If you think that good makeup can only be found in Korea, you are seriously mistaken! While Korean makeup has established itself internationally, Japanese makeup are not to be overlooked.
You may have seen more and more creators on TikTok raving about Japanese makeup products and we’re not surprised. After all, Japan produces some of the best makeup products that have long been cult favourites, particularly for the soft, elegant look.
If you are planning to travel to Japan anytime soon, you should definitely check out some of these greatest Japanese makeup products on the market. If you’re not going to be there anytime soon, don’t fret! You can purchase most of their products online.
Here are 15 of our top Japanese makeup recommendations for you to consider adding to your shopping list!
Base makeup
1. CEZANNE UV Tone Up Base
The CEZANNE UV Tone Up Base not only contains SPF 50+ PA+++, but it’s also lightweight and waterproof, making it the perfect go-to for your summer plans. When applied, the product is buttery smooth and, unlike most tone-ups, does not leave a white or grey cast.
@boonkikikiki adores this product as it has appeared in several of her GRWM (get ready with me) videos. The TikTok star raves about how natural her skin looks, claiming that the tone-up base brightens her skin without leaving a white cast – ideal for the #MySkinButBetter look.
@doujiang.youtiao its been 2 years since i had a tone up cream i liked HAHAHA THANKS CEZANNE
CEZANNE UV Tone Up Base retails for S$16.46 on Yesstyle.
2. SANA MAIKOHAN Pure Moist SHITAJI N
To achieve the fresh, youthful look with an elegant shine spotted on many Japanese ladies, give the SANA MAIKOHAN Pure Moist SHITAJI N a try!
Not only does it smooth your pores and even out your skin tone, it also offers an SPF of 30 PA+++ to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
It also comes in two available shades: 01 Pink Beige for the ladies with cooler undertones and 02 Natural Beige for those with warm undertones.
This makeup base stands out with its ultra-nourishing formula, which contains moisture-boosting ingredients such as cherry extract (sakura), camellia seed oil, soybean extract, squalene, hyaluronic acid vitamin C, and more.
SANA MAIKOHAN Pure Moist SHITAJI N retails for S$26.78 on Shopee.
3. CANMAKE Marshmallow Finish Powder (01 Dearest Bouquet)
Prefer a soft matte finish instead? The CANMAKE Marshmallow Finish Powder in 01 Dearest Bouquet is our go-to product for absorbing excess shine on the face.
We can definitely see why CANMAKE named it “marshmallow” as it gives the skin a luxurious, pillowy airbrushed finish that lasts all day.
Its five distinct colour-correcting shades offer a well-balanced brightening effect while correcting any uneven skin tone. For areas that require more intense colour correction, we recommend picking up your desired colour with your finger and applying it to the specific area only.
CANMAKE Marshmallow Finish Powder in 01 Dearest Bouquet retails for S$20.48 on Watsons.
Eye makeup
1. CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner
With a slim tip of only 1.5mm, this gel liner can create the most precise lines on your eyelids. It is super creamy, and the smooth tip makes it easy to apply to your eyes in just a single swipe.
We’ve all experienced how frustrating it can be when you can’t perfect your gel liner, especially when you’re already in a rush.
When it dries (which happens almost instantly), the gel liner becomes completely smudge-proof and resistant to water, sweat, sebum, and tears.
Still not convinced? Watch how @pereylierge achieves her flawless winged liner look in under 10 seconds using only the CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner. It gave her a soft lifted look, and she loved how smudge-proof the liner is.
@pereylierge 5 secs lang ata yun eh???? lurv this so much #fyp #beauty #beautyph #makeup
CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner retails for S$13.64 on Watsons.
2. K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting 24H Eyeliner Waterproof
The K-Palette One Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner has long been a cult favourite among J-beauty fans in the eyeliner category, and it’s easy to see why.
Its patented micro-fibre brush tip makes it easy to control and achieve thin, precise lines, making it ideal for makeup beginners.
