Five Top Japanese Beauty Products to Try in April

The arrival of cherry blossom season means spring is finally here, which means it's time to switch up our beauty routines. This month we have nourishing body and cleansing oils to get skin looking great for the new season, and some great staple makeup products that will help you update your look.

RMK Body Oil

With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to start revealing our legs and arms to the world again, and after many months hidden underneath opaque stockings and sweaters, some TLC is definitely required to get our skin looking its best. RMK Body Oil (¥4,000) is an amazingly nourishing and long lasting body moisturizer. The luxurious oil deeply hydrates even the driest skin and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling or marks on clothing. Besides the rich hydration, RMK Body Oil also delivers just the right amount of dewy gleam to the skin that is extremely flattering, especially on shoulders and legs during the summer months. It has a deliciously fresh citrus scent—a combination of grapefruit, lemon, lavender and geranium that is refreshing but won’t overpower your usual fragrance.

Use RMK Body Oil immediately after the bath or shower, while the skin is still slightly damp. Dispense two to three pumps into the palm of your hand, and apply to the body in long upward sweeping strokes, starting from the ankles. Follow with a moisturizing cream only on extremely dry areas like the ankle bones, heels, knees, elbows and hands.

RMK is available at the brand’s flagship store in Aoyama and many department stores.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

One of Japan’s most famous skincare products is DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (¥1,486 for 120 milliliters). Often referred to as the “ultimate” cleanser, this drugstore brand has a global following, with one bottle of Deep Cleansing Oil is sold every 10 seconds worldwide. Essentially, the deep cleansing oil is a makeup remover that works effortlessly to remove all traces of makeup, including waterproof formulas of mascara and eyeliner. It is extremely nourishing, with a combination of antioxidant rich olive oil and vitamins, which cleanse and leave the skin hydrated. Unlike many other cleansing oils, this one really doesn’t leave any remnants of makeup on the face and the formula rinses completely clean with warm water, leaving no oily residue. When compared with my favourite cleansing oil from Shu Uemura, DHC is significantly cheaper and removes my makeup just as well. Also, for more sensitive skin types (or those who don’t like much fragrance in their skincare) the DHC cleansing oil is a great choice, as it doesn’t contain any fragrance (there is just a subtle natural aroma from the olive oil). The simple pump bottle of yellow oil is easy to recognize in the store, and is readily available in multiple sizes, including a handy travel size. I also love that you can also use the DHC cleansing oil to easily clean makeup brushes and sponges! Once you start using this multi-purpose product it’s sure to be a mainstay in your bathroom cupboard.

DHC is available at DHC stores, drugstores and beauty specialty stores.

Kate Lasting Design Eyebrow Flat Core Pencil

Two-in-one pencil and powder eyebrow products are very popular at the moment, and it’s easy to see why. They are easy to use, and help even those with naturally thin eyebrows achieve a bold but natural looking brow, like models of the moment Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. What sets the Kate Lasting Design eyebrow pencil (¥1,400) apart from other drugstore brands is the flat shape of the pencil. This makes creating the perfect shape for your brows easy, as you can use the line of the pencil to guide the shape, and you can draw both thick and thin lines. It is particularly useful when creating the shape of the arch or creating a straighter shaped brow. For best results, first shape the brows with the pencil, using a gentle hand and light feathery strokes. Then soften the shape with an eyebrow brush. Next, use the powder to fill in any lighter areas of gaps in the brows, then brush again to soften and ensure an even appearance. The combination of pencil and powder not only helps to build up the brows, but the powder helps to set the pencil in place and ensure it stays put all day.

Kate is available at drugstores and beauty specialty stores.

Three Shimmering Glow Duo

No doubt you have all seen and heard all about contouring and strobing. Undoubtedly, these techniques can create amazing transformations for photoshoots and videos, but in really life heavy contouring in particular can be too much. Most of us want to try and enhance our bone structure in a more natural way, and when I visited the Three store in Aoyama recently I was introduced to a must-have item that creates a natural, sculpted makeup look. Three’s Shimmering Glow Duo (¥4,500) is an extremely subtle and gives a gorgeous radiance to dull skin. The two shades of shimmering cream work together to effortlessly sculpt and illuminate the cheekbones. Apply directly to the skin with your fingertips, first gently patting the bronze shimmer to the area directly underneath the cheekbone. The lighter shade is then applied to the top of the cheekbone from under the eye and drawing out towards the side of the face. I was really impressed with the immediate “lifting” effect the Three Shimmering Glow Duo delivered, and how natural it looked. As the shimmering cream has such a beautiful, sheer consistency, it’s foolproof to apply—there’s no need for careful blending with a brush.

Three is available at the brand’s flagship store in Aoyama and department stores.

RMK Nail Color

If there is ever a time to ditch the standard red manicure, it’s now. Spring calls for an extra pop of color, and there are so many gorgeous, fun shades available at RMK. The new spring collection offers a rainbow of colors, including feminine coral, a bright summer red, ochre yellow and cool deep navy and green shades. My favorite for the summer months is the pretty shade Coral Rose (¥1,500). RMK nail polish is perfect for an at-home manicure, as its flat brush makes it easy to apply, it’s quick drying and has a high gloss shine. Enriched with macadamia nut oil, the formula is also extremely nourishing, keeping your nails hydrated and in top condition.

RMK is available at the brand’s flagship store in Aoyama and department stores.