LIPS, the beauty platform operated by AppBrew Inc., has announced the winners of the August 2026 "LIPS Monthly Trend Awards," which recognize budding trends before they go mainstream. In this round, items that address uniquely summery beauty concerns made a strong showing in every category.
In the base makeup category, a powder that aims to keep a polished finish for hours even in hot, humid conditions and a foundation that holds up in the height of summer were chosen. In the skincare category, a wipe-off toner focused on clogged pores (keratin plugs) and an all-in-one that drew attention as a way to deal with foundation settling into pores in summer made the rankings.
Overview of the August 2026 LIPS Monthly Trend Awards
The "LIPS Monthly Trend Awards" are selected based on LIPS's own logic and the votes of "Project LIPS," a group of beauty early adopters. The awards spotlight budding trends early, not only on LIPS but across social media.
According to AppBrew Inc., the standouts of the August 2026 selection were "Sebon Star Tiara Comb" and "turlin by minum+" in the hair care category. These products drew attention for their buzz as collaborations with a popular idol and a confectionery maker, and for their social-media-friendly designs. The company also announced that ease of use and good value for money contributed to their support and led to the awards.
The survey period was June 20, 2026 to July 19, 2026, and 12,867 items that received reviews on LIPS during this period were eligible.
Cosmetics category: New releases from department store and drugstore brands rank in
In the cosmetics category, new releases from department store brands and affordable drugstore brands took the top spots. The department store items were praised for their delicate glow, and the affordable ones for their pleasant feel in use.
No. 1: M·A·C / Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
The renewed lipstick took first place. It is characterized by a glass-like sheerness and shine. Nine new shades were added, bringing the lineup to 35 shades in total. For the shades containing sheer glitter in particular, comments such as "I saw the glitter on social media and wanted it" were posted.
M·A·C / Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
No. 2: CANMAKE / Airy Extension Liner
A gel liner on advance release at select stores came in second. Designed for the "eye-widening line" tucked into the outer corner of the eye, its soft, powdery color that blends gently into the skin is said to be easy to use even for beginners at the eye-widening line. The ease of drawing, thanks to an ultra-thin diagonally cut tip, was also praised.
CANMAKE / Airy Extension Liner
No. 3: shu uemura / Sculpt Crayon
A "bone structure crayon" for designing dimension ranked third. Because it goes on easily without any technique, a Japanese hashtag meaning "look polished in 5 seconds with a crayon" has been used. The lineup of 8 shades includes plump colors for adding volume and contour colors for drawing natural shadows. "Lavender Glow," with its wet-look shine and sheer luminosity, drew particular support.
Base makeup category: Items suited to the summer climate gain support
As rising summer temperatures polarize people into those who enjoy how their makeup changes in texture over time and those who pursue makeup that never breaks down, the following items were chosen.
No. 1: SHISEIDO / SHISEIDO Essence Skin Setting Powder
This powder has now won a "LIPS Monthly Trend Award" for the fourth time. On July 1, the limited shade "03 Pink Hydrating GLOW" was reissued in limited quantities, drawing attention once again. Users commented, "It still looked good after spending a long time in hot, humid conditions."
SHISEIDO / SHISEIDO Essence Skin Setting Powder
No. 2: fwee / Fwee All-Day Cover Black Cushion
This semi-matte cover cushion, whose smooth finish lasts for hours, ranked in for the second month in a row. It is praised for covering skin concerns in a well-balanced way despite its thin layer. It drew support from people looking for a way to keep makeup from breaking down in any environment.
fwee / Fwee All-Day Cover Black Cushion
No. 3: KATE / Real Shade Stick
This stick-type shading product uses a shadow color with a hint of blue to create a realistic, natural-looking shadow. As "yellowish dullness" became a hot topic in beauty circles, its color design, which cancels yellow tones in the skin and brings out clarity (*1), was praised. *1: Due to makeup effects
Skincare category: Keratin plug care products match summer needs
As the need for keratin plug care has become established, attention rose again with the arrival of peak summer.
