Japan’s makeup is all about being gentle on the skin, meaning you will look good without applying harsh chemicals or ingredients. What’s more, you don’t need to burn a hole in your wallet to do so! Read on to find out which Japanese makeup brands and products to look for.
There’s a reason why tourists frequently include cosmetics shopping in their itinerary to Japan. Cosmetic brands such as Kosé, Shu Uemura, SKII, or Shiseido are known worldwide for their top-notch formulations, although they’re available for a hefty price. The good news is you can still get good quality makeup while on a budget. The following brands are also found in almost every drugstore, so you won’t have trouble searching for them.
1. Chifure
Chifure is all about sustainability, meaning it aims to create affordable products that consumers can use repeatedly and diligently. Furthermore, the brand incorporates minimalist, environment-conscious packaging.
Must try Chifure products:
Chifure’s lip color line is its bestselling product. You can choose from different finishes of lipsticks, lip liners, or lip gels. Furthermore, the brand offers lipstick refills, so you don’t need to purchase a new one every time. Chifure also has chic lipstick cases to keep your lipsticks safe.
Lipstick Y (9 colors)
Price: ¥550 (tax included)
Another popular Chifure product is its foundation. You can choose from liquid, moisture powder, BB cream, or concealers.
UV Liquid Foundation (5 shades)
Price ¥935 (tax included)
Website URL here.
2. Canmake
It’s hard to miss the Canmake brand with its bright pink colors. Canmake markets itself as cute, inexpensive, and made with excellent quality. Japanese of all ages rely on this brand to achieve various makeup looks.
Must try Canmake products:
Try Canmake’s cream cheek tints, and you won’t try another brand again. The colors blend into your skin, giving you a seamless “I woke up like this” look. It has a melting-gel-type texture making it easy to apply, plus it dries up quickly.
Cream Cheek (8 colors)
Price: ¥638 (tax included)
Canmake also produces amazing and budget-friendly makeup for your nails. Choose from two foundation colors or 34 nail polish shades.
Colorful Nails (34 colors)
Price: ¥396 (tax included)
Website URL here.
3. Majolica Majorca
Did you know that Shiseido created Majorica Majorca? Just this fact alone means you can expect premium quality at an affordable range. This brand offers a complete makeup lineup from foundation to highlighters. Their classy packaging also adds to the experience of owning items from Majolica Majorca.
Must try Majolica Majorca products:
Give your eyes a boost of color with this brand’s eye shadows. Just one swipe achieves dazzling colors that radiate when it touches light.
Shadow Customize (23 colors)
Price: ¥550 (tax included)
How about some face and makeup protection? Try Majolica Majorca’s Moist Cocktail Fixer as the last step to your makeup routine. It locks in your makeup, keeps oil production under control while hydrating the face. Now that’s an “alcoholic” treat for the skin.
Moist Cocktail Fixer
Price: ¥1,320 (tax included)
Website URL here.
4. Cezanne
You can definitely trust this makeup brand. After all, it has over 50 years of experience in offering affordable yet quality products. Cezanne is all about being friendly to your skin, pocket, and the environment.
Must try Cezanne products:
If you have issues with hyper-active sebum production, Cezanne’s makeup base is the way to go. It absorbs excess oil so your makeup won’t collapse. The formula is non-greasy, with a silky feel, so you get a seamlessly beautiful finish.
Make Keep Base (2 shades)
Price: ¥660 (tax included)
Now that you’re done applying makeup using the proper foundation, how about a concealer in the form of a crayon for easy application. This concealer covers dark spots, moles, acne scars, and more with so much ease. It’s also waterproof and gives you an extra layer of UV protection.
Concealer Crayon UV (3 shades)
Price: ¥638 (tax included)
Website URL here.
5. K-Palette
This brand is all about achieving long-lasting effects. Its 1-Day Tattoo eyeliners and eyebrow makeup are tried and tested to last 24 hours and more. Like Shiseido, K-Palette is owned by trusted brand Cuòre which offers many products.
Must try K-Palette products:
Are you looking for high-quality eyeliner that won’t budge even if you cry after a tear-jerking movie? Give the 1 Day Tattoo eyeliner a go and be amazed at how easy it is to apply. It will really last until you wash your face.
1 Day Tattoo Procast The Eyeliner (4 shades)
Price: ¥1,650 (tax included)
If you have issues with eyebrows disappearing throughout the day or looking for a more striking look, K-Palette’s liquid eyeliner series also last 24 hours at least. It gives you a three-dimensional finish and has two tips more control.
1 Day Tattoo Liquid Powder (4 shades)
Price: ¥1,320 (tax included)
Website URL here.
If you’re looking for a few more brands, Kanebo Kate, Heroine Make, and Isehan Kiss Me and worth checking out. Some of the brands we’ve mentioned offer a full lineup of products, from eyebrows to lipstick, while some specialize in a particular area like eyeliners. This gives you the opportunity to mix and match the brands in your makeup kit after falling in love with a particular brand or becoming a loyal fan of only one manufacturer.
Furthermore, you can check if these brands offer a skincare line. Who knows, your skin might love Chifure’s BB Cream, that it will also like the face wash the brand offers. From the list above, Chifure, Majorica Majorca, and Isehan Kiss Me products expand to skincare, haircare, or fragrances.
Where to buy inexpensive makeup products in Japan
Your best bet in finding these products easily is at major drugstores in Japan like Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Sun Drug, Daikoku Drug, or Kokumin. You can also try Don Quijote stores with a cosmetics section. Skincare and cosmetics are often grouped in one area so you can browse to your heart’s content.
Try out their online shops
With the travel restrictions created by the coronavirus pandemic, many of Japan’s brands were pushed to go online. Now, you can easily order your favorites from their online shops for delivery across Japan. Some of them also offer international shipping, or you can order them from trusted sellers on e-commerce sites like Japan Haul, Amazon, or Sephora.
It’s a fact that consumers love playing with makeup because they’re so much fun! You can experiment with different looks, plus enjoy looking fabulous. Now, you can do so without breaking the bank!
