Makeup Shopping in Tokyo

A reader asked for recommendations on shopping for makeup in Tokyo so here's my quick-and-dirty guide.

Best department stores
1. Isetan in Shinjuku: Go here for Awake, RMK, Chicca, Chantecaille, Ipsa, Kanebo, Sofina, Lunasol, Beaute de Kose, Cosme Decorte, SKII, Sonia Rykiel, Albion, Pola, Suqqu, Amore Pacific, Nars, Anna Sui.

2. Seibu in Ikebukuro or Shibuya: Jill Stuart, Nars, Stila, Shu Uemura, RMK, Ipsa, Awake (Ikebukuro branch only), Lunasol, Paul & Joe etc.

3. Odakyu in Shinjuku: Jill Stuart, Paul & Joe, RMK, Lunasol, Beaute de Kose, Shu Uemura, Fancl, Kesalan Patharan, Cosme Decorte, Albion, SKII etc. There is also a specialty store in Odakyu that sells Gransenbon, Love Clover, Urban Decay, Susie NY, Bourjois etc. Look for it next to the RMK counter.

4. Tokyu in Shibuya: Jill Stuart, Nars, Paul & Joe, Awake, Shu Uemura, Anna Sui, Ayura, Suqqu, Ipsa, Fancl, RMK etc.

5. Takashimaya in Shibuya: Jill Stuart, Ipsa, Lunasol, Ayura, Shu Uemura, Paul & Joe, ck Calvin Klein etc.

Best drugstores/specialty stores
1. Ainz Tulpe in Harajuku: most comprehensive range of Japanese beauty brands such as Majolica Majorca, Kate, Lavshuca, Excel, Susie NY, Canmake, Gransenbon, Kiss, Sana, Sweets Sweets, Love Clover etc.

2. Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore chain: Stocks the usual brands by Shiseido/Kanebo/Kose such as Majolica Majorca, Kate, Lavshuca, Visee, Esprique Precious, Maquillage, Canmake, SKII, Integrate etc.

3. Plaza Style: Susie NY, Gransenbon, Excel, Love Clover, Urban Decay, Bourjois etc. I usually frequent the stores in Shibuya (109 Building basement 2), Shinjuku (Lumine 2nd floor at the south exit of Shinjuku station), Harajuku (next to the Gap store at the junction) and Ikebukuro (2nd floor of Parco department store, or at Sunshine City B1).

4. Tomod's drugstore chain: Kiss, Susie NY, Canmake and the usual brands from Kanebo, Shiseido and Kose such as Maquillage, Esprique Precious, Kate, Lavshuca, Majolica Majorca.

If you have limited time, I would recommend heading to either Shibura, Shinjuku or Ikeburo as these have a high concentration of department stores and drugstores all within a short distance of the train/subway station. Ainz Tulpe, Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Tomod's usually offer discounts on brands such as Kate, Visee, Aube, SKII, Max Factor but most of the new brands by Shiseido/Kanebo/Kose, such as Maquillage, Esprique Precious, Coffret D'Or, are so-called 'no print price' and not discounted anywhere.