No. 1: suisai / Suisai Refining Toner
A product that won "No. 1 in the Toner category, New Releases of the First Half, LIPS Best Cosmetics 2026" has returned, this time also riding seasonal demand. Containing the Keratin Plug Clear EX ingredients (cleansing) (*2), it is a wipe-off toner that dissolves and breaks down keratin plugs and old dead skin cells. Users commented, "I use it to help my makeup go on better in summer." *2: Tromethamine, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
suisai / Suisai Refining Toner
No. 2: NIVEA / NIVEA Cleansing Oil Deep Clear
A formula that targets not only pores but also keratin plugs matched current user needs and was once again highly rated. In addition to the seasonal need to thoroughly remove sticky summer makeup, its convenience of being usable with wet hands was also appreciated.
NIVEA / NIVEA Cleansing Oil Deep Clear
No. 3: AQUALABEL / AQUALABEL Special Gel Cream EX (Moist Smooth)
This all-in-one won "No. 1 in the Moisturizing Award, Face Cream category, First Half Dedicated Awards, LIPS Best Cosmetics 2026." It was introduced by Marunouchi OL no Yuutsu-san (https://x.com/marunouchi__ol_) as an item for preventing makeup breakdown in extreme heat, and drew attention from people troubled by foundation settling into pores in summer. *3: Due to dryness
AQUALABEL / AQUALABEL Special Gel Cream EX (Moist Smooth)
Hair care category: New developments for the Sebon Star comb and minum hair care
As new movements emerge in the hair care market, the following items ranked in.
No. 1: SHOBIDO / Sebon Star Tiara Comb
As the hair comb market heats up, this is a collaboration between SHOBIDO and Sebon Star. Its glamorous look is popular, with comments such as "It's irresistible for girls who grew up in the Heisei era" and "The sparkle is so Sebon Star and so cute." Attention to usability, such as its solid construction and a handy carrying case, was also appreciated.
SHOBIDO / Sebon Star Tiara Comb
No. 2: minum / turlin by minum+ TSUYA MOIST Moisture Shine Shampoo/Treatment
A new hair care line, "turlin by minum+," has launched from the mini-size cosmetics brand "minum." Through a collaboration with a popular idol, it became a topic of conversation in both the beauty and idol communities. Comments included, "I fell in love with the cute packaging! Using it lifts my mood every time." Featuring "water-light (*4) shiny hair," it is also supported for its good value for money. *4: A glossy hair impression created by moisture.
minum / turlin by minum+ TSUYA MOIST Moisture Shine Shampoo/Treatment
No. 3: CAPE / CAPE for Straight
Responding to growing user demand to "keep my straight hair from the morning, even in summer humidity," it won its third "LIPS Monthly Trend Award." Beauty circles have praised its feel in use: "It keeps hair straight with a smooth texture, without making it stiff."
About LIPS
LIPS launched in January 2017 and has been recorded as the "No. 1 in downloads among cosmetics and makeup review search apps" (Source: App Tweak, Japan iOS & Android, total: January 2017 to December 2025). In October 2022, its logo was redesigned around the concept "Be who you want to be, more freely." It is operated as a platform where people of any gender and generation can freely pursue their own "happiness" and "who they want to be" through makeup and beauty. In July 2026, it surpassed 15 million cumulative downloads (According to AppBrew Inc. / Survey period: January 2017 to July 2026 / Subject: total downloads from the App Store and Google Play). It offers a variety of features and content free of charge, including product reviews on makeup and skincare, communication between users, popularity rankings, new product information and giveaway campaigns.
About AppBrew Inc.
AppBrew Inc. plans, develops and operates the beauty platform app "LIPS." Its address is Tosetsu Hongo Building 4F, 1-11-6 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, and its representative director and president is Takashi Matsuda.
