The English name printed makes me chuckle. Araiko translates toย โwashing powderโ โ add โtoiletโ in front of it and together with the rather bemusingย โHighly perfumed with violet, white rose. Jockey club essences and muskโ blurb printed, youโre instantly conjuring up thoughts of an antiquated odour-removing toilet cleaner. But, the name isnโt your usual case ofย linguistic misfires.ย Clubโs Araiko was released in 1906 โ a period where toilet (or toilette) is a (now dated) term for theย process of washing yourself and fixing your appearance.ย Itย alsoย makes me think of toilet water โย which is what a lot of dogs like to drink and also what diluted perfume is called.
Clubย Araiko Toilet Washing Powder is a real nostalgic kickback โ it has barely changed since 1906! Insideย the quaint paper envelope contains 30 single-use sachets. The powder cleanserย looks exactly like flour when you tip it out. It immediately goes lumpy and gummyย when you add a little water, just like actual flour. The key to getting a really rich, dense creamy lather with theย minimum amount of fuss is to use a foaming net.ย Of course, you can just use your hands sans tool. Just add a little water in your palm and rub your wet hands together briskly โ but itโs a lot more difficult than it seems.ย I have neither the skill nor patience, soย I use foaming net โ quick and easy.
Theย cleanserย itself is rich and a pleasure to use.ย It doesnโt leave my currently slightly winter dry skin dry or uncomfortably tight,ย andย it does a decent job of removing grime (though you should use a dedicated remover like an oil or a balm beforehand if you wear makeup). Skin feels completely clean, refreshed, and soft without any residue.ย And despite theย packaging suggesting itย might be a bit on the โhighly fragrancedโย side, its rose scent is actually subtle and beautifully delicate.
The sachets areย 3g each โ that doesnโt seemย like a lot until you pour the whole content into your hand. Itโsย meant for single-use but thereโs actually enough powder in there for 2 washes!ย Theย little sachets arenโt as ideal a situation as opening a lid but itโs super convenientย if youโre often travelling or staying away overnight. One is enough for my face and body.
You can findย Club Araiko (or Toilet Washing Powder)ย online atย Amazon Japan HEREย โ itโsย ยฅ1,345 for 30 sachets, cheaper than RRP. Itโs also atย Amazon USA.ย Full ingredients and other technical product details have already been posted separately, asย usual.
Is that Playmobil? <3
No, Re-Ment.