Exploring Shibuya, According To A Beauty Junkie

...after Shibuya Crossing

"Shibuya Crossing walks the line between manic chaos and perfect synchronization," says this post from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). This statement pretty much sums up what the crossing is about and why it ranks amongst the top things to visit in Tokyo.

People at Shibuya Crossing

(Photo from: AndrewYuen)

However, Shibuya has much more to offer. It's Japan’s centre for youth fashion and culture and its streets are the birthplaces to many fashion and entertainment trends. Besides major department store branches and lots of clothing stores offering high-quality but inexpensive items, there are also many well-known chain stores there like Muji and Don Quijote.

For this beauty junkie, one of the best places to shop for beauty products and pick up unique souvenirs is at the Loft, whose flagship store is in Shibuya. Housed in a seven-storey building, it's filled with a delightful range of curated merchandise such as beauty products, stationery, household items and lifestyle goods.

Level 1 has an interesting mix of permanent in-store counters like the MoMa Design Store where one can pick up interesting art-themed souvenirs like items with Yayoi Kusama’s well-loved iconic polka dots. There are also pop-up stores like the Star Wars movie memorabilia section which was on display when I visited in October this year.

For fans of PopSocket, there is a good range of PopGrips in Level 1, including unique ones from the Japanese series.

For this beauty junkie, the second floor is the star attraction.

There is a wide selection of makeup brands, attractively displayed to invite one to browse and try.

Besides well-known Japanese drug store brands like Canmake, Ettusais and Excel, there are also famous international brands like Revlon and Maybelline available.

Worth mentioning is UZU Eye Opening Liner by Flowfushi. Quite a lot of shelf space is devoted to this Japanese brand. Made with quality artist-grade brush and using WP Film hybrid polymer that is resistant to water, sweat, humidity, tears, and oil, this eyeliner comes in 14 colours — think a grown-up girl’s version of playing with crayons.

The range of sheet masks kept this beauty junkie happily browsing for a long time. Besides well-known brands, there are also lesser-known ones to discover. My only regret was not buying the exclusive green tea version of my favourite Wafood Made mask; I couldn’t find it elsewhere.

Men are not neglected at the Loft. There is a small, but a well-curated section for men ranging from skincare to hair products.

The Loft’s mission is to create "a store where customers come not only to purchase predetermined items but also to window shop, to enjoy browsing the products, and to naturally prolong their stay."

For this tourist, they certainly met their objective.

Shibuya Loft
21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0042