Mari Natsuki Beauty & Wellness | Skincare, Fitness, Diet & Family

A bold undercut, hair coloured blonde or orange, sophisticated fashion choices, and a way of life that becomes increasingly free-spirited with age. Mari Natsuki is an actress, singer, and stage director who has expressed her distinctive sense of beauty for more than half a century.

Born on May 2, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan, she is 74 years old as of October 2026. She attracted attention with her 1973 song "Kinu no Kutsushita" (Silk Stockings) and appeared in films including "Onimasa" (The Onimasa Family) and "Legend of the Eight Samurai." She is also known to audiences of all ages for voicing both Yubaba and Zeniba in Studio Ghibli's animated film "Spirited Away."

In 1993, she launched "Impressionist," a stage production that she conceived, structured, directed, and performed herself. Through this project, she explored a distinctive form of expression centred on the human body and went on to perform internationally. In 2024, she also appeared in the London production of the stage adaptation of "Spirited Away."

A closer look at Natsuki's beauty routine reveals a remarkable number of specific habits, from morning sheet masks and careful moisturising that includes eye cream to distinctive haircare choices, strength training, and thoughtful approaches to food and sleep.

Even more interesting is how her approach to beauty and wellness has changed over the years. In 2018, she spoke about eating apples in the morning and taking morning baths. In 2022, her breakfast included soy yoghurt and banana. In 2023, she described drinking warm lemon water, and in 2026, she shared a smoothie made with ingredients including blueberries and protein powder.

Yet there is much more to her appeal than her beauty routine. Early career struggles, a turning point in her forties, marriage at 59, family life, and performances on international stages have all contributed to her outlook on beauty and well-being.

Drawing on interviews with Natsuki and publicly available official information, this article explores her skincare, favourite cosmetics, haircare, makeup, workouts, eating habits, hydration, sleep, bathing, relationships with her husband and family, and philosophy on life at the age of 74.

1. Mari Natsuki's Beauty Philosophy: Discovering Her Authentic Self in Her Forties

From Her Singing Debut to "Impressionist": A Life-Changing Challenge

To understand Mari Natsuki's approach to beauty, it helps to look at the turning points she has experienced throughout her long career in entertainment.

She began singing professionally in her teens, but her career did not immediately take off. There was a period when she travelled between cabarets and other venues, continuing to sing while searching for opportunities.

Her 1973 hit "Kinu no Kutsushita" brought widespread recognition. She subsequently expanded into film and theatre, establishing herself as a distinctive actress during the 1980s.

Behind the glamour, however, she also experienced health problems during a particularly demanding period when she was unable to get sufficient sleep or eat regularly.

As her career continued, she gradually gained opportunities to reconsider how she cared for her body and mind.

A major turning point came in 1990, when she travelled alone to New York.

Encountering different approaches to performance inspired her to reconsider what she could communicate through her own body.

In 1993, she launched "Impressionist," a stage production she conceived, structured, directed, and performed herself.

She became deeply involved in a form of physical expression in which movement, standing still, and even breathing could communicate something to an audience.

In later interviews, Natsuki explained that immersing herself in "Impressionist" during her forties also encouraged her to question assumptions in her everyday life.

She began reconsidering habits she had previously taken for granted, assessing them according to her own feelings and preferences.

One of those habits was makeup.

She had once considered carefully applied makeup an essential part of going out. During rehearsals, however, she caught sight of herself dancing with her hair flying freely and realised that her natural, unadorned face had its own appeal.

That discovery encouraged her to embrace her natural appearance and enjoy beauty on her own terms.

How Beauty Mistakes Helped Her Find Her Own Style

In a 2024 interview with MAQUIA, Natsuki spoke candidly about mistakes she had made with beauty and fashion over the years.

She recalled trying skincare products purchased overseas that did not suit her skin, as well as experiencing skin problems after a peeling treatment.

By trying different cosmetics and beauty approaches for herself, she gradually learned which products suited her own skin.

In the same interview, she explained that despite her long career, she still approaches her work with the mindset of a newcomer.

