Seiko Matsuda's Beauty & Wellness Secrets | Skincare, Diet & Haircare

"Aoi Sangoshō" (Blue Coral Reef), "Akai Sweet Pea" (Red Sweet Pea), "SWEET MEMORIES," "Ruriiro no Chikyū" (The Lapis-Lazuli-Coloured Earth), and "Anata ni Aitakute ~Missing You~." These beloved songs are just a few of the classics that have helped define the extraordinary musical career of Seiko Matsuda.

Her signature feathered hairstyle, radiant smile, glamorous stage outfits, and instantly recognisable voice have captivated audiences across generations. Since her debut in 1980, she has remained an influential figure in Japanese popular music for more than 45 years.

But what beauty routines and wellness habits has Seiko Matsuda embraced throughout her life?

Interviews and beauty magazine features from different stages of her career reveal a surprisingly personal collection of everyday rituals: stretching in the morning, enjoying warm green tea, eating granola with yoghurt and fruit, taking tea breaks with Earl Grey, preparing homemade tofu, and spending quiet evenings surrounded by the scent of lavender.

There are also fascinating details about the shampoo she reportedly used in the 1980s, a skincare serum she personally described using for years, singing in the bath before concerts, eating salmon rice porridge before performances, and enjoying traditional homemade dishes prepared by her mother.

In 1984, Matsuda starred in the film Natsufuku no Eve (Eve in Summer Clothes), set in New Zealand. Her career has also included international recording projects, filmmaking, cherished family experiences, and a return to university studies later in life.

In this comprehensive article, we explore Seiko Matsuda's beauty routines, wellness philosophy, skincare, haircare, diet, tea preferences, and sleep habits, alongside her greatest musical achievements, personal history, and surprising connection to New Zealand.

Seiko Matsuda was born on March 10, 1962, in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Her journey into show business began with the Miss Seventeen competition in 1978. She made her singing debut on April 1, 1980, with the single "Hadashi no Kisetsu" (The Barefoot Season).

Her following single, "Aoi Sangoshō," brought her widespread popularity. She went on to release numerous hits, including "Cherry Blossom," "Natsu no Tobira" (The Door to Summer), "Kaze Tachinu" (The Wind Rises), and "Akai Sweet Pea," becoming one of the defining stars of Japan's idol era.

Over the decades, she has also participated in songwriting, explored international music markets and jazz, and expanded her creative work into film and television production.

In her personal life, Matsuda married actor Masaki Kanda in 1985, and their daughter, Sayaka Kanda, was born in 1986. The couple divorced in 1997. Matsuda married again in 1998 and divorced in 2000, before publicly announcing her marriage to a university faculty member in 2012.

Sayaka Kanda also built a career as a singer and actress, becoming especially well known for musical theatre and her Japanese-language voice performance as Anna in Disney's Frozen. She passed away in 2021.

In 2024, Matsuda graduated from Chuo University's Faculty of Law through its correspondence education programme, earning a Bachelor of Laws degree after four years of study while continuing her musical career.

Her glamorous life on stage and her quieter enjoyment of cooking, tea, and time at home reveal different sides of the same person. Together, they offer a fuller picture of how her approach to beauty and wellness has evolved over the years.

1. Seiko Matsuda's Beauty Philosophy: Finding Joy in Singing

When Asked About Beauty, Her Answer Was "Singing"

One of the most distinctive aspects of Seiko Matsuda's beauty philosophy is how closely it is connected to her life's work.

During a December 2015 interview on the Japanese television programme Sukkiri!!, she was asked what she did to maintain her appearance.

Her answer was simple and characteristic: singing.

She also mentioned how much she perspired while performing concerts, speaking about singing as a familiar part of her own approach to beauty.

Since her debut, Matsuda has spent decades recording music, appearing on television, and performing nationwide concert tours.

