Japanese Makeup
Launched last month at the Takashimaya department store in Tokyo, the Digital Cosmetic Mirror lets store patrons test makeup and recommendations without actually applying anything to their skin, according to Japan Trends.
Customers begin by allowing the mirror’s camera to scan their face, generating a set of customised recommendations. Using the device’s touch-screen interface, they can then ask to see specific types of makeup on their face, and the mirror paints those products on virtually and in real time. Different colours and formats can be applied and removed with the touch of a button, and consumers can print out ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of the looks they like best. Also included on the printout, as one might expect, is product purchase information. A demonstrates the mirror in action.
In addition to enabling virtual tryvertising without the expense of real samples, the Digital Cosmetic Mirror also promises to dramatically reduce much of the waste associated with traditional sampling approaches, as Japan Trends points out. How long before this one spreads to makeup counters around the globe?
YOUNG women in Japan have long used makeup to transform themselves into plastic dolls or anime princesses come to life. Brands homegrown there, like Mellish and Dolly Wink, make the spidery fake eyelashes, doe-eyed contact lenses and eyelid tape that help them with this metamorphosis Read more..... Makeup From Japan to Your Mailbox
For me personally, I love the scope, the variety, the efficiency and the sheer sparkly goodness of Japanese cosmetics. I can br-br-br-break it down like this:
The packaging
Japanese packaging for Maquillage, for example, can be cute or elegant or just gadget heaven. Some brands will keep their basic packaging permanent like many Western brands do, but others will play around with the cases and lipstick tubes every couple seasons or so, keeping a fresh look and concept (Kate and Lavshuca do this often).
And I am genuinely impressed when companies think of new ways for us to apply our lip gloss other than plain sponge applicators!
Efficiency
You know what they say about Japanese engineering and attention to detail, right? It’s the same for the makeup. Only when I started playing with Shu Uemura did I finally find a mascara that didn’t run (and it wouldn’t come off without a fight either -– d’oh!); only when I tried Shiseido Hydro Powder cream eyeshadows did I find a base that didn’t budge; and only when kitty punched me with her paw (we don’t talk about that day anymore)…
Textures
I love the variety of textures available from Japanese makeup brands, especially the lipsticks and cream/liquid-based eyeshadows.
I’ve reviewed a number of cream colors on my blog here and here. These aren’t just the same old creamy textures we’ve seen so many times before. Some are water based, or light creams, thick creams, mousses, firm jellies, soft jellies…Phew!
Prices
Although some Japanese brands are ridiculously, eye wateringly expensive, my favourite ones are mid-priced to affordable (equivalent to drugstore brands). Even the brands that are sold in drugstores are extremely high quality, and in my opinion match many of the high-end Western brands in terms of pigmentation and finish.
Finally… the finish!
I find the many of the Japanese brands go for quite a shimmery, but natural look overall. This doesn’t mean that the products aren’t pigmented, but that many of them do suit being worn in quite a natural-glow-I-didn’t-even-try-hard way.
Japanese lipsticks are the best when it comes to creating a water based glossy finish, full of iridescent sparkles and glow and are never drying.
So without further ado, here are 5 brands which I think are lovely and you should try!
