10 Best Japanese Cosmetic Brands That Will Change Every Girl’s Life
Are you on the hunt for best Japanese cosmetic brands but not sure which brands to try first?
Then this post is for you!
I’m going to share the 10 best Japanese cosmetic brands that Japanese women have been loving for decades.
I’m a born and raised Japanese girl and I’ve been using most of the products I’m going to introduce myself too!
Japanese cosmetics can meet every girl’s dream – from a schoolgirl, professional, mother to even a grandmother!
Japanese women really enjoy the transformation makeup can achieve. Get to know the 10 most popular Japanese cosmetic brands of all time, so you can enjoy wearing makeup even more!
Are you ready to have fun too?
Let’s get to it!
10 Best Japanese Cosmetic Brands
Click the products or the links provided if you’d like to see where you can get them 😉
Most Japanese cosmetics can be bought 🛒on YESSTYLE (a site with a wide range of Asian beauty and skincare products). For some rare ones, you can get them on KOKORO JAPAN. or DOKODEMO JAPAN.
1. CEZANNE
Simple and high quality!
credit: https://www.cezanne.co.jp/
Brand
Cezanne is a very popular drugstore cosmetic brand in Japan. Despite their fairly low-cost products, their products are known for their high quality, and they offer quite a wide range of cosmetics.
The brand is also known for producing products that are gentle on the skin and loved by women of all different age groups.
Bestsellers
CEZANNE Tone Up Eye Shadow
– A huge range & beautiful colour palettes for different occasions!
I personally love the 02 Rose-brown 🙂
image: https://www.cezanne.co.jp/
See all colours here on YESSTYLE.
CEZANNE Mix Color Cheek
– Mix with a swirl to easily get glossy, beautiful skin!
credit: https://www.cezanne.co.jp/
See all colours here on YESSTYLE.
2. CANMAKE TOKYO
Cheap, Cute & Very High Quality!
credit: https://www.canmake.com/en/
Brand
Everybody knows this brand in Japan and their products have been popular for many decades. The brand is dedicated to innovating and producing new cosmetics every season to reflect trends.
You can buy most products for less than $10 and yet they are excellent quality. Their packaging is also very cute, and you feel like a little princess when you buy Canmake too 😉
Bestsellers
CANMAKE Cream Cheek
– Melting texture, looks natural – once applied it lasts for hours!
credit: https://www.canmake.com/en/
See available popular colours here on Amazon
CANMAKE Mix Eyebrow
– From eyebrows to nose shadows, you ONLY need this one!
credit: https://www.canmake.com/en/
See all available colours here on DOKODEMO JAPAN.
3. KATE TOKYO
Chic & Cool
credit: https://www.nomorerules.net/
Brand
Kate is most famous for its eye makeup products. They are very expressive and capture women with free spirits. I absolutely love this brand. It is part of my identity almost!
Kate was created for women who want to create their own rules and live freely. The brand’s slogan is 『NO MORE RULES』 😉
It reflects the time when the brand was born in the mid-’90s. It was when Japanese women started to embrace self-expression!
They are also known for eyeshadows and lipsticks with vivid colours and high-quality eye pencils.
Bestsellers
KATE Designing Eyebrow 3D
– It’s so versatile!
You can create subtle colour variations for your eyebrows, nose shadows and even contouring!
credit: https://www.kate-global.net/
How much do I love this product!! 😍 I’ve been using it for 15 years! Still loooooove it
Get one for yourself here on YESSTYLE!
KATE Super Sharp Eyeliner EX2
– The dream-come-true liquid eyeliner. Draw super fine lines with precision!
credit: https://www.kate-global.net/
I’m a HUUUUUGE fan of KATE’s eyeliners (both pencil and liquid).
I’ve been using their eyeliners for 15 years! They really put a lot of effort in creating the very best – the superfine brushes, subtle beautiful colours, seriously the very best. KUDOS to KATE!!
See here on Amazon and make sure you try one of their eyeliners!
4. EXCEL
Eye shadows from heaven! Tokyo casual.
credit https://noevirgroup.jp/excel/
Brand
Excel is most known for its super eye shadows.
The colour pallets are so well designed that you can achieve different looks without even makeup skills! The packaging is also chic and cute.
Try their eyeshadow to be different you 😉 – natural, mode, feminine, pop and you name it!
Bestseller
EXCEL Real Clothes Shadow
– Superb gradient eyeshadow for a gorgeous look!
credit: https://noevirgroup.jp/excel/
There are a few colour options too! – check here on Amazon.
5. MAQUILLAGE
Ultimate Foundation for Flawless Skin
credit: https://maquillage.shiseido.co.jp/
Brand
Maquillage is a Shiseido‘s makeup brand and most popular among girls who want to achieve cool dramatic looks! The brand promotes cuteness, sweetness and elegance at the same time.
Many Japanese women (including myself!) are crazy about Maquillage powdery foundation for its super effects!
It enhances your natural beauty while transforming your look with a radiant glow.
Bestseller
MAQUILLAGE Dramatic Powdery UV SPF 25 • PA+++
– For your natural beauty, flawless skin! It’s like putting mousse on the skin ❤️
credit: https://maquillage.shiseido.co.jp/
I really love this powdery foundation. It gives me a natural healthy glow all day long. Love it!!
There are 7 shades available – see here on YESSTYLE.
6. MAJOLICA MAJORCA
Dreamy & playful!
credit: https://www.shiseido.co.jp/mj/
Brand
Majolica Majorca is a Shiseido’s drugstore cosmetic brand with a dreamy brand image. It’s a makeup brand that continues to fulfil girls’ endless desires to be like a princess!
