Japan’s Luxury Cosmetics: A Compendium of Japanese Cosmetics Brands Vol. 1

This luxury brand from SHISEIDO debuted in 1982. The name “clé de peau BEAUTÉ” means “the key to the skin’s beauty” in French, and expresses the brand’s aspiration to be the key that unlocks the potential that lies in women’s skin itself and, in doing so, unlocks women’s own spark.

With a range encompassing skincare, color makeup, base makeup and total beauty solutions, clé de peau BEAUTÉ strives to bring a spark like no other to any woman, regardless of age, who seeks to take her beauty to the next level. Underpinning this work is clé de peau BEAUTÉ’s concept of “Skin Intelligence”*, gained through 40 years of research on the skin’s cells at The Laboratories of clé de peau BEAUTÉ, an alliance of specialists in various fields of cosmetics informed by SHISEIDO’s research and development throughout SHISEIDO’s 150 years in business. By actively sharing their findings of the unique science they have developed through cutting-edge research, they revolutionized skincare with the discovery of an “intellect” possessed by the skin, a discovery that has shaped each and every one of clé de peau BEAUTÉ’s products.

clé de peau BEAUTÉ sees women’s beauty as something that shines through from inside. Inner beauty nourishes the heart and mind, bringing a happiness that is contagious. The luxury of clé de peau BEAUTÉ is the catalyst for that chain reaction.

*“Skin Intelligence” is a key to a lifelong spark that everyone is born with.

Beauty has the power to enrich the soul and bring joy and happiness to our lives. From the moment SHISEIDO was established in Ginza, an upscale shopping area of Tokyo, in 1872, it has been a decisive industry leader in each new era and has constantly striven to create new forms of beauty. A trendsetter like this does not simply sell cosmetics; it seeks to question the society we live in and creates whole new cultures with an unparalleled eye that draws on a fusion of art and science.

With its generations-old name and licensed camellia symbol, SHISEIDO is a cosmetics brand like no other. Its unified product range and worldview have been expanded into 88 countries and regions, and the connection SHISEIDO seeks with people around the world is complemented by an ongoing contribution to building a beautiful, healthy society and a sustainable world. Its key color is red, symbolizing the beauty of life. Its latest skincare and makeup products not only enhance users’ outer beauty but infuse them with an unmistakable confidence and vitality, fostering inner beauty too. That state of mind comes to the surface and the cycle of life’s beauty begins. From the outside in and from the inside out. That flows out to everyone around the wearer, creating a state that SHISEIDO calls “ALIVE with Beauty”. Only SHISEIDO provides that value through beauty.

Everyone’s skin is different, which means the way to get the best out of each person’s skin must differ too. Just as you cook different food depending on how you’re feeling, your skincare, hair and makeup routines need to be personalized too. This is the principle that IPSA has upheld since it was first established in 1986, revolutionizing a beauty scene where everyone was pursuing the same beauty trends.

“Ipsa” is a Latin word meaning “oneself”, “for oneself” or “of one’s own accord”, a nod to the brand’s core aspiration to think together with users to create personalized beauty “recipes” for each user. In-store consultants have in-depth conversations with customers and use the IPSAlizer, a proprietary measuring device, to take over 20 measurements including moisture level, sebum level and clarity. After assessing the characteristics of the customer's skin from various angles, they provide the customer with a unique beauty recipe.

IPSA wholeheartedly believes that everyone has the ability to make themselves beautiful. There’s a sense of vitality that emanates from you when your skin, your expression, is full of life. Your actions, thoughts and personality all have their own energy. IPSA’s job is to draw out that “life force” of beauty, and this is reflected in its streamlined, high-quality skincare and makeup products. Through honest and sincere interactions with customers, IPSA explores the possibilities that each user possesses.

Radiant, clear, lustrous skin is the focus for SK-II. In its over 40 years in business, SK-II has sought to transform not only user’s skin but their whole destiny, a vision that has resonated with millions of users around the world.

The inspiration for SK-II was the founder’s astonishment at the unusually beautiful skin on the hands of master brewers in sake breweries. SK-II figured out what was taking place in the fermentation process that makes the skin so beautiful, and through years of research they developed PITERA™ (galactomyces ferment filtrate, a conditioning and moisturizing ingredient), a unique ingredient made by fermenting a special yeast through a proprietary method. Containing over 50 beauty components including vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids, this natural ingredient is unique to SK-II and cannot be produced artificially.

PITERA™ works similarly to the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF), permeating the whole of the stratum corneum and keeping the skin healthy. It is suited to all ages, skin types and seasons, and is included in all of SK-II’s products. FACIAL TREATMENT ESSENCE, the jewel in SK-II’s crown, is over 90% PITERA™. Beauty ambassadors around the world swear by PITERA™‘s effects on the skin.

