Discover the diverse world of the best Japanese foundations, offering an array of finishes and textures. Japanese women have flawless skin and these foundations help them achieve the look. With diverse climatic conditions in Japan, brands formulate products that cater to varied skin types – they offer makeup enthusiasts an extensive choice, meeting all of their needs. Additionally, Asian brands also excel in infusing skincare into their makeup, delivering exceptional results. A good quality foundation is essential in every makeup collection, ensuring that the user is able to achieve an even skin tone. However, discovering the perfect shade for yourself can be a bit difficult.

Our contributor Dr. Vinod Vij, Chief Plastic Surgeon & Founder - Clinique Aesthetica, shares special features of Japanese foundations that make them stand out from the rest. She says, “Japanese foundations are renowned for their exceptional moisturizing properties. They are formulated with high-quality ingredients that nourish and hydrate the skin, contributing to a smoother, more radiant complexion. Besides offering coverage and color correction, these foundations work to retain the skin's natural moisture, reducing dryness and ensuring a lasting, fresh look. This attribute makes Japanese foundations especially beneficial for those with dry or mature skin.”

In the current era of virtual meetings and in-person events, the quest for the perfect foundation has taken on greater significance. The increased screen time and self-reflection have made us more conscious of our appearance, fueling the desire to present our best selves.

Fortunately, a multitude of exceptional Japanese foundations not only provide flawless coverage but also prioritize the health of our skin. We consulted professional makeup artists and delved into our own beauty collections to curate a selection of the most remarkable formulas. Whether you seek a hydrating foundation enriched with hyaluronic acid or a long-lasting formula that enhances your glow, we present the top choices for you to explore and add to your collection of must-have Japanese foundations.

• 1
  Best Blendable Formula

  TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion

  Buy on Amazon

Experience flawless and long-lasting coverage with the TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion #23N Sand 72-Hours Long Lasting Full Coverage Foundation. This Japanese foundation is specifically designed to provide a natural and airbrushed finish while ensuring your skin stays looking fresh for up to 72 hours. The cushion compact allows for an easy and precise application process, blending seamlessly with your skin for a smooth and radiant complexion. With its buildable formula, you can achieve your desired level of coverage without feeling heavy or cakey. Enjoy the benefits of this high-quality foundation that offers full yet lightweight coverage, long wear, and a comfortable feel throughout the day.

Quick Tip:

To prevent this foundation from clinging to your dry patches, moisturize your skin well before you apply it.

2

Best Buildable Coverage

CATKIN Phoenix Cushion Foundation Buildable Coverage Foundation

Buy on Amazon

A

Achieve a flawless and youthful complexion with CATKIN Phoenix Cushion Foundation. This Japanese foundation combines buildable coverage with an anti-aging serum formula, giving your skin a radiant and natural-looking finish. The lightweight and breathable formula ensures a comfortable wear throughout the day. With its included refill, you can enjoy extended use of this high-quality foundation. The shade Natural Beige provides a versatile option for various skin tones. Enhance your beauty routine with this Japanese foundation, offering a thin, sheer satin finish that leaves your skin looking luminous and rejuvenated thanks to its dewy texture.

3

Best Long-lasting Formula

ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Cushion Glow Foundation

Buy on Amazon

Indulge in long-lasting radiance with ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Cushion Glow Foundation. This Japanese foundation provides a 24-hour-lasting cushion with a radiant natural finish— making it ideal to cover up pesky acne scars. The shade 17N1 Neutral Vanilla offers a neutral undertone that suits various skin tones. The lightweight formula blends seamlessly, giving you buildable coverage without feeling heavy. Enjoy a luminous glow that lasts all day, thanks to its long-lasting and transfer-resistant formula. This foundation is the perfect choice for a flawless complexion with a radiant finish that enhances your natural beauty.

Quick Tip:

Use a damp sponge or a beauty blender to blend the product seamlessly into your skin. This will help you achieve an airbrushed look.

4

Best Crease-Resistant Formula

Cezanne UV Foundation EX Plus EX2

Buy on Amazon

Get ultimate sun protection and a flawless complexion with Cezanne UV Foundation EX Plus EX2. This Japanese foundation offers a lightweight formula with high SPF, shielding your skin from harmful UV rays. It provides an even and natural coverage, minimizing the appearance of imperfections. The long-lasting formula ensures your makeup stays fresh throughout the day. With its smooth and blendable texture, application is effortless. This light coverage foundation is perfect for achieving a radiant and protected look, making it an essential addition to your beauty routine.

5

Best Budget Buy

Cezanne Canmake Japan BB Cream All-in-one Foundation

Buy on Amazon

Feel the multi-tasking power of Cezanne Canmake Japan BB Cream All-in-one Foundation. This Japanese foundation offers a lightweight and moisturizing formula that provides coverage, hydration, and sun protection with SPF 23 PA++. The shade 01 is perfect for achieving a natural and radiant look. Its smooth texture blends effortlessly, leaving your skin looking flawless and nourished. Suitable for all skin types and ideal to help cover uneven skin tone, this BB cream foundation is a versatile addition to your makeup collection. Enhance your complexion and enjoy the benefits of a multi-functional product with this BB cream.

6

Most Luxurious

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation

Buy on Amazon

Experience the luxurious Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation. This Japanese foundation provides lightweight and buildable coverage for a natural and luminous finish. Formulated with mineral-rich water from Japan's Yumura Hot Springs, it hydrates and nourishes the skin, leaving it smooth and supple. The unscented formula is gentle on sensitive skin, making it suitable for all skin types. With its long-lasting formula and light texture, this foundation ensures a flawless complexion that lasts throughout the day. 

