Cosmetic Playlover – Series Review & Episode Guide

Natsume Mamiya works at Romy Feerique, a famous make-up brand. He is a beauty advisor at a boutique, helping customers with cosmetic treatments and product recommendations. Natsume stands out because he is one of the few men employed in a female-dominated industry. Customers love him, especially when paired with his male coworker, Toma Sahashi. They form an attractive duo, with many jokingly referring to them as princes.

Natsume's mom was also a beauty advisor. During childhood, he would visit her workplace with a sense of wonder. He was drawn to the style and glamour, particularly helping women transform their appearances. These memories have strengthened his resolve to excel in his career. Natsume is a workaholic who takes his job seriously, displaying total professionalism during work hours. He'd even jot down notes during break time, which he studies at home. Natsume gets satisfaction from making every customer feel special.

Toma is a talented make-up artist with excellent customer service skills. However, he doesn't seem enthusiastic about his job. He treats it too casually and looks down on Natsume for working so hard. Toma's lack of career ambition frustrates Natsume, reflecting their different philosophies. Despite clashing occasionally, Natsume sees his coworker's immense potential. He tries his best to motivate Toma and hopes his attitude will change.

Natsume has a friendly relationship with Tanouchi, a handsome colleague who used to work with Natsume's mother. Tanouchi was a former beauty advisor, although he switched jobs and now works as a sales rep for Remy Feerique. Tanouchi is a devoted family man who dotes on his wife and daughter. Nonetheless, Natsume is secretly attracted to him, holding onto these feelings since childhood. Toma discovers Natsume's crush and disapproves of it. He doesn't understand why his coworker is pining after a married man.

Despite their frequent conflicts and different personalities, Natsume forms a close relationship with Toma. Romantic feelings emerge as they grow closer, which they must navigate delicately. Career opportunities also open up for the two of them. Toma's skills as a make-up artist have caught the attention of others. Toma starts receiving tempting offers to advance in his career, but the trade-off is that he and Natsume may no longer work side-by-side.

Cosmetic Playlover is a workplace BL drama in the beauty industry. Many storylines revolve around working at a make-up boutique, like helping customers or handling responsibilities. Every episode contains some conflict, but the plot is frequently bland. It misses the opportunity to explore meaningful themes. Why not challenge the biases about a man in a female-dominated profession? Why not examine beauty culture and the pressure of looking perfect? Out of all the possible ideas, this lightweight series plays it too safely.

For a story about cosmetics, I expected glitzy visuals. Occasionally, there are beautiful shots of the characters' handsome faces and delicate expressions. However, other scenes seem less impressive. I'm particularly disappointed by the set design for the make-up boutique, which looks like random props placed inside a room. I would've liked to see fancier decor to create a luxurious salon and shopping experience. This series has a noticeable low-budget appearance, contradicting its focus on aesthetics. Cosmetic Playlover is missing a touch of glamour and elegance.

At the start of the series, I formed strong first impressions. I loved Natsume, but I hated Toma. Oh my god, what a creep! I was disturbed by how Toma constantly invaded Natsume's boundaries, from groping his coworker to kissing him without consent. If you enter someone's personal space and they react by saying "too close", please have the courtesy to back away. Early on, Natsume squirms and looks uneasy around Toma's predatory advances, creating a tense atmosphere for their romance. I rooted against Toma and didn't want him to be Natsume's love interest.

Toma is highly manipulative. He insults Natsume, undermines his confidence, and then acts protectively afterward. Other offences include how often Toma meddles in Natsume's personal life, subtly diminishing his partner's autonomy. Cosmetic Playlover also promotes the idea that possessiveness is a form of love. It romanticizes Toma's jealousy, even as he sinks his claws into Natsume's body and hisses, "He's mineeee!" Inevitably, Natsume falls in love for some reason. Their romance feels so toxic for a BL series that's supposed to be sweet and light.

So Okuno needs a chiropractor for carrying Cosmetic Playlover on his back. As Natsume, he gives a versatile performance that captures the protagonist's innocent charm and emotional vulnerability. From his twinkling eyes to his teary-eyed expression, he acts his ass off in every scene. He shares excellent chemistry with his costar (Yudai Toyoda), especially when they swap passionate kisses in the bedroom. For many years, I've wanted So Okuno to star in a BL drama. With his angelic face, dimpled smile, and natural charisma, I knew he'd be perfect for this genre.

Natsume and Toma chatted intimately in Episode 5, communicating their honest feelings about each other. Their exchange was so sincere that I finally saw a glimmer of potential in this couple. I was ready to give Toma a second chance to redeem himself, but he returned to annoying me after a while. As the series finishes, I feel uninspired by the story and the romance. So Okuno may be the only part I enjoyed about Cosmetic Playlover. Yet, I think he's too talented to be wasted in this frivolous BL drama. He deserves a better project to showcase his star power.