Launched in 2003, SUQQU revolutionized the beauty industry by going beyond the skin and targeting the deeper structures of the face for mature beauty. GANKIN MASSAGE made a particular mark, transforming the very concept of skincare with a proprietary method that targets the muscles to enhance the skin’s beauty. “SUQQU” comes from the Japanese sukku, meaning “a figure rising to their full height,” referring to the spirit of independent women that forms the pillar of SUQQU’s beauty philosophy. It represents renewal, radiance and grace. It represents a woman who is unswayed, unconstrained and true to herself. And it represents a dignified and independent spirit.

To SUQQU, beauty is not a snapshot; it is something dynamic that changes with time and our movements. SUQQU's values were born through collaboration with creators who are well versed in the beauty of "movement" in the film, and have evolved and been passed on from generation to generation. One element that reflects that value is SUQQU’s commitment to the glow our skin takes on in adulthood. Sometimes it’s bold and dazzling, sometimes it’s soft and sensuous, sometimes it’s clean and fresh. The common thread throughout all of SUQQU’s products, from their skincare to their makeup, is the way they nurture and manipulate that radiance in myriad ways, each with perfect precision. Skin that glows from within, in each moment and with each movement, is the symbol of SUQQU’s beauty.

RMK was created in 1997 by trendsetting makeup artist RUMIKO. Her line revolutionized the beauty culture of that time, giving Japanese women an effortless skincare routine and stylish makeup that was suited to their daily lives. Since then, RMK has created new standards and brought about ongoing evolution through a succession of high-quality products. Fresh and innovative, these products break conventions while allowing users to achieve a professional look with no complicated techniques.

New York-based makeup artist YUKI recently came on board as the Creative Director, debuting with the 2021 FALL COLLECTION. “The purpose of makeup is not to alter us; it is to make our real selves shine,” she says. “I want consumers to be driven not by what is popular but by what will make them love themselves more.” The products she designs combine street with chic for a sophisticated alternative look. The fusion of these wildly differing styles gives the skin a fresh look with mood-boosting colors and a sophisticated style that is accessible to everyone.

That boundaryless makeup enhances the unique beauty that each user has. It’s a celebration of everything that makes you uniquely beautiful.

KANEBO Cosmetics has been showing women new lifestyles and hopes ever since the 1960s, and its history and philosophy were guiding principles in the launch of its KANEBO brand in 2016. In 2020, it unveiled a new brand message, “I HOPE.,” transforming itself from a brand that promotes beauty into one that promotes hope in response to a climate that respects diversity and emphasizes individual characteristics that set each person apart from the crowd.

Makeup has an immense power that goes beyond physical appearance and extends to our inner feelings, even our lives. And when we have the confidence to change our future, that becomes a passion for changing the world. In an era where many say that they have no hope, KANEBO seeks to inspire people to find hope within them and unleash it.

The unique perspectives and concepts of KANEBO’s skincare and makeup products shine through, reflecting the brand’s commitment to providing a user experience that goes beyond beauty and satisfaction and enables users to discover their potential and feel hope. Each product embodies KANEBO’s wish for a happy world where everyone can be proud of the things that make them unique.

Launched in February 1999, LUNASOL recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Its brand name comes from the Latin words for “moon” and “sun,” in reference to the way LUNASOL’s products draw out the multifaceted beauty that women have within them. Since 2019, they have released point makeup, skincare and base makeup products under the concept of “EGOISTIC-CHIC”, which explores the new looks that can be created when egoistic and chic collide.

LUNASOL’s cross-generational reputation as a line that can make anyone beautiful comes from the “Purifying Makeup” philosophy it has espoused since 2005. According to this principle, the more carefully you layer on colors, the more your features are accentuated, leaving both your face and your soul feeling fresh and new. LUNASOL’s ability to draw out sophisticated, elegant nuances of the face has seen a string of products become hits. Two elements where LUNASOL’s quality really shines through are its technique for healthy skin with a moist luster—a technique employed in a wide range of products from skincare to base makeup—and its use of subtle variations of beige that appear as the product is absorbed in the skin, making masterful use of shadows and light to emphasize users’ bone structure. They’ve explored more colorful products in recent years, and no doubt many users will be daring enough to try them—after all, they know they can count on LUNASOL for a clean, elegant look.

The est brand was conceived in October 2000, with the mission of “bringing out the true potential of your skin”. The name comes from the superlative form in English grammar, as well as standing for “essence of sofina technology”. Its parent brand, SOFINA from KAO, has a wealth of cutting-edge evidence-based technology, and this has been deployed to the fullest to make every user’s skin the best it can be. Every product is made with knowledge gained by studying the skin of tens of thousands of people. The result is a range of skincare, makeup and body care products that meet the needs of users today.

est’s focus is on drawing out the hidden beauty of each and every user, so a major feature of the brand is its personalized consultations with customers. Along with in-store consultations, the service has been expanded to include video consultations online, a chat-based service and a self-check service enabling users to find out more about their skin and its needs. The latest addition to this suite of services is the est Skin Athlete Gym, a personal gym for the skin with features such as skin analysis with KAO’s advanced technology, skincare lessons and treatment experiences. This is a brand that gets to know each user’s unique characteristics and prescribes a beauty program with solutions.