Celebrities such as Jessica Alba and other makeup professionals swear by this foundation for its breathable, pore-minimizing, and sun-sweat-pollution protection. Formulated with light-diffusing minerals from Bretagne, France, and a signature oil blend that includes jojoba oil, olive, squalane, and shea butter, this fan-favorite enhances the appearance of your skin and keeps it well moisturized at the same time.

7

Best Lightweight Formula

RMK Liquid Foundation (Shade 201)

Buy on Amazon

Treat yourself to a flawless and radiant complexion with RMK Liquid Foundation in Shade 201. This Japanese foundation offers a lightweight and blendable formula that provides seamless coverage for a natural finish. The shade 201 is perfect for a variety of skin tones. Infused with moisturizing ingredients, it keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. The long-lasting formula ensures your makeup stays fresh and vibrant and also reduces the appearance of pores. With its smooth and comfortable texture, this foundation is a must-have for a perfect look. 

The brand RMK aims to help the user achieve a natural-looking complexion, and their liquid foundation brilliantly delivers a fresh and light texture that almost makes it appear like bare skin. If you prefer a translucent base for your makeup, then this foundation is just what you need! It offers a seamless finish that highlights your natural beauty, lasting all day long and even in humid conditions – all thanks to its waterproof formula.

8

Best Overall

COVERMARK Essence Foundation Bottle

Buy on Amazon

Discover the transformative power of COVERMARK Essence Foundation Bottle. This Japanese foundation offers exceptional coverage with a lightweight and breathable formula. It effectively conceals imperfections, discoloration, and blemishes, creating a flawless and even complexion with the benefits of skin care. The long-lasting formula ensures your makeup stays intact throughout the day. Infused with moisturizing ingredients, it keeps your skin hydrated and nourished. With its easy-to-use pump bottle, the application is effortless and mess-free. Elevate your makeup game with this foundation and enjoy a natural and radiant finish that enhances your natural beauty.

9

Best SPF Formula

Suqqu The Cream Foundation (110) SPF25 PA++

Buy on Amazon

Immerse yourself in luxury and perfection with Suqqu The Cream Foundation in shade 110. This Japanese foundation offers a creamy and rich formula that effortlessly blends into the skin, providing a flawless and radiant finish. With SPF25 PA++ sun protection, it shields your skin from harmful UV rays. The long-lasting formula ensures your makeup stays fresh throughout the day. Infused with skincare benefits, it nourishes and hydrates your skin for a luminous complexion. Elevate your beauty routine with this foundation and indulge in a high-quality base that enhances your natural beauty with a touch of elegance.

The above-mentioned best Japanese foundations will help you ace your base. Below are some tips to help you find your perfect match.

 

Selecting the best Japanese foundation involves considering various factors to find a product that suits your specific needs. Here are some guidelines to help you make an informed choice:

Determine your Skin Type
Identify whether you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin. Look for foundations formulated to address your skin type, such as oil control for oily skin or hydration for dry skin.

Coverage and finish
The perfect foundation should not only match your skin tone but also provide ample coverage to hide blemishes, dark spots, freckles, and fine lines. At the same time, the finish that it offers must align with the needs of your skin type – for example, if you love how a dewy finish looks but have oily skin, you must find a balance that works for you.

Shade Selection
Find a foundation shade that closely matches your skin tone. Take into account your undertone (cool, warm, or neutral) to ensure a seamless blend. Some Japanese foundations offer a variety of shades to accommodate a broader range of skin tones.

SPF Protection
Determine if you prefer a foundation with sun protection. Look for Japanese foundations that incorporate SPF ingredients to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Check the SPF rating and consider your daily sun exposure for adequate protection.

Formulation and Ingredients
Consider the formulation of the foundation and its ingredients. Look for foundations with hydrating ingredients, antioxidants, or other beneficial components that align with your skincare goals.

Ease of Application

Japanese foundations are known to have very user-friendly formulations, however, it is crucial that you ensure the texture is one that you can easily work with. We suggest that you pick one which is very easy to blend, since this will make it easier to work with.

By considering these aspects, you can select the best Japanese foundation that matches your skin type, desired coverage, shade, and other personal preferences, leading to a foundation that enhances your natural beauty and meets your expectations.

To achieve a flawless finish when applying Japanese foundation, follow these steps:

• Prepare Your Skin
  Cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face to create a smooth canvas. Allow the beauty products to absorb fully before proceeding.
• Choose the Right Shade
  Select a Japanese foundation shade that matches your skin tone. Test it on your jawline or wrist to ensure a seamless blend.
   
• Prime Your Skin
  Apply a makeup primer to help the foundation adhere better and prolong its wear.
   
• Dispense And Dot
  Take a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand or a clean palette. Use your fingertips or a foundation brush to dot the product on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
• Blend 
  Gently blend the foundation using upward strokes or a sponge for even distribution. Pay attention to areas that need extra coverage or blending, such as blemishes or around the nose.
• Set with Powder
  Dust a translucent or setting powder over the foundation to enhance its longevity and mattify the skin if desired.
• Finishing Touches
  Complete your makeup routine with other desired products like concealer, blush, and setting spray for a polished look.

Remember to start with a small amount of foundation and build up gradually to avoid a heavy or cakey appearance. Experiment with different techniques and tools to find what works best for you and enjoy the flawless finish that the best Japanese foundations can provide.

Contributor: Dr. Vinod Vij, Chief Plastic Surgeon & Founder - Clinique Aesthetica