@Cosme Best Cosmetic Awards 2018: Overall Winners
It’s finally here– @cosme has released their awards for 2018!
If you’ve ever shopped for cosmetics in Japan, you’ve definitely seen the little medal-shaped stickers on winning products showing off their @cosme awards. There’s a reason brands love to advertise their product that has won a category: since @cosme awards are based on customer reviews submitted to the site, they’re considered a trustworthy, crowd-sourced view of what products really live up to the hype.
In this article I’ll be going over the winners in the main categories: the overall winners and some new entrants into the hall of fame. I’ll also translate some of the featured customer reviews about all these products so you can get a sense of what Japanese customers love about them!
Later in the week we’ll be releasing two detailed roundups, one focusing on skincare and one on haircare, so please stay tuned!
Overall winners
Opera Lip Tint
No surprises here– the Opera Lip Tint has been dominating the @cosme charts for quite some time now.
This squalane-infused lip tint is moisturizing, has a natural shine, and customers seem to really like how long-wearing and comfortable it is. Opera Lip Tint has really made the ideal product for getting the very natural, slightly translucent look that’s so popular in Japan right now.
More details on Opera Lip Tint here
@cosme reviews:
★★★★★★☆ | Michichi, normal skin, 26 years
This tint glides on smoothly, feels nice, and has a nice shine. Plus, the color lasts. The price is so good and it’s so cute I want other colors too!
★★★★★★★ | Purun, combination skin, 20 years
I use a lot of different lip products but in terms of my go-to everyday lipstick, this is it. Its cost performance is great, and the color and moisturising power is the best.
★★★★★★☆ | Mukasa_KL, dry skin, 35 years
The color is so pretty and it doesn’t feel dry! I like that the color doesn’t get patchy or look too dark when you reapply it either.
Excel Skinny Rich Shadow
Speaking of Japanese makeup trends, the Excel Skinny Rich eyeshadow is definitely nailed the slightly dewy, slightly sparkly eye makeup look that’s on trend right now. It seems like experimenting with bold eyeshadows is popular in the West at the moment, but in Japan it’s all about a very soft and pretty look that you can wear to work and on a weekend date too. These four-color palettes can take you anywhere from a quick, everyday look to a sophisticated color graduation.
@cosme reviews:
★★★★★★★ | kumicoro, combination skin, 29 years
The powder feels moist and the pearl finish has just the right amount of sparkle. It’s handy because I can use it for work and when I’m going out. The applicator is easy to use.
Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil
Our customers here at Wonect can’t get enough of the third place winner this year either– Fancl’s gentle, preservative-free cleansing oil always one of our bestselling products. It’s not easy to find a non-stripping, non-drying cleanser that removes makeup and cleans pores as well as Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil. Plus, like all of Fancl’s range, it’s free from preservatives, fragrances, and a host of other irritants, so it’s great for those with sensitive skin.
More details on Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil here
@cosme reviews:
★★★★★★☆ | anna*mama, dry skin, 27 years
I love this cleanser. It removes makeup fast, makes my pores feel clearer, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight.
★★★★★★★ | k.., dry skin, 22 years
I really like that it doesn’t make my skin feel tight or dry. I’ve repurchased this so many times I can’t even count the amount of bottles I’ve gone through.
★★★★★★☆ | gunnsou, oily skin, 29 years
It’s easy to apply and cleans my pores and makeup really well. I love that I can use it even if my hands are wet!
★★★★★★☆ | Vanilla, dry skin, 42 years
It removes makeup well and my skin also feels softer and brighter! I’m definitely buying this again.
Notable entrants into the Hall of Fame
The @cosme Hall of Fame includes products that have won their categories for multiple years. In an active and competitive a beauty scene as Japan, maintaining the top spot is no easy feat! Here are a few of the most notable new entrants.
Shiseido Snow Beauty Whitening Face Powder
Previous awards: Best Skincare Powder 2017, 2016
Shiseido’s Snow Beauty Whitening Face Powder comes out in a beautiful new case annually as the weather cools here in Japan– it’s the product almost every makeup lover wants for Christmas. But sheer novelty doesn’t get buyers coming back year after year. Shiseido Snow Beauty Whitening Face Powder is a high quality, skincare-type powder that can be worn night and day. You can use it to set and refresh your makeup during the day for a long-lasting smooth and bright finish. It has a whitening effect, prevents spots and freckles, and can be worn on its own for a natural look. What’s a little unusual is that you can also wear it at night to seal in your nightly skincare routine, smooth out any stickiness, and protect the skin from dryness and dust as you sleep.
