This is a series with Genta Aoki, where we learned about "Skincare you'll want to make part of your daily routine" in September and "Fragrance as part of personal grooming" in October!

In November, we'll be learning about "easy and subtle makeup" —how even men can change their look with just a little makeup, but without it being obvious! As a first step for beginners, we'll focus on the "skin" and "eyebrows," and you'll even get to try drawing eyebrows with Ms. Aoki!

Concealing skin concerns and evening out your complexion can change your self-esteem and the impression you give to others. Don't think of it as "makeup" intimidating; try it with the mindset of "quick and easy" makeup, focusing only on the areas you're concerned about.

1. Even minimal makeup can change your mood and appearance.

--I understand that you sometimes wear makeup for TV appearances and other professional occasions. What are your thoughts on men's makeup?

Genta Aoki (hereinafter, Aoki): When I appear on television, I apply a liquid foundation designed for television, which is suitable for studios with strong lighting. When I wasn't used to it, I thought, "Women do this every day as a matter of course, and it must be tough for them."

--The number of men's cosmetic items is increasing year by year, but I feel that there are still many people who are interested in makeup but haven't quite taken the plunge yet.


Aoki: Because of my job, makeup is something I'm familiar with, so I don't have any resistance to it, but I think men might feel intimidated by the word "makeup." As I mentioned in the first skincare episode, when my skin becomes firmer, I feel better too, so I do skincare not only because I care about what others think, but also for my own well-being. It's the same with makeup; I only apply it to the areas I'm concerned about, using the bare minimum of products to keep it "quick and easy." I think that once you get used to it, even men can make it a routine.

—I hope everyone will try out the items that suit their own needs and experience how taking care of their appearance can lift their spirits.
Instead of thinking of "makeup" as something complicated, try using it only to cover up the areas you're concerned about. I think that if you can alleviate your worries and insecurities, you'll feel different when you look in the mirror and when you meet people.


This time, we'll be learning with Ms. Aoki how to do simple and subtle skin and eyebrow makeup that's easy to do and not easily noticeable, perfect for men who are new to cosmetics.

2. Skin by Part

—What kind of makeup products do you use on your face, Ms. Aoki?

I own Aoki BB cream, liquid foundation, and concealer, and I use them interchangeably depending on the occasion.

--As expected of Mr. Aoki, a beauty enthusiast, you're quite the expert! Today, I'd like to introduce items that are somewhere between skincare and makeup, with a star rating indicating the level of makeup required. You can use them individually or in combination of two or more items, depending on your preferred feel and finish.

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Makeup level ★☆☆ Transparent skin-correcting cream & tinted lotion

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— Rather than "makeup," if your goal is to even out skin tone or make your complexion appear one shade brighter, we recommend a transparent skin-correcting cream or a tinted lotion. With just one application, it brightens the skin, naturally covers uneven skin tone such as dark circles and redness around the nose, and pores, enhancing the overall appearance of your skin.


I check the condition of my skin every morning before washing my face. When I look at my face every day, I always notice changes, like "it looks dull today" or "it's glowing this morning." After the steps of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, I think it's easier to incorporate skin-correcting creams or tinted moisturizers to "even out skin tone."

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Makeup level: ★★☆ BB cream

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--BB cream is an "all-in-one skin tone correcting cream" that combines sunscreen, makeup base, and foundation. How do you use BB cream, Ms. Aoki?

Aoki: I consider myself to have oily skin that gets shiny over time, so when I appear on TV, I use liquid foundation. But before that, I apply a BB cream to control the shine and make my skin look nice through light reflection. I recommend SHISEIDO MEN 's Vibrant BB Moisturizer (SPF30・PA+++).


—So you use it as a base makeup product. Ms. Aoki, you also pay attention to "moisturizing your skin," so a BB cream that includes UV protection is just right for you.

Aoki: This cream doesn't feel heavy on the skin, and it makes my skin look one tone brighter. BB cream with SPF is an all-in-one product that's easy to use, and when it brightens my skin tone, it really lifts my spirits.

--This RETOUCH RETOUCH BB Cream 02 is similar and I would recommend it, and for those who are particular about sunscreen, I also recommend the FIVEISM by THREE FF Control UV Tool.

Aoki , all of these have stylish packaging! I think anyone would be happy to receive them as a gift.

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Makeup level ★★★ Concealer

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--Next up is a stick-type concealer for applying color to specific areas. Many of you may be wondering, "What's a concealer?" Compared to the items we've introduced so far, this item has higher coverage and is used to hide areas you're particularly concerned about, such as dark circles, blemishes, and scars.

Aoki: When I want to cover up blemishes on my face, I use SHISEIDO MEN 's Targeted Pencil Concealer for spot application. It's a stick type, and the thickness is easy to hold even for men's hands, so it's easy to use.



