Canmake Guide: Best Products from Japan's Favorite Budget Makeup Brand
Canmake is what happens when a brand commits fully to the idea that good makeup doesn’t have to be expensive. Everything in the range costs under ¥1,000 (around $7) in Japan, and most products are under ¥800. At those prices you’d expect basic, forgettable formulas. Instead, Canmake consistently puts out products that compete with brands charging five times more.
The brand is made by IDA Laboratories and has been a fixture at Japanese drugstores since the 1980s. The packaging is cute (sometimes aggressively so), the shade ranges lean toward the lighter end, and the product quality is genuinely surprising for the price. If you just want a quick list of the top picks, see our best Canmake products roundup.
The Essentials: What Canmake Is Known For
Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++
The product that put Canmake on the international map. A gel sunscreen that doubles as a primer, with a dewy, luminous finish. SPF50+ PA++++ in a formula that feels more like a lightweight moisturizer than sun protection. At around ¥770 in Japan, the price to quality ratio is hard to beat.
Comes in Clear (no tint) and a few color correcting shades. The Clear version works on all skin tones. For a detailed breakdown: Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel Review and Shade Guide.
Marshmallow Finish Powder
A pressed powder that creates a soft, airbrushed finish. Blurs pores, controls oil, and feels weightless. SPF26 PA++ adds light sun protection. Available in multiple shades. The most talked about affordable setting powder in the J beauty community, often compared to powders costing ten times as much. See our Japanese setting powder roundup for how it compares to Chacott, Decorte, and other options.
Cream Cheek
A cream blush in a small pot that blends out with fingers or a sponge. Buildable, natural looking color that works on a wide range of skin tones despite the brand’s lighter skewing range. The texture melts into skin instead of sitting on top. Multiple shades from subtle peach to bold coral. See our full Cream Cheek review for a shade by shade breakdown and application techniques.
The Pearl Type version adds a subtle shimmer for a more dimensional look.
Makeup: Eyes
Canmake’s eye makeup range is extensive. Japanese drugstore eye makeup in general tends to prioritize blendability and subtlety over pigmentation and drama. For mascara and eyeliner specifically, Heroine Make (also by a Japanese company) is the specialist brand to know. Canmake’s own Metalook Mascara is a standout pick in our Best Japanese Mascara roundup for its precision metal wand.
Perfect Stylist Eyes
A 5 shade eyeshadow palette designed to create a complete look. Soft, blendable textures with a mix of matte and shimmer. The palettes lean neutral and warm, which reflects the natural makeup aesthetic popular in Japan. Excellent for everyday looks.
Creamy Touch Liner
A gel eyeliner pencil that glides on without tugging. Retractable, doesn’t need sharpening. The soft formula sets and stays without smudging. Available in standard and Pearl versions. It’s our top gel pencil pick in the best Japanese eyeliner roundup.
Quick Lash Curler
This is actually a mascara base/top coat, not an eyelash curler. The name is confusing but the product isn’t. Applied before mascara, it holds curl and adds volume. One of Canmake’s most consistently popular products in Japan.
Lasting Multi Eyebase WP
A waterproof eye primer that keeps eyeshadow in place all day. Prevents creasing and fading. Inexpensive but effective.
Makeup: Lips
Stay on Balm Rouge
A tinted lip balm in a tube. More balm than lipstick, with sheer buildable color and a moisturizing feel. The kind of product you throw in your bag for everyday. Wide shade range.
Muchi Puru Tint
A bouncy, jelly textured lip tint. The texture is genuinely fun to apply. Sheer, buildable color with a glossy finish.
Mellow Dew Lip Mask
An overnight lip mask that hydrates and softens. Can double as a glossy lip topper during the day.
Makeup: Face
Glow Fleur Cheeks
A powder blush palette with multiple shades swirled together. Creates a natural, multi dimensional flush. The Blend Type version mixes the shades for easier one swipe application.
Munyutto Highlighter
A cream highlighter with a bouncy, “squish” texture (munyutto roughly translates to “squishy”). Natural, lit from within glow rather than glitter.
Oil Block Mineral Powder
A translucent pressed powder for oil control. Small compact that fits in any bag. Popular for midday touch ups.
Skincare Adjacent
Mermaid Skin Gel (Non SPF)
The moisturizer version of the Mermaid Skin Gel UV, without the sunscreen. Same lightweight, hydrating gel texture. Works as a primer or standalone moisturizer for oily and combination skin.
Lash Serum Care and Repair
An eyelash serum for strengthening and conditioning lashes. Budget alternative to pricier lash serums.
Canmake vs Cezanne
These two brands get compared constantly because they occupy the same price tier in Japanese drugstores. The quick version: Canmake leans cuter in packaging and slightly younger in target audience. Cezanne is a bit more minimalist and slightly more skincare focused. Both are excellent for the price. For the full comparison: Canmake vs Cezanne.
Where to Buy Canmake Outside Japan
Canmake has a US website (canmakeusa.com) with a limited selection. Beyond that, specialty J beauty retailers carry a broader range. The Mermaid Skin Gel UV and Marshmallow Finish Powder are the most widely stocked products outside Japan.
Check individual product pages in our directory for specific retailer availability.
Related: Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel Review | Canmake vs Cezanne | Best Japanese Sunscreen
FAQ
Is Canmake cruelty free?
Canmake does not test on animals as a company policy, but they sell in mainland China where animal testing may be required for imported cosmetics. Whether that meets your definition of cruelty free depends on your stance on the China market question.
Does Canmake work on darker skin tones?
Canmake’s shade range is designed for the Japanese market, which skews lighter. Some products (Cream Cheek, lip products, the Clear version of Mermaid Skin Gel UV) are shade independent and work on a wide range of tones. Foundation and powder shades are limited.
What’s the best Canmake product to try first?
The Mermaid Skin Gel UV is the gateway product for most people. It’s the one with the biggest international reputation, works as both sunscreen and primer, and costs almost nothing. If you like makeup, the Cream Cheek or Marshmallow Finish Powder are also safe starting points. See Best Japanese Makeup for Beginners for a full starter kit across multiple brands.
How does Canmake quality compare to Western drugstore makeup?
Different strengths. Japanese drugstore makeup like Canmake tends to excel at natural, skin like finishes, base products, and subtle color. Western drugstore brands often have better pigmentation and wider shade ranges. Canmake punches well above its price point on texture and wearability.