Japan
14 August 2024
Headed to Japan this year and looking for recommendations for Japanese beauty products to try? As a long time fan of Japanese beauty products, here are my favourite products that I must buy whenever I’m in Japan! Japanese cosmetics cost 30-40% cheaper than in Singapore (even before tax-free prices), so I recommend seizing the opportunity to stock up on your favourite local beauty products in Japan. If you won’t be heading to Japan soon, you can also ship these products to your home for some of the brands.
For my recommendations on where to shop for the best deals and experiences in Tokyo, please head to 5 Must Visit Beauty Stores & Experiences in Tokyo. My list of exclusive Japanese beauty brands that are worth searching out for are in 5 Exclusive Japanese Skincare Brands to Know.
Finding the perfect lip products with sun protection haven’t been easy in Singapore and Korea for me. However, in Tokyo, I was awed by the range of SPF containing lip balms from Japanese cosmetic brands with broad spectrum UV protection and lightweight textures. Here are my recommendations:
• I love THREE: Lip Conscious Protector (SPF35, PA+++)- its a balm that’s moisturising and so lightweight, I barely feel it on my lips. Its about SGD25 from Mitsukoshi Ginza’s beauty hall. Get the visitor card to get an additional discount!
• For coloured lip gloss, my go to is Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash (SPF35, PA+++). It comes in 4 colours, I usually pink pink and red. It’s about SGD$25 from the Shiseido flagship in Ginza.
• Paul & Joe – Lipstick Treatment UV (SPF 25, PA+) is a cute balm in the shape of a cat! However, UV protection is lesser than the other SPF lipbalms, but great as gifts because it’s really pretty in person. The refillable lip balms costs SGD$20; case sold separately for ~SGD$15.
Japanese sunscreens are famous for their lightweight textures and radiant finishes- with an impressive range across various price points! I always stock up on my favourite sunscreens from drugstores (my favourite for skincare hauls is Matsumoto Kiyoshi) and luxury brands, even if they’re available in Singapore because the cost savings are significant. I’ve shared my sunscreen recommendations and duds in Sunscreen Reviews 2024, 2021 and 2019.
Here are my sunscreen buys in Japan:
• I’m obsessed with Suqqu Protecting Day Cream (SPF 50+, very high UVA protection), about SGD$70. It’s one of my all time favourite sunscreens that I’ve mentioned in Sunscreen Review 2019- see for swatches.
• Naturaglace UV Protection Base Sunscreen (SPF50+, PA ++++) is another cult favourite cosmetics brand that is very popular in Japan currently. This sunscreen was sold out in a few Loft stores I went to. It’s lightweight and leaves a matte finish. It felt like a generic sunscreen, but I’m glad I bought it to understand the hype.
• Cle de Peau UV Protective Cream (SPF 50+ PA ++++) is another favourite sunscreen of mine. The brand is available in Singapore, but the sunscreen is almost 40% cheaper in Tokyo ~SGD$100.
• Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk (SPF 50+, PA ++++)is my go to for a daily sunscreen that’s good value. It’s also water resistant and leaves a powdery matte finish. It’s available in Singapore, but the cost savings in Japan are approximately 30%.
• Kao Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (SPF 50+, PA ++++) refills. This is my favourite body sunscreen- lightweight, water resistant and does not stain my clothes. This sunscreen is also available in Singapore, but the refills aren’t available here.
• Shiseido Elixir Day Care Revolution Tone Up (SPF 50+, PA ++++), about SGD$32. Tone up sunscreens are coloured sunscreens that colour correct undertones in skin. As discussed in K-beauty Skincare Trends for 2024, tone up sunscreens are getting to be popular in Asian beauty. This pink toned sunscreen hadn’t been released in Singpapore when I bought it. I like the radiant finish on my skin, and it’s still cheaper in Japan!
• DamDam Mochi Mochi Luminous Plumping Moisturizer ~SGD$57.True to its name, the DamDam Mochi Mochi Luminous Plumping Moisturizer feels pillowy soft like mochi, and leaves my skin moist and plump.
• Argelan lipbalms- Argelan is the in-house brand of drug store chain Matsumoto Kiyoshi. I particularly like their lipbalms- they cost SGD7 and are rich in botanical oils that moisturise the lip. Argelan released coloured versions of their popular lip balms last year.
• Cooling skincare is trending in Japan right now and you’ll easily find a range of cooling mists, rolls, wipes, eye gels, sunscreens…etc. That supposedly reduce the skin’s temperature by 3 to 10 degrees. Helpful for hot climates like Singapore’s.
• Kanebo Evita Beauty Whip Soap is the prettiest facial wash I’ve used. The pump releases the foam in the shape of a rose; and does a decent job of cleansing.
• Pokemon skincare products. This one’s for the mums with Pokemon obsessed children- available at the Pokemon Centers in Japan. I bought the lipbalms and handcreams, which were functional and inexpensive. &be is a Japanese makeup brand that launched a Pokemon collaboration for its primers in May 2024.
• UPF umbrellas and clothing. Ultraviolet protection fabrics are specially designed to block out more UV radiation than standard cotton fabrics. I discovered in Ainz& Tulpe and LOFT stores a wide selection of pretty, lightweight and compact UPF umbrellas. Uniqlo also had a nice selection of fashionable, breathable UPF clothing at good value!
Related blogpost:
Sun Protective (UPF) Clothing Explained
• Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder – Abloom is a face powder that’s SPF 19, PA++. It brightens the skin and mattifies excess shine. Also available in Singapore at Watsons.
• Naturaglace Correcting Stick and Loose Powder. Naturglace’s concealer and loose powder provide SPF50+ PA++++ and SPF 40 PA+++ respectively for additional sun protection on top of sunscreen.
• Suqqu makeup are also my recommendations if you’re looking for high quality, fine Japanese cosmetics. I’ve tried Suqqu’s liquid foundations, eyeshadow, blusher and lipsticks and I love that they feel so light. The eyeshadow and blushes are sheer on the skin, but buildable for more colour.
• For quality makeup products at a lower price point, I recommend Visee. Visee’s lip plumper is said to be a dupe for Dior’s plumping lip oil for a fraction of the price. I particularly like Visee’s liquid and pencil eyeliners that cost under SGD$10. *Since July 2024, Visee has launched in Singapore.
• Maquillage Edge Free Eyelash Curler– bought it for the hype, ended up liking it. The relatively flat crimp works well for my short and straight lashes. The curler edge grips my entire lash length (as opposed to edges that are more curved).
• Trending Asian beauty products from Korea and China. Japanese cosmetics shops like Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Ainz & Tulpe and Loft are well stocked with popular Korean and Chinese beauty brands that are a hit in Asia, but are not released in Singapore for now like TirTir, Fwee, Hince, Flower Knows and Judydoll. My recommendations are Alternative Stereo for lip tints (my favourite is the Steaming Milk Lip Potion I discovered in Korea) and makeup from Hince.
Hope you found my recommendations on skincare and makeup to buy in Japan useful! If you enjoyed this blogpost, you might also also enjoy these travel beauty shopping guides:
Best Korean Beauty Stores & Experiences in Seoul
5 Must Visit Beauty Stores & Experiences in Tokyo
