Makeup, Skincare, Fragrance and a Bit of Fashion
DHC‘s Deep Cleansing Oil is one of the products the brand is famous for (alongside Olive Virgin Oil). The brand also features a few other cleansers, including Water-Friendly Cleansing Oil, New Mild Touch Cleansing Oil and Pore Cleansing Oil. While the first two are not available in the UK, Pore Cleansing Oil has recently been launched in the UK. (New Mild Touch Cleansing Oil and Pore Cleansing Oil are available in the US.)
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(images from www.dhc.co.jp,
info from DHC & www.dhcuk.co.uk)
Two popular items from DHC are now available at Fenwick Bond Street in London:
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In August, I reviewed DHC‘s Coenzyme Q10 Lotion & Milk, both of which feel very lightweight on the skin. Today I am featuring another product from the range, Coenzyme Q10 Cream.
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Last month, I reviewed DHC‘s Olive Virgin Oil, which is a good product for those with drier skin types. Today I will be focusing on two of the products in the Coenzyme Q10 range, Coenzyme Q10 Lotion and Coenzyme Q10 Milk.
Coenzyme Q10 Lotion is the toner of the Coenzyme Q10 range. It has a very fresh lightweight feel on the skin, and it doesn’t feel slippery or sticky. (It is not a rich toner that feels emollient on the skin.) It contains butylene glycol as a moisturizing ingredient and it contains willow bark extract as an anti-irritant.
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Founded in 1972, DHC is one of the Japanese beauty brands that have more visibility outside Asia. (There are DHC UK (launched in 2007), DHC France, and DHC US.) DHC has physical stores in and outside Japan but it is known for its strong e-commerce presence.
Over the next couple of months, I will be highlighting a few more items from the brand. Today, I am focusing on one of the brand’s most popular products, Olive Virgin Oil.
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(Loving Japanese makeup)
1872 Shiseido
1887 Kao
1929 Pola
1936 Kanebo
1946 Kosé
1956 Albion
1959 Menard
1967 Shu Uemura
1972 DHC
1981 Fancl
1987 IPSA
1991 Ettusais
1995 AYURA
1996 Equipe (which now owns RMK and SUQQU)
(Biteki, January 2008, p. 102-125)
It is interesting that, like many western cosmetics brands, some of the recent major Japanese cosmetics companies in the last couple of decades have also been acquired by more established ones. For example, IPSA, Ettusais, and AYURA were acquired by Shiseido. Kanebo now owns Equipe, while Kosé owns Albion. Also, in early 2006, Kanebo was sold to Kao.
I will be equally interested in these slightly more corporate and behind-the-scene developments and in all the shiny new releases from these brands…
Related Posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(consolidating my passion)
“Loving Japanese Brands” Series
(my favorite seven)
Japanese Brands in the UK
(featuring where to get them from outside the UK)
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(All available in the UK!)As requested by a reader, today I am focusing on Japanese cosmetics brands available in the UK and where they can be found.
(If you are reading this from other countries or if you live in the UK but are quite far away from the counters, I will be mentioning possible ways to purchase from some of these brands on-line or through Selfridges.)
Here we go…
So far, there never seems to be a wide array of Japanese cosmetics lines in the UK. But what is available here is nonetheless a good selection of what the Japanese cosmetics industry has to offer. It also includes one of my favorite Japanese brands, Paul & Joe, which we will start with.
— Paul & Joe
(Paul & Joe spring 2008 collection: Sweetie)
Launched in Japan in spring 2002, Paul & Joe was an instant sensation. With its beautifully feminine packaging, it was almost the Jill Stuart before there was Jill Stuart.
To my delight, it was launched a couple of years later in London’s Harvey Nichols, where I saw the line in person for the very first time. Now it is available in Fenwick and Harrods in London, apart from the three Paul & Joe’s London boutiques. If you only have time for one counter when you are in London, go straight to Fenwick. The counter there is larger and has a better testing area.
There are several authorized on-line sellers of Paul & Joe in the UK, some of which deliver internationally. You can find them on the Shop Info page on Paul & Joe’s English website.
If you are interested, you can read my reviews on Paul & Joe’s Foundation Primer N, Lip Gloss N, and Face Powder, as well as my personal take on the brand.
— RMK
(RMK spring 2008 collection: Shiny Mix Dots)
Developed by Japanese makeup artist Rumiko, the minimally packaged makeup range is trendy but wearable and has featured a lot of distinctive seasonal collections. Some of RMK‘s most popular products include primers, lip glosses, and mascaras. I myself love RMK’s Cleansing Oil N.
Like Paul & Joe, RMK debuted in London’s Harvey Nichols. Later, it moved to House of Fraser on Oxford Street and it now resides in the nearby Selfridges. It is also available in Selfridges in Trafford Centre in Manchester and House of Fraser in Glasgow.
At the moment, UK is the only country outside Asia where RMK has a retail point. But you might be able to buy from the line from Selfridges by phone (from within or outside the UK). Check out Selfridges‘ Service Directory page for detail. (Select “Delivery” for the relevant information).
— SUQQU
(image from www.suqqu.com/global/)
SUQQU‘s launch in London’s Selfridges in November 2006 took me by surprise, as it took a different expansion path. Prior to that, outside Japan, it was only available in Bangkok, which was another slightly unconventional move.
SUQQU’s strength and popularity lie in its base makeup range. Its concealers, cream foundation and Clear Veil Powder are what make the brand well-known in Japan. Its eyelash curler is another cult item. I personally love the ultra-sophisticated brand image as well as the luxuriously smooth and silky texture of SUQQU’s lipsticks, eyeshadows, and blushers.
