Nostalgic for the best Japanese beauty products?
If you remember Namie Amuro as one of the top singers in your youth, you probably would remember a time when the beauty industry was dominated by Japanese brands.
Now that the products have become more diverse, ranging from Korean and Taiwanese brands to American and European brands, it may seem as though Japanese beauty brands aren’t so much in the limelight as they used to be.
But without a doubt, in our minds, we trust Japanese brands for putting in utmost care into product development and are able to deliver products that are suitable for Asian skin types and tones.
Thanks to the opening of stores like Welcia-BHG and Don Don Donki, we are once again seeing Japanese beauty brands in the spotlight.
We have curated a list of Japanese beauty products that have received rave reviews and that you can easily find in Singapore. We’ve also gone the extra mile and sorted them out by type of product.
Skincare
Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil
Boscia was created by Japan-based Fancl, and it remains a popular brand due to is clean and natural formulas.
Powered by nanotechnology, this oil removes makeup, brightens the complexion, purifies pores, hydrates the skin, and has anti-aging properties.
It retails for S$55.
Clé de Peau Beauté Protective Fortifying Emulsion
Designed for all skin types, this is a daytime moisturisers that provides all-day hydration while reviving the skin’s natural resilience.
It provides a smooth feeling as well as a base for foundation to improve its lasting power and finish.
It retails for S$190.
Cure Natural Aqua Gel
Fromulated with 90% water, this is Japanese gentle peel gel exfoliates your skin and removes dead skin cells to leave your skin soft and smooth.
It is recommended to use it twice a week for the best results. Simply apply one pump of the product onto your fingertips and slowly massage the area you want to exfoliate.
It retails for S$87.66.
Decorté Liposome Advanced Repair Serum
Using multilamellar bio-liposome, a single pump of this serum releases high concentration moisture with a second-skin effect.
This product offers 11 different key benefits including refined texture, improved smoothness, minimised pores, reduced fine lines, and more.
It retails for S$145.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
If you need a deep cleansing oil to remove your makeup, consider this product as it completely dissolves all traces of dirt and cosmetics including waterproof makeup.
All the while it nourishes your complexion with antioxidant-rich olive oil which will leave your skin feeling soft and supple.
It retails for S$44.
D Program Acne Care Emulsion
You might not know this, but D Program is a brand under Shiseido, so you know they’ve got good skincare products. If you’ve got acne-prone skin, this could be the moisturiser for you.
Containing soothing Allantoin, it prevents inflammation-inducing factors and keeps your skin moisturised for up to eight hours long.
It retails for S$46.90.
Dr. Ci:Labo Aqua Collagen Gel
With five different kinds of collagens, it helps to balance the flow of positive ions to the skin and reactivate the skin’s ability to produce collagen naturally.
It also locks in moisture while delivering nourishing anti-aging ingredients deep into the skin.
It retails for S$199.60.
Hada Labo Deep Clean & Pore Refining Face Wash
If you’ve got oily skin, you might want to go for this deep cleansing face wash that also controls sebum secretion.
The secret to its oil control is bentonite clay which has high concentration of minerals to absorb excess dirt and impurities.
It retails for S$7.90.
Lululun Sheet Masks
For days where you are feeling super lazy, you can use Lululun’s sheet masks which are super moisturising and nourishing at the same time.
What’s great is that they come in resealable mask packs, so you can just take one to use and keep the rest for later.
It retails for S$39.90.
Saborino Morning Facial Sheet Mask
These sheet masks are quite special as they are a multitasking product: they cleanse, moisturise, and serve as a primer or base for your makeuip.
All you have to do is leave the mask on your face for a minute after waking up and you’ll be ready to face the day.
It retails for S$21.90.
SK-II Treatment Essence
A cult favourite product, this is considered a holy grail by many beauty enthusiasts worldwide.
This essence reverses the signs of aging while moisturising dry areas, rejuvenating the skin’s texture, and balancing the pH. All this results in a clear, glowing complexion.
It retails for S$220.
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Suitable for dry and normal skin, this is a rich cream that delivers replenishing hydration as well as antioxidants from Japanese purple rice.
A fermentation of Japanese anti-ageing superfoods such as green tea, rice, and algae give the skin a healthy and youthful glow.
It retails for S$108.
THREE Purifying Clay Mask
We’ve got a thick clay mask for you that has 92% of its ingredients derived from natural sources.
The clay mask helps draw out impurities, excess sebum, and dead skin cells from deep within the pores while keeping the skin moisturised.
It retails for S$85.
Utena Premium Puresa Golden Jelly Mask
One of Japan’s bestselling golden jelly masks, this has highly concentrated golden jelly collagen serum to deliver moisture deep into the skin.
It is packed with multiple active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalene, amino acids, and more.
It retails for S$16.90.
Makeup & sunscreen
Allie Exta UV Gel SPF50+ PA++++
We’re a fan of this sunscreen as it not only creates a flexible veil to protect against UV rays, it also contains a blend of hyaluronic acid and collagen to protect the skin against dryness.
Suitable for use on both the face and body, it is resistant against water and sweat, so you can easily use it to perform your day-to-day activities.
It retails for S$47.
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF50+ PA++++
Suitable for all skin types, this sunscreen offers uv protection while facing sweat, water, heat, and humid air.