Her repertoire ranges from bright, energetic pop songs such as "Natsu no Tobira" to emotionally expressive ballads such as "SWEET MEMORIES." Each song allows her to create a different atmosphere and connect with audiences in a new way.

For Matsuda, singing is both a profession and a lasting source of enjoyment. It is easy to see why an activity so central to her everyday life would also feature in her personal understanding of beauty.

Singing Wholeheartedly During a Bath Before Concerts

In the same 2015 interview, Matsuda shared an amusing story about her bathing routine.

Before concerts, she sometimes enjoys a half-body bath at a hotel and sings out loud while soaking in the water.

She likes how her voice resonates inside the bathroom. Rather than quietly humming a tune, she sometimes gives a full, enthusiastic performance.

One of the songs she mentioned singing in the bath was her own hit "Anata ni Aitakute ~Missing You~," released in 1996 and a million-selling single in Japan.

She laughed at the thought that people walking along the hotel corridor might be able to hear her voice. It is a delightful glimpse of the woman behind the glamorous stage persona.

During a radio programme in February 2026, Matsuda also spoke about the encouragement she receives from fans and how it helps inspire her to keep singing, running, and dancing during live performances.

For her, the stage is a place to share feelings with an audience. Her enjoyment of music extends naturally from the quiet moments before a concert to the excitement of performing in front of thousands of people.

2. Morning Beauty and Wellness Habits: Green Tea, Stretching, and Breakfast

A Longstanding Love of Warm Green Tea

One drink has appeared repeatedly in Seiko Matsuda's descriptions of her mornings: warm Japanese green tea.

In a 2011 feature in the beauty magazine Bi Method, she described starting her morning with a cup of hot green tea. During a 2016 appearance on NHK's Asaichi, she also spoke about enjoying green tea slowly in the morning, a custom she had known since childhood.

Savouring a warm cup of tea seems to have been an especially pleasant way for her to begin the day.

In the 2011 account, Matsuda also explained that she had grown to enjoy a more morning-oriented lifestyle. She found that starting work earlier allowed her to make good use of the day and enjoy a sense of fulfilment.

Having entered the entertainment industry as a teenager, she has spent much of her life balancing recordings, television appearances, and concerts. Her comments offer a glimpse of how her preferences for organising the day developed over time.

Morning Stretching and a Granola Breakfast

A 2013 feature in Bi Method described another aspect of Matsuda's morning routine: stretching after waking up, followed by checking messages from friends and work contacts.

Moving her body gently in the morning light and beginning to organise the day's activities appeared to be a pleasant part of her routine at the time.

The same feature also included a detailed description of one of her favourite breakfasts.

She enjoyed granola topped with sliced banana, a generous serving of yoghurt, and a finishing spoonful of jam.

The combination brought together the crunch of granola, the sweetness of banana, the fresh taste of yoghurt, and the fruity flavour of jam.

She sometimes paired this breakfast with warm milk tea and also mentioned enjoying oranges in the morning.

Green tea, stretching, and a breakfast made with familiar ingredients were described in interviews from different years. Together, they show how Matsuda has enjoyed finding small, personal pleasures in the beginning of her day.

3. Seiko Matsuda's Diet: Salmon Rice Porridge, Home Cooking, and Her Mother's Recipes

From Her Busy Idol Years to a Longstanding Pre-Concert Meal

Looking at Matsuda's eating habits across different decades reveals a varied relationship with food, shaped by her preferences and busy professional schedule.

Accounts reproducing a 1982 series from the Japanese magazine Josei Seven, titled Seiko Matsuda: The Birth of a Legend, describe how she sometimes ate meals in a car while travelling between engagements at the height of her early fame.

Her mother reportedly prepared a packed lunch each morning and sent her off with tea in a thermos flask.

Foods mentioned among her favourites at the time included hamburg steak, tonkatsu (Japanese breaded pork cutlet), and kishimen, a flat noodle dish.

In the 2011 Bi Method feature, Matsuda described often choosing salad or pasta when eating lunch outside the home, along with sparkling water.