Recently, I have noticed that SUQQU has been trying hard to get featured in major fashion and lifestyle magazines in the UK, which is great to see. You can read my personal thoughts about SUQQU as well as my reviews on SUQQU’s Powder Foundation Glow and Sanzekan Eau de Toilette.
Like RMK, SUQQU’s counter in Selfridges is the only retail point outside Asia. (Again, please check Selfridges‘ Service Directory page if you are interested in purchasing their items by phone.)
— DHC
(image from www.dhcuk.co.uk)
DHC is a very recent addition to the UK beauty scene and is currently available on DHC’s UK website. You can read about my thoughts on the brand in one of my recent posts.
Updated on February 25th, 2014:
DHC’s Deep Cleansing Oil and Eyelash Tonic are available at Fenwick Bond Street in London (from February 13th, 2014). (information from DHC)
— SK-II
(Cate Blanchett for SK-II)
Currently owned by Procter & Gamble, this luxury skincare and base makeup line has its roots in Kobe, Japan, and its brand image has always maintained an oriental feel.
SK-II is currently available in several major cities in England and Wales.
— Shiseido International
(Shiseido The Makeup fall 2007 collection)
The Shiseido lines available in the UK include Shiseido The Makeup, Shiseido The Skincare, Bio-Performance, Benefiance, Pureness, Future Solution, Shiseido Men, and a selection of body and fragrance products.
Shiseido International is currently available in London’s Harrods and Selfridges as well as various other department stores in the UK (apart from Northern Ireland). You can use the Store Locator on Shiseido’s UK website to find your nearest Shiseido counter. A selection of skincare products is also available on QVC UK.
— Kanebo International
(image from www.sensai-cosmetics.com)
Only Kanebo International’s Sensai line (skincare, bodycare, sun care, haircare, and makeup) is available in the UK. It is currently sold in Harrods and its on-line store (where you can also find Shiseido International and SK-II). I am not entirely certain if the line is available in other department stores in the UK. (Do please let me know if you have more information on this. Thank you!)
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It is perhaps worth mentioning that Anna Sui was available in the UK for some time before it left several years ago. (It used to be seen in Selfridges and House of Fraser in London.) Also, very intriguingly, one of Kanebo’s makeup and skincare lines, Chic Choc, was very briefly available in the Boots store at Piccadilly Circus in London.
According to what has been happening in the UK in recent years, I suspect that there might be more Japanese brands coming to the UK. I am sure it will only happen very gradually, but I remain optimistic!
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Updated on February 21st, 2011:
Japanese lifestyle brand Muji also carries basic skincare products in the UK. You can purchase them on-line as well as at Muji stores in the UK and concessions in Selfridges in London and Manchester (The Trafford Centre). (Have a look at the store locator here.)
See my review of Muji Cleansing Oil here.
Updated on August 25th, 2012:
Astalift is now available in the UK. (Read my review of Regenerating Night Cream.)
Updated on December 9th, 2013:
It seems that Muji stopped carrying skincare items in the UK. Only beauty accessories are available now.
Updated on January 22nd, 2014:
Some Anna Sui items are now available on www.asos.com. (Many thanks to Leila for bringing my attention to this!
Updated on March 1st, 2016:
Some Muji skincare products are available in the UK again.
Related Posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(celebrating my love for Japanese cosmetics)
Japanese vs. Western
(my comparison of the two camps)
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(image from www.dhcuk.co.uk)
DHC now joins RMK, Paul & Joe, SUQQU, Shiseido International, and Kanebo International as Japanese brands available in the UK.
DHC is a major cosmetics brand in Japan, where, as far as I understand, still only runs mail/phone/on-line ordering and does not have a physical shop.
But, as we all know, word of mouth has its place in retailing, and when people say something is good, it gets our attention.
(Updated in July 2011: DHC has physical shops throughout Japan.)
DHC’s cult product is Deep Cleansing Oil. Not only is it DHC’s cult product, it is one of the cult skincare products in Japan. It would be slightly bizarre not to see it on a readers’ favorite skincare product list in any Japanese cosmetics magazine. (In the readers’ poll results in Biteki‘s February 2007 issue, it was placed second in the favorite makeup cleanser category, one place above Shu Uemura’s cleansing oil.)
It works just like Shu Uemura’s cleansing oil and removes all makeup, including waterproof makeup, in one go. (There is a good review of it on Beauty Anonymous if you are interested!)
I tried the Deep Cleansing Oil many years ago, but I personally didn’t like it. It did cleanse very effectively, but I was fairly certain that it gave me breakouts. (I have also tried Shu Uemura’s various cleaning oil formulas, but I usually find that they don’t emulsify well enough. For years, I have remained loyal to RMK’s Cleansing Oil and Boots Botanics Cleansing Oil.)
But, since that was many years ago and I live in a different climate now, I might consider giving it another go. Also, many DHC toners are alcohol-free and have simple formulations that have the potential to suit my sensitive skin. They will be the products I will pay more attention to.
So far, only the basic skincare items are sold on the DHC UK site. I hope the stock will be expanded later on. In the meantime, if you would like to see the vast array of DHC skincare and makeup products, do head over to the DHC US website. (But…do ignore the fact that the prices are, yet again, lower in the US…)
Related Posts:
My Daily Skincare Routine
(featuring RMK Cleansing Oil)
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(My love for Japanese cosmetics will never end…)
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Fall 2024 Makeup Trend Spotlight: New Blusher Ranges & Lavender Blushers (image from www.cosme.net)
