©Photo by iStock: byryo

Japanese Convenience Store Beauty Buys

Taking Convenience To The Next Level

By Mary Imura
July 11, 2024
Health & Beauty

Looking to level up your beauty and skincare routine? Look no further than your local convenience store!

Conbini (convenience stores) in Japan really do live up to the term of convenience regarding many things. From ready-made meals and an endless variety of drinks to services that make daily life that little bit easier. In recent years, the growth of everyday cosmetic and beauty items has been on the rise, with each brand of convenience store introducing its own range of limited-release products. Let’s explore what each Japanese convenience store offers in its beauty buys!

What kind of beauty products can you get from a convenience store?

Japanese Convenience Store Beauty© Photo by Shelley Smith

Convenience stores offer a rich and varying line-up of skincare and makeup products. The visually appealing and functional range makes visiting convenience stores throughout the year a fun way to see what’s on offer!

Here’s a list of basic beauty products you can find at most convenience stores:

  • Shampoo and conditioner: both full sizes and travel sizes
  • Hair spray, gel and wax
  • Skincare: washes, lotions, creams, facemasks
  • Sunscreen
  • Variety of cosmetics: foundations, lipsticks, eyeliners, eye shadows, mascara
  • Makeup wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Sanitary items

Must Try Japanese Convenience Store Beauty Products From The Big Three

The wonderful thing about checking out the big three convenience stores in Japan—7 Eleven, Family Mart and Lawson—for beauty buys is that each store carries its own exclusive range, allowing you to indulge in the convenience of shopping at a conbini for high-quality products.

For example, the skincare brand Sekkisui allows shoppers to enjoy the everyday sizes of their products exclusively at 7-Eleven, with affordable pricing to match. Check out what each store offers below!

7 Eleven

Sekkisui UV Gel

Sekkisui UV Gel© Photo by Mary Imura

Sekkisui is a range of skincare products produced by Japanese brand Kose. It focuses on snow-like skin clarity. With summer approaching, Sekkisui’s UV Gel is lightweight and resistant to sweat and water, providing lasting moisture to keep you protected from the sun.

  • Price: ¥770 (50g)

Parado Nail Sponge Remover

Parado Nail Sponge Remover© Photo by Parado

Parado is another Japanese brand exclusively selling at 7-Eleven. It is reasonably priced, and the smaller sizing is perfect for trying something new! I recommend the Nail Sponge Remover, which is excellent for nail care, especially when traveling!

  • Price: ¥440

Twinkle Pop Jelly Glitter

Twinkle Pop Jelly Glitter© Photo by Mary Imura

Twinkle Pop is the sister brand of a currently trending Korean cosmetic brand Clio, which you can now find among 7-Eleven’s beauty buys. A colorful arrangement of high-quality four-color eyeshadow palettes, gel eye glitters and lip liners are a few of the cosmetics on offer. Try the satisfying-to-apply jelly eye glitter to give your eyes that extra shine!

  • Price: ¥858

Family Mart

Mitea Tweety Design Serum Oil Lipstick

Mitea Tweety Design Serum Oil Lipstick© Photo by Mitea

Mitea Organic is an environmentally and sustainably minded brand that produces high-quality organic makeup and skin care products. The latest range, which consumers can see for themselves from the convenience of shopping at Family Mart, features the cute, familiar face of Warner Bros. character Tweety!

I recommend trying out the serum oil lipstick, which comes in five beautiful colors and a variety of cute designs. The lipstick has a high color retention and locks in moisture.

  • Price: ¥995

Convenience Wear Women’s Camisole

Convenience Wear Women’s Camisole Japanese Convenience Store Beauty© Photo by Family Mart

Convenience Wear is a range of functional and affordable pieces designed to support daily life with sustainability in mind. Japanese fashion designer Hiromichi Ochiai created this genderless lineup. These Good Design award winners take comfort and convenience to the next level.

For the upcoming summer heat, the Convenience Wear range of tank tops, camisoles and undershirts features moisture-absorbing materials that are quick-drying, soft to the touch and environmentally friendly.

  • Price: ¥1200

Lawson

&nd by rom&nd Mellow Draw Eyeliner

&nd by rom&nd Mellow Draw Eyeliner© Photo by &nd by rom&nd

Lawson has jumped on the trending Korean cosmetic bandwagon, too. In their beauty line, they are offering the brand “&nd by rom&nd” (pronounced And By Rom And). I recommend the Mellow Draw Eyeliner, which is easy and gentle to apply. It’s available in Real Black and Creamy Brown.

  • Price: ¥880

Cica One-Day Travel Set

Cica One-Day Travel Set© Photo by VT Cosmetics

Another Korean brand featured at Lawson is VT Cosmetics. Their products specialize in Cica, an Asian native plant that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It has gained popularity in recent years thanks to its soothing properties for even the most sensitive skin types. The Cica One Day Travel set includes shampoo, hair treatment, body wash, mild toner pad, cleansing oil and Cica cream.

  • Price: ¥538

Are beauty products from the convenience store worth it?

© Photo by iStock: robbin0919

The fact that convenience stores are open 24/7 can undoubtedly be worth your visit, in particular if you’re in a pinch regarding any clothing or cosmetic purchase. It’s reassuring to know that convenience stores have you covered!

Convenience store beauty buys are competitive with their quality and pricing. Not only do convenience stores carry big-name brands that you’ll find at drug stores, but their original brands allow you more choice when choosing a particular product.

Depending on what you’re after, convenience stores are competitively price-matched with other stores, reinforcing the level of convenience with superior products.

Overall Advice When Buying Beauty Products At The Convenience Store

Overall Advice When Buying Beauty Products At The Convenience Store© Photo by iStock: lrosebrugh
  • Visit each convenience store; it’s great to see what they have before deciding what you’d like to buy.
  • The availability and variety change quite often at each convenience store, so make your visits a regular thing to find new releases, including seasonal exclusives.
  • Follow the official accounts of convenience stores on social media and check out their official websites as well to see previews of products before they line the shelves in-store!

Which Japanese convenience store beauty buys would you recommend?


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