With 50% beauty skincare ingredients, it also helps to prevent photoaging to give you radiant and protected skin.
It retails for S$41.90.
Astalift D-UV White Perfect UV Clear Solution 50+ PA++++
Astalift is a brand that is under the Japanese film company Fujifilm. This UV Clear Solution is a broad-spectrum sunscreen with deep UV protection.
It also doubles as both a beauty essence and makeup base to help you look your bets all day long.
It retails for S$72.
Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF50+ PA++++
This sunscreen isn’t just water resistant, it also has sebum absorbing powder to control oil and shine.
Containing moisturising glycerin and hyaluronic acid, it also doubles as a moisturising makeup base so you don’t have to reach for a primer.
It retails for S$15.90.
Creer Beaute Pokemon Moisturising Lip Balm
Even if you aren’t a Pokemon fan, you’re going to love the formula in these lip balms as they contain evening primrose oil, argan oil, and shea butter.
Other than the mascot Pikachu, there’s also Eevee, Mimikyu, Jigglypuff, and Galarian Ponytail, all featuring different scents.
It retails for S$25.90.
Dolly Wink Gel Eyeliner
An ultra waterproof rich eyeliner, it has a 1.5 mm slim tip and a non-retractable gel core for super smooth lines.
Your eyes won’t be irritated too as it has got moisturising ingredients such as squalane, chamomile, jojoba seed oil, and macadamia seed oil.
It retails for S$19.90.
Ettusais Natural Powder Brow Liner
You can create natural-looking and long-lasting eyebrows using this sweat and water-resistant, smudge-proof formula.
The tip especially makes it easy to draw both fine lines and blurs.
It retails for S$28.50.
Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara
This Japanese mascara is super waterproof and will give you the most voluminous eyelashes of your dreams.
Best used with a lash curler, the curling effect truly lasts all day and does not smudge.
It retails for S$26.32.
Kate Eyebrow Pencil
A superfine 1.5 mm eyebrow pencil, this will give you all the precision you need to draw the perfect eyebrows.
There are seven different available natural colours ranging from black to blonde, so you can probably find something to match your current shade.
It retails for S$21.80 for a bundle of two.
Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation
Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, this is a medium coverage foundation with a natural, luminious finish.
It includes Koh Gen Do’s new Gloss Film Powder which allows it to fit onto the skin and brighten dull areas of the skin for a flawless, youthful glow.
It retails for S$80.50
SANA Super Quick Melty Gel Eyeliner
We’ve got another high precision eyeliner for you. This one’s got a 2 mm gel tip so you can easily draw, shade, and fill in gaps.
Waterproof and smudge-free, its formula includes moisturising macadamia nut oil, shea butter, and panthenol.
It retails for S$22.90.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
This is a weightless foundation that offers medium to full buildable coverage. What’s interesting is that it has an innovative light-adjusting technology to make sure you have a smooth, luminous finish in any light.
With 20 different shades ranging from alabaster to bronze, you’re likely to find a colour that suits your Asian skintone.
It retails for S$78.
Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil
An unassuming eyebrow pencil, this product is more than meets the eye as it has remained unchanged for more than 25 years.
What’s unique about it is that it only releases colour pigments when it interacts with the oils in the brow hairs, resulting in a natural, defined brow.
It retails for S$35.
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence
We’re a fan of this Japanese sunscreen as it blocks UV rays while making your face appear brighter.
This is another sunscreen that can double up as a makeup primer or base. Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin c to moisturise and brighten the skin respectively.
It retails for S$27.90.
Bodycare, haircare & tools
Kaminomoto Super Strength Hair Serum
If you’re worried about hair loss, this is an effective serum that deals with thinning and loss of hair.
It uses hinokitiol as an ingredient to make your hair healthy and stronger while activating blood circulation and rejuvenating cells to restore the scalp.
It retails for S$24.
Lishan Horse Oil Skin Cream
Deriving from the fat of the horse, this cream contains essential fatty acids which contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help repair the skin.
Sounds a bit odd? It also contains Hokkaido-sourced horse placenta, which has several hundred times as many amino acids as the typical pig placenta extract, so you know you’re going to get the best nourishment.
It retails for S$19.90.
ReFa Carat Face
Platinum-coated and waterproof, this facial roller fits every contour of the face to tighten and tone the skin while replicating the deep kneading technique used by professional aestheticians.
You’re bound to get the ultimate pampering experience from the mild and soothing microcurrent. What’s great is that you don’t have to charge this product, as it has its own built-in solar panel.
It retails for S$280.
Tsubaki Premium Moist Shampoo
This shampoo is designed to repair the hair’s cell membrane complex using easily absorbed nourishing ingredients such as royal jelly, soybean protein, camellia oil, and squalene.
Dual amino acids also help to repair damaged and peeling areas of the hair cuticle to recover split ends.
It retails for S$11.90.
Y.S. Park Curl Shine Styler
Curly haired girls are going to love this hairbrush by Y.S. Park. It uses a combination of boar bristles and nylon pins to create an easy brushing experience.
The brand also has an assortment of hairbrushes if this one isn’t to your fancy.
It retails for S$85.
Featured image credit: Oh My Brush & Yesstyle