On busy days between rehearsals or other commitments, she sometimes opted for fast food. She also mentioned enjoying hamburgers after dance practice.

Her comments suggested an uncomplicated approach to eating: choosing foods she enjoyed while paying attention to the amount she ate.

On February 3, 2026, during the radio programme Seiko Matsuda's All Night Nippon Premium, she shared an especially interesting detail about what she likes to eat before concerts.

Her preferred dish is soft rice porridge, known in Japanese as okayu.

She explained that eating a substantial meal immediately before a performance can be difficult, while she still likes to have something in her stomach. Rice porridge has therefore been one of her choices since she was young.

She sometimes adds salmon to the porridge and appreciates its soft, warm, easy-to-eat texture.

The image of such an energetic performer enjoying a simple bowl of salmon rice porridge before going on stage is both unexpected and endearing.

It also provides a glimpse of a practical food preference she has maintained throughout her long musical career.

Homemade Tofu, Gameni, and a New Year's Meal Prepared by Her Mother

Matsuda has also shared several memorable stories about cooking and eating at home.

In her 2011 magazine feature, she described enjoying homemade tofu prepared with soy milk obtained from a tofu shop and mixed with nigari, a traditional coagulant used in tofu-making.

She also spoke about appreciating family dinners, when everyone could share stories about their day around the table.

In a 2016 appearance on Fuji Television's Mezamashi TV, she mentioned enjoying the preparation of simmered dishes, including chikuzenni and gameni.

Gameni is a traditional dish associated with Fukuoka Prefecture, where Matsuda was born. It commonly features chicken and root vegetables such as burdock, lotus root, and carrots, simmered together in a savoury seasoning.

Recipes vary between households, and the dish is often served during New Year celebrations and other special occasions.

In February 2026, Matsuda shared a particularly heartwarming family story connected to these traditional dishes.

On December 31, 2025, she had performed "Aoi Sangoshō" during NHK's annual New Year's Eve music programme, Kōhaku Uta Gassen, one of Japan's most widely watched musical traditions.

After the performance, she arrived home shortly after 2 a.m. on New Year's Day.

As the excitement of the show began to settle and she started to feel hungry, she decided to enjoy a late New Year's celebration with her staff.

Waiting at home was a special meal her mother had prepared.

It included traditional New Year dishes, Fukuoka-style gameni, and a regional version of ozōni, a Japanese New Year soup containing mochi rice cakes. The version she described included chicken and fish.

The celebration began at around 2:30 a.m. Matsuda and her staff gathered to enjoy the meal, and she eventually went to sleep after daybreak.

In 1982, her mother was reportedly preparing packed lunches for her busy daughter. More than four decades later, she was preparing traditional New Year dishes after another major performance.

These two stories, separated by many years, offer a moving picture of family affection and the enduring importance of the flavours of home.

4. Tea and Hydration: From Earl Grey to Her Own Original Tea Collection

Earl Grey and Sweet Treats During Work Breaks

Among Matsuda's everyday pleasures, her affection for tea stands out as one of the most consistent themes.

In the 2011 Bi Method feature, she described enjoying Earl Grey tea with a small chocolate or a biscuit at around 10 a.m.

Taking a little time to savour warm tea and something sweet was a treasured part of the day.

In the 2013 feature, she also spoke about drinking hot tea when she had a break from work and enjoying cakes or ice cream between recording sessions and photoshoots.

Staff members sometimes brought her sweet treats, suggesting that her fondness for desserts was familiar to the people working around her.

During her 2016 appearance on Asaichi, Matsuda mentioned that when she had a spare 20 to 30 minutes between engagements, she liked to enjoy tea and something sweet.

Across these interviews, tea breaks appear as more than an occasional indulgence. They were moments when she could enjoy familiar flavours amid a busy schedule.

Creating Her Own Darjeeling, Ceylon, and Earl Grey Teas

Her interest in tea extended beyond simply drinking it.

