Cosmetic Playlover – Series Review & Episode Guide

Cosmetic Playlover is a Japanese BL series about two beauty advisors working at a make-up boutique.

Cosmetic Playlover is a Japanese BL series about two beauty advisors at a make-up boutique. The main character is hardworking and passionate about his job. He tries to inspire his junior coworker, a talented beautician with an attitude problem. The pair develops a close relationship while working together, helping each other improve. However, their career growth takes them in different directions.

Much of the charm in Cosmetic Playlover comes from the charismatic lead actor. From his glowing smile to his teary-eyed expression, he brings depth and authenticity to a versatile performance. He also shares smooth chemistry with his costar, particularly when they kiss. However, the bland storylines are unexciting. The romance also upsets me due to the love interest's possessiveness and manipulative behaviour.

Cosmetic Playlover Summary

Title:

コスメティック・プレイラバー

Series Info:

Japan (2024)

Length:

3 hours

Total Episodes:

8 episodes

Genre:

Romance

About:

Cosmetic Playlover is a cute and sweet BL drama.

Plot

Natsume and Toma are coworkers.

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 Cast

Characters

Natsume

So Okuno (奥野壮)

Natsume is portrayed by Japanese actor So Okuno (奥野壮).

Natsume Mamiya is a beauty advisor at Romy Feerique, a famous cosmetics brand. He works at one of the boutiques, helping clients with make-up treatments and product recommendations. As one of the few men working in a female-dominated industry, he takes his job seriously and wants to excel. Natsume's mom was also a beauty advisor, and she inspired him to follow this career.

So Okuno

So Okuno (奥野壮) is a Japanese actor. He is born on August 21, 2000.

So Okuno (奥野壮) is a Japanese actor. He is born on August 21, 2000. His first BL leading role is the 2024 drama, Cosmetic Playlover. He also has supporting roles in The Novelist: Playback (2021), Given (2021), and Although I Love You and You (2024).

Toma

Yudai Toyoda (豊田裕大)

Toma is portrayed by Japanese actor Yudai Toyoda (豊田裕大).

Toma Sahashi is a beauty advisor at Romy Feerique. He is Natsume's junior coworker and often receives job advice from his mentor. Despite his make-up expertise and excellent customer service, he doesn't take the job seriously. He looks down on Natsume for working so hard. Natsume tries to motivate Toma and change his attitude toward their profession.

Yudai Toyoda

Yudai Toyoda (豊田裕大) is a Japanese actor. He is born on April 10, 1999.

Yudai Toyoda (豊田裕大) is a Japanese actor. He is born on April 10, 1999. His first BL project is the 2024 series, Cosmetic Playlover.

Supporting Cast

Tanouchi is portrayed by Japanese actor Yuichi Nakamura (中村優一).

Tanouchi

Yuichi Nakamura (中村優一)

Nanjo is portrayed by Japanese actor Sono Shunta (曽野舜太).

Nanjo

Sono Shunta (曽野舜太)

Harukawa is portrayed by Japanese actor Tomoki Yonemura (米村知希).

Harukawa

Tomoki Yonemura (米村知希)

Chief Harada is portrayed by Japanese actor Nozomi Seina (星南のぞみ).

Chief Harada

Nozomi Seina (星南のぞみ)

Aizawa is portrayed by Japanese actress Ayano Kudo (工藤綾乃).

Aizawa

Ayano Kudo (工藤綾乃)

Tenma is portrayed by Japanese actor Gaku Oshida (押田岳).

Tenma

Gaku Oshida (押田岳)

Kakizaki is portrayed by Japanese actor Kaito Hori (堀海登).

Kakizaki

Kaito Hori (堀海登)

Tsukimura is portrayed by Japanese actress Kyoko Fujiyama (藤山京子).

Tsukimura

Kyoko Fujiyama (藤山京子)

Risa is portrayed by Japanese actress Fuka Sugiura (杉浦楓香).

Risa

Fuka Sugiura (杉浦楓香)

Natsume's mom is portrayed by Japanese actress Mariko Akama (赤間麻里子).

Natsume's mom

Mariko Akama (赤間麻里子)

Natsume's sister is portrayed by Japanese actress Haruka Ono (小野春花).

Natsume's sister

Haruka Ono (小野春花)

Young Natsume is portrayed by Japanese actor Anji Kurokawa (黑川晏慈).

Young Natsume

Anji Kurokawa (黑川晏慈)

Cast Highlights

So Okuno

Natsume's actor has supporting roles in various BL projects, including Pornographer: Playback (2021), Given (2021), and Although I Love You and You (2024).

Yuichi Nakamura

Tanouchi's actor is a supporting character in the series Eternal Yesterday (2022).

Kaito Hori

Kakizaki's actor has a supporting role in the series Mr. Sahara & Toki-kun (2023).

Gaku Oshida

Tenma's actor has a supporting role in various BL dramas, including The 8.2 Second Rule (2022), Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice But to Kiss (2022), and A Man Who Defies the World of BL 3 (2024).

Cosmetic Playlover Review

Review

Drama Review Score: 6.7

C
Natsume and Toma kiss in the bedroom.

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.

Summary

Lightweight story

Cosmetic Playlover has bland storylines about working in the beauty industry. It misses the opportunity for meaningful themes. While every episode has some conflicts, the drama never excites me.

Problematic romance

Despite the couple's chemistry, I hate Toma as Natsume's love interest. Besides disrespecting boundaries, Toma is manipulative, domineering, and possessive. His character hasn't been redeemed.

Talented acting

So Okuno delivers a charismatic performance, capturing Natsume's innocent charm and emotional vulnerability. He also shines during the romantic encounters with his costar (Yudai Toyoda).

Happy ending

Cosmetic Playlover has a happy ending for Toma and Natsume's workplace romance. However, the last episode's storyline seems random and doesn't feel dramatic enough for a finale.

Bland artistry

Although some scenes are filmed beautifully, this series has a noticeable low-budget appearance. I dislike the set design of the make-up boutique, which lacks a touch of glamour.

67%

Cosmetic Playlover is an uninspiring BL drama with bland storylines and a problematic love interest. So Okuno's charming performance and chemistry with his costar aren't enough to salvage the series.

Cosmetic Playlover Episodes

Episode Guide

Natsume and Toma are in bed after sex.

Cosmetic Playlover has a total of 8 episodes. Each episode is around 25 minutes long. It is a medium-length BL drama, and you can finish the entire series in under 4 hours. Cosmetic Playlover started on August 6, 2024 and finished its last episode on August 27, 2024.

Cosmetic Playlover is based on a Japanese manga. The original story is made by Sachi Narashima (楢島さち).

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8

Cosmetic Playlover Information

Creator

Sachi Narashima (楢島さち) is a Japanese artist whose work has been adapted into a live-action drama, including Cosmetic Playlover (2024).

Director

Takehiro Shindo (進藤丈広) is a Japanese director. His first BL project is the 2024 drama, Cosmetic Playlover.

  1. Wait till you find out what happened in the manga, it starts with r and ends in ape, it's really sad how toma is "that" kind of "top"

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

BL Watcher - Best BL Dramas, Movies & Anime Reviews