--By using makeup to enhance even just the areas you're concerned about, you might be able to alleviate your worries and insecurities, which could change how you feel when you look in the mirror or when you meet people. So, this is an item I'd like you to try.

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Makeup level: ★★★ Foundation

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Foundation is often used as the final step in makeup application. It helps to minimize pores and shine, and provides coverage. It's a handy item to carry with you, especially for when you're concerned about shine during the day. This time, we'll introduce both stick-type foundations (similar to concealers) and solid powder foundations.

Aoki: When you hear "foundation," you might imagine women patting it onto their skin with a sponge, and it tends to be thought of as a feminine item. However, we male announcers, actors, and comedians also use it before appearing on TV to control shine and even out our skin tone. With TVs becoming 4K and increasingly high-definition, male performers will be appearing less and less without makeup. I encourage everyone to try using it when you want to make your skin look better remotely.

3. Eyebrows by Part

--Next up after skin is eyebrows! For those who want to change their image a little, eyebrow makeup, which is close to the eyes, is recommended. The benefits include "creating a clean look," "making the whole face look more defined and smaller," and "making the eyes stand out and changing the impression of the face." Today, Ms. Aoki will actually try "how to draw eyebrows"!


Aoki : It sounds like it has so many benefits! I've always been interested in it, but I've never drawn my own eyebrows. Since masks became mandatory due to the pandemic last year, it's become harder to remember people's faces, right? So I've always thought that if I groomed my eyebrows nicely, the outline of my eyes would become clearer and I could make a stronger impression. I would definitely recommend it to men who want to create a sharp, defined eye look.

--Today , you'll be trying out FIVEISM by THREE's eyebrow pencil "Eyebrow Stick Refill" and mascara "Covert Definition Tool (for eyebrows & beard)".

The Aoki Eyebrow Stick refill comes in 6 colors, and the Covert Definition Tool comes in 7 colors, so it's hard to choose a color!

--The basic rule for choosing a color is to "match it to your hair color and eye color," but today, Ms. Aoki, I'd like you to try a brighter color that will make the change more noticeable, so we'll have you try number 06.


Back in college, a friend of mine dyed her hair blonde, but her eyebrows remained thick and black, so they stood out too much and it was a huge fashion disaster (laughs). The fact that I still remember that shows just how much of an impression eyebrows can leave. Fiveism by Three has so many colors, you can find one that suits people with all sorts of hair colors.

--For first-timers, I recommend starting with black. I encourage everyone to try it out along with Ms. Aoki!

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STEP 1. Draw with a pencil.

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First, use the brush on the eyebrow stick holder to groom the hairs, then start drawing from the sparser side of your eyebrows. Drawing from the tail towards the inner corner of your eyebrow will help create a balanced look. Adding length to your eyebrows will give you a more feminine impression, so try drawing by adding to the areas where there is hair.


Aoki : Wow. I always thought of eyebrows as something you "make thicker or longer," but it seems like it's more about "adding color to the sparse areas." "Drawing in each individual hair" is quite a delicate process.

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STEP 2. Blend with a brush.

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-- Use the brush on the other end to blend and soften the areas you've drawn with the pencil. You can also correct any areas where you've gone outside the lines by blurring them with the brush.

Aoki, so this is how you make it blend in to look natural!

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STEP 3. Apply mascara to create an even color.

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Next, use the mascara's covert definition tool to even out and define the color of your eyebrows. Apply along the direction of hair growth, then from the opposite side, and then again along the direction of hair growth. This will color both the top and bottom of the hairs, resulting in a more natural blend.


The Aoki mascara is also shade #06 (brown), just like the pencil. I look at my own face often, but this makes me look very serious. ...Done!



--It's a three-step process: pencil, brush, and mascara. What are your thoughts on it?

Aoki's eyebrows have thinned without her even realizing it. Drawing them in definitely changed her appearance, but at first glance, you probably wouldn't even notice she's wearing them. This would look great even with a mask on. I think it's really simple and subtle.

Other recommended eyebrow makeup items

On YouTube, Aoki tries out a "How to Make Up Your Eyebrows" tutorial!

►View the men's cosmetics and fragrance product list at the Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store

Next time, in December, we'll discuss how to choose a gift that will be appreciated.

Next time, since December means Christmas and the end of the year, we'll be exploring the theme of "Is men's cosmetics the stylish gift for 2021 and 2022?" with Ms. Aoki. We'll hear about gift-giving secrets in the entertainment industry, Ms. Aoki's gift-giving methods, and how she feels when she receives gifts, while also introducing recommended items for different budgets.


■Click here for a list of items featured in this special feature and video.

■Click here for the Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store's "Cosmetics & Fragrances" special feature page.

■ Click here for the official Men's Cosmetics Instagram account