When she first began singing, she admired performers who could captivate an audience with a single note. Nevertheless, she continued exploring what she herself could express and took pleasure in singing.

Even today, she enjoys meeting new performers and creative professionals and learning through her work.

Her beauty philosophy appears to centre on enjoying who she is now while continuing to discover new possibilities.

2. Mari Natsuki's Skincare: Face Masks, Eye Cream and Favourite Cosmetics

Starting the Morning with Warm Water, Toothbrushing and a Sheet Mask

One particularly interesting aspect of Mari Natsuki's beauty routine is how she spends her mornings.

In a 2022 interview with biST, she described drinking a glass of plain warm water after waking and looking up at the sky as she began her day.

She then brushes her teeth in two stages. First, she brushes without toothpaste, before brushing again with toothpaste.

While brushing, she also stood on a sloped foot platform, straightened her back, and looked outside.

Even ordinary daily activities provided opportunities for her to pay attention to posture and create a moment to settle into the day.

After brushing her teeth, she applied a sheet mask and completed morning household chores while wearing it.

Rather than setting aside a long period exclusively for skincare, combining her beauty routine with housework suited her lifestyle.

She had been publicly discussing her morning sheet-mask habit since at least 2018.

During a June 2018 appearance on the Japanese television programme "Okabero," she described taking a morning bath and using a facial sheet mask.

She also explained that she placed particular importance on her morning skincare routine, demonstrating that she had been using her mornings for beauty care over many years.

Careful Moisturising, Including Eye Cream, After Her Face Mask

One sheet mask Natsuki showed among her personal belongings in 2022 was KOSÉ Infinity Vital Comfort Mask.

She also spoke about preferring Japanese cosmetics suited to the country's climate and mainly used products from the Infinity range at the time.

After her sheet mask, her detailed routine included toner, serum, emulsion, eye cream, face cream, and sunscreen.

Her inclusion of a dedicated eye cream in her everyday routine is particularly noteworthy and reflects the care she devoted to the delicate eye area.

In a 2024 MAQUIA interview, she described another morning habit: keeping sheet masks in the refrigerator and using them chilled.

She also mentioned occasionally layering two or three masks.

Her explanation suggested that she adjusted the way she used them around areas she personally felt needed extra attention, such as her forehead.

This was Natsuki's individual approach rather than a general skincare recommendation. It illustrates how she observed her skin and developed her own practical routines.

Evening Cleansing and Taking Her Own Skincare Products to Work

Natsuki also pays attention to cleansing as part of her evening skincare routine.

In 2022, she identified two products she was using: an Infinity cleansing balm and Cosme Decorté AQ Meliority Repair Cleansing Cream n.

At the time, she alternated between them depending on her mood before continuing with skincare products such as toner and serum.

She also developed a way to maintain her usual routine during busy filming schedules.

Previously, she sometimes finished a shoot by using only a little toner supplied by the makeup team. Later, she began leaving her own collection of skincare products with the team so that she could complete her usual routine before returning home.

Using familiar products immediately after a long filming day helped her fit skincare naturally into the demands of her work.

She began visiting beauty salons for facials in her forties. In 2022, she reported visiting approximately once every ten days.

She also mentioned consulting a cosmetic dermatologist when skin problems arose, combining home care with professional advice according to her skin's condition.

Her approach reflects years of experience, regular care, and a willingness to adapt her routine as her skin and lifestyle change.

3. Mari Natsuki's Haircare, Makeup and Fragrance: Beauty as Self-Expression

How Her Famous Undercut Began with Thick Hair

Mari Natsuki's bold undercut has become one of her most recognisable features.

Surprisingly, the style began with an everyday concern: she had a great deal of hair and wanted something easier to manage.

When she visited hairstylist TAKU's salon with her husband, Nobu Saito, she decided to try an undercut.

She found the new hairstyle much easier to manage and enjoyed the convenience.

She later experimented with blonde hair, discovering that it worked with everything from understated outfits to more adventurous fashion.

At the time of a 2022 interview, she had also changed her hair to an orange-toned colour for a different mood.

