Recommendations for foundation, blush, and mascara in Tokyo? Pictures helpful.

Question: Recommendations for foundation, blush, and mascara in Tokyo? Pictures helpful.

Hey! So, full disclosure—I don’t wear makeup myself, so I’m not the best person to recommend specific products from personal experience. But I do know a great place where you can dive into the Japanese makeup world and find popular, well-loved items that locals actually use.

There’s a store called @cosme (pronounced "at-cosme") that’s super famous here in Japan. It’s actually linked to Japan’s biggest beauty ranking website, where users review and rate thousands of cosmetics. The cool thing is that @cosme shops only sell products that are ranked highly on their site, so it’s like a curated collection of Japan’s most loved makeup items.

If you’re in Tokyo and want to explore foundations, blushes, and mascaras that locals are genuinely into, visiting an @cosme store is a fun way to start. You can browse, test products, and see what’s trending. Plus, the staff are usually pretty helpful if you want advice.

“What kind of price range should I expect at @cosme? Are these products affordable for tourists?”

At @cosme, you’ll find a wide range of prices. Foundations can start from around ¥1,500 to ¥4,000 (roughly $11 to $30 USD), mascaras around ¥1,200 to ¥3,000 ($9 to $23 USD), and blushes are often in the ¥1,000 to ¥2,500 ($7 to $19 USD) range. So it’s quite reasonable, with options from drugstore brands to slightly higher-end ones. It’s a great spot if you want to try different products without breaking the bank.

“Are the products in @cosme stores the same as those online? Can I get samples or testers?”

Yes, the products are the same as those reviewed on their website. One thing I noticed is that testers are usually available so you can actually try the foundation shades or mascara wands before buying—which is super helpful since color matching is tricky. However, sample sachets are less common compared to some Western stores, so testing in-store is your best bet.

“Is @cosme easy to find in Tokyo? Are there multiple locations?”

There’s a flagship @cosme store in places like Shibuya and Shinjuku, which are major shopping hubs. For example, the one in Shibuya is inside a shopping complex near the station, making it really easy to access. Since these areas are popular with both locals and tourists, you can combine your beauty shopping with exploring the city. Just look for @cosme signage or ask at tourist info centers.

“I’m not confident about trying makeup products on my own. Do staff speak English or help with recommendations?”

Generally, staff at @cosme stores in big Tokyo districts have some English skills and are used to tourists asking for help. They can guide you to popular products or help you find the right shade for your skin tone. Still, it’s good to bring a photo of your skin tone or favorite makeup styles for reference—it makes communication smoother.

“Are there any Japanese beauty products or brands that Japanese people actually swear by?”

Japanese people tend to love natural-looking makeup with a focus on skin health. Brands like SK-II (though pricier), Shu Uemura, and Kanebo are favorites, but you’ll also see lots of love for drugstore brands like Canmake or Majolica Majorca, which offer great quality at affordable prices. The blushes tend to be subtle, giving a fresh, youthful look, and mascaras focus on lengthening and defining lashes without clumping.

To sum up, while I can’t recommend specific foundations, blushes, or mascaras from personal use, @cosme shops in Tokyo are the perfect spot to explore what Japanese people are actually using. It’s like a mini beauty museum of Japan’s current favorites, and you can get your hands on real local hits instead of just random tourist picks.

If you want, I can share some photos of the @cosme storefronts next time I’m there—I know pictures really help when you’re navigating Tokyo’s busy shopping districts!