The fact that my first launch back after having a baby was with Kanebo, and for a collection inspired by a baby’s very first skincare routine, felt so meant to be. The last time I was with Kanebo was for the launch of their first ever body soap, and I’m so glad I got to experience firsthand how they’ve updated their bestselling day and night creams with their newest technology.

The TAISHI™ Complex is inspired by vernix caseosa, the creamy, protective layer that covers a baby’s skin in the womb. This unique patented technology mimics those protective lipids to create a high-performance moisture barrier for adult skin.

The Kanebo Taishi Collection features a day cream, a night cream, a treatment lotion, and a cream foundation. The launch also introduced an updated powder foundation and new shades of Kanebo's most popular lipstick formula, making it a well-rounded refresh of some of the brand’s bestselling products.

Updated Skincare

The Cream in Day II (P5,100/40g) contains a blend of Taishi Complex, vitamin E, niacinamide, licorice root extract, seaweed extract, and marshmallow root that work together to moisturize, soothe, and strengthen the skin. It also features SPF 30 PA+++ for daytime protection and doubles as a makeup base thanks to a blend of blue, red, and green pearls that impart a beautiful glow.

In this heat, I was hesitant to use a day cream that looked so rich, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well it blended into my skin instead of sitting on top of it. It dries down to a dewy finish and kept my skin feeling soft and moisturized throughout the day, even in the heat and while spending hours in air-conditioned spaces.

The Cream in Night II (P7,500/50g) is Kanebo’s upgraded night cream, designed to soften and nurture the skin while you sleep. Along with Taishi Complex, it contains vitamin E, niacinamide, bitter orange, licorice root extract, seaweed extract, ginger root extract, and rubus leaf extract. This formula is even richer than the day cream and can also be used as an overnight mask on particularly dry areas.

It left my skin feeling moisturized until the next morning, which was a new experience for me. I often wake up with dry skin after sleeping in air conditioning all night, but that wasn’t the case while I was testing this cream.

A Japanese lotion is more like a hydrating liquid toner than the cream lotion we typically think of. The Generating Essentials Treatment Lotion (P7,200/168ml) is the first lotion to contain Taishi Micro-Lipo, which features miniaturized Taishi ingredients for better absorption. It promises to completely reset the skin in 42 days, but leaves it feeling soft, bouncy, and hydrated after just one use.

I haven't been using it for 42 days yet, so I can't speak to a total skin reset or dramatic visible improvements. What I can say is that my skin feels noticeably more supple and bouncy, especially on my neck. One thing to note is that the pump dispenses quite a generous amount of product, so I recommend starting with a half pump at a time.

At first glance, you might assume that the Taishi line is simply another anti-aging range. However, Kanebo's new skincare philosophy, Progress Care, takes a different approach. Instead of viewing aging as something to fight, it encourages us to see it as a positive progression of both the skin and the soul. The goal is not to change who you are, but to help you look and feel your best at every stage of life.

This philosophy was reflected at the launch event itself, which brought together both OG beauty industry veterans and a new generation of rising faces. It felt like a fitting celebration of beauty at every age and stage.

Upgraded makeup

Lively Skin Wear (P6,600/30g) is Kanebo’s cream foundation, featuring an oil-and-gel formula that blurs imperfections while delivering what the brand calls "traceless coverage." Think of it as your skin, but better. In fact, Kanebo says the finish looks so natural that even AI perceives it as bare skin.

The formula contains Taishi HN Compounds to help keep skin plump and hydrated throughout the day. It comes in a pot and is available in 10 shades, including two with warmer yellow undertones developed specifically for ASEAN skin.

You won't find a true morena-friendly shade in the lineup just yet, but because the formula is designed to blend seamlessly into the skin rather than fully conceal it, you may be able to make a lighter shade work. Amber and Ivory were created with ASEAN skin tones in mind, but I'd also recommend taking a look at Cinnamon, which I think would suit many Filipino skin tones.

The Melty Feel Wear (P3,000*/11g, *case, brush, and sponge sold separately) is Kanebo’s trusted powder foundation, now with an upgraded formula. It combines new melty gel-coated powder with the brand’s gel-coated powder technology to create an ultra-light finish that feels weightless on the skin while seemingly melting into it.

The texture is smooth and never powdery, giving the skin a natural-looking finish while helping control excess oil throughout the day. It's the kind of powder foundation that works well for both oily and dry skin types, especially in this heat, since it manages shine without making the skin look flat or feel dry.

Kanebo also released four new shades of its bestselling Rouge Star Vibrant lipstick (P2,760/3.7g). The formula has earned a loyal following for good reason. On the lips, it delivers vivid color with a subtle pearlescent finish while feeling comfortable and moisturizing throughout wear.

What I like most about it is that it doesn't feel like a traditional lipstick. Instead, I think of it as a highly pigmented lip balm that gives you rich color payoff without sacrificing comfort. The texture glides on smoothly, keeps lips feeling hydrated, and wears beautifully throughout the day. It's exactly the kind of lipstick I reach for most often, easy to apply, comfortable to wear, and polished without feeling fussy.

First Impressions

The cream foundation looks thick in the pot but feels surprisingly light on the skin, giving sheer coverage as it blends out. It's not meant to conceal marks or sit on top of the skin. Instead, it's designed to be buffed out into a thin layer for a soft blurring effect. After blending, it leaves the skin feeling moisturized and never dries down cakey. The dewy finish is great for dry skin, though it wouldn't be my first choice if I had oily skin. Because of the SPF, it applies a little light at first, but it settles and evens out nicely after a few minutes.

The lipstick has a beautiful pearlescent finish with a softer shine than a gloss. It melts into the lips, delivering both moisture and slip while packing in plenty of pigment. It does need reapplication throughout the day and doesn't leave behind a stain, but it's comfortable enough that I don't mind.

*Wearing Lively Skin Wear in shade Linen and Rouge Star Vibrant in shade V18 Lotus Petal.*

I've been using the Taishi skincare collection for a week now, and my skin already feels noticeably bouncier and smoother. I didn't realize how much my skin needed the extra hydration until I felt the difference for myself. Mothering is tough work, and the Taishi collection feels like a poetic reward for all that effort. I'm looking forward to putting the lotion's 42-day skin reset claim to the test and will hopefully report back once I've completed the full cycle.

Experience Kanebo's Taishi Complex for yourself and shop the collection through Kanebo's official stores on Lazada and at Rustan's.

New From Kanebo: The Taishi Collection

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