Mei Nagano's Beauty & Wellness Routine | Skincare, Makeup, Diet & Fitness

Known for her luminous-looking skin and naturally charming smile, Japanese actress Mei Nagano has long attracted attention for her fresh, understated beauty. Yet a closer look at her interviews reveals another side of her personality: someone who loves ramen and spicy food, enjoys working out at the gym, and spends her free time riding a Harley-Davidson or going for a drive.

When it comes to skincare, she values thorough cleansing and moisturizing. By 2024, she had even incorporated sheet masks into her morning and evening routine. Her makeup often focuses on the lips, and she has spoken about her fondness for Prada Beauty lip balm and deeper brown-toned lip colors.

What makes her beauty philosophy particularly interesting is how closely it relates to her personality and approach to work. Because she tends to devote herself wholeheartedly to a goal, she prefers a beauty routine that feels comfortable and sustainable in everyday life.

Born on September 24, 1999, in Tokyo, Japan, Mei Nagano was scouted while she was in the third grade of elementary school and made her film acting debut in 2009. She also worked as a fashion model for the Japanese magazines nicola and Seventeen, before attracting wider attention as the heroine of the 2015 film My Love Story!! (Ore Monogatari!!).

In 2018, she rose to nationwide prominence as the lead in NHK's morning television drama Half Blue (Hanbun, Aoi.). Her subsequent credits include the television dramas Mr. Hiiragi's Homeroom (3-nen A-gumi), Hakozume: Fight! Koban Girls, Unicorn ni Notte, and Kimi ga Kokoro wo Kureta kara, as well as the films And So the Baton Is Passed, Hell's Garden, Cells at Work!, and Kakukaku Shikajika.

For And So the Baton Is Passed, she received an Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role award at the 45th Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony. On June 21, 2026, she also released the photo and style book MAGNOLIE, sharing another side of her interests in fashion and personal style.

Nagano has occasionally spoken about her mother and older brother in interviews, offering glimpses into her family life. As of October 2026, no official marriage announcement from Nagano or her agency had been confirmed in the information reviewed for this article, so the discussion of her private life here focuses on statements she has made publicly.

Drawing primarily on interviews published between 2019 and 2025, this comprehensive guide explores Mei Nagano's skincare routine, beauty products, makeup preferences, haircare, eating habits, fitness routine, bathing and relaxation habits, hobbies, family relationships, and approach to self-confidence.

1. Mei Nagano's Skincare Routine: Cleansing, Foam Washing, Moisturizing and Sheet Masks

One of the defining features of Mei Nagano's skincare philosophy is the importance she places on cleansing her skin thoroughly and following up with moisturizing care.

In a 2023 interview with the Japanese beauty magazine Biteki, she described her skin as generally resilient while acknowledging that its condition can change with the seasons. She pays attention to those subtle differences and adjusts her routine accordingly.

Rather than following an overly rigid set of rules, she concentrates on consistent basic care while choosing products and methods that suit how her skin feels on a particular day.

Foam Cleansing After Makeup Removal and Her Morning Routine

In the December 2024 issue of ar, Nagano shared more specific details about how she washes her face.

One of her priorities is removing makeup carefully with a cleanser. After cleansing, she follows with a foaming face wash as part of her evening routine.

Her nighttime steps therefore involve removing makeup, washing with foam, and then applying lotion and other moisturizing skincare products. She described this straightforward sequence as something she values in her daily routine.

Her approach to morning cleansing is more flexible.

On mornings when her skin feels particularly dry, she may choose to wipe her face gently with cleansing water instead of following the same washing method she uses at night.

This distinction between her morning and evening routines illustrates how carefully she considers the condition of her skin.

In an April 2025 interview with MAQUIA, Nagano again emphasized the importance of thoroughly removing impurities and moisturizing her skin.

Looking across several years of interviews, cleansing and hydration emerge as two consistent foundations of her skincare philosophy.

How Sheet Masks Became Part of Her Morning and Evening Routine

Nagano's approach to skincare has also evolved over time.

In a 2023 interview with Biteki, she explained that she sometimes used sheet masks after spending considerable time filming outdoors.

By the December 2024 issue of ar, however, she revealed that she had begun incorporating sheet masks into both her morning and evening skincare routines.

Previously, she had tended to use them when her skin felt dry. In 2024, she was enjoying them as part of her everyday beauty care.

She described feeling pleased with the brighter, more luminous appearance of her skin during that period, which encouraged her growing interest in skincare.

It is an interesting development: a product that once appeared mainly in her occasional post-filming routine had become an everyday beauty essential at that point in her life.