She reported visiting a salon about once every ten days to maintain the closely cropped sections.

Although she normally used salon-grade shampoo, she sometimes deliberately chose an everyday shampoo available from convenience stores before a photo shoot.

Her reason was to create a slightly rougher, more casual hair texture.

Some days she preferred a smooth, polished finish, while on others she wanted to emphasise natural movement. Choosing shampoo according to her desired look reflects her creative approach to haircare.

In 2025, she was recognised in the over-70s category of the "Best Hair 2025" awards, drawing renewed attention to her distinctive hairstyle.

Embracing Undrawn Eyebrows and Makeup That Celebrates Natural Skin

Her approach to makeup has also evolved with age.

She once spent considerable time carefully drawing her naturally light eyebrows. Eventually, however, she began enjoying a look in which she left them undrawn.

In her 2024 MAQUIA interview, she joked about receiving social media comments suggesting she should draw her eyebrows.

Choosing an appearance that feels comfortable to her has become a defining feature of her current beauty philosophy.

For the magazine's photo shoot, the makeup artist created a look without foundation, instead using moisturising products, primer, concealer, powder, and highlighter.

This was a professional makeup look created for the shoot, rather than a description of her everyday routine, but it complemented her individual features and expressions.

The photo shoot also used an unusual approach, concentrating on just five shutter clicks.

Instead of taking dozens of photographs and selecting one afterwards, the session focused on capturing her appearance and atmosphere in that moment. It reflected an awareness of expression developed over decades on stage.

Her Original Aroma Oil "60 MARIE" and Love of Beauty Accessories

Natsuki's interest in beauty extends beyond cosmetics and hairstyles.

In a 2022 biST interview, she introduced an original aroma oil called "60 MARIE".

It combined three French essential oils, and she used the fragrance when she wanted to refresh her mood.

Creating a fragrance that reflected her personal preferences reveals another aspect of her artistic sensibility.

She also admitted that when travelling overseas, she often bought attractive grooming accessories, including brushes, hand mirrors, and tweezers.

Some were carried around simply because she enjoyed owning them, even when she rarely used them.

For Natsuki, beauty can be about enjoying colours, shapes, fragrances, and the feeling of holding something she loves, rather than practical use alone.

It is another example of how she incorporates creativity and personal enjoyment into everyday life.

4. Mari Natsuki's Fitness Routine: Building Strength for Singing and Performing

From Three Gym Sessions a Week to Daily Strength and Endurance Training

Alongside skincare, strength training is an important part of Mari Natsuki's approach to wellness.

In a 2022 biST interview, she said she attended the gym three times a week while preparing for the stage production of "Spirited Away."

With guidance from a personal trainer, she followed a programme combining weight training and stretching for approximately 50 minutes per session.

She also shared a practical insight about maintaining the habit: when exercising alone at home, she sometimes postponed it, so she made going to the gym itself a priority.

By understanding her own tendencies, she created an environment that made regular exercise easier to maintain.

In a 2024 MAQUIA interview, she described working with a trainer every day while preparing for stage performances, focusing on both strength and endurance.

Her morning routine also included stretching and an exercise bike.

The difference between three weekly sessions in 2022 and daily sessions in 2024 shows how she adjusted her exercise schedule according to the demands of her work.

Why She Values the Muscles Used for Singing and Dancing

In 2024, Natsuki explained that she considered muscles important both for singing and for the physical demands of dancing and acting.

Stage performances can require long periods of standing, large movements, and projecting the voice while moving.

In "Impressionist," which she has developed since 1993, the body itself is central to the performance.

Acting, singing, dancing, and directing all involve different forms of physical and creative preparation, and Natsuki pays attention to exercise as part of continuing this work.

In an October 2026 interview with Kateigaho, she also spoke about her determination to prepare a role until she could feel satisfied with the performance.

Her dedication to the quality of her work extends to the physical preparation she undertakes before appearing on stage.

In 2023, she celebrated the 50th anniversary of her singing career with a commemorative concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in Tokyo.

