@cosme Best Cosmetics Awards 2026 Mid-Year: Best Base Makeup Winners
The results of the @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards 2026 Mid-Year New Cosmetics Awards are here. Chosen by beauty enthusiasts across Japan, these award-winning base makeup products highlight the latest innovations in foundation, primer, concealer, powder, sunscreen, and more.
From radiant glow-enhancing formulas to long-lasting complexion-perfecting products, here are the winners of the 13 Base Makeup Categories for the first half of 2026.
Best Makeup Setting Mist
Kate Makeup Topcoat
Kate Makeup Topcoat won the Best Makeup Setting Mist category thanks to its fast-drying formula that helps lock makeup in place while controlling shine and dryness. Designed for hot and humid conditions, it creates a lightweight protective veil that helps makeup stay fresh throughout the day.
Best Highlighter
Paul & Joe Face Color Highlight 01 Rinse Tranquille
This elegant powder highlighter delivers a natural glow that appears to radiate from within the skin. The finely milled texture layers beautifully without emphasizing texture, adding luminosity and dimension to the complexion.
Best Contouring & Hairline Shading
Fujiko De-Shade by F
A unique shading powder designed to softly define the hairline and facial contours. Its natural-looking grey-brown tone blends seamlessly into various hair colors and skin tones, helping create a smaller-looking face and fuller-looking hairline.
Best Face Powder
Milano Collection GR Face Up Powder 2026
A beloved annual limited-edition powder that combines soft-focus coverage with a smooth, refined finish. The moisturizing formula helps maintain comfort while blurring imperfections and enhancing skin clarity.
Best Concealer
Kate Jelly Lip Concealer
This serum-inspired concealer combines coverage, hydration, and radiance in one lightweight formula. The jelly-like texture adheres comfortably to the skin while helping conceal dullness, redness, and uneven tone.
Best Mesh Cushion Foundation
TIRTIR Mask Fit Ruby Mesh Cushion
TIRTIR's newest cushion foundation delivers impressive coverage while maintaining a luminous finish. Infused with moisturizing ingredients, it creates a radiant complexion that remains comfortable throughout the day.
Best BB & CC Cream
DECORTÉ UV Comfort Tone Up CC
This tone-up CC cream offers skincare benefits, UV protection, and complexion correction in a single step. The lightweight texture brightens the skin naturally while providing SPF50+ PA++++ protection.
Best Gel Foundation
Kate Jelly Foundation
A breakthrough gel foundation that combines fresh radiance with high coverage. The moisture-rich formula melts into the skin, creating a smooth, natural finish while helping prevent dryness and makeup breakdown.
Best Cushion Foundation
Paul & Joe Protecting Veil Compact
This hybrid cushion combines primer and foundation benefits with high UV protection. It creates a fresh, luminous complexion while helping control excess oil and maintaining comfort throughout the day.
Best Powder Foundation
Kanebo Melty Feel Wear
A new-generation powder foundation with a surprisingly lightweight feel. The ultra-thin powder veil blends seamlessly into the skin, creating a sophisticated glow and naturally perfected complexion.
Best Liquid Foundation
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup N
The iconic long-wear foundation returns with an upgraded formula that maintains its renowned coverage while feeling lighter and more comfortable on the skin. It remains resistant to heat, humidity, and excess oil.
Best Sunscreen
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Gel NA
This moisturizing UV gel provides powerful SPF50+ PA++++ protection while remaining lightweight and comfortable. The skincare-focused formula helps protect against sun damage without leaving a sticky residue.
Best Makeup Primer
Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation Primer
A serum-like primer that blurs uneven tone and texture while enhancing natural radiance. Combining skincare ingredients with makeup performance, it creates a luminous base for foundation application.
Final Thoughts
The @cosme Best Cosmetics Awards 2026 Mid-Year Base Makeup Winners reveal several major trends shaping Japanese beauty this year:
- Skincare-infused makeup formulas
- Natural glow and transparency
- Lightweight yet high-performance coverage
- Long-lasting wear with hydration
- Multi-functional complexion products
Whether you're looking for a new foundation, a high-performing sunscreen, or a complexion-perfecting primer, these award-winning products represent some of the most exciting Japanese beauty launches of 2026.
Explore the latest Japanese beauty innovations and discover why these products earned the top spots in the @cosme Mid-Year Awards.
