Going to Japan -- what products should I stockpile there?
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free skin care · Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:18 pm

My fiancé and I are heading to Japan in November, and I want to buy some cool skin and hair care products while I'm there. Any suggestions? (I know I want good Japanese conditioner that protects from heat styling, but I'm open to any suggestions other users might have!)

Thanks in advance. :)

free skin care · Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:34 pm

Hey - cool....
I'm sure there are many out there who could make suggestions if they see your thread.

free skin care · Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:51 pm

I would buy:
Lucia eyelash serum
Shisheido twist up lipsticks
DHC skincare
Japanese wash cloths (scrub things for the shower)
shu uemura miscellaneous tools like eyelash curlers, sponges etc

I'm sure you'll get more ideas if you search the archives.

Have a fantastic time!

Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:55 pm

I second the Japanese wash cloths (damn, I'm catching up with TigerTim later today and I forgot to ask her to bring those over for me from Japan...) and also the DHC skincare. The other thing I would get is their 50++ sunblocks (those watery ones - they have a few different brands) and hydrating eye masks that you put over your eyelids (fabulous if you find yourself on long-distance flights often).

Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:11 pm

I love Sofina sunblock! That would be the first thing I buy in Japan.

free skin care · Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:32 am

I would choose ALBION and Cosme Decorte,or Cle de Peau.

free skin care · Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:37 pm

A friend of mine (and client I work for her) is Japanese so I just asked her for you, I'll let you know.

I went to high school there, lived in Tokyo county, have you been before? It's REALLY the best country I've been to, the shopping is so fun, the food is CRAZY, the smells, the art and design.... just everything is really wonderful. I envy you. What area will you be visiting?

free skin care · Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:55 pm

I am just dying to visit Japan, too. The delicacy of life in that country is just unparalleled.

free skin care · Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:20 pm

Have you seen the movie Departures? It's got English subtites, I think won some Oscars, the most wonderful film--- you laugh, you cry, it's heart-wrenching.

Really worth renting. Saw it in theater but think it's on DVD now.

Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:14 pm

Do you mind my asking whereabouts in Japan you will be visiting?

free skin care · Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:59 pm

Lucky you! I've been wanting to go o Japan since I was a kid...mainly for the food but now, I want to try the food AND the cosmetics Wink

I've no recommendations on what's cheap and best to get over there but one of my friend said that she stocks up on Fancl when she visits Japan cos they sell them in every convenience store and it's dirt cheap. Also I read that a blush is meant to be very nice. I cant remember the name but it begins with Gr, something like Gransended
Have a great trip!

Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:57 pm

I also have to urge you to get the Japanese washcloths. This is a little embarrassing, but I snagged one in Maui at the Grand Weilea Spa on my wedding day in 1997... which I still use! Embarassed

It's essentially a plastic mesh washcloth about four feet long, and very pretty. Doesn't seem to age, unlike me!

*Excellent* exfoliator.

(But for anyone NOT going to Japan, they sell them at the Daiso $1.50 stores that have popped up in the US (and which I believe are popping up elsewhere as well).

Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:02 pm

If there are still Hakuyen stores open ($1 stores), you can find lots of great inexpensive makeup and items. I used to go there often and I used to buy the makeup (cool colors), make up brushes, makeup bags, compact mirrors, nail polish (high end salons always ask me where I bought it), nail polish quick dry cans, and whitener products for dark spots like knees and elbows. You can also find great eye lash curlers right in the convenience/grocery stores (I think the brand is Maoillage - no need to buy Shisideo). I really love the eyelash curler and I'm very possessive over it because it's great for wide eyes unlike the revlon brands, etc (all my eyelashes fit). I would get Shisiedo eyelash glue because it's the best if you use lashes. Don't bother spending money on expensive products because their $1 products are off the charts and very good quality unlike the American and Chinese products. Japanese have a lot of pride in their work. I would suggest you getting a Japanese magazine and take a look at their newest products and keep an eye out of for it at the market. They have so many cool girly things. It's a good time to go xmas shopping too and that's what I normally would do when there becuase your gf's will be stoked with they get it and don't know how inexpensive it is. Also, stock up on paper oil-blotting pads cuz they come in cute packages. If you want the latest fashions, get it there too, because I regret not buying a $100 pair of boots cuz I came home and couldnt find it anywhere in the USA and the Japan ones were WAY cuter. I couldnt even find a comparison on-line and it's impossible to order from Japan on-line. Trust me, you will find cute stuff even in the convience stores and grocery stores so don't get suckered into buying name brand products. I also saw Oprah recently and the women said they eat Collagen and it's everywhere so maybe you could bring some home too. Happy shopping! Sayonara!