A record of the 2013 Bi Method feature describes Matsuda creating original tea and jam products under her own name.

The tea collection included three varieties: Darjeeling, Ceylon, and Earl Grey.

Her accompanying jam selection featured strawberry, blueberry, and grapefruit.

She explained that her enjoyment of fruit jams and tea inspired her to develop products of her own.

Taking a personal favourite and transforming it into something she could share with others reflects the creative side of Matsuda's personality beyond music.

The same 2013 feature also mentioned her preference for Earl Grey in the morning and herbal tea in the evening.

She appeared to enjoy choosing different teas according to the time of day, appreciating their flavours and aromas as part of her daily routine.

In 2011, she had also mentioned sparkling water as a favourite drink with lunch.

From Japanese green tea and milk tea to Earl Grey, herbal infusions, and sparkling water, Matsuda's interviews reveal a genuine appreciation for a variety of beverages and the moments surrounding them.

5. Skincare and Beauty Products: Her Experience with ASTALIFT Jelly Aquarysta

What She Said in an Official Fujifilm Announcement

One of the most valuable sources of information about Seiko Matsuda's skincare is an official announcement from Fujifilm, the company behind the Japanese beauty brand ASTALIFT.

In August 2015, Fujifilm announced the renewal of its jelly-textured pre-serum, ASTALIFT Jelly Aquarysta, alongside a new television advertising campaign.

The announcement included comments from Matsuda, who appeared as one of the brand's ambassadors, about her own experience using the product.

She explained that when she first encountered Jelly Aquarysta, she was intrigued by the idea of a serum designed to be applied before the usual skincare steps.

After trying it, she enjoyed its texture and feel so much that she continued using it for years.

The official comments also conveyed her sense that feeling happy with the condition of her skin could bring a natural smile and a feeling of happiness.

Jelly Aquarysta has been marketed as a jelly-textured pre-serum intended for application after cleansing and before facial lotion or toner.

Although the announcement dates from 2015, it is particularly informative because Matsuda herself discussed what attracted her to the product and why she continued using it.

It provides a more specific glimpse of her skincare preferences than a celebrity advertisement alone.

Beauty Campaigns with Kyoko Koizumi and Takako Matsu

Matsuda has had a longstanding association with ASTALIFT through its television advertising campaigns.

In 2011, she appeared alongside Kyoko Koizumi, another major Japanese pop star who rose to fame in the 1980s. The two played career women in an advertisement celebrating the appeal of mature, confident women.

In 2015, Matsuda appeared with actress Takako Matsu in a commercial for Jelly Aquarysta.

One memorable visual featured a large red jelly-like sphere in a bright white space, with Matsuda appearing in an elegant white dress.

In another ASTALIFT commercial in 2013, Matsuda performed "Sherry," the well-known 1960s hit by the Four Seasons. Her singing gave the beauty campaign a distinctive musical character.

Fragrance has also featured in her stage presentation.

Her official career chronology records a 1984 concert at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan where a perfume-spraying stage effect attracted attention.

From music and costumes to hairstyling, makeup, and even fragrance, Matsuda has explored different elements of sensory and visual expression throughout her career.

6. Sleep, Rest, and Aromatherapy: Lavender and Personal Wellbeing

Lavender Fragrance and Quiet Evenings

Matsuda has also spoken about the importance of the hours between finishing work and going to bed.

In a 2011 Bi Method feature, she described enjoying aromatherapy fragrances during her time at home.

Lavender was a particular favourite. She enjoyed allowing its gentle fragrance to fill the room and spending her evenings in a peaceful atmosphere.

In 2013, she also spoke about drinking herbal tea before bedtime and enjoying a leisurely end to the day.

A warm drink and a familiar scent provided simple pleasures away from the public demands of concerts and television appearances.