If you’re concerned about getting panda eyes, you have nothing to worry about. This liquid liner dries instantly and won’t budge even against water, sweat, and sebum.
What many people don’t know is that it also has skincare benefits, as it contains five different types of beauty essences to help care for the delicate area around your eyes and even promotes lash growth during application.
K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting 24H Eyeliner Waterproof retails for S$20.90 on Watsons.
3. Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara Advanced Film
If we’re talking about Japanese makeup, we definitely can’t leave out the well-known Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara.
It is widely regarded as the best mascara for Asian lashes, which can be short and stubbornly straight. This mascara will dramatically lengthen your lashes, and what’s more, they will stay lifted all day.
Mascara can be messy if applied incorrectly, but this mascara has a specially shaped brush that is designed to fit the natural curve of Asian eyes. You can be confident that every stand of your lashes will be getting coated and curled without any tugging or clumping.
It is also “notorious” for being so smudge-proof that it can be difficult to remove. One tip is to apply makeup remover to the eye area for at least 10 seconds which should do the trick. If not, you can always use the Heroine Make Speedy Mascara Remover to make removal a breeze.
Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara Advanced Film retails for S$22.50 on Watsons.
4. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Combine the Heroine Make mascara with this famous Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, and your lashes will look so good that people will think you’re wearing extensions.
While most eyelash curlers on the market are made for Western eyes, this top-rated Asian eyelash curler has a curve that accommodates all eye shapes, making the perfect lash lift even on mono lids.
The silicone rubber cushion also delivers just the proper amount of pressure to keep your eyes from being pinched when curling your lashes.
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler retails for S$40 on Sephora.
5. Shiseido Majolica Majorca Eyeshadow Customize (BE286)
Have you ever wondered how the popular girl group- TWICE achieves their youthful makeup look?
Won Jung Yo (@bit.boot_jungyo on Instagram), TWICE’s makeup artist revealed her secret: using the Majolica Marjoca Eyeshadow in BE286 to highlight the aegyo-sal, a pocket of fat underneath the eye that helps you seem younger and your eyes more cheery.
While most aegyo-sal highlights are too bright and unnatural on the under-eye, this Majolica Marjoca eyeshadow has just the right amount of peach and gold tone to give your aegyo-sal the most natural enhancement.
Shiseido Majolica Majorca Eyeshadow Customize in BE286 retails for S$11.97 on Yesstyle.
6. EXCEL Skinny Rich Shadow (SR10 Peony Brown)
This four-color eye makeup palette contains various pink-brown shades that will create the perfect gradient, resulting in a soft and dreamy eye look. The fine pearl formulation also provides a glossy satin-like finish, completing the look elegantly.
@y.makeup.u layered two medium pink-brown shades on top of each other to make her eyes appear mysterious and mellow.
She then used the lightest shade to highlight the centre of her eyelids and aegyo-sal, and the darkest shade to outline the tail of her eyes. Overall, her eye makeup remains soft and does not appear overly smoky or dreary on the eyelid, making it an ideal item for beginners to experiment with.
@y.makeup.u リクエストいただいたので撮ってみた💓🫶くすみピンクパープルかわいっ🧶 #excel #エクセル #アイシャドウ #プチプラコスメ #ピオニーブラウン #eyemakeup #아이메이크업 #アイメイク動画 #エクセルアイシャドウ
EXCEL Skinny Rich Shadow in SR10 Peony Brown retails for S$30.56 on Yesstyle.
Brow makeup
1. KISSME Isehan Heavy Rotation Coloring Eyebrow
A tip to achieve the soft makeup look is to have brows that are lighter in colour than your hair. The wide range of colours from the Isehan Heavy Rotation Coloring Eyebrow collection ensures that everyone will be able to find a perfect shade to match their hair.
Don’t be fooled by its unassuming packaging; one coat is all you need to achieve a natural, fluffy brow look that is trending all over social media.
