Lips have long been a defining feature of J-beauty, exemplified by charming geishas with conspicuous red lips against thick white make-up.
New trainees, known as maikos, are identified by a bare upper lip and a coloured lower lip, while the more experienced geishas paint both lips in brilliant red but apply styling to make the lips appear smaller for a cuter look.
Kanebo N-Rouge Nexus Sun Red Colors lipstick. Kanebo
Yet, J-beauty brands have become even more creative with lip stylings of different colours for the upper and lower lips and the left and right halves. Moreover, layering of colours and defining lips in different shades to make a statement has also become a trend.
The self-expression through lip make-up comes easy through new products designed to help create a playful pout.
Kanebo Drawing Dual Rouge allows for contouring and applying colour with one stroke.
Kanebo's N-Rouge collection includes Nascent Zero Colors primers for conditioning the lips and fashioning a lighter or darker effect while Drawing Dual Rouge allows for contouring and making it possible to apply colour with one stroke.
Inspired by pop culture and modern art, Neo Dimensional Colors lipsticks include a pop pink, vivid purple and metallic blue with a fluorescent sheen. The changing hues of the rising Sun have inspired nine shades from a dreamy to a strong red, under the N-Rouge Nexus Sun Red Colors lipsticks range.
Kanebo N-Rouge Nascent Zero Colors dark, natural and subtle primers.
Kanebo's formulation features a subtly shining and flat finish that bring out the beauty of the lips and the harmony of the face.
Shiseido's blend of waxes and oils transform into a lightweight powder for an airbrushed finish of ModernMatte Powder Lipstick, whose shades are inspired by Tokyo's vibrant nightlife.
Shiseido ModernMatte Powder Lipstick, LipLiner InkDuo, lip brush and Shimmer GelGloss.
In contrast, Shimmer GelGloss provides a mirror-like shine and a crystalline finish through highly-refractive oils and reflective pearls. The gloss can be used as a topcoat over lipstick or worn alone under Shiseido's Prime, Line and Shine concept.
The hydrating primer on one end of LipLiner InkDuo smoothens lips while the liner on the other end defines the shape and precisely fills them with a matte shade such as Poppy, True Red or Espresso.
Kanebo's Sun-inspired red and subtle primer applied on the upper and lower lips.
Kanebo Drawing Dual Rouge allows for contouring and applying colour with one stroke.
Partially contouring the lips with Shiseido's LipLiner InkDuo.