In the 2011 account, Matsuda said that going to bed at around 10 p.m. would be ideal, although her busy schedule made that difficult. She therefore aimed to be asleep by midnight.

She also described appreciating how refreshed she felt after a good night's sleep.

Reflecting on her earlier career, she explained that she had once been focused almost entirely on work, but had become increasingly aware of the importance of making time for rest as she grew older.

These comments offer an insight into how her understanding of a balanced daily routine was changing at that stage of her life.

Her 2026 Approach to Meals, Sleep, and Staying Warm

Matsuda continued to discuss everyday wellness in an interview published ahead of her first solo concert in South Korea in February 2026.

She identified three important parts of her approach to looking after herself: eating regular meals, getting enough sleep, and keeping her body warm.

Her comments offer a useful comparison with earlier interviews.

In 2011, she had described paying greater attention to bedtime. In 2013, she mentioned stretching, herbal tea, and peaceful evening routines. By 2026, regular eating and sufficient sleep remained central themes in her personal approach to wellbeing.

Looking across these different periods shows how Matsuda has continued to consider her everyday habits while maintaining a demanding musical career.

Her reflections are personal experiences rather than a prescribed routine, but they reveal the practical priorities she has chosen to emphasise over time.

7. Haircare and Personal Style: From Daily Shampooing to the Famous Seiko-Chan Cut

Her Reported Shampoo Choice and Morning Blow-Drying Routine in 1982

Some of the most specific accounts of Matsuda's early beauty habits concern her haircare routine during the first years of her career.

A reproduced account of the 1982 Josei Seven series, Seiko Matsuda: The Birth of a Legend, includes details about how the 20-year-old singer cared for her hair.

According to the report, she washed her hair every morning and styled it carefully with a hairdryer.

If the finished look did not turn out as she wanted, she sometimes washed her hair again and started the styling process from the beginning.

At a time when she was making numerous television appearances and performing on stage, her attention to her hairstyle was especially striking.

The article also identified a shampoo and conditioner called Aquamy, or Aquame in some romanisations, as products she was using at the time.

She reportedly valued products that suited her own hair rather than choosing solely on brand prestige or price.

These details reflect the haircare preferences described in an account from 1982, rather than a statement about the products she uses today.

The Seiko-Chan Cut and Her Evolving Hairstyles

No discussion of Seiko Matsuda's beauty and fashion influence would be complete without her iconic Seiko-chan cut.

The soft, feathered hairstyle, with hair swept away from the face and carefully styled ends, became enormously popular among young Japanese women in the early 1980s.

Fans requested the same hairstyle at beauty salons, making it one of the most recognisable looks of Japan's idol era.

As her career developed, Matsuda embraced a range of hairstyles, from elegant long hair to more mature looks that suited different songs, costumes, and stages of her life.

In 2021, she revisited the famous Seiko-chan cut for the self-cover of "Aoi Sangoshō," recreating the look approximately 40 years after the original song's release.

She also directed the accompanying music video, giving the classic song a new visual interpretation for a different generation.

The project brought together the nostalgia of the early 1980s and Matsuda's contemporary creative perspective.

Her stage costumes have similarly evolved over the years, often featuring elegant dresses, ribbons, ruffles, and looks selected to complement the atmosphere of her songs.

From the young idol whose hairstyle became a trend to a mature jazz vocalist with sophisticated stage styling, her evolving appearance forms another fascinating part of her musical history.

8. Family, Life, and Her New Zealand Connection: Over 45 Years in Music

Family Life, Filming in New Zealand, and a Return to Education

Alongside her celebrated musical career, Matsuda's life has included marriage, motherhood, international experiences, and new educational challenges.

After the birth of her daughter Sayaka in 1986, Matsuda continued performing and recording while also navigating family life.

Sayaka later found her own place in the entertainment industry, particularly through musical theatre and her Japanese-language portrayal of Anna in Disney's Frozen.

International experiences have also been an important part of Matsuda's story, including a connection to New Zealand that may surprise readers.

