The K-beauty vs. J-beauty debate continues to swirl, which struck us as the perfect opportunity to do a little digging into the slightly-lesser-known of the two categories. Though it's been around longer, it's still harder to get ahold of many Japanese beauty brands in the U.S. (especially the drugstore faves), which means it's still shrouded in a bit more mystery — and that's where Reddit comes in.
Reddit is a veritable treasure trove of beauty advice, so we mined the AsianBeauty and SkincareAddiction subreddits for tips on top Japanese skin care products and makeup must-haves. From the must-have oil cleansers to the super-powered hyaluronic acid serums to the adorable mascaras dreams are made of, Reddit users have really come through. Keep reading to meet some of your new favorite J-beauty products.
Glossier's new mascara knocked our socks off, in large part due to the Japanese-influenced fiber formula. This iconic Japanese mascara harnesses similar fiber technology for major lash drama that does not budge. Reddit user Maplebee92 puts it this way: "This will go to the depths of the ocean and back with you."
Though there are a couple less expensive copycat formulas out there, SK-II's cult-favorite essence still reigns supreme. Reddit user nifu-chan says it's the "only one that truly makes a difference," adding that it makes her pores "look ridiculously small" while seriously boosting her glow.
Biore has a completely different lineup of products available overseas, including this sunscreen, which has inspired many a rave review on Reddit. PomegranateTea complements the product for its gentle, non-irritating formula, also adding that it "doesn't feel like a sunscreen," which is always a bonus for those of us who tend towards the sunscreen-averse.
This stick concealer is considered something of a holy grail in many circles, including Reddit. Commenter sheerdazzle praises it for the fact that it "doesn't accentuate under-eye fine lines," while spuckett0039 adds, "A $70 stick will last FOREVER...Sooo worth the splurge."
