Base Makeup Products: Japanese Cosmetics Ranking 2026 Mid-Year

The latest edition of the @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards has arrived! As Japan’s largest and most influential beauty community, @cosme continues to be the go-to destination for discovering the products that beauty lovers across the country are actually using, reviewing, and recommending.

Released twice a year, the highly anticipated @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards highlight the most popular and best-performing beauty products based on authentic user reviews. From skincare and makeup to hair and body care, the rankings offer a snapshot of the trends shaping Japan’s beauty industry right now.

In this article, we focus on the top-rated base makeup products from the first half of 2026, including lightweight sunscreen, a glow-enhancing primer, a long-lasting foundation, and a flawless finishing powder, which represent the best of today’s J-beauty market.

Base makeup remains one of the most important steps in Japanese beauty routines, with consumers increasingly seeking products that combine skincare benefits, natural-looking coverage, and long-lasting performance. This year’s winners reflect that growing demand, featuring innovative formulas designed to enhance skin while creating a fresh, healthy-looking complexion.

If you’re planning a beauty shopping trip to Japan or simply looking to update your makeup collection with the latest Japanese beauty trends, this ranking is the perfect place to start.

Let’s take a look at the best base makeup products of 2026 so far!

Best Sunscreen

1st place: ANESSA Perfect UV Skin Care Gel (2,508 yen)

2nd place: COSME DECORTE UV Comfort Airy Transparent (4,950 yen)

3rd place: Curel Skin Repair UV Protection Serum (2,200 yen)

Best Makeup Primer

1st place: GIVENCHY Prisme Libre Skin & Color Serum Primer (7,700 yen)

2nd place: ALLIE Chrono Beauty Flat Smooth Filter UV (2,178 yen)

3rd place: fwee Spa Glowing UV Tone Up Base (2,310 yen)

Best Powder Foundation

1st place: KANEBO Melty Feel Wear II (5,500 yen)

Best Liquid Foundation

1st place: ESTEE LAUDER Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup (7,590 yen)

2nd place: DIOR Forever Fluid Skin Glow (8,030 yen)

3rd place: CLARINS Double Serum Foundation (9,900 yen)

Best Gel Foundation

1st place: KATE Jelly Foundation (2,530 yen)

Best Cushion Foundation

1st place: Paul & Joe Protecting Veil Compact (4,400 yen)

2nd place: &be Glow Cushion Foundation (3,520 yen)

3rd place: ByUR Serum Fit Full Cover Glow Cushion V2 (3,960 yen)

Best Mesh Cushion Foundation

1st place: TIRTIR Mask Fit Ruby Mesh Cushion (2,970 yen)

2nd place: Kansosan Skincare Moisture Cushion Foundation (2,420 yen)

3rd place: GUERLAIN Parure Gold Skin Mesh Cushion (11,660 yen)

Best BB & CC Cream

1st place: COSME DECORTE UV Comfort Tone up CC (4,950 yen)

2nd place: FASION BB Tint UV Cover (1,320 yen)

Best Concealer

1st place: KATE Jelly Concealer (1,650 yen)

2nd place: CEZANNE Bright Colorcealer (748 yen)

3rd place: &be Tencealer UV Plus (3,850 yen)

Best Face Powder

1st place: Milano Collection GR Face up Powder (13,750 yen)

2nd place: Milano Collection Face up Powder (10,450 yen)

3rd place: SUQQU Oil Rich Glow Loose Powder (7,150 yen)

Best Highlighter

1st place: Paul & Joe Face Color Highlight (2,200 yen)

2nd place: BANILA CO Silky Glow Highlighter (1,790 yen)

3rd place: CipiCipi Hyalu Matte Highlighter (1,100 yen)

Best Contour

1st place: Fujiko Deco Shadow by.F (1,870 yen)

Best Setting Spray

1st place: KATE Makeup Topcoat Mist (1,540 yen)

2nd place: MAYBELLINE Super Stay Double Fixer Spray (1,650 yen)

(The full list of the Best Cosmetics Awards 2026 Mid-Year can be found at the @cosme website! → https://www.cosme.net/bestcosme/)

For more cosmetics rankings from different categories on the latest @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards, please check out listed articles, below!

▽The Latest Japanese Cosmetics Ranking 2025 Year-End▽

▼Japanese Cosmetics Ranking Archive▼

▽Hall of Fame▽

▽More Japanese Beauty Products▽