The Cult Japanese Eyeliner Worth Importing After Its US Shutdown: Addiction Tokyo Liquid Eyeliner Review
The Japanese liquid eyeliner that outperforms every other formula I've tried—and why I'm importing it from Tokyo now that it's gone!
Disclaimer: I do use affiliate links in this blog meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links I receive commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products that I have heavily researched, tested and loved, and/or used for several years.
Addiction Tokyo has, hands down, the best liquid eyeliner I have ever tried—and trust me, I have tried them all. The application brush is sturdy yet agile, making it easy to create a precise line even if you're not a total eyeliner pro. And once it's on, it delivers the most saturated, inky black color that genuinely does not budge throughout the day. No fading, no flaking, no touch-ups needed halfway through.
This one comes with a bittersweet backstory. I got hooked on Addiction Tokyo after my many visits to Maison Kosé in LA—the holy land for J-beauty, home to Jill Stuart Beauty, Decorté, and Sekkisei, among other cult-favorite Japanese brands. It's the kind of store you go into for one thing and leave having discovered five more.
Addiction Tokyo was shaped by Kanako Takase, the brand's Global Creative Director since 2019. Takase is a Tokyo-born makeup artist who interned under Pat McGrath and spent four years training as first assistant to makeup artist Yadim Carranza, before going on to work runway shows and campaigns for Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Marc Jacobs. That kind of pedigree is exactly why the formulas feel so precise and expertly crafted.
A few months ago, Kosé announced Addiction Tokyo would be winding down its US operations, citing tariff uncertainty and softer North American sales. Ever since, I've been importing orders directly from Japan (and doing major stock ups in Japan!). That might sound extreme for an eyeliner, but it's genuinely that good. As impatient as they come, it is truly worth the extra shipping wait!
I owe my perfect cat-eye to Addiction Tokyo, and I love that it comes in several colors beyond classic black. While I plan to test some US-accessible alternatives in the meantime, Clé de Peau is high on my list. For now, though, Addiction Tokyo’s liquid liner still holds the crown!
P.S. If you’re looking to reach a cart minimum, Addiction Tokyo also makes a wide variety of incredible eyeshadows!
Update: I finally tested the Clé de Peau brown liquid eyeliner to see how it stacks up. It's dual-ended, but even the thicker side is thinner than the Addiction Tokyo brush. That said, it creates such a thin, natural-looking line, and the consistency is good with a capital G. If you're looking to create a soft, natural cat-eye rather than a bold graphic line, this is genuinely the perfect product for it.
You can import Addiction Tokyo from YesStyle or Ichiban Mart:
