Shopping list for Japan?

[papersmile]

My husband is going to Japan, are there any Japanese products you would recommend that I can ask him to bring back? I would rather try something new than get a 'I love Japan' cap.

Obagi skincare is a lot easier (and slightly cheaper) than in the UK. Ditto Astalift. Generally, though, prices are comparable with the UK for other Japanese brands like Shisheido

Japanese SPFs are great. Very sheer but offer good protection too. I use Biore Bright milk spf 50, Biore watery essence also good. I buy direct from Japanese sellers on eBay.

Camillia oil for hair, Loft has an amazing beauty floor with lots of Japanese products.

Thank you! sorry, yesterday ended up being busy and I didn't have a chance to come back to the thread. I'll check these suggestions out. Exciting.

Yes, to ALL the sunscreens you can take home with you.

Muji has some nice skincare as well, a lot is available in the UK though but the bath salts (and Japanese bath salts in general) are worth schlepping back home.

Don Quixote is their sort of Superdrug, they're everywhere and you can buy a lot of good affordable skincare. Hada Labo is pretty solid and easy to find. The Lululun sheet masks are fairly basic but cheap, their premium line is definitely worth getting though. If you've got sensitive skin the Minon Amino Moist line is really good.

Makeup is also great, especially the mascaras (Heroine are nearly indestructible tubers). Canmake (also make a fab alcohol free sunscreen) looks very kitsch but has great blushes (cream and powder) and a good concealer palette.

More high end, if you're in need of makeup brushes the Japanese are the best out there. A bit spendy but they will last a lifetime (for powder use). Chikuhodo (the Z4 and Z8 are ace) and Hakuhodo are the best brands to look out for, they also do the manufacturing for a lot of other brands. Check the fude Reddit for more info.

Botemp I completely agree about the quality of a Japanese make-up brush - you could recreate an old master with one.
I have just started to use Biore Watery Essence Spf 50. It's amazing and so cheap.
I want to go to Japan and South Korea with an empty suitcase.

Another vote for make up brushes and Biore Watery Essence!

Can I come with you in the empty suitcase Dame? I'm sure I'll find my way back somehow probably in a container, as that's about as much stuff I'd want to take back

They have some truly weird flavoured Kit Kats, seems to be a thing out there - wasabi Kit Kat anyone?

Not S&B but Daiso (100yen/$ store) is great for little cute super cheap things. Cute post its and washi tape and stuff. Biggest we found was in Harajuku.

Oh, if you're into beauty, you're going to love Japanese drugstores. I like Canmake (check out the beautiful GlowFleur blushers and their under eye water line shimmers) and the Biore SPF50 Bright Milk is fantastic - I stockpiled four bottles. I also got a gorgeous colour correction powder from Pidité in a very pretty floral tin.

I wasn't that amazed by Heroine mascara but then I bought the brown shade rather than black due to my colouring. Do get sheet masks though, they're much cheaper. Link below to some good stand by items to try.

jw-webmagazine.com/15-affordable-beauty-products-every-girl-should-get-in-japan-ae477745bff4

Daiso sponge/brush cleaner it's like magic. And I second the mascara, I love Majolica Majorca lash expander mascara. Biore bright milk, yes!

Brilliant thank you all. The link is great too Duvet - I'm off to do more googling.