10 Japanese Beauty Products Perfect For Gifts

It’s the season for sexy lashes, moisture magic and luscious lips wrapped in red ribbons.

So you’ve booked your ticket back home for the holidays and you text your friends breaking the news. They’re overjoyed, but deep inside you know why — you’d be asked again to please, please, please bring that — (what was it?) extra volume mascara and the cleansing cream that worked just so well on her skin the last time. You know you can’t escape this year either — there is something about Japanese cosmetics that fascinates the world, and many of these fancy gifts are only available here. So forgive your friends and make one last shopping round before hopping on that plane. You know they’ll love it.

RMK Christmas Kit 2016

The perfect gift for the makeup obsessed. Each Christmas, RMK have the most coveted gift set, but this year they’ve surpassed our expectations by partnering with the aspiring Spanish illustrator Indola Montero to create THE loveliest (and somewhat melancholic) beauty gift set ever. The kit includes eyeshadow palette, lip gloss, nail color and a compact, handy cosmetic pouch.

Buy at: RMK in Aoyama and department stores. ¥8,700 

Koh Gen Do Glossy Color Limited Edition Gift Set

Tokyo cosmetics brand Koh Gen Do has created a new color collection called Glossy Colour. With universally flattering colors that will suit just about everyone, the gift set has a full size eye shadow quad, blush mosaic, the newly launched Urushi mascara and a sample-size lip gloss. Not to mention a chic black and gold beauty case for perfect storage.

Buy at: Koh Gen Do in Azabu Juban, Ainz & Tulpe, Tokyu Hands and other cosmetic stores. ¥10,800

Shu Uemura x Murakami

Brighten up someone special’s cold, grey winter with a gift from the Shu Uemura x Murakami collaboration. With undoubtedly the happiest packaging design around, this limited edition collection has a number of skincare and cosmetic gift packs starting at ¥2,000. My pick is the award winning Detox Cleansing Oil that has been given the bright and happy Murakami touch.

Buy at: Shu Uemura store in Omotesando and department stores. ¥3,700 for 150ml

Kobako Side Angled Eyelash Curler

Know someone who is obsessed with curling and primping their lashes? Then the Kobako eyelash curler will make the perfect gift. This set of unique curlers (one for each eye) guarantees the perfect side curl to create dramatic, sexy lashes. Ideal for the holiday party season.

Buy at: SinQs in Shibuya Hikarie Building. ¥2,200

Lululun Limited Edition Sheet Face Masks Gift Set

Buying skincare products for other people can be tricky, but who wouldn’t love a complete set of the new complexion enhancing Lululun Plus Power sheet masks? Created with natural ingredients, these aroma oil masks are a guaranteed ticket to flawless skin and boredom-prevention — there are ten of them in a single set and they’re all different.

Buy at: Plaza and Loft. ¥1674

Ayura Meditation Relax Gift Set

Invite your friends to bid goodbye to a hectic 2016 with a meditation and relaxation beauty time over the holidays. The Ayura Meditation Relax Night gift set contains everything you could possible need to create the perfect at home spa experience: bath gel, body scrub, body lotion and nail essence. Happy bath time!

Buy at: Ainz & Tulpe. ¥5,940

Majolica Majorca Pure Pure Kiss Pure Red Lipstick

Majolica Majorca has a cult following among Japanese drugstore beauty lovers. Their products have a unique Tokyo girl vibe and make the perfect gift for those who love to try the latest Japanese makeup trends. This season’s limited edition Pure Pure Kiss Lipstick shade appears black, but on application is a gorgeous glossy “just bitten” red lip shade.

Buy at: Drugstores, Loft, Tokyu Hands and Plaza. ¥800

Makanai Lip Mask Set

This clever Japanese product is the perfect treat for pampering and protecting lips from the dry elements this winter. Containing a three-minute steam lip mask and divine honey and lemon lip essence, your lips will feel soft and gentle right after application. Combine that with a Pure Pure Kiss Red Lisptick (above) and you’ll be the best friend for everyone in town (and their boyfriends, too).

Buy at: Makanai stores, Ainz & Tulpe, Loft. ¥2,800

Oiesan Bath Cubes

These perfectly pretty bath cubes look good enough to eat. Shaped just like traditional Japanese sweets, each of the bath cubes has a different fragrance to suit your mood, but that’s not all — they are also rich in mineral salts that moisturize and soften the skin, while the oil aroma relaxes the mind. These gorgeous bath treats are the perfect stocking stuffer or small gift, proving that size doesn’t matter.

Buy at: Cosme Kitchen and Loft. ¥972

Three Definitive Skincare Trial Kit For Men

Japanese natural skincare brand Three, are ensuring that beauty gifts are not just for women! Three natural skincare have the perfect gift for the man in your life. A trial set of their new Men’s skin care line The Di Fini. The sleek travel bag contains restorative cleansing foam, lotion and emulsion that all contain 95% natural ingredients.

Buy at: Exclusively from Three online store. ¥4,800

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