Japan Makeup Favorites

It's been a month since we were in Japan and I've been reaching for these J-beauty makeup items on the daily.

Japan in November was truly a bucket list trip for our family and I defiently took advantage of all the beauty products at every turn. While I have a ton of products to use and test, here are the ones I’ve been reaching for daily since our trip. Honestly most were opened during our trip and I’ve continued to reach for them daily.

It brings me joy to remember moments of our Japan trip when I get ready in the mornings and when I think about how affordable most of these products are for the quality I’m floored.

If you’re planning to visit soon, I highly recommend doing some research and have a game plan to shop. I’ve linked what I can through sellers, but know that if you shop in Japan prices are usually slightly cheaper and you can opt for tax free when you spend over 5,000 yen per checkout.

Want to watch my full Japan Beauty Haul? Find it HERE.

A Juicy Plump Lip

CANMAKE Mochi Puri Tint in 01 gives your lips the most comfortable plump and tint. The color payoff is between sheer and satin. Adds a juicy moisturized look to your lips and feels great! I hate the feeling of lip products on my lips and this is ultra comfortable.

The color will transfer and you will need to reapply, but if you’re like me and rarely reapply products, you’ll be happy with how it wears off.

I’ve been keeping this in my purse to apply and reapply when I remember. 01 also is my perfect taupe lip color. Evening out my lip and bringing life to them

Mochi Cheeks

CANMAKE Cream Cheek 16 This is the perfect cream blush that isn’t too creamy. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes I feel like cream blushes can be too creamy and slip right off your skin.

This cream cheek comes in 4 colors and I bough three of them. Currently I’ve been using shade 16 daily. I love how the formula is a cream to mousse. For dryer or normal skin you won’t feel the need to set it.

The blush does wear off by end of day, but there’s a gentle wear off. It’s still there just looks lived in.

Obsessed with the formula, finish, and color options.

The Number 1 Selling Foundation in Japan via Cosme

Now Shiseido is pretty accessible world wide, but it had been awhile since I tried one of their color products. In fact I realized I kind of forgot about them even though I use to swear by their tinted sunscreens, foundations, and foundation powders.

This particular foundation Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow was ranked at Cosme. Think of Cosme as Japan’s Sephora with an emphasis on user reviews to rank products.

I kept walking by this foundation and finally purchased it to try. The lightweight fluid formula absorbs into the skin and offers the most natural glow with medium coverage.

Love the pump. I will say if your skin is patchy this will emphasize dry patches, so as with all foundation make sure to prep your skin well.

Most days I use a pea drop amount in the areas I have the most discoloration to even out my skin. For a more finished look I use one pump all over the face.

Small and Mighty Gel Liner

Leave it to Heroine Make to create the thinnest gel liner that gives the smoothest glide. The Heroine Make Long Stay Sharp Gel Liner gives you such precision and longevity it’s insane how affordable this is in Japan.

Many of our favorite products like mascaras and liners will have limited and exclusive shades available. I couldn’t find the brown shade online, but linked the black for you. If you have a favorite I suggest taking advantage of any limited shades that are harder to find outside of Asia.

A Skincare Powder

This top rated powder has some pretty impressive claims especially for under $10. Club Cosmetics Suppin Powder can be used to seal in your skincare at night and during the day!

Many use this at night on cleansed and prepped skin, just make sure to use a clean puff or brush to apply.

I personally use this as a setting powder. It provides a soft finish and never looks dry. There are three different scents. The green is the most popular and I find the scent to be pleasant, not over powering.

The Perfect Lip Balm

DHC lip cream is the perfect lip balm to apply before makeup. This is the lip balm for those who don’t like lip balm. It offers hydration without any residue which makes it perfect for lip prep before lip color.

This has been a favorite of mine for years and you can usually find it at most Asian beauty supply retailers however it was definitely cheeper in Japan.

I hope you’re having a good start to 2025! Thank you for allowing me to take the time to travel and rest.

Makeup Bag Mondays will resume most Mondays along with updated content here. Substack now allows for video uploads and I’m thinking of creating subscriber exclusive videos if that would be of interest for you.

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