As a prestige brand that inherits the Japanese sensibility of beauty, SENSAI embodies the spirit of “Living mindfully in grace” - a way of life with an appreciation for the subtleties found in all things and moments. The brand debuted in 1983 with premium skincare cream SENSAI EX La Crème, created by KANEBO Cosmetics after the sale of its products in London’s Harrods sparked success in Europe. The sophisticated texture of SENSAI EX La Crème was a hit with British users and its fame spread around the world, cementing its status as a sensual luxury brand that combines Japan’s unique aesthetic with scientific technology. It was first released in Japan in 2019.

SENSAI’s aesthetic can be summed up in two key phrases. The first is Koishimaru Silk. These rare Japanese silkworms produce silk with unparalleled thinness and lightness and a delicate glimmer. SENSAI scientifically analyzes those beautiful attributes and develops products to create silky, glowing skin. The other key phrase is Saho, precise and purposeful skincare rituals inspired by Japanese tea ceremony that emulate its inimitable, heartfelt hospitality. With SENSAI products, the start and end of each day are a time for heightening your sense of beauty.

POLA is the brainchild of scientist Shinobu Suzuki, who conducted a study to make some hand cream for his wife after seeing how rough her hands got from doing the housework. That love for the special people in one’s life shows through in the holistic care that POLA strives to provide with their own hands to each and every one of their customers.

An example of this is the advanced technology behind POLA’s captivating products. White Shot, their brightening lotion, is the result of over 60 years of research. In addition to developing ingredients like Rucinol®, POLA is a leader in theoretical research on the brightening of skin.

POLA feels a sense of responsibility for everything its customers’ hands touch, and that extends to its designs. In-house product designers are constantly brainstorming ways to spark surprise and excitement. Even more extraordinary is POLA’s involvement in culture: the POLA ART FOUNDATION runs POLA MUSEUM, while POLA ORBIS HOLDINGS’ facilities include POLA MUSEUM ANNEX and POLA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY & CULTURE.

“Science, Art, Love” is the core business philosophy of this brand that knows users’ skin better than anyone else in the world and provides innovative beauty. This tireless commitment is something they have no intention to change.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, THREE takes a holistic approach that encompasses the skin, the body and the mind. When the brand was established in 2009, it sent shockwaves through the industry with its unusual style fusing “organic” with “stylish,” two concepts that had thus far been considered opposites.

The negative and the positive influence each other, creating untapped value that THREE strives to unlock in each user. Its name refers to the three essences the brand focuses on—the intellectual, the emotional and balance—to unlock the beauty of being your natural self.

THREE’s skincare, hair care and body care products make lavish use of essential oils and other natural botanical ingredients to provide both efficacy and comfort. THREE’s proprietary Holistic Research Center studies the benefits of botanicals and the link between the skin, body and mind, and works together with local communities to develop ingredients. The results are used to develop formulas that create new value. THREE’s makeup is a range of “new basics,” blending fashion-forward styles with natural elegance. The holistic approach of its skincare and makeup products is about taking yourself in your most natural form, existing in harmony with nature and unlocking a beauty that is true to you, an approach with comfort and satisfaction as its goals.

Launched in 2023, this fermentation-based anti-aging brand takes a multifaceted approach using contemporary science to elevate traditional Japanese fermentation techniques. In FAS’s mind, luxury is about spotlighting the mastery of those who have passed on these techniques since ancient times and blending them with cutting-edge technology to provide a satisfying experience for the skin and minds of people living today. In an era where so much is changing, FAS turns its attention to something that has stood the test of time.

The brand was inspired by black rice fermentation solution*, which is created from special Kyoto-grown black rice in a meticulous two-step fermentation process. By combining a nutrient-rich ingredient with good yeast and bacteria and using a scientific process to control the chemical change that takes place, FAS created a solution with 738 ingredients including vitamins, peptides and amino acids. The fermentation process creates smaller molecules that are absorbed remarkably well by the skin. This black rice fermentation solution is a key ingredient in the FAS THE BLACK series, providing a well-balanced range of nutrients for mature skin.

The plants that grow in Japan’s climate and are deeply rooted in our daily lives offer a wealth of possibilities. FAS’s ambition is to incorporate those plants’ mechanisms into skincare products to nurture beauty inside and out.

*All prices include tax.   

*Please be aware that some products may run out.   

*Prices are correct as of July 24, 2024, and may change later.