Moreover, it contains panthenol to help protect your brow while being resistant to sweat, water, sebum, and rubbing.
KISSME Isehan Heavy Rotation Coloring Eyebrow retails for S$14.10 on Yesstyle.
2. Kanebo KATE Designing Eyebrow 3D
If you’ve been around the beauty community, you’ve probably seen this eyebrow powder before, particularly on YouTube.
This brow powder comes in a versatile three-colour palette in natural and wearable shades, and the double-sided brush is just as high quality as the palette itself.
While it is most known for making sparse brows appear naturally filled and fluffy, the colours can also be used to contour the nose.
The sleek case also makes it convenient to bring this palette around and we can see why this product has been a cult favourite in the beauty world for years.
Kanebo KATE Designing Eyebrow 3D retails for S$13.66 on Yesstyle.
Cheek makeup
1. Kanebo ALLIE Cheek UV SPF 50+ PA++++
The ALLIE Cheek UV SPF 50+PA++++ has recently appeared on our TikTok For You Page, and it certainly deserves its growing popularity.
This easy-to-apply cheek tint is one of our top picks for the soft, elegant #NoMakeupMakeupLook. It blends so easily to give your cheeks a natural flush and a subtle glow from within. With an SPF of 50+PA++++, you’ll have extra UV protection on your cheeks, making it ideal for sun-sensitive skin.
If you love UV protection products or are prone to dark spots, the Kanebo ALLIE Cheek UV will provide you with the sun protection while giving the most natural tint to your cheeks.
Kanebo ALLIE Cheek UV SPF 50+ PA++++ retails for S$39.28 on Yesstyle.
2. ADDICTION Cheek Polish
The skin melt technology that coats the powder with oil distinguishes the ADDICTION The Blush Nuancer from other powder blushers.
This results in a non-powdery finish that appears to melt flawlessly onto the skin. The colour is light at first (but buildable!) to give your cheeks that translucent, soft-focus look.
It is also fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and paraben-free, making it suitable for all skin types. A major plus points for us is that it is both eco-friendly and vegan as well,
Check out the ADDICTION The Blush Nuancer if you prefer a matte blush but are worried about looking too powdery or cakey. Your cheeks will be beautifully enhanced with the most natural, soft flush with just a light sweep.
ADDICTION Cheek Polish retails for S$57.24 on Yesstyle.
Lip makeup
1. CEZANNE Watery Tint Lip
According to TikTok Star @stxph.h, this lip tint is nearly identical to the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in texture and consistency, and we’re not complaining because it’s a fraction of the price.
She mentions how lightweight and highly pigmented the tint is, claiming that it gives her the “plush pillow lip” look seen in the video.
A main concern we get from water-based tints is how drying they can be on the lips. However, moisturising ingredients such as honey, royal jelly extract, and water-soluble collagen is in the formula to keep your lips looking smooth and plump all day.
@stxph.h first time trying Japanese makeup!! evergthjng is so slay omgg #japanesemakeup #japanesemakeuptips
CEZANNE Watery Tint Lip retails for S$12.04 on Watsons.
2. OPERA Lip Tint x Rouge
If you are not a fan of water tints because of their budge-proof formula, the best-selling Japanese lip tint- OPERA Lip Tint X Rouge may just be the perfect choice for you!
It is a hybrid of a balm, gloss, and tint. While not transfer-proof, this lip product will provide you with the most natural-looking tint on your lips. It not only applies smoothly, but it also contains squalene for moisture, mallow flower extract for elasticity, and chamomile extract to soothe the lips.
@charlotteseet Replying to @selestseule the number of times i said omg.. BUT CAN WE TALK ABT HOW UNDERRATED THESE ARE 😫😮💨😮💨 #liptint #makeup #beauty #operaliptint #japanesemakeup #makeuptryon
OPERA Lip Tint x Rouge retails for S$27.90 on Shopee.