In May 2026, she also performed "MARI de MODE 8" at Blue Note Tokyo alongside musicians including her husband, Nobu Saito, presenting songs connected to her musical journey.

During an April 2026 appearance on the television programme "Oshare Clip," it was also revealed that she had practised Yubaba's voice loudly while taking a bath.

She had even used an ordinary part of everyday life as an opportunity to rehearse the character she voiced in the animated film and later portrayed on stage.

It is an entertaining glimpse of the practice and preparation behind her commanding stage presence.

5. Mari Natsuki's Diet, Breakfast and Hydration: From Lemon Water to Smoothies

Apples for Breakfast in 2018, Soy Yoghurt and Banana in 2022

Mari Natsuki's eating habits become particularly interesting when viewed across different years.

During a June 2018 appearance on "Okabero," she spoke about eating an apple for breakfast.

At the time, she also shared her own thoughts about the components of apples and how she chose fruit.

Drinking water and eating an apple in the morning were mentioned in another interview from around the same period.

She was also taking morning baths and using sheet masks, showing how much importance she placed on the beginning of her day.

By 2022, her breakfast had changed. In biST, she described eating soy yoghurt with half a banana.

She tried to eat within an hour of waking, generally aiming for around 8 a.m.

Her evening meal was comparatively early, usually between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at that time.

She explained that changes to her daily rhythm during the pandemic had helped establish this schedule.

She was also paying attention to carbohydrate intake and used monk fruit sweetener as an alternative sweetening ingredient.

Cooking itself was something she enjoyed, and she experimented with different ingredients and seasonings at home.

She previously ate tofu noodles topped with a variety of ingredients, but later began preparing dishes such as lamb on the bone.

Her comments reveal that she enjoyed preparing meals while also reconsidering what and when she ate.

Warm Lemon Water in 2023: A Favourite Worth a Late-Night Shopping Trip

In a 2023 GINGER interview, Natsuki described starting her mornings with warm lemon water.

She squeezed a fresh lemon and mixed the juice with warm water.

She enjoyed its refreshing flavour as part of beginning the day.

One charming detail was how seriously she took her supply of lemons: when she ran out, she sometimes went to the supermarket late at night to buy more.

It shows how a simple daily habit had become something she genuinely enjoyed.

Whether drinking plain warm water or warm lemon water, she found pleasure in making a warm drink part of her morning routine.

Chicken, Gluten-Free Bread and Supplements in 2024

Her dietary choices had changed again by the time of her 2024 MAQUIA interview.

At that point, she said she was limiting sugar and caffeine, choosing gluten-free bread, and eating chicken more often than beef.

She also described drinking a morning mixture containing baking soda and vitamin C.

This was a personal habit she reported at the time. Consuming baking soda requires caution because appropriate amounts and individual considerations can vary according to health conditions and medications.

She also mentioned that the number of supplements she used had increased as she grew older.

Her comments suggest that alongside daily skincare and food choices, she was taking an interest in nutritional supplements.

Her 2026 Smoothie with Blueberries, Protein Powder and MCT Oil

A more recent glimpse of Natsuki's eating habits came during the April 2026 broadcast of "Oshare Clip," which featured her morning smoothie.

The programme showed her preparing a smoothie at home.

Ingredients identified in the broadcast included:

• Frozen blueberries: A fruit ingredient in her smoothie.
• Spinach: A leafy green vegetable she added.
• Protein powder: A nutritional supplement included in the mixture.
• MCT oil: An oil she incorporated into the smoothie.

The inclusion of protein powder and MCT oil provides a specific example of Natsuki's interest in using different foods and nutritional products as part of her daily routine.

The programme identified these ingredients, but the precise quantities and complete recipe were not established in the available broadcast information.

The specific brands of protein powder and MCT oil should likewise be distinguished from the ingredients she was shown using.

From apples in 2018 and soy yoghurt with banana in 2022 to warm lemon water in 2023, dietary adjustments in 2024, and smoothies in 2026, her habits have continued to evolve.

