J-Beauty Is Trending & Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Rooted in Japanese beauty rituals, ingredients and traditions, Tatcha has built a following well beyond its home market. Its international appeal may in part be down to founder Vicky Tsai, who is half-Japanese and half-American, and her understanding of both Eastern and Western approaches to skincare. The brand is known for its luxurious, sensorial textures, designed to turn everyday routines into more of a ritual. Rice, green tea and algae feature throughout the range, including in the much-loved Rice Polish – an innovative powder-to-foam exfoliating cleanser – and the Dewy Skin Cream, a rich moisturiser so popular that the brand claims a pot is sold every minute.

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The Dewy Skin Cream, £69
The Rice Polish, £65
Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, £48

New to the UK this year but already well established in Japan, TAKAMI is a skincare brand rooted in dermatological expertise and a long-term approach to skin health. Born out of a clinic, its products draw on years of patient-first knowledge, with a focus on ‘Kakushitsu Beauty’ – a philosophy focused on caring for the skin’s outer barrier rather than aggressively stripping it back, while still delivering visible results. Its hero product, the Skin Peel, is gentle enough for even sensitive complexions and is loved for its ability to smooth texture and boost radiance. Since launching, it has sold more than 18 million bottles.

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Daily Renewing Soft Peel, £35
Barrier Essential Milk, £35
Micro Gel PGA+HA, £39
Golden 5C Brightening Serum, £58

This is a far cry from your usual trip to the hairdresser. A Japanese head spa is a multi-step treatment dedicated to the hair, scalp and mind, combining everything from a detailed consultation and scalp analysis to a deep cleanse, massage and water-therapy session. The latter often involves a halo-shaped device that gently circulates water over the head, alongside targeted hair treatments and a neck and shoulder massage. Usually carried out on a fully reclining bed, the experience is as much about switching off as it is caring for your hair. Sessions can last up to two hours, finishing with a blow-dry that leaves you feeling thoroughly relaxed and looking polished.

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Clé de Peau doesn’t do understated. With its opulent packaging and luxurious feel, the brand’s products look every bit as premium as their price tags suggest. But there’s plenty of substance behind the glamour too. The name translates as ‘the key to skin’s beauty’, with the brand built around a scientific approach to ‘skin intelligence’. Drawing on more than 40 years of skin cell research, its formulas use carefully developed, high-performance ingredients to deliver impressive results. And while its skincare is a major draw, the make-up deserves attention too – particularly the concealer, a long-time favourite among make-up artists.

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Beauté Concealer, £62
Beauté Le Sérum, £295
Skin Beauty Enhancer, £84