Her changing habits also offer a useful reminder that beauty routines can evolve with age, work schedules, lifestyle and personal preferences.

Sun protection is another area she has discussed in interviews.

In ar in 2024, Nagano explained that she used sunscreen regularly and sometimes reapplied it several times throughout the day.

With outdoor filming and driving among her activities, she has spoken about being conscious of sun exposure in everyday situations.

In a 2022 MAQUIA interview, she also described applying facial lotion generously down to her collarbone.

That small detail reveals how she considers her face and neck area together when caring for her skin.

Why She Prefers a Comfortable Beauty Routine

In April 2025, Nagano offered a more personal explanation for her relatively simple daily approach to beauty.

According to the actress, once she sets a goal, she tends to throw herself into it enthusiastically and may push herself particularly hard.

Having dedicated herself to demanding acting roles and new professional challenges, she wants her personal skincare routine to be something she can enjoy in a relaxed and manageable way.

Her statements from different years reveal a thoughtful balance. In 2024, she was enthusiastically incorporating sheet masks into her skincare, while in 2025 she discussed the importance of basic care that feels comfortable to maintain.

Rather than treating beauty as another demanding project, she appears to enjoy discovering routines that suit her personality and everyday life.

Her beauty philosophy extends beyond skincare products. It also reflects an appreciation of her individual features and a positive relationship with her own appearance.

2. Mei Nagano's Beauty Products and Makeup: Sekkisei, SK-II and Prada Lip Balm

Looking at the beauty products Nagano has discussed in interviews reveals how her skincare interests and makeup preferences have changed over the years.

In 2022, she spoke about a favorite Sekkisei facial lotion. In 2024, she became a global ambassador for SK-II and named a Prada Beauty lip balm among her favorite products. By 2025, she was also discussing her interest in deeper brown lip colors.

Sekkisei and SK-II: Facial Lotions She Has Discussed

In a 2022 interview with MAQUIA, Nagano identified Sekkisei Clear Wellness Natural Drip as a facial lotion she particularly liked.

She explained that she applied it generously from her face down to the collarbone area.

In 2024, she became a global ambassador for SK-II and discussed the brand's Facial Treatment Essence in a promotional interview with VOCE.

Her introduction to the product was connected to a family memory.

Her mother had previously bought SK-II for herself as a birthday present, and Nagano had tried a little of it.

When she later became a brand ambassador, she began using the product more extensively. She spoke positively about the frosted-glass bottle, its distinctive fragrance and its lightweight texture.

Her comments suggest that she enjoys not only how a beauty product feels on the skin but also its fragrance and presentation.

In the promotional interview, she also shared her interest in caring for her skin as she grows older.

As an actress, she sometimes plays younger characters and may appear before the camera wearing very natural makeup. Such professional experiences appear to be another reason she takes an interest in everyday skincare.

The SK-II interview was conducted in connection with a brand partnership. Her comments are therefore presented as her experience during that period, rather than as independent evidence of a long-standing personal preference before the partnership.

Her Favorite Green Lip Balm from Prada Beauty

In a 2024 interview with ar, Nagano identified a green lip balm from Prada Beauty as one of her favorite cosmetics at the time.

The product was Prada Beauty Lip Balm Optimizing Care U000 Universal.

Although it looks green in its packaging, the balm was introduced as a product that gives the lips a subtle pink tint. Nagano said she liked the appearance it created.

Since she frequently makes lip color the focus of her everyday makeup, a product that lets her enjoy a delicate change in lip color and texture naturally fits her preferences.

Importantly, she personally identified this as a favorite product, rather than it simply being an item selected by a makeup artist for a magazine photoshoot.

Her Lip Makeup Technique: Blotting and Layering a Moisturizing Balm

One particularly useful detail from Nagano's beauty interviews is her approach to layering lip products.

In ar in 2024, she explained that she often wears very little makeup in her personal life and tends to focus on her lips.

Sometimes she applies a lip color, gently blots it with a tissue, and then layers a moisturizing lip balm with little or no additional color over the top.

Nagano explained that her lips naturally have some color, so she prefers a soft, blended finish.

She also said she sometimes pairs a bright red lip with an all-black outfit. When traveling overseas, she may feel inspired to wear brighter lip colors than usual.

These details reveal how she enjoys adapting her makeup to her outfit, surroundings and mood.

In 2023, she expressed a preference for glossy pink and coral lip colors. By 2025, she was mentioning deeper brown shades as favorites.

Her evolving choices reflect a relaxed interest in experimenting with makeup while retaining her natural style.