Viewed chronologically, these accounts illustrate how Natsuki has adjusted her breakfast and drink choices according to her lifestyle, work, and preferences at different stages of life.

6. Mari Natsuki's Sleep, Bathing and Rest: Active Mornings and Relaxed Evenings

Around Seven and a Half Hours of Sleep in 2022

Mari Natsuki has also discussed her sleep habits in some detail.

In a 2022 biST interview, she said she generally fell asleep fairly quickly after lying down and slept for approximately seven and a half hours.

While managing a busy schedule of theatre, filming, and music, she also valued time to rest her body.

In 2024, she described active mornings involving stretching, sheet masks, and an exercise bike. Her evenings, however, were more relaxed, with fewer strict rules.

She enjoyed being active in the morning and allowing herself a slower pace at night.

Over the years, she appears to have developed a daily rhythm suited to her own lifestyle.

Morning Baths with Epsom Salts and Coarse Salt

Natsuki's bathing habits were also discussed during her 2018 appearance on "Okabero."

At the time, she said she took a bath every morning, combining the experience with her morning sheet-mask routine.

In 2022, she mentioned using Epsom salts and coarse salt in the bath.

She had incorporated these products partly in response to her own experience of being prone to leg cramps.

Epsom salts are a bathing product primarily composed of magnesium sulphate, and Natsuki included them in her bathing routine at the time.

She also discussed using coarse salt in the bath during her 2023 GINGER interview.

Bathing and taking time to reset her mood had become familiar forms of rest amid demanding performance and filming schedules.

In an October 2026 Kateigaho interview, Natsuki also discussed how she chooses to spend her time.

When she was younger, she accepted a wide variety of work to gain experience.

Now, she places greater importance on spending time doing things that matter to her and that she genuinely enjoys.

Alongside caring for her body, she values emotional space and the freedom to choose how to use her time.

Her outlook at 74 reflects the way she has shaped her lifestyle through decades of experience.

7. Mari Natsuki's Husband, Marriage and Family: Life with Nobu Saito

Meeting Nobu Saito and Getting Married at 59

Mari Natsuki's husband is Nobu Saito, a percussionist and music producer.

They publicly acknowledged their partnership in 2007 and married in 2011, when Natsuki was 59.

She has explained that she once enjoyed the independence of living alone and had not been particularly concerned with marriage as a formal arrangement.

Meeting Saito gradually changed her outlook.

During a 2023 appearance on the Japanese talk show "Tetsuko's Room," she revealed that she had been the one to initiate their romantic relationship.

She also said that Saito's gentle personality had influenced her so much that staff members remarked on how much her character had changed.

It offers a warm glimpse of her private life, different from the powerful presence audiences often see on stage.

A Shinto Wedding Anniversary, Children and Grandchildren

To mark their tenth wedding anniversary, the couple held a Shinto wedding ceremony at Nogi Shrine in Tokyo.

One reason for the ceremony was encouragement from Saito's mother.

During her 2023 appearance on "Tetsuko's Room," Natsuki also spoke about her mother-in-law, who was turning 100 at the time, and her positive outlook on life.

Saito has two children from a previous marriage, and Natsuki's marriage brought new family relationships into her life.

In 2023, she also spoke about having three grandchildren in the family.

Natsuki mentioned that she had never given birth herself and spoke with humour about the unexpected experience of becoming a grandmother through marriage.

One particularly memorable story involved a family photograph taken during a baby's first shrine visit.

When the photographer called out to "Grandma," Natsuki initially assumed the person being addressed was her mother-in-law.

She then realised that the photographer meant her, prompting the sudden realisation that she herself was now a grandmother.

After years of living independently and dedicating herself to work, her husband and extended family brought new experiences and pleasures into her life.

The One of Love Project She Supports with Her Husband

Natsuki and Saito also work together on charitable activities.

One of their best-known initiatives is the One of Love Project.

Through music and roses, the project aims to support children's educational environments and improve the circumstances of women in developing countries.

Natsuki's singing and Saito's percussion have provided opportunities to meet local communities and expand their work together.

