Canmake vs Cezanne: Every Category Compared
Quick Takeaway
- Canmake wins more categories: powder, blush, sunscreen/primer, eye products, eyeliner, lash products. Wider range, more internationally known.
- Cezanne wins on glow: the Pearl Glow Highlight (¥660) is the single best product between the two brands. Also has a skincare line.
- Both are under ¥1,000 for most products. Cezanne is slightly cheaper across the board.
- Most people end up owning both. Canmake base + Cezanne Pearl Glow is a popular combo that costs less than one prestige eyeshadow palette.
Canmake and Cezanne are Japan’s two biggest affordable makeup brands, and they compete head to head in nearly every category. Both sit on the same drugstore shelves, both price most products under ¥1,000, and both have developed passionate followings in the international beauty community.
After comparing every overlapping category: Canmake wins more head to head matchups (powder, blush, sunscreen/primer, eye products, eyeliner, lash products). Cezanne wins where it counts for glow (highlighters) and has the bonus of a full skincare line. Most people end up owning products from both, and at these prices, there’s no reason not to.
Brand Overview
Canmake
Made by IDA Laboratories, Canmake is the more internationally recognized brand. The packaging leans cute (florals, pastels, compact mirrors), and the color curation tends toward warm, approachable shades that suit everyday wear. Products like the Mermaid Skin Gel UV and Marshmallow Finish Powder have crossed over from Japanese drugstore staples to genuine international cult favorites.
Canmake’s strength is range. They make products in almost every makeup category, from face powder to gel liner to mascara topcoats, and the quality is remarkably consistent across the lineup. On @cosme (Japan’s largest beauty review platform, with over 10 million registered members), Canmake products regularly rank in the top 10 across multiple categories. The Marshmallow Finish Powder placed #1 in @cosme’s Best Pressed Powder category for 2025.
Most Canmake products fall between ¥550 and ¥1,034 in Japan (roughly $4 to $8). International prices through specialty retailers typically run $8 to $16.
Cezanne
Cezanne (by Cezanne Cosmetics Co., Ltd.) is the quieter, more practical sibling. Fun fact: both Canmake and Cezanne are part of the IDA Group, making them literal corporate siblings. Less cute packaging, no mascot, minimal marketing frills. The brand focuses on simple, functional formulas at prices that often undercut even Canmake.
Where Canmake has breadth, Cezanne has depth in specific categories. Their highlighter is legendary. Their primer is an Amazon Japan perennial bestseller. And their Skin Conditioner High Moist is one of the best known budget skincare products in Japan, frequently called a “drugstore SK-II alternative” in Japanese beauty circles.
Most Cezanne products fall between ¥528 and ¥748 in Japan (roughly $4 to $6). International prices run $7 to $14.
Product Comparison
Powder
Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder (¥1,034) is one of the most popular pressed powders in Japan, full stop. The finish is soft, matte, and pore blurring with an “airbrushed skin” quality that feels weightless. The powder is finely milled enough that it doesn’t cake or settle into lines even after hours of wear. It works as a setting powder over foundation or on its own for a natural, smoothed out look. SPF26 PA++ provides light sun protection. Available in several shades from light to medium.
For oily skin, Canmake also makes the Oil Block Mineral Powder, a translucent loose powder designed specifically for oil control through the day. It’s a popular companion to the Marshmallow Finish for touch ups.
Cezanne doesn’t have a direct competitor in the finishing powder category. The Cezanne UV Ultra Fit Base N (¥748) is a primer, not a setting powder, so they serve different steps in a routine.
Winner: Canmake. The Marshmallow Finish Powder is a category leader and Canmake has no real competition from Cezanne in this space.
Highlighter
Cezanne Pearl Glow Highlight (¥660) is the standout product of the entire Cezanne lineup. The finely milled pearl particles create a sophisticated, wet look glow that lands somewhere between “natural lit from within” and “I know exactly what I’m doing.” It’s not glittery or chunky. The sheen is smooth and refined, with a satin quality that catches light without screaming highlighter. The J beauty community regularly compares it to highlighters from brands like RMS and Laura Mercier that cost five to ten times more.
