If you’re a beauty enthusiast who loves exploring cutting-edge innovations from Japan, you’re in for a treat.
Four exciting Japanese beauty brands have landed in Singapore, bringing with them innovative skincare and makeup products that are sure to elevate your beauty routine.
From skincare backed by medical science to iconic eye care treatments and luxurious haircare, here’s what you need to know about these rising stars and their must-try products.
TAKAMI
Founded by Dr Hiroshi Takami in 1999 as an aesthetics beauty clinic in Tokyo’s Omotesando district, TAKAMI has earned its place as a pioneer in acne and pore dermatology.
At the heart of TAKAMI’s philosophy is Kakushitsu Science – a unique approach to nurturing the skin’s outermost 0.02mm layer (a.k.a. the stratum corneum), which promotes a healthy, radiant complexion without harsh peeling.
Dr Takami’s long-term, nurturing philosophy focuses on skincare habits that benefit your skin over time, instead of offering quick fixes.
Must-Try Product:
With over 13 million bottles sold and 83 awards won, the TAKAMI Skinpeel Essence has become a household name in Japan and is now taking the global skincare scene by storm.
Often hailed as the secret to “clinic-like” skin results at home, this essence changes how we think about exfoliation. Unlike traditional peels that can be harsh and abrasive, it adopts a gentler approach, focusing on nurturing and refining the skin’s outermost layer without physically peeling it away.
It contains only 13 carefully selected ingredients, including a proprietary blend of seven fruit extracts that gently exfoliate and support the skin’s natural regenerative process without causing irritation, so it’s great for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
The Skinpeel Essence is designed as “Step 0” in your skincare routine – right after cleansing and before any other skincare products, both in the morning and evening.
TAKAMI Skinpeel Essence retails for S$75 (30ml) on Sephora.sg.
TAKAMI is available in selected Sephora stores (ION, Plaza Singapura, Takashimaya, VivoCity & Westgate) and online on Sephora.sg.
AXXZIA
A powerhouse in Japanese skincare, AXXZIA is finally making its Southeast Asian debut in Singapore.
Known for its luxurious and results-driven Beauty Eyes range, the brand focuses on transforming the delicate eye area with advanced technology and premium ingredients.
Must-Try Products:
Over five million units have been sold since its debut in 2016, and it’s trusted by 1,134 salons across the globe.
We’re talking about the AXXZIA Beauty Eyes Essence Sheet Premium+, a game-changer for those struggling with dryness, dullness, and loss of firmness around the eyes. These luxurious eye masks are soaked with up to six bottles of serum, offering a 360? treatment that nourishes and lifts the skin.
For those with busy mornings, the AXXZIA Beauty Eyes Essence Sheet+ delivers quick hydration and radiance in just 10 minutes.
AXXZIA Beauty Eyes Essence Sheet Premium+ retails for S$139 (60 sheets) on Shopee, while AXXZIA Beauty Eyes Essence Sheet+ retails for S$109 (60 sheets) on Shopee.
AXXZIA is available via its official Shopee store, KrisShop, iShopChangi, and selected Welcia and Novela stores.
Visée by KOSÈ
If Japanese makeup is a staple in your routine, then the highly anticipated launch of Visée by KOSÈ in Singapore is for you.
A leader in trendsetting cosmetics in Japan, Visée is celebrated for its innovative formulas and unique, expressive colour palettes, perfect for achieving that effortless, everyday glamour.
Must-Try Products:
Visée’s Essence Lip Plumper has gained a reputation as a must-have product for achieving fuller, more voluminous lips. This COSME award-winning product not only enhances lip volume but also provides a luscious sheen and locks in moisture.
Its unique formula, combining hyaluronic acid, squalane, and spicy plumping ingredients, provides deep moisture and enhances lip volume. The comfortable, non-sticky texture and refreshing vanilla mint scent make it a favourite among beauty enthusiasts.
Visée’s Extra Skinny Concealer is a great option for those seeking precise coverage of blemishes, dark spots, and fine lines.
Its incredibly fine tip allows for targeted application, while its lightweight, semi-glossy finish provides high coverage without feeling heavy. The oil-coated powders and flexible film-forming agents ensure the concealer stays in place and doesn’t crease or cake.
Visée Essence Lip Plumper is available in four shades and retails for S$17 (5.5ml) on Shopee, while Visée Extra Skinny Concealer is available in four shades and retails for S$15 (4g) on Shopee.
Visée by KOSÈ range is exclusively available on KOSÈ’s official store on Shopee.
NatureLab Tokyo
Founded by Rosa Takagi in 2017, NatureLab Tokyo has gained a reputation for combining Japanese botanical traditions with cutting-edge scientific innovation.
This premium haircare brand focuses on scalp health as the foundation for beautiful, vibrant hair, and its formulas are enriched with plant stem cells and scalp-friendly ingredients that address hair concerns from the roots.
Must-Try Products:
The Perfect Clean Clarifying Scalp Scrub is a dual-action scrub and shampoo that detoxifies the scalp and promotes hair health.
It gently exfoliates with sugar crystals to remove product buildup and dead skin cells, while probiotic-rich sake water balances the scalp’s microbiome. This combination helps create a healthy environment for strong, healthy hair growth.
NatureLab Tokyo’s Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner duo is a frizz-fighting solution that transforms unruly hair into silky, smooth strands.
Infused with Japanese botanical ingredients and stem cell technology, the products provide intense hydration and smoothness. Key ingredients like yuzu ceramide and exotic oils restore the hair’s protective barrier, repair damage, and protect it from environmental aggressors.
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Clean Clarifying Scalp Scrub retails for S$26 on Shopee, while NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner retails for S$21 each on Shopee.
NatureLab Tokyo is available at Watsons, Shopee, and Lazada.
