After polling a few ELLE editors, a professional makeup expert, and combing through online customer reviews, we landed on the seven best Japanese makeup brands to completely transform your makeup routine.
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Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Best Cushion Foundation
TirTir Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable texture
Cons
- Could use in-between shades
Popularized by Korean beauty brands, cushion foundations have undergone many upgrades and iterations. TirTir’s version is the happy medium for those who want the breathability and weightless texture of a tint with a touch more coverage. The formula dries down semi-matte, allowing your skin to naturally meld with the product. Fun fact: TirTir’s fan-favorite foundation originally launched with a mere three shades, but after being called out by TikTok creatorsāparticularly creator @missdarceiāthe brand has since expanded to 30 (!) shades.
Size: 0.15 fl oz
Shades: 30
TirTir rating: 4.6/5 stars
A TirTir reviewer says: āOmg when I tell you it blended with my skin, it really did, I was hesitant, and I couldnāt believe how well it truly worked.ā
Best Nourishing Lip Gloss
Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Lipgloss
Pros
- Botanical-rich formula
Cons
- Some users note it can feel a little thick
Beyond making you look like a naturally enhanced version of yourself, Koh Gen Do combines skin-loving ingredients to soothe and nourish your skin. Take, for instance, its Maifanshi Lipgloss, which is powered by a blend of oils (argan, avocado, and rosehip, to name a few) and ceramides to coat your lips in ultimate moisture.
Size: 0.21 fl oz
Shades: 6
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: āThe lip gloss glides on very smooth. It makes my lips very glossy and shiny. It also helps to keep my lips moisturized. It was well packaged. I would definitely recommend this product to my friends and family.ā
Best Conditioning Mascara
Heroine Make Long Up Mascara Super Waterproof
Now 33% Off
Pros
- Nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Some users note it can be difficult to remove
Our lashes naturally fall out, but sometimes, our favorite mascara formula could be the culprit. Rest assured that this one from Heroine Make does more good than harm. With each swipe, your lashes are treated to conditioning oils like argan, almond, and camellia, as well as strengthening ginger root extract.
Size: 2.4 fl oz
Shades: 1
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: āI have hooded eyes that get oilyānot a great combo if you donāt want your mascara all over your face by the end of the day. This popular option is known for two things: being smudge-proof and keeping lashes curled until you take it off. It was the first mascara I tried that didnāt leave black circles and flakes under my eyes and on my upper lid. I will say that it wonāt come off with a regular cleanser, but a great oil cleanser will remove it with ease.āāCarol Lee, associate e-commerce editor
Best Compact Eyeshadow Palette
Suqqu Signature Color Eyes Shadow
Pros
- Conditioning ingredients
Cons
- Could be more pigmented
Intentional ingredients in products are always a win, especially around the eyes. This eyeshadow quad prioritizes nourishment by fusing aloe and chamomile to condition the lids (no chalkiness around here!) for a buttery smooth application. If you adore the color palette, the formula was designed for use in other areas, like on your waterline or the lips.
Size: 3.88 fl oz
Shades: 21
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Cult Beauty reviewer says: āI have this eyeshadow palette in [shade] five, it’s one of my favorite eyeshadows. Easy to apply, long-lasting, beautiful natural colors. I like the combination of matte and shine textures, and I use it without a base.ā
Best Hydrating Concealer
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer
Pros
- Skin-loving ingredients
Cons
- May not last throughout the day
Shiseido has been a reliable companion in the beauty bags of both skin care and makeup lovers. However, its makeup assortment deserves all the praise, including this concealer. The star of this formula is the brand’s ActiveForce technology, which protects against creasing, oil, sweat, and anything else that can alter the finish of the look. Also packed into this formula is antioxidant-rich wild thyme extract.
Size: 0.19 fl oz
Shade: 16
Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: āMost days, I prefer to swipe a concealer over my redness and dark spots rather than fuss with a foundation. I discovered the Shiseido concealer through makeup artist Violette, who raved about how natural it looks on the skin. It really does; sometimes, people canāt even tell I have anything on my skin.ā
Best Splurge
ClƩ de Peau BeautƩ Radiant Fluid Natural Foundation
Pros
- Boosts radiance
Cons
- May not last all day
Radiance is the name of the game with ClĆ© de Peau, the beloved Japanese makeup brand that looks to science to ensure its products enhance your beauty, not harm it. This foundation reverses dullness and revives tired-looking skin with the help of hyaluronic acid to create a silky, brighter canvas for your routine. Plus, it’s formulated with SPF 25 for extra protection on top of your daily sunscreen.
Size: 1.2 fl oz
Shades: 15
Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: āIf I were the kind of woman who spent her money freely at the farmerās market every weekend, this would be my Saturday foundation. However, because I am the kind of person who goes to the farmerās market on a budget, this foundation is my once-in-a-while splurge-y pick. This foundation gives my skin the most radiant, pretty coverage, all while feeling like nothing heavier than a tinted moisturizer. The good news is that you only really need one pump for your whole face. The bad news is that once you try this, you wonāt be able to stop, and youāll want to wear it every single day.āāKathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
Best Tinted Balm
Addiction Tokyo The Lip Balm Glow Tint
Pros
- Conditioning ingredients
Cons
- Color can fade throughout the day
On days when you want something between a lipstick and a lip balm, Addiction Tokyo’s tinted balm is the perfect happy medium. Featuring a range of flesh-toned shadesāand some deep brownsāthe tinted balm works as an enhancer for your natural lip color or a vibrant top-up that can be layered to your desired intensity. Plus, it cushions the lips with shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, and more.
Size: 0.06 fl oz
Shades: 9
Addiction Tokyo rating: 5/5 stars
Our expert says: āMy favorite product is the new Lip Balm Glow Tint, which is unique and different from the other balms on the market. The balm has a broad range of colors, is easy to use, and has a nice color payoff that enhances the userās natural beauty. They were a huge hit backstage this season with the models.āāKanako Takase
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose polled a makeup expert and ELLE editors to find the best Japanese makeup brands.
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelorās degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration ofāand destination forābeauty at the intersection of Black culture.Ā
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