Her Sophisticated Pink Makeup Look in 2025

For a 2025 feature in MAQUIA, Nagano appeared in a sophisticated pink makeup look created by a professional hair and makeup artist.

Rather than relying on a single pink shade, the look used layers of different colors to create depth.

Blue-toned pink and coral pink were combined around the eyes, with a green-toned eyeliner providing an unexpected accent.

A bronze-toned base was layered beneath pink blush, while beige and lilac tones were combined on the lips.

Nagano described the unfamiliar color combinations and finished look as a refreshing experience.

The magazine featured cosmetics from brands including SUQQU and ADDICTION. These products were selected by the professional makeup team for the photoshoot.

They are best understood as part of her editorial makeup look rather than automatically regarded as products she personally uses every day.

In 2025, Nagano also admitted that seeing professionally applied makeup so often through her work can make doing her own makeup feel challenging.

She enjoys discovering new techniques and colors on set while keeping her personal makeup comfortable and straightforward.

3. Haircare and Hairstyles: Salon Treatments and Transformations for Acting Roles

Throughout her modeling and acting career, Mei Nagano has appeared with a variety of hairstyles.

In a 2019 interview with HOT PEPPER Beauty, she explained that she preferred having treatments at a hair salon rather than following an elaborate haircare routine at home.

At the time, she was visiting a salon for treatments approximately twice a month.

She also mentioned that she felt her hair grew quickly, which contributed to how frequently she visited the salon.

Having worked as a fashion model and actress, Nagano has experimented with short, medium-length and long hairstyles. Her professional roles have naturally influenced these changes.

In 2019, she described one of her favorite looks: brown hair falling slightly below her collarbone, with golden highlights underneath.

Although she enjoyed that hairstyle, she could not keep it for long because of the requirements of an acting role.

She approached such transformations positively, recognizing that changing her appearance can help communicate a new character.

For an actress, a hairstyle is both an expression of personal fashion and a tool for storytelling.

During a 2019 interview about the film You Shine in the Moonlight (Kimi wa Tsukiyo ni Hikarikagayaku), Nagano also discussed the importance of understanding a character's complicated emotions and human contradictions.

She wanted to convey the feelings beneath a character's cheerful outward appearance, recognizing that people can experience several contrasting emotions at once.

Her work therefore involves more than changing hair and makeup. It also requires a thoughtful understanding of the inner life of the person she portrays.

From child actress to fashion model and leading performer, Nagano's changing hairstyles tell part of the story of her evolving career.

4. Diet and Favorite Foods: Ramen, Malatang, Natto, Pickled Vegetables and Hot Pot

One of the most relatable parts of Mei Nagano's lifestyle is her genuine enjoyment of food.

In a 2022 MAQUIA interview, she named ramen, broccoli with mayonnaise, and boiled eggs among her favorite foods.

At that time, she generally ate three meals a day, although during television drama filming she sometimes ate four or five times a day.

Her meal schedule could change according to the demands of her work.

Her Love of Ramen, Malatang and Spicy Hot Pot

In 2022, Nagano recalled a period when people around her were paying closer attention to their diets, prompting her to try giving up her beloved ramen.

After reflecting on how she felt during that experience, she began thinking more carefully about an approach to eating that suited her own lifestyle while still allowing her to enjoy her favorite foods.

In 2023, she told Biteki that she was particularly enthusiastic about malatang, the spicy Chinese-inspired soup dish.

She enjoys spicy food and especially liked adding quail eggs and tofu skin, also known as yuba, to her malatang.

She even mentioned having eaten malatang on the day of the interview, revealing just how enthusiastic she was about it at the time.

In later interviews, she also spoke about enjoying hot pot and yakitori with friends.

For Nagano, meals are not only an opportunity to enjoy her favorite dishes but also a chance to spend time talking and laughing with people close to her.

In 2024, she also mentioned being fond of simple waffles with a relatively restrained sweetness.

Her food preferences offer another glimpse of her curiosity and willingness to enjoy whatever appeals to her at a particular time.

Homemade Pickled Vegetables, Natto and Vegetable Hot Pot

Alongside eating out, Nagano has also enjoyed preparing vegetable-based dishes at home.

In a 2021 interview with HOT PEPPER Beauty, she said that she had eaten natto, fermented soybeans, frequently during the previous year's period of staying at home.

She also described beginning to make lightly pickled vegetables toward the end of summer.

Her ingredients included cucumbers, okra, cabbage and broccoli. She even bought a dedicated jar for making the pickles.

Although she used a commercially prepared pickling liquid, she said she hoped to try making her own liquid one day.

The story captures her practical curiosity: when something interests her, she is happy to start with a manageable approach and learn as she goes.

In a 2022 MAQUIA interview, Nagano described making vegetable hot pot at home when she had been eating out frequently.

Her ingredients included lettuce, tofu and mushrooms. Sometimes she would use an entire head of lettuce.

She varied the broth depending on her mood, choosing options such as paitan-style soup or adding soy milk.

At that time, she said she enjoyed making the dish without meat.

In 2023, she also talked about adjusting what and how much she ate the day after feeling that she had eaten a lot. In 2024, she mentioned paying attention to when she naturally felt hungry.

Her interviews portray a person who enjoys a wide variety of foods while making everyday choices around her schedule and preferences.

From homemade pickles in 2021 and vegetable hot pot in 2022 to her enthusiasm for malatang in 2023, Nagano's changing food interests make her everyday life feel especially relatable.

5. Fitness and Exercise: Core Training, Stretching and Back Workouts

Mei Nagano has incorporated gym workouts into her routine to support her physical stamina for work and to enjoy wearing her favorite clothes.

In a 2021 interview with HOT PEPPER Beauty, she explained that spending long periods in a filming studio can mean having fewer opportunities to move around.

To address this, she described beginning her gym sessions with approximately 30 minutes of stretching before moving on to strength training.

Her workouts focused particularly on her core, with stretching providing a comfortable transition into more demanding exercises.

Adapting Her Workouts to Different Outfits and Acting Projects

In a 2023 interview with Biteki, Nagano again talked about core-focused training.

She explained that her motivations included maintaining the stamina required for acting and enjoying how clothes look and feel on her body.

When she expected to wear an outfit that revealed her back, she sometimes incorporated exercises focusing on that area.

Different acting roles can involve varying physical demands, while magazine shoots and public appearances may require different styles of clothing.

Nagano has described adapting her workouts to the needs of a particular period in her professional life.

In 2023, she said she was pleased if she could make it to the gym once a week during ordinary periods, but that she might go three or four times a week when preparing for a physically demanding project.

In 2024, she described periods when she could attend once or twice a week, as well as busy stretches when she might not visit the gym for about a month.

Her routine therefore changes with her filming schedule, and she makes time for exercise when circumstances allow.

She has also explained that she prefers observing how she looks and feels in the mirror rather than focusing exclusively on the number displayed by a scale.

Her approach reflects the intersection of her acting career, interest in fashion and personal experience with fitness.

What began as preparation for a role developed into another personal interest, reflecting her enthusiasm for learning through new experiences.

6. Bathing, Sleep and Relaxation: Half-Body Baths and Ways to Unwind

Mei Nagano has also spoken about choosing her bathing routine according to how she feels on a particular day.

In a 2024 interview with Biteki, she explained that when she personally felt concerned about puffiness, she might spend longer enjoying a half-body bath. On days when she felt cold after filming, she preferred soaking in the bathtub.

When she wanted to go to sleep sooner, however, she sometimes chose a shower instead.

Rather than insisting on the same bathing routine every evening, she considers her work schedule, plans for the following day and personal preferences.

Acting schedules may involve different starting and finishing times, so a flexible approach to bathing and relaxation can fit naturally into her lifestyle.

In a 2022 interview with MAQUIA, she also mentioned occasionally visiting bodywork or acupuncture practitioners when she felt tired.

Spending time with friends is another important way she enjoys a change of pace.

Although she likes spending time alone, she has also spoken about appreciating conversations with friends who may have different perspectives and experiences.

Such conversations provide an opportunity to enjoy new ideas and experiences outside the world of filming.

In 2024, she mentioned keeping in touch through video calls when she and her friends could not arrange to meet.

Whether sharing a meal in person or catching up remotely, maintaining those connections appears to be something she values.

From soaking in a bath to enjoying dinner with friends, Nagano chooses different ways to unwind according to her day and her mood.

That flexibility reflects the same thoughtful approach she brings to skincare and exercise.

7. Motorcycles, Driving and Hobbies: Her Harley-Davidson and Adventurous Side

One of the most surprising aspects of Mei Nagano's personal life is her enthusiasm for motorcycles and driving.

In a 2024 interview with ViVi, she explained that motorcycles had been familiar to her since childhood and that she obtained her motorcycle license before her car driver's license.

She had admired Harley-Davidson motorcycles for some time and relied partly on appearance and intuition when choosing her own bike.

Because members of her family also rode motorcycles, she had grown up feeling comfortable around them.