An original rose called "Mari Rouge" is also closely associated with the initiative.

They have found ways to connect the creative work they love with activities that bring joy to others.

The project reflects the couple's shared values and provides another perspective on Natsuki's personality and philosophy of life.

8. Mari Natsuki's Outlook on Life and Emotional Well-Being: Still Taking on Challenges at 74

From "Spirited Away" to International Stages

For many audiences, one of Mari Natsuki's defining works is "Spirited Away."

She voiced both Yubaba and Zeniba in the 2001 Studio Ghibli animated film.

She went on to perform in the stage adaptation in 2022 and joined its London run at the London Coliseum in 2024.

Returning to characters she had voiced years earlier and bringing them to life on stage was a distinctive achievement in her long career.

Meanwhile, she continued developing her own performance project, "Impressionist."

In 2009, she established the performance group MNT, and in 2017, she performed at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

She has also taken her performances to international theatre festivals and stages associated with Avignon, Edinburgh, and Sibiu.

In 2023, she performed alongside actress Tao Tsuchiya in "Impressionist NÉO vol.4: Pinocchio no Iretsu."

Since 2014, she has also continued "PLAY×PRAY," a series of dedication performances at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto.

Another performance at the temple was scheduled for November 8, 2026, showing that she continued creating new stage work.

Her activities bring together an interest in international artistic expression with an appreciation for Japanese history and culture.

Her 2026 Philosophy: What Matters, What She Does Well and What She Enjoys

In October 2026, at the age of 74, Natsuki discussed her current approach to life in an interview with Kateigaho.

She explained that three things particularly motivate her: what matters to her, what comes naturally to her, and what she genuinely enjoys.

She uses these ideas as guiding principles when making decisions about how to spend her time.

Launching "Impressionist" in her forties helped her clarify what she personally valued.

Today, she chooses to spend more time on things that engage her and continues seeking new experiences and discoveries.

In the same interview, she discussed her enjoyment of wearing kimono.

She makes an effort to wear them when possible because she wants to help communicate the craftsmanship and traditions that Japanese artisans have preserved.

During an April 2026 appearance on "Oshare Clip," it was also revealed that she sometimes incorporated clothing purchased during ZARA sales into her everyday fashion.

Although she is known for elegant stage costumes and high-fashion styling, she also enjoys shopping at accessible clothing stores.

This down-to-earth approach to fashion is another appealing aspect of her personality.

Across her long career, Natsuki has continued valuing opportunities to discover something new through work and everyday life.

Finding delicious food, discovering another side of someone close to her, and encountering an unfamiliar world can all become sources of everyday pleasure.

These small discoveries appear to contribute to her enjoyment of life.

At 74, she continues learning new forms of expression, meeting people, and devoting herself to the work she loves.

Her example shows how growing older can be approached with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a commitment to living authentically.

Conclusion: What We Can Learn from Mari Natsuki's Beauty and Wellness Habits

Looking across Mari Natsuki's beauty and wellness routine reveals a combination of attentive daily care and a flexible attitude towards expressing herself.

Her skincare has included morning sheet masks, eye cream, toner, serum, and carefully chosen cleansing products.

Through her hair and makeup, she has embraced styles that feel comfortable to her, including dramatic undercuts, blonde hair, and naturally styled eyebrows.

Strength training and stretching are important parts of preparing to sing, dance, and act on stage.

Her eating and hydration habits have also changed over time, from apples in 2018 and soy yoghurt with banana in 2022 to warm lemon water in 2023 and smoothies in 2026.

Beyond these daily routines, she has built a fulfilling life through her marriage to Nobu Saito, charitable activities, and performances on international stages.

At 74 in 2026, she described choosing how to spend her time according to what matters to her, what she does well, and what brings her enjoyment.

By paying attention to her body and mind, shaping her lifestyle around the work she loves, and continuing to discover new pleasures with age, Mari Natsuki demonstrates a deeply personal approach to beauty and well-being.

That outlook may be one of the many reasons she continues to captivate audiences after more than half a century in the spotlight.