Cosmetic Playlover: Season 1 (Japanese Series)

Set within the cosmetics industry, this series offers a sweet, low-key romance. I can’t think of another BL that has utilized this specific backdrop, which makes the premise feel fresh. However, once you look past the setting, the show reverts to a familiar pattern: two attractive leads fall in love, navigate a series of misunderstandings, resolve them, and unite by the end. Fortunately, this simplicity is effective, and the likable leads are able to carry the story. With only eight episodes at twenty five minutes each, it is a quick, easy watch.

The story centers on Mamiya and Sahashi. A hardworking cosmetics consultant, Mamiya is warm, upbeat, and popular with his clients—a career path he has pursued since childhood after watching a dedicated man do the same job. That childhood admiration evolved into a crush on that very man, who is now his boss. In contrast, Sahashi is a former model who is relatively new to the company and tends to keep to himself. Despite this, Mamiya believes in him, constantly encouraging him to stay motivated and work hard. The plot takes an unexpected turn when Sahashi discovers Mamiya’s crush on their boss; for reasons that remain somewhat unclear, Sahashi begins pushing Mamiya to put in more effort and actually pursue the man. As they both become popular sales consultants and drive real numbers for the company, the series follows their slow romance as they support each other’s professional growth. Eventually, Mamiya is promoted to chief, while Sahashi is sent to the Tokyo head office for a few months. This period of separation leads both men to realize the depth of their feelings, and they move in together shortly thereafter. While a new intern joins the company, the show thankfully avoids using this to create relationship tension. Additionally, learning about their respective family histories serves to deepen their connection.

At its heart, this is another story about opposites attracting. The actor playing Mamiya is quite good, bringing a charming presence to the role through expressive eyes and emotional, teary moments; he clearly invests himself in every scene. However, the character himself fluctuates between being an endlessly positive cheerleader and an annoying overthinker who suppresses his true feelings and, even worse, jumps to conclusions about others’ thoughts. This leads to the standard communication gaps found in many BLs, which seem designed primarily to manufacture drama. In my opinion, the actor playing Sahashi is merely okay. His character is a former model who entered the cosmetics field following some kind of past controversy. The chemistry between the leads is decent at best, and aside from a few slightly awkward kisses, there isn’t much displayed intimacy. Where the show succeeds is in showing how Mamiya and Sahashi consistently support each other’s growth in all aspects of life as they fall in love, despite their differences. While not a flawless production, it remains charming to watch, largely due to the leads and the fact that it avoids unnecessary drama. Even the misunderstandings that occur feel sensible and are resolved in a mature way.(6.5/10)