More details on Shiseido Snow Beauty Whitening Face Powder here
@cosme reviews:
★★★★★☆☆ | jill_saki, combination skin, 30 years
The case is so cute! It picks up my mood just holding it. It keeps my skin feeling smooth for a long time and my makeup doesn’t budge.
★★★★★★★ | Purin-chan, combination skin, 29 years
To put it simply, this is my holy grail powder. It’s not drying, and makes my skin look so bright that my makeup and lipstick really pop.
★★★★★☆☆ | Tonko, oily skin, 47 years
I buy Snow Beauty every year when it comes out. My skin is always smooth and I never have to worry about looking oily or shiny.
Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder
Previous awards: Best Powder 2017, Best in Powder Category 2013
I wrote about how popular Canmake’s Marshmallow Finish Powder in my article about the top Canmake products. And here it is in the hall of fame! Good, natural-looking coverage, a pore-concealing formulation, and its unique “marshmallow” finish make this one a lasting favorite. Plus, it’s insanely cheap compared to its competitors. I’d particularly recommend it to anyone who has oily skin and likes to touch up during the day!
More details on Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder here
@cosme reviews:
★★★★★☆☆ | Ryuhana＼(^o^)／, oily skin, 27 years
Covers my pores perfectly, and just like the name says, gives a soft and smooth marshmallow-like finish.
★★★★★☆☆ | mg*ck, oily skin, 35 years
Just making a gentle pressing motion when I’m touching up my makeup gets rid of my shine and gives a soft finish.
★★★★★☆☆ | ○MS○, combination skin, 23 years
Just one application and my skin looks really smooth! Has good coverage too. When I am in a hurry I just use this to do my base makeup in one step.
Ettusais Lash Version Up
Previous awards: Best Mascara Primer/Top Coat 2017, Best Mascara Primer 2014
Ettusais has a lot of loyal fans who swear by their functional and well-formulated primers. Their Oil Block Base is a favorite for preventing shine and oil from ruining your makeup, and this Lash Version Up Primer is always around the top of the @comse charts too. If you want your eyelash curl to last longer and are looking for extra length and volume, this is a good choice. It comes with black fibres, giving you a lot of extra volume whether or not you wear it with mascara on top. Plus, it has hyaluronic acid and arginine to protect your eyelashes and prevent breakage and lash fall.
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@cosme reviews:
★★★★★★★ | Kuroneko Jiro, combination skin, 34 years
I’m bad at doing my lashes, but when I use this after I curl and separate my lashes my mascara goes on so nicely. I couldn’t live without this product.
★★★★★★☆ | o0Nuts0o, normal skin, 21 years
You can just use this on its own for a natural look, and if you use it as a mascara primer you get a lot of volume!
★★★★★☆☆ | Risuri0401, dry skin, 29 years
It works really well for the price. The comb style brush is easy to use, and when you use it as a primer it stops mascara from clumping and holds your eyelash curl.
Unicharm Silcot Moist Cotton Sponge
Previous awards: Best Cosmetic Accessory 2016, 2017
I’m strangely excited to be able to talk about these Silcot sponges, which were one of the most satisfying finds of me this year. I don’t think this is a very relatable complaint, but I absolutely hate cotton wool. Just thinking about the texture of it is like nails on a chalkboard for me. You might be able to guess that I have never been a big cotton pad fan, so when I saw these “silicon cotton” makeup sponges at the drugstore I was immediately intrigued. Happily enough, they are actually great, and not just for sad cases like me who would rather touch a snake than a cotton ball.
Just like the name implies, they just feel very slightly moist, like they are pre-soaked with something, but it’s just the texture of the fabric. They soak up the product you apply to them but they don’t hold onto it, so a small amount of lotion seems to go a long way. They hold their shape well, so they are really amazing for removing nail polish. Plus, they come folded into two, so they feel very soft and luxurious if you use them as is, but you can tear them in two along the perforation, soak the pieces in lotion, and use them as a very good cotton pack that stays in place. Honestly, I love these!
@cosme reviews:
★★★★★★★ | Hoku, dry skin, 34 years
The cotton soaks through with just a small amount of product, so it saves you wasting lotion. They feel soft and are really easy to use.
★★★★★★☆ | Pottan Princess, combination skin, 21 years
I really treasure these because you only need to use small amount of lotion. They feel smooth and silky, and they don’t fall apart or shed fluff when you use them.
★★★★★☆☆ | KK1106, normal skin, 34 years
These pads have a curve to them, so they’re so great to use as a pack on my dry under-eye area.
Stay tuned for parts two and three!
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