavering smile even in the scorching heat

On July 6, under the blazing summer sun with temperatures reaching 32.5°C, the Shiseido JAL Ladies Open unfolded at Yokohama’s Totsuka Country Club in a battle even hotter than the weather. In the third hole of a playoff against Ai Kido, who was tied with her at 9-under, it was Saki Nagamine (30) who claimed her third career tour victory—her first in five years.

“My caddie, Hiroki Omote, kept talking to me with a big smile, chatting casually whether I made a mistake or got a birdie. That helped me stay calm,” Nagamine said.

Despite the scorching heat, she maintained a constant smile throughout her play. Even during tense playoff moments, her relaxed conversations with her caddie—often smiling—left a strong impression.

Under such extreme summer conditions, female pro golfers must also contend with the unique challenge of keeping their makeup intact while exposed to UV rays all day. Nagamine, known for her cheerful demeanor, shared her approach to summer makeup, noting that she actively tries new products.

“I know it might sound bad, but I kind of just go with what the store staff recommends,” she said. “I’ll ask, ‘Do you have anything good?’ and when I explain that I spend a lot of time outside, they usually give me really helpful advice.”

For sun protection, she follows a makeup tip passed down by her friend and fellow pro Kotone Hori: “Apply your face base—sunscreen—as a double layer in two steps.” This Korean-style technique is one of her go-to tricks.

That day, Sakura Koiwai (27), who surged with a 4-under final round to finish tied for 7th at 5-under overall, also shared her own summer beauty tactic: “I actually avoid reapplying once I’ve put it on. I feel like it falls apart if I do, so I just apply it super thoroughly first thing in the morning.”

Ahead of the main tournament, the customary pre-tournament party was held, showcasing the female players in glamorous outfits rarely seen on the course. Hair and makeup for the event were handled by the Shiseido Hair & Makeup Artist Team, who are active in top fashion and beauty magazines and major collections in New York, Paris, and Tokyo. Thanks to their expert touch, the players radiated a different kind of beauty, with spirits at their peak heading into the tournament.

“I almost feel like it’s a waste to take a bath.”

Appearing in a China dress-style outfit that she said she bought around this spring was Rin Yoshida (21).

“At first, I was wondering whether to go with a half-up hairstyle, but since the dress had a Chinese vibe, I was advised that braids—which I don’t usually do—might be better,” she said, showing off a hairstyle not usually seen on the golf course. As for makeup, she said, “I normally don’t use much blush, but once it was applied, it made everything look so vibrant. The products were also really good, so I decided to buy them right away.” She also praised the professional-level techniques.

“I was really surprised at how different everything was. Especially with the hair—they sprayed it before styling to make it easier to manage. And the glitter and blush were amazing. I usually like big glitter and use it often, but this one was fine and beautiful, and blended in so well that it looked really nice,” said Yoshida.

This year, with Japan Airlines becoming a special sponsor, the tournament name was changed to “Shiseido × JAL Ladies Open.” Mio Goto (24), who became a hostess pro with JAL as the sponsor, appeared in a chic black dress with sheer shoulders. “I wore black hoping for a slimming effect,” she said, drawing laughs. Regarding the sheer shoulders, she commented, “This kind of translucence gives off a more mature feel,” aiming to portray a grown-up woman—but surprisingly, she said, “I did my own makeup!” Her makeup skills rivaled those of the pros and amazed the venue.

“I’m not good with hair, so I made a lot of requests. Even for the length of my sideburns, I asked, ‘Do you have scissors?’ in the makeup room and had them cut it. They told me, ‘You’re the first one to get their sideburns cut here,’” Goto said with a laugh.

Karen Tsuruoka (25), who hails from Kanagawa Prefecture, was asked about her theme for the day and answered, “I imagined femininity.” “Since my dress is pink, I had them match my eyeshadow and other things in pink too. I was really looking forward to getting my makeup done. I love the sparkle in this eyeshadow and definitely want to buy and use it. It was really great,” she said, clearly enjoying the professional hair and makeup.

“It turned out in a way I never do myself, so it doesn’t feel like me. It’s quite different. I can’t do my hair like this on my own, so it feels like a waste to take a bath,”

said Akari Sakuma (22), who won her third title the week before at the Earth Mondahmin Cup. Last year’s tournament winner, Shiho Kuwaki (22), also praised the professional touch: “I only had my makeup slightly fixed, but my hair turned out completely different—it felt so fresh and I’m really happy.” It seems everyone thoroughly enjoyed a look they don’t usually get to try.

Tips for Summer Makeup Revealed by the Pros

One of the makeup artists in charge was Shiseido hair and makeup artist Madoka Nakagawa. On this day, she worked with three female pro golfers, one of whom was Sakura Koiwai. Nakagawa explained the key points of Koiwai’s makeup, saying, “She said she often looks at information on Korean-style makeup and wanted to go in that direction.”

“Matching her white set-up outfit, we used soft colors for her eyeshadow, blush, and lips that suited her image, but also added definition with eyeliner and mascara to create contrast. Then we added some summery, sheer glitter and sparkle to give a light, airy impression.”

When asked about her thoughts after the makeup, Koiwai said, “I really liked how it had a glossy look, different from my usual golf makeup.” For her hairstyle, she requested a Korean-style bun arrangement called “Kachimori,” where the ends of the hair are intentionally left out. “I can’t do it myself, but I wanted to try it, so I asked for it. It seems to be popular in Korea,” she said, satisfied with her first try at the hairstyle.

Dealing with sunburn and makeup breakdown during ongoing heatwaves is a common concern among female golfers. Nakagawa shared some tips for summer makeup:

“Using a makeup base before applying foundation that helps prevent shine or keeps the makeup from breaking down can definitely improve how long it lasts. Also, applying a setting powder after foundation—like loose powder—more thoroughly than usual can help it stay on better.”

For female pros facing matches in the sweltering summer, they’ll likely be eager to try out these professional techniques right away.

Saki Nagamine, who won the championship, was impressive for playing with a smile throughout the heat.