Shade 01 (Champagne Beige) is the bestseller and works across the widest range of skin tones. Shade 02 (Rose Beige) runs cooler and adds a subtle pink shift. Shade 03 (Aurora Mint) is a cooler, more editorial option. If you’re choosing one, 01 is the safe pick.
Canmake makes highlighters too. The Moon Glow Highlighter and Munyutto Highlighter are decent products, but neither has the same combination of texture refinement and natural finish that makes the Pearl Glow special.
Winner: Cezanne. The Pearl Glow Highlight won @cosme’s Best Highlighter/Shading #1 and overall Best Cosme #4 in 2020. It earns its cult status.
Blush
This is where Canmake’s range becomes a real advantage. They offer blush in three distinct formats, each with a different finish:
Canmake Cream Cheek (¥638) is the signature product. The cream to powder texture blends easily with fingers and builds from a sheer wash to a more saturated payoff depending on how much you layer. On skin, the finish is natural and skin like with no shimmer or sparkle. It sets to a soft powder feel that wears through the day without fading or migrating. The shade range is extensive: No. 16 (Almond Terracotta) and No. CL05 (Clear Happiness) are consistently popular. For warm skin tones, the coral shades work well. For cool tones, the pink and mauve options are worth checking. The Pearl Type variant adds a subtle luminous sheen if you want more glow.
Canmake Glow Fleur Cheeks is the powder option. The multi colored petal design looks decorative, but the blend of shades creates a surprisingly natural, luminous flush when swirled together. The texture is translucent and buildable with a soft glow quality. Contains sebum absorbing powder, so it holds up on oily skin better than most powder blushes at this price.
Cezanne makes the Cezanne Natural Cheek N, a straightforward powder blush that’s well reviewed on @cosme and in Japanese beauty communities for its easy blending and natural finish. The texture is smooth and finely milled, and the shade range covers essential pinks and corals. In community comparisons, users often describe the Natural Cheek N as “practical and reliable” while giving Canmake’s cream and glow options more enthusiasm for their texture and finish variety.
Winner: Canmake. Three distinct formats (cream, powder, glow) versus one, and the Cream Cheek and Glow Fleur Cheeks both deliver finishes that punch above their price point.
Eye Products: Eyeshadow
Canmake Perfect Stylist Eyes (¥858) is a 5 shade palette that includes a cream base and four powder shadows. The pigmentation is solid for the price, the powders blend without patchiness, and the palette layout is designed to create two complete eye looks per palette. The shimmer is soft and pearlescent rather than chunky or glittery. Popular palettes include No. 23 (a warm neutral with brown and gold tones) and No. 24 (a cooler mauve set).
Canmake Silky Souffle Eyes is worth mentioning as a second option from Canmake. The 4 shade palette has a souffle like texture that applies smoother than most powder shadows and contains Glow Oil for a translucent, dewy sheen. The finish is more luminous than the Perfect Stylist Eyes, with fine pearl particles that catch light naturally. This palette is a strong pick for people who prefer a softer, more translucent eye look.
Cezanne competes with the Cezanne Beige Tones Eyeshadow and the Cezanne Two Color Eyeshadow. The Beige Tones palette focuses on neutral, warm toned shades in a compact 4 pan layout. It’s a solid everyday palette with good blendability and a natural finish. The Two Color Eyeshadow is a streamlined two shade palette designed for simple gradient looks. Both are priced under Canmake’s palettes and have loyal followings in Japanese beauty communities, but the shade curation and formula refinement give Canmake an edge.
Winner: Canmake. More palette options, better formula variety (cream base, souffle texture, standard powder), and stronger shade curation.
Eye Products: Eyeliner
Canmake Creamy Touch Liner is a 1.5mm gel eyeliner in a twist up pencil format. The tip is thin enough for precise lining and tightlining, and the gel formula glides on without tugging or skipping. Waterproof and long wearing. It’s one of Canmake’s top three bestsellers in Japan and a consistent favorite in Asian beauty communities for people who find liquid liner too harsh. The No. 02 (Medium Brown) shade is the most popular for an everyday natural look. No. 01 (Deep Black) is the choice for sharper definition.
For liquid liner, Canmake also makes the Lasting Liquid Liner with a fine brush tip.
Cezanne doesn’t have a standout eyeliner that competes at the same level. Their liner offerings are functional but haven’t built the same community following.