free skin care · Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:13 pm

Cool ideas! Wish I was going to Japan.

free skin care · Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:00 am

There are a lot of cool brands in Japan. Just like Lunasol, Impress, Kate, Integrate, etc. I do not like Japan skincare too much, but the makeup there are really cool. Some cheap eye shadows are very shinning, and seems has nothing different from expensive brands'.

free skin care · Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:00 am

Dejavu Fiberwig mascara. I like it a lot!

free skin care · Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:37 pm

Wow, I'm jealous! Actually, you might want to re-think the whole conditioner thing--- my hair was a frizzy mess the whole time I lived over there, and I finally had to bring some styling products back from the US just to regain some semblance of control over my hair... Confused

If you are into blotting papers they have 1001 different kinds available, all in very cute packages. They also generally have very lovely fake eye lashes (much better selection than one finds stateside), and lots of fun manicure extras such as tiny rhinestones. (Back in my goth days I used to buy those and apply them near the corner of my eyes with eyelash glue...)

My all-time fave product though is called "Biore Powder Sheets." It's a pack of nicely-scented wipes that you can buy at any old convenience store. You keep them in your purse and use them if you get too sweaty--- they nix the stickiness and leave behind the slightest hint of powder so your body feels very cool and dry. LOVE them!

free skin care · Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:40 am

manslayerliz wrote:

Wow, I'm jealous! Actually, you might want to re-think the whole conditioner thing--- my hair was a frizzy mess the whole time I lived over there, and I finally had to bring some styling products back from the US just to regain some semblance of control over my hair... Confused

If you are into blotting papers they have 1001 different kinds available, all in very cute packages. They also generally have very lovely fake eye lashes (much better selection than one finds stateside), and lots of fun manicure extras such as tiny rhinestones. (Back in my goth days I used to buy those and apply them near the corner of my eyes with eyelash glue...)

My all-time fave product though is called "Biore Powder Sheets." It's a pack of nicely-scented wipes that you can buy at any old convenience store. You keep them in your purse and use them if you get too sweaty--- they nix the stickiness and leave behind the slightest hint of powder so your body feels very cool and dry. LOVE them!

Yes, Biore is a cute line and the price is so nice.
Actually, Japan has a lot of interesting beauty tools, you may go to small stores and would have a fun journey.

free skin care · Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:03 am

the wash cloths are great (the scrubby ones) but only certain ones (the smoother with rough surface) actually do the job of sloughing the skin away. Do keep in mind though that they test on animals here. Just about every company does especially the larger ones. This may have changed in the last year but I doubt it. The tools are worth getting. the face roller in the pic is brilliant! I do notice a difference with this...and just a few minutes every day... (yikes I tried to add a pic but couldnt)
Its a long slim silver roller with little bits of germanium. about 14000 yen.
also check electric shops like bic camera in the beauty sections ...theres always something new and interesting...

free skin care · Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:23 pm

I'm intrigued by the wash cloths thats mentioned here. What makes them different from the "normal" wash cloths? They are for the face right?

free skin care · Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:08 pm

no they are for the body and usually used after soaking in a bath when your skin is soft. Then you scrub and rolls of dead skin peel off....I use mine in the shower too...(it works almost as well after a warm shower)
do you know where you will be staying (which area?)

free skin care · Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:36 pm

bath salt is great in Japan.

free skin care · Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:27 am

annachan wrote:

no they are for the body and usually used after soaking in a bath when your skin is soft. Then you scrub and rolls of dead skin peel off....I use mine in the shower too...(it works almost as well after a warm shower)
do you know where you will be staying (which area?)

Oh right. Are there any for the face then?

I am not the lucky one to be heading off to Japan Sad

I will be going to HK by the end of the month, and maybe there will be some of these wash cloths over there

free skin care · Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:32 pm

DHC and Kanebo is cheap and cheerful in Japan.

free skin care · Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:08 am

There are plenty of choices, such as ALBION, Cosme Decorte, Cle de Peau and Kenabo sensai.

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