Photo/Illutration Tomoko Horino has worked as a beauty adviser and cosmetics saleswoman for more than 60 years. (Nobuyuki Takiguchi)

Beauty is not about youth, but gumption in the case of Tomoko Horino whose work spans over six decades. 

Horino was recognized by Guinness World Records last summer as the world's oldest female beauty adviser, and she extended that record again with her birthday in April. 

She is now 101 and is spry with a routine that nourishes both mind and body in its straightforwardness.

Waking up at 6:30 a.m. in her home in Fukushima, Horino starts the morning like many others—by putting on makeup.

“It helps me get ready to take on the day,” she said. 

Setting the kitchen table with rice and miso soup for the first of the day's three homecooked meals follows. As do the mobility exercises for her shoulder blades.

Before bed, she watches the news so she “won’t run out of things to talk about with her customers.” She’s recently enjoyed following Major League Baseball's 50-50 king, Shohei Ohtani.

Horino's journey with cosmetics began at age 30 when a neighbor recommended a well-known line.

Then came the compliments.

“You look great. What did you do?” naturally led to her promoting the products in conversation.

At 39, she thought, “I want to sell the products myself,” and became a door-to-door saleswoman in Fukushima, visiting apartment complexes sans appointment. 

Not only was it a different age of marketing, makeup was also less common in the early 1960s; she piqued curiosity when handing out samples and people often purchased her wares.

Horino sold more than 5 million yen ($34,900) of products in her first year. In total, her sales have surpassed 120 million yen.

Handwritten notebooks continue serving as a record of her customers' purchase histories—Horino still has 10 regulars.

Outfitted in clothes she knit herself, Horino makes her way to work by bus and taxi. Neatly done nails complete her sales look.

Hearing customers say, “I look so much better now,” makes her happy and has kept her working for more than 60 years, Horino said.

“I want to keep working for those who are happy with what I do,” she added.

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