Frequently asked questions about base make-up products.

Ultraviolet absorbers protect the skin from the effects of UV exposure as they absorb UV rays and release them away from the skins surface. There’s no need to worry about them making your skin hotter or more prone to UV absorption. Their safety on skin has been confirmed. However, as with any beauty product that contains a special ingredients such as ultraviolet absorbers, occasionally an allergic reaction may be caused. In this case, you should consult with a dermatologist as soon as possible.
Ultraviolet scattering agents are mainly powder, and they scatter UV rays that hit the skins surface away from the skin, protecting the skin from the effects of UV exposure.

Make-up contains a lot of ingredients that are not able to be completely removed with facial bar soap or foam. This is why make-up remover is necessary when removing make-up.
Make-up remover contains ingredients that bond easily with make-up. It brings make-up to the skins surface, enveloping particles and removing them completely.

Brushes made from natural hair may produce an odour particular to natural hair when you first start using them. Don’t worry, as this odour will disappear over time.

We mainly release catalogues and samples for each new product or season, for a limited selection of products that we want to recommend at the time. Our sales staff distribute samples at retail outlets, so if there is a sample you would like to try, please visit your nearest stockist. There are limits to the type and amount of samples that a store will have, so please understand that customer requests may not be able to be met. Please use one of our in-store testers if a sample is not available.

Our foundation samples mainly come in between one colour (302) or 2 colours (302 and 301).
They are available for you to see if you like how they feel. If you are satisfied, you can match your colour using the in-store testers.

Overseas products have mostly, or completely, the same naming and packaging as products sold in Japan, however, products in some countries may have slightly different ingredients.
This is because licensing regulations for ingredients are different in different countries. Ingredient types and concentrations are also adjusted slightly depending on the country or even the region to cater for local climate, skin types, or preferences in sensation or fragrance.

The colour number for your foundation is unique to that foundation, and the numbers are not common across different manufacturers or series. If it’s the same manufacturer, numbers may be organised by a colour system like “normal skin” and “tanned skin”. However, different series use different ingredients, and even if the number is the same the colour may be slightly different. What’s more, even foundations of the same colour number from the same manufacturer and series may not end up looking exactly the same depending on whether they are a liquid, powder, or two-way (wet and dry), or whether they have slightly different ingredients or functions for summer and winter use. The translucency and brightness of your skin will also change depending on your skin condition, age and the season. The colour number is a guide only, and it is important to make sure to try a foundation on to confirm colour before making a purchase, to choose a colour that is best for your current skin.

Fine lumps sometimes appear on the surface of pressed foundation. Granules or lumps such as these (they can even look black if they contain oil and water) are formed when the powder particles stick together. Don’t worry- they are not contaminants do not affect product quality. Powder foundation contains oil and moisturiser in addition to powder particles, to feel hydrating and adhere closely to the skin. Sometimes the pressure of using a sponge can cause the powder particles to clump together and harden. Make sure your sponge is as clean as possible, and don’t always apply pressure in the same place, but gently stroke the whole surface.

Pressed powder foundation is made by pressing powder into a solid form, which may cause the surface to harden (a phenomenon called caking). Hardening like this means the powder particles have clumped, and do not mean the product is contaminated or the quality is compromised. Your sponge or sponge tip applicator may have picked up sebum of oils from moisturisers or other products, or you may be using too much pressure- if you rub only in the same place, the powder particles may stick together. Make sure your sponges and sponge-tip applicators are always clean, and gently glide them over the entire surface of the product. If the surface hardens, lightly shave it off, and you can continue using your product as normal.

(1) Keep your sponges clean.
Wash your foundation sponge with sponge cleaner or similar after you have used it about 4 times for both sides. We recommend using the non-dirty part of the sponge on your skin.

(2) Remove as much oil as possible from your skin before applying foundation.
If applying foundation after your have used a beauty product that contains a lot of oil like moisturising cream, first lightly press a tissue or similar against your face to remove any residual oil.

(3) Wipe gently in the same direction when transferring foundation to your sponge.
Hold the sponge gently, and lightly move in one direction to transfer foundation. Pressing the sponge down firmly or rubbing it over the same place repeatedly may cause a phenomenon called caking. Note that even using a circular motion will apply a considerable amount of pressure to the foundation surface.

Ultraviolet absorbers protect the skin from the effects of UV exposure as they absorb UV rays and release them away from the skins surface. There’s no need to worry about them making your skin hotter or more prone to UV absorption. Their safety on skin has been confirmed. However, as with any beauty product that contains a special ingredients such as ultraviolet absorbers, occasionally an allergic reaction may be caused. In this case, you should consult with a dermatologist as soon as possible.
Ultraviolet scattering agents are mainly powder, and they scatter UV rays that hit the skins surface away from the skin, protecting the skin from the effects of UV exposure.

Foundation and sun protection products have ingredients with names such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and iron oxide, which are metallic oxides- compounds derived from metal. These metallic compounds have undergone ample safety checks. However, allergies will differ for each individual, and we recommend first consulting with a doctor to learn which metals you are allergic to, so that you can take the proper steps.

Our beauty products have been researched and developed for use on adult skin. Unlike the skin of adults, the skin of young children is not developed, so we don’t recommend the use of our products.

Items made out of polyurethane such as sponges or eyeliner applicator tips will deteriorate gradually from friction, sunlight or how they are washed.
Of course replace your sponge if it is weak and falling apart, but it’s better at the stage when the surface is powdery, or it starts to loose its elasticity.
Carefully wash the dirt from your sponges and applicator tips to make them last. When washing, press lightly into some neutral detergent, then rinse thoroughly and dry in the shade (not direct sunlight).
Use a custom cleansing liquid if available.
If you want to make your make-up look its best, always make sure your bits and pieces are kept clean.

Pressed powder foundation is made by pressing powder into a solid form, which may cause the surface to harden (a phenomenon called caking). Hardening like this means the powder particles have clumped, and do not mean the product is contaminated or the quality is compromised. Your sponge or sponge tip applicator may have picked up sebum of oils from moisturisers or other products, or you may be using too much pressure- if you rub only in the same place, the powder particles may stick together. Make sure your sponges and sponge-tip applicators are always clean, and gently glide them over the entire surface of the product. If the surface hardens, lightly shave it off, and you can continue using your product as normal.

(1) Keep your sponges clean.
Wash your foundation sponge with sponge cleaner or similar after you have used it about 4 times for both sides. We recommend using the non-dirty part of the sponge on your skin.

(2) Remove as much oil as possible from your skin before applying foundation.
If applying foundation after your have used a beauty product that contains a lot of oil like moisturising cream, first lightly press a tissue or similar against your face to remove any residual oil.

(3) Wipe gently in the same direction when transferring foundation to your sponge.
Hold the sponge gently, and lightly move in one direction to transfer foundation. Pressing the sponge down firmly or rubbing it over the same place repeatedly may cause a phenomenon called caking. Note that even using a circular motion will apply a considerable amount of pressure to the foundation surface.

The “BB” in BB Cream is an acronym for “Blemish Balm”, as the product is a “balm” (ointment or cosmetic) that covers “blemishes” such as damage or flaws that compromise skin beauty.

BB Creams differ in colour density and dosage form depending on the product, and the way you remove the product will differ accordingly. Some can be removed with a facial cleanser only, and others require a make-up cleaner- there are all sorts, and you should follow the instructions on the package.

It’s a day-use cream that can be used after toner as an all-in-one beauty serum, moisturiser, sunscreen, base make-up or light make-up.
Please follow the directions on the package for your BB cream.