Winner: Canmake. The Creamy Touch Liner is a genuine cult product.
Eye Products: Lash
Canmake Quick Lash Curler (¥748) is a transparent mascara base and topcoat that locks curl all day. This is one of those “how is this so cheap” products. Use it as a base coat before mascara to hold curl, or as a top coat over mascara to prevent smudging. It works on both straight Asian lashes that refuse to stay curled and on lash types that smudge easily in humidity. The clear formula means no added volume or color, just curl hold and smudge prevention.
It consistently ranks among Canmake’s top three bestselling products, often outperforming more glamorous launches. For something with more visual impact, the Canmake Lash Routine adds subtle length and definition.
Cezanne doesn’t compete in mascara or lash products, though the Cezanne Mascara Remover (¥528) deserves a mention here. It won @cosme’s Best Point Makeup Remover award and is specifically formulated to dissolve stubborn waterproof mascaras (including Heroine Make, which is famously difficult to remove) without rubbing or tugging. It’s not the same category, but if you’re using waterproof mascara, this is a useful companion piece.
Winner: Canmake. The Quick Lash Curler solves a problem that millions of people have, and it does it at an absurd price.
Lip Products
Canmake Stay-on Balm Rouge (¥638) is a tinted lip balm that gives more color than you’d expect from something this hydrating. The texture is smooth and comfortable, and the color lasts longer than typical balm products. It’s the kind of product you throw in a bag and reapply without thinking. Popular shades include No. 14 (Poppy Bouquet, a natural rose) and No. T03 (Rose Waltz, a warm pink).
Canmake also makes the Muchi Puru Tint for a plumping, juicier finish and the Glass Tint Syrup for a glassy, K beauty inspired look.
Cezanne Lasting Lip Colour N (¥528) takes a completely different approach. This is an opaque, satin finish lipstick with surprisingly strong pigmentation and longevity for the price. The formula is closer to a traditional lipstick than a balm, with richer color payoff and a more polished finish. It’s the right choice when you want a defined lip rather than a sheer wash.
These are genuinely different products serving different needs. Canmake for sheer, hydrating, everyday color. Cezanne for opaque coverage and longer wear.
Winner: Tie. Different products for different needs. Both deliver strong value.
Sunscreen / Primer
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV (¥770) is SPF50+ PA++++ and works as both a sunscreen and a primer. This is one of the most recommended budget sunscreens in the entire J beauty community. The clear gel absorbs into skin and creates a smooth, slightly dewy base for foundation. Comes in a clear version (works for all skin tones) and a lavender version (adds light color correction for sallow or yellowish tones). Worth noting: it contains zinc oxide, so it may leave a faint white cast on deeper skin tones.
Cezanne UV Ultra Fit Base N (¥748) is a primer with SPF36 PA++. Lower SPF, but it’s designed specifically as a makeup base rather than a dual purpose sunscreen. The light peach tint evens out skin tone, and the formula contains ceramides for a skincare boost. It’s a perennial Amazon Japan bestseller in the primer category. If you’re going to apply a separate sunscreen underneath, this is a solid dedicated primer. If you want one product to handle both UV protection and priming, Canmake wins by a wide margin.
Winner: Canmake for the SPF advantage and dual purpose convenience. Cezanne if you want a dedicated primer and will use a separate sunscreen.
Skincare Crossover
Cezanne Skin Conditioner High Moist (¥715 for 500ml) is a hydrating lotion/toner with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It’s one of the most popular budget skincare products in Japan. At ¥715 for a 500ml bottle, the per use cost is almost nothing. Japanese beauty fans frequently use it for the “lotion mask” technique: soaking cotton pads and pressing them onto the face for a few minutes as a quick hydrating treatment. The nickname “drugstore SK-II alternative” is an exaggeration (the formulas are nothing alike), but it speaks to how well this product is regarded relative to its price.
Canmake doesn’t have a skincare line beyond the Mermaid Skin Gel UV and a few lip treatments.
Winner: Cezanne. Having a skincare line at all gives them this category by default, and the Skin Conditioner High Moist is genuinely worth trying.
