Royal Large
What it is: Placenta & rosehip oil in individual packets.
What it does: Firms, lifts, hydrates, and brightens skin.
My experience: INCREDIBLE. I had no idea what this was when I bought it; I walked into a random duty-free store and noticed loads of visitors leaving with bags full of these pink boxes. After a few days of use, my skin was noticeably softer and brighter! I was obsessed! I found this again at a beauty store and learned more about what it's supposed to do and also learned that it's so popular that on their website they have pages on how to determine whether your product is real. Oh, and it typically sells for around 15,000 Yen, which is why everyone was leaving with so many boxes of it at the duty-free shop I got this at (they were going for 4,500 Yen)!
Price: 15000 Yen/$150USD.
Where to get: This is only available in Japan and I assume it's because of the ingredients and the advanced formulation here. Their site translated into English isn't the best, so it's quite hard to get a gauge on exactly what they do—you just know they're so popular that counterfeits are a problem. To learn more, visit their website here.
Senka Perfect Whip
What it is: Whipping face wash in three versions: original (blue), collagen (pink), white clay (white, not pictured here).
What it does: Hyarulonic acid and natural silk essence help introduce and retain moisture into the skin while cleansing it. Incredibly gentle and allergen free, this face wash feels like a dream!
My experience: This seems to be Japan's #1 face wash because it is absolutely everywhere and there are off-brand versions of this exact product. A little goes a very long way as it really does whip into a thick foam. I personally have been using the collagen version and thoroughly enjoying how soft and clean my skin feels after I use it. This is easily the best face wash I've ever used and beats out my $30 washes any day.
Price: 3-400 Yen/$3-4USD
Where to get: Because Senka is a part of Shiseido, it's actually quite easy to find this online! Try here.
Meishoku Whitening Eye Cream
What it is: Whitening undereye cream
What it does: Plumps and hydrates undereye area with collagen and barely seed extract. Placenta compound claims to whiten undereye area and "block pigmentation".
My experience: I've been using this for months (I bought it at Japantown in SF) and have definitely seen a difference in dark circles under my eyes. It goes on smoothly and instantly hydrates. I have a few lines under my eyes and I love working this in with a jade roller—you really see a plumping effect after. This is also a really popular one in Japan as I saw it E V E R Y W H E R E as well!
Price: Around 800 Yen/$8USD
Where to get: I bought this at a beauty store in Japantown, SF for about $12USD... much cheaper in Japan and available at every drug store. Also available online here.
Shiro waki Hime Peeling Cream
What it is: A whitening peeling cream for underarms.
What it does: Whitens hyper pigmentation under arms.
My experience: This stuff SHOOK me. It works sooo well! You slather an opaque layer onto your underarms, give it some time to dry, then rub it off. It rubs off like a peeling gel. You can see the difference right away. I first used this almost every day for a week, but after it significantly whitened, I only use it every so often.
Price: Around 1200 Yen/$12USD
Where to get: Amazon.
How the cream goes on.
How it peels off.
Sante Beautéye
What it is: Eye drops.
What it does: Taurine claims to regenerate and moisturize corneas while B12 alleviates fatigue. Drops claim to "combat aging".
My experience: I really wanted to try eyedrops in Japan because they are such a thing, seeing as work takes up most of everyone's day, and there are high levels of stimuli available around every corner. I read that these were very popular so I tried them and MAN do they burn. They burn in a refreshing sort of way, if that makes sense. I still haven't exactly gotten used to the sensation of these drops, but I love using them every morning to wake up my eyes. They really do refresh! Anyone who has to be in front of a computer for 8 hours should 100% get.
Price: Around 1500 Yen/$15USD.
Where to get: There's an entire eye drop section in every drugstore in Japan. And of course, Amazon.
Fujiko Mayo Tint
What it is: One-day eyebrow "tattoo".
What it does: Tints eyebrows overnight and lasts about 1 day in full, 2-3 days sparsely.
My experience: I love using this during the week because I paint them on and have eyebrows for about 2-3 days! It's a bit hard to work with, though, because it's so sticky, and eyeballing the right amount of product is something to master. My first try I didn't realize how thick it is and in turn effecting how much my brows would be tinted—I peeled the formula off the next morning with WAY overdrawn/overcolored eyebrows.
Price: Around 1000 Yen/$10USD.
Where to get: There are a lot of one-day eyebrow tattoos in Japan, right at the eyes section of any drugstore. For online, try here.
Shiseido The Collagen
What it is: Collagen supplement.
What it does: Collagen is a structural protein that can be found everywhere in your body—it's the "glue" that helps build you. In skincare, it claims to bring youthful skin and strong hair + nails.
My experience: I've been wanting to try collagen for some time as it's definitely gaining popularity here in the U.S. I never took the dive here because supplements were expensive and I was even advised at a store that it's not that effective. So, going to Japan and stepping into a 7/11 and seeing a Collagen Energy Drink from Shiseido in the cold case made me want to try Collagen out for myself. A "shot" of collagen was around 150 Yen/$1.50USD, so I could afford to take one every day for the duration of my vacation and see if collagen supplements really work. It's hard for me to gauge if this helped my skin, but it for sure helped my digestion. I mean I was eating anything on vacay and the only supplement I was taking were these collagen shots, and my digestion was immaculate! I bought the powder version to bring home to try mixing them into masks and continue to take in my smoothies. I love that it doesn't change the consistency or flavor of any liquids you choose to mix it in!
Price: Powder about 2000 Yen/$20USD. Shots about 150 Yen/$1.50 each.
Where to get: Drugstores, conbinis, and beauty stores in Japan. Amazon here.
Powder form of The Collagen
An "energy shot" form of The Collagen available at conbinis around Japan
Kao-Megrythm Steam Warm Eye Mask
What it is: One-time use warming eye mask (dry).
What it does: Warms up and smells delightfully of lavender (other scents also available). Feels very relaxing and helps induce sleep!
My experience: These are so fun to use and one of my favorite things after a long day! I love bringing these on my travels since I sometimes have a hard time falling asleep on planes, trains, cars, etc. The warming sensation around your eyes is unexpectedly pleasent.
Price: Box of 14 is about 1000 Yen/$10USD.
Where to get: I found these in the health section of beauty/drug stores! Another popular product that can be bought online here.