She even shared an amusing story about her older brother feeling envious when she began riding a Harley-Davidson.

Nagano also enjoys driving cars and sometimes spends her days off going for a drive.

In a 2025 interview, she explained that she enjoys playing music in the car and singing along while driving.

Bruno Mars is often one of the first artists she plays, sometimes followed by Japanese music.

She jokingly described becoming suddenly composed when she notices that someone might be looking at her while she is stopped at a traffic light.

It is an endearing story that reveals a playful side of her personality beyond the characters she portrays on screen.

Nagano has also enjoyed surfing in the past.

Motorcycles, road trips and surfing suggest an adventurous streak and a willingness to explore interests beyond her professional life.

Alongside her busy acting career, Nagano has continued to enjoy experiences that express her own interests and personality.

8. Family, Marriage, Personality and Self-Confidence: Her Mother, Brother and Career

For readers discovering Mei Nagano for the first time, her family relationships and personality offer another way to understand the person behind her performances.

Her interviews contain occasional stories about her mother and older brother, her friendships and her thoughts about accepting herself.

In a 2022 interview with MAQUIA, she explained that she had begun to notice more similarities between her appearance and her mother's as she grew older, something that made her happy.

She has also expressed gratitude to her mother when discussing her own physical characteristics.

As of October 2026, no official marriage announcement from Nagano or her agency had been confirmed in the information reviewed for this article. The personal details discussed here therefore focus on her own public statements.

Self-Confidence and Appreciating the People Around Her

In a 2023 interview with Biteki, Nagano discussed the importance of liking herself and having confidence in who she is.

Looking back on times when other people's words affected her feelings, she explained that she had learned to pay greater attention to the people who genuinely cared about her.

In a 2022 interview with MAQUIA, she also described frequently analyzing her own personality and behavior from an objective perspective.

Sometimes, she feels almost as though another version of herself is observing her actions from a slight distance.

When spending time in groups, she may take the role of a listener or help smooth over disagreements between friends.

These reflections reveal a thoughtful side of someone often associated with a cheerful and approachable public image.

Childhood Challenges and Her Changing Relationship with Acting

In a 2022 interview with MAQUIA, Nagano spoke about periods in childhood when she questioned whether she wanted to continue working in entertainment.

As an elementary school student, she sometimes wished she could spend her time in the same way as her friends. When considering high school, she also wanted to attend the same school as people close to her.

Over time, however, she met supportive colleagues through her work and gradually discovered how much she enjoyed acting.

In a 2019 interview with HOT PEPPER Beauty, she reflected on having many opportunities to interact with adults from a young age and learning to observe people's words and reactions.

Seeing how other actors and production staff approached their work helped shape her own understanding of acting.

In 2021, she also described identifying with Yuko, the main character in And So the Baton Is Passed, partly because she herself had wanted to become independent from a young age.

Drawing on her own experiences to understand a character is part of the thoughtful approach she brings to her profession.

In a 2024 Biteki interview, she recalled deciding at the age of 20 that she wanted to challenge herself in many different ways throughout her twenties.

She believed that gaining a wide range of experiences while young could expand her choices when she reached her thirties.

In 2022, when discussing her definition of success, she spoke about the value of living in an environment where she could feel peaceful and happy while continuing to make an effort toward her goals.

Her comments suggest that professional recognition is only one part of how she thinks about life. Her everyday state of mind and the ability to keep learning are also meaningful to her.

From child performer to fashion model and accomplished actress, Nagano's professional experiences, relationships and personal interests have all contributed to her distinctive outlook on life.

References and Further Reading

1. Stardust Promotion — Mei Nagano: Official Profile, Acting Credits and 2026 Activities (Japanese)
2. arweb — Mei Nagano on Cleansing, Face Washing, Sheet Masks, Favorite Lip Products and Makeup (2024 Interview; Updated 2025, Japanese)
3. MAQUIA — Mei Nagano's Thoughts on Skincare and Makeup (2025, Japanese)
4. MAQUIA — Mei Nagano on Her Personality, Appearance, Childhood and Everyday Life (2022, Japanese)
5. HOT PEPPER Beauty — Mei Nagano on Haircare, Hairstyles and Preparing for Acting Roles (2019, Japanese)
6. HOT PEPPER Beauty — Mei Nagano on Piano, Fitness and Food (2021, Japanese)
7. VOCE — Mei Nagano Discusses Skincare as an SK-II Brand Ambassador (2024, Sponsored Content, Japanese)

Note: This article is based on publicly available information and interviews with Mei Nagano. Some habits and preferences reflect the time of the original interviews and may have changed since publication.