Price Comparison
Here’s what you can expect to pay for the most popular products from each brand:
| Product | Japan Price | International (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder | ¥1,034 | $12 to $16 |
| Canmake Cream Cheek | ¥638 | $8 to $12 |
| Canmake Perfect Stylist Eyes | ¥858 | $10 to $14 |
| Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV | ¥770 | $10 to $14 |
| Canmake Quick Lash Curler | ¥748 | $9 to $13 |
| Canmake Stay-on Balm Rouge | ¥638 | $8 to $12 |
| Cezanne Pearl Glow Highlight | ¥660 | $8 to $12 |
| Cezanne Lasting Lip Colour N | ¥528 | $7 to $10 |
| Cezanne UV Ultra Fit Base N | ¥748 | $9 to $13 |
| Cezanne Skin Conditioner High Moist | ¥715 | $9 to $13 |
International prices vary depending on the retailer and shipping method. Cezanne products tend to be slightly cheaper across the board.
Overall: Which Brand to Choose?
Canmake wins more categories and has a wider product range. If you’re building a full face of Japanese drugstore makeup, Canmake covers more ground. The Marshmallow Finish Powder, Cream Cheek, Mermaid Skin Gel UV, Creamy Touch Liner, and Quick Lash Curler are all strong enough to be someone’s favorite product in their category.
Cezanne wins with specific standouts. The Pearl Glow Highlight is the single best product between the two brands. The UV Ultra Fit Base N is an excellent dedicated primer. And the Skin Conditioner High Moist adds skincare to the mix. Cezanne also tends to be slightly cheaper.
The real answer is: get both. A Canmake base (powder, blush, liner, lash curler) paired with a Cezanne Pearl Glow Highlight is a popular combination in Japanese beauty circles, and the entire set costs less than a single prestige eyeshadow palette.
Related: Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel Review · Best Japanese Sunscreen · Best Japanese Skincare Brands · Best Japanese Makeup for Beginners
FAQ
Is Canmake or Cezanne better?
Canmake wins in more categories overall (powder, blush, sunscreen/primer, eye products, eyeliner, lash products), while Cezanne has the better highlighter and a skincare line. Most people in the J beauty community end up owning products from both brands since they’re both extremely affordable.
Are Canmake and Cezanne available outside Japan?
Both are available from J beauty specialty retailers that ship internationally. Neither is sold at mainstream retailers like Sephora. Expect to pay roughly double the Japan price when ordering internationally, though some retailers run sales and promotions that bring costs closer to Japanese retail.
Which is better for beginners?
Canmake. More widely known, more product reviews in English, and the hero products (Marshmallow Finish Powder, Mermaid Skin Gel UV) are universally recommended starting points. Start with those two, add a Cream Cheek, and you have a solid foundation. For a broader look at Japanese makeup across multiple brands, see Best Japanese Makeup for Beginners.
Is the Cezanne Pearl Glow Highlight worth the hype?
Yes. At ¥660 (roughly $6 to $8 internationally), it delivers a finely milled, wet look sheen that beauty communities routinely compare to highlighters costing five to ten times more. The finish is sophisticated rather than glittery, and the 01 Champagne Beige shade works across a wide range of skin tones. It’s one of the few Japanese drugstore products with genuine cult status outside Japan.
What makes Canmake blush so popular?
Three things: variety, texture, and price. Canmake offers cream, powder, and glow blush formats, all priced under ¥900. The Cream Cheek in particular has a smooth, buildable quality that feels more like a mid range product than a drugstore one. Canmake consistently ranks among the top blush brands on @cosme.
Which Canmake products should I try first?
Start with three products: the Marshmallow Finish Powder (¥1,034), Cream Cheek (¥638), and Mermaid Skin Gel UV (¥770). These cover powder, blush, and sunscreen/primer. If you wear eye makeup, add the Quick Lash Curler (¥748) and Creamy Touch Liner. All five together cost less than ¥4,000 (under $30) in Japan.
How do Canmake and Cezanne compare to Western drugstore makeup?
Japanese drugstore makeup is known for finely milled textures in base products (powder, primer, sunscreen), which is a strength of brands like Canmake and Cezanne. Color cosmetics are comparable across regions, though Japanese brands tend to favor natural, subtle color palettes over the bolder options common at Western drugstores. Japanese lash and eye products are often formulated with humidity resistance and curl hold as priorities, which can be an advantage depending on your climate and lash type.