The J-beauty foundation Lana Condor swears by for flawless on-camera skin

Although K-beauty may have taken the world by storm first (or at least the loudest), there’s a quiet confidence in the beauty buys and trends brought to us from Japan.

Known for acing it when it comes to innovative textures and formulas, our interest is always peaked when we hear about a hero product hailing from the country. And even more so when it’s a favourite of an actress like Lana Condor, who we sure has the pick of the bunch when it comes to beauty.

In a recent interview with The Cut, the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before star shared her love for the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation ($116.57 at Revolve).

“I’ve been using this foundation on camera forever,” she told the publication. “It’s a lightweight, barely-there foundation, and it really looks like skin. You don’t need a lot of it. I like to show my skin — I don’t want to cover it — and this really works for that.”

The brand is well known among celebrity makeup artists and was created by Japanese actress Ai Saotome.

In fact, Mario Dedivanovic (AKA @makeupbymario and the magician behind many of Kim Kardashian’s looks) is also a big fan.

The makeup artist recommended it during an Instagram Live, as reported by Cosmopolitan, and said: "For more natural foundations, I'm loving the Koh Gen Do, the Aqua. It builds up really beautifully, so if someone likes more coverage, you can sort of just build up little by little, and it gives the most stunning look of real skin coming through, but still giving that flawless polished look. That's one of my favourites, and it's been for a while now."

The $70 buy is often compared to Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation ($105 at giorgioarmanibeauty.com.au) for having similar coverage and a natural finish.

According to Youtuber Amanda Z, who compares the two in a video, the main difference is that Luminous Silk will provide a more flawless, photo-ready finish (think: wedding day), while the Aqua Foundation is more skin-like and hydrating.

Main image credit: @kattthompson

Want more base makeup tips? Try Margot Robbie’s flawless foundation hack.