The packing looks like filled with magic and makes you feel like excited to experience potentially new you 😉 The brand is most famous for its dramatic eye shadows.
Bestsellers
MAJOLICA MAJORCA Shadow Customize (19 types)
– Capturing every girl’s heart with their stunning colours and dramatic effects!
Some colours called BR683 and BE 384 below went absolutely crazy in Japan!
All girls flocked into drugstores to get one and soon they were sold out!
I’m also a fan of Majolica Majorca’s eyeshadows and have been using them for YEARS. I really like their subtle but dramatic effects I can create with their eyeshadows.
You should try one too 😉 Check them here. (less than $10 each)
7. LUNASOL
Elegant & super high-quality
credit: https://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/
Brand
Lunasol is known for being a little pricey compared to other drugstore cosmetic brands, but its super high-quality products keep attracting many fashionistas in Japan. The brand concept is even EGOISTIC-CHIC!
Lunasol’s eye shadows are godlike and people say once you use Lunasol eyeshadows, there’s no going back – you have to come back here!
(e.g. many Lancome users in Japan switch to Lunasol, and they can’t go back Lancome to anymore ‘cos Lunasol is SO good!)
Bestsellers
LUNASOL Selection de Chocolat Eyes
– They really look like chocolates 😍 but they give you deep and sort of smouldering eyes! What’s there not to like them?!
credit: https://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/
See the chocolate pallets here on DOKODEMO JAPAN.
LUNASOL Melty Color Balm
– They are like lipsticks but actually balms with serum for lips!
credit: https://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/
All 3 colours available here on YESSTYLE.
Take care of your lips and enjoy makeup at the same time!
Lunasol offers VERY high-quality cosmetics and I highly recommend it. Discover the other beautiful products here.
8. CHIFURE
Classic & high-quality
credit: https://www.chifure-global.com/
Brand
Chifure is a traditional drugstore cosmetic brand, and its history goes back to 1968. The brand was known for the $1 cosmetics!
Fast forward, now Chifure is known for utilising strictly selected ingredients that are gentle and even safe for sensitive skin. Their products are also designed to be eco-friendly.
Chifure has always strived to produce cost-saving and yet high-quality products, and it has not changed since the launch in the 1960s!
The brand has been widely recognised by women who seek pure quality in Japan.
Bestseller
CHIFURE Moisture Gel
– Super all in one gel. 6 in 1! (lotion, essence, serum, cream, facial pack, makeup base)
credit: https://www.chifure-global.com/
Fragrance-free, no artificial colouring, alcohol-free. And it’s so affordable!
Available here on YESSTYLE.
9. ADDICTION TOKYO
Progressive, new and colourful!
credit: https://en.addiction-beauty.com/
Brand
Addiction is a new cosmetic brand that was only launched in January 2020. It’s already become popular among makeup artists and models as well as women who seek original styles in Japan.
The brand was created by a famous Japanese makeup artist KANAKO, and you can see her world reflected on all Addiction cosmetics. Their colours are very powerful and help you express and embrace your individuality.
Bestsellers
ADDICTION TOKYO The Eyeshadow Limited
– Eight eyeshadow colours bursting with the pulse of life, providing vivid hues with just a single application.
credit: https://www.addiction-beauty.com/
All 8 colours available here on YESSTYLE
ADDICTION TOKYO Stolen Kiss
– Get that irresistible lips with the Addiction Tokyo vivid colours!
credit: https://www.addiction-beauty.com/
All 5 colours available here on YESSTYLE.
And… you can even enhance your already irresistible lips with the below!
ADDICTION TOKYO Stolen Kiss Enhancer
– Keep your lips kissable for longer!
credit: https://www.addiction-beauty.com/
Available here on YESSTYLE
It uses the moisture on your lips to tint them pink and moisturize them – amazing 🙂
10. VISÉE
Pretty and glam
credit: https://www.kose.co.jp/visee/
Brand
Visée is a Kose’s drugstore cosmetic brand and known for its glamorous image. The brand always features the hottest models and actresses in their advertising campaigns to send provocative messages!
The brand often sets out leading beauty trends in Japan, and especially young girls love its products.
Bestsellers
VISÉE Matte Lip Lacquer
– Make your lips soft and yet glamorous!
credit: https://www.kose.co.jp/visee/
Available here on YESSTYLE
VISÉE My Nudy Eyes
– Award-winning eye shadows. Make your eye nudy and sexy.
All 5 colour pallets available here on YESSTYLE.
Contain beauty ingredients like hyaluronic acid which keep your eyes moisturised all day!
Summary
Hope you enjoyed the post and are excited to try some of the products listed above! Once you try some of the best Japanese cosmetic brands, I’m sure you will get addicted 😉
Japanese beauty products are of high quality even if they are from drugstores. The quality has been well recognised by neighbouring countries like Korea and China too!
If you want to discover must-buy Japanese beauty products (cosmetic, skincare, hair and more!), I highly recommend you visit Kokoro Japan.
It’s a Japanese company and they feature the most popular beauty products in Japan.
Free shipping worldwide for orders over $40USD too!
On Kokoro Japan 🛒:
- Top 100 Best Sellers (click here)
- Most Popular Japanese Cosmetics (click here)
- Most Popular Japanese Skincare Products (click here)
Enjoy ❤️
About the author
Nana is a Japanese model-turned-entrepreneur and the founder of this blog. She was born and raised in Japan and currently lives in Switzerland. She started her skincare journey at the age of 13 when her mother introduced her ritual to her. Now 39, her love of skincare (Japanese way of course!) is bigger than ever before. She's here to share her decades of experience in the world of Japanese skincare to help all women from around the globe live happily with beautiful skin.
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