In 1984, Matsuda starred in the Japanese film Natsufuku no Eve (Eve in Summer Clothes), a story set in New Zealand that included filming on location.

The film's official soundtrack listing includes titles such as "New Zealand," "Southern Cross," and "Hotel in Wanaka," reflecting the setting and landscape of the production.

Reproduced accounts of the filming period describe shoots against the scenery of New Zealand's South Island, including countryside and pastoral landscapes.

For a Japanese singer enjoying enormous popularity at the time, travelling to New Zealand to work on a film was a memorable part of an increasingly international career.

Later in 1984, Matsuda also attended a short-term study programme at the University of Hawaii, according to her official career chronology.

She went on to pursue international music projects and acting opportunities overseas.

Decades later, she returned to formal education in Japan, graduating from Chuo University's Faculty of Law correspondence programme in March 2024 after four years of study.

In comments following her graduation, Matsuda expressed her appreciation for the years she spent studying law.

Completing a university degree in her sixties while maintaining a musical career marked another significant chapter in a life shaped by curiosity and new experiences.

Her Reflections on Music and New Challenges in 2026

In an interview ahead of her first solo performance in South Korea in February 2026, Matsuda looked back on more than 45 years as a singer.

She described music as something that had supported her throughout her life.

During the early years of her career, she had been occupied with keeping up with the many opportunities and responsibilities that came her way.

Yet stepping onto the stage helped her focus naturally on singing and connecting with the audience.

In the same interview, she expressed the feeling that, if she could return to her younger years, she would choose the path of music again.

Since releasing "Hadashi no Kisetsu" in 1980, her artistic journey has expanded through countless hit songs, international recordings, jazz albums, self-covers, and film-related work.

In 2017, she released SEIKO JAZZ, which was also issued in the United States through the renowned Verve Records label.

In 2021, Matsuda took on directing, screenwriting, and musical responsibilities for an episode of the second season of HBO Asia's anthology series Folklore.

She celebrated her 45th debut anniversary in 2025 and performed "Aoi Sangoshō" during NHK's year-end Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

In 2026, she also held her first solo concert in South Korea, continuing to bring her music to new audiences.

Alongside these achievements are quieter moments: enjoying tea, preparing simple meals, appreciating time at home, and paying attention to sleep and rest.

Her lasting enthusiasm for singing and her appreciation for everyday pleasures reveal the many dimensions of a career and life that continue to evolve.

Conclusion: Seiko Matsuda's Beauty and Wellness Habits Through the Years

Exploring Seiko Matsuda's beauty and wellness habits reveals an appealing combination of musical passion, personal preferences, and small everyday pleasures.

Her mornings have included green tea, gentle stretching, and breakfasts of granola, yoghurt, banana, and jam. Between work commitments, she has enjoyed Earl Grey and sweet treats, while home cooking has included tofu and traditional Japanese simmered dishes.

In the early 1980s, she was reported to be attentive to daily shampooing and blow-drying, with Aquamy named among the haircare products she used at the time.

In 2015, Fujifilm published comments in which she described using ASTALIFT Jelly Aquarysta for years and appreciating its texture.

More recently, in 2026, she shared stories of eating salmon rice porridge before concerts and celebrating the New Year with traditional dishes prepared by her mother.

She has also described enjoying lavender fragrance, herbal tea, and quiet evenings, while placing increasing importance on getting enough sleep and looking after herself as the years have passed.

Beyond her everyday routines, Matsuda has continued exploring new forms of artistic expression. Her career has included jazz recordings, international performances, film production, a memorable connection with New Zealand in 1984, and completing a law degree in 2024.

From the young star whose hairstyle became a national trend to an established artist still welcoming new challenges, Matsuda's life reflects a continuing affection for music, personal style, learning, and meaningful daily rituals.

Her story is a reminder of the many ways a person can find enjoyment in everyday life while continuing to pursue what they love across the decades.