culture editor's picks

Our editors’ picks from the 2026 Sanrio Characters collaboration

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In August 2026, the Sanrio Characters collaboration arrived at OLIVE YOUNG, and four Editorial by OLIVE YOUNG editors tested their favorite products in everyday routines. Their picks included lip products, makeup, probiotics, an ampoule jelly and toner pads, with character keyrings, bags and travel cases adding to the appeal. They highlighted product performance, convenience and the playful details that made familiar characters feel fresh.

In August 2026, the Sanrio Characters collaboration arrived at OLIVE YOUNG, bringing a little extra cuteness to everyday beauty and wellness.


Four Editorial by OLIVE YOUNG editors picked their favorites from the 2026 collaboration and put them to the test in real life. Here’s what caught their eye, and what happened when the cuteness met their everyday routines. 


Sanrio-themed accessories, cosmetics, cases, and packaged products are arranged on a pink surface.


Editor R: “I put them in my cart for the cuteness. I liked them even more once I used them.” 

The moment the promotion launched, I started scouring my neighborhood OLIVE YOUNG store and the online shop for the products I had been eyeing.


My haul included the CAREPLUS Hanbok Edition with its character keyring, Torriden Balanceful Color Care Lip Essence (#5 Dewy Rose) with a My Melody lip cap, WAKEMAKE Bold Lip Blur Tint (#17 Focus) with a Hello Kitty mirror keyring, WAKEMAKE Lasting Glow Stick (#5 Groovy) with a ribbon lip pouch, and BB LAB Collagen Jelly (Pomegranate S) with a My Melody tote bag.


My verdict? There wasn’t a single thing I wanted to give up. I especially loved the rich color of the new WAKEMAKE lip product, and every free gift was so cute that I wanted to keep them all. As someone who takes phone keyrings seriously, I honestly would have bought the CAREPLUS keyring even if it had been sold separately. 


The Hello Kitty spot patches were another favorite. I put one on before heading to work and ended up getting far more attention than expected. They added a little fun to an otherwise ordinary morning, and turned out to be a surprisingly good conversation starter with my coworkers.


But my favorite detail was Tan Kitty. It is not simply Hello Kitty with a tan: you can actually see the tan lines left by her sunglasses. It’s such a small detail, but it makes the familiar character feel fresh again and gives you one more reason to keep her around. 


Editor H: “Somehow, the Cinnamoroll bag found its way to me” 

Three makeup essentials—an eyeshadow, blush and highlighter—plus a Cinnamoroll ready bag? At this point, did I buy the makeup and get a bag, or buy the bag and get some makeup? I’m still not quite sure.

As a Cinnamoroll fan and someone who already considers 2aN a go-to for highlighters, I went straight for the Love Pocket Makeup Kit Cinnamoroll Edition.


Yes, the Sanrio Characters and the recent O.Y SALE definitely took a hit at my bank account. But it was cute, so I’m willing to call it a worthwhile purchase.


To be honest, I didn’t exactly need another eyeshadow or blush. But once I started using them, I was pleasantly surprised by the formulas. The colors overall work particularly well for light summer-cool tones, while the eyeshadow has good pigment and applies smoothly with a nice, even finish. 


The blush, with its subtle shimmer, gives the cheeks a soft glow that looks especially pretty when applied with a brush or puff. And the highlighter I was most curious about has a delicate pink tint that makes it easy to wear every day. It was just enough to make me curious about trying the full-size product, too.


All three are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, making them ideal for travel or quick touch-ups. I’d keep them tucked into a pouch and reach for them whenever I need a little refresh rather than use them for a full, carefully planned makeup look.


And then there’s the Cinnamoroll ready bag. I still can’t tell whether the cosmetics came with a bag or the bag came with cosmetics. Either way, I’m happy.


Editor J: “Inner beauty + cute characters? An unbeatable combination”

Gentlemen, here is a fairly easy way to earn some points. Whether it’s your wife, your girlfriend or someone you’re still hoping to impress, there’s a simple move: hand them one of the Sanrio Characters inner-beauty products and say, “I got this for you. A little something to add to your daily routine.”


With Hello Kitty, Hangyodon, My Melody, Kuromi and plenty more to choose from, there’s a good chance you’ll find a character they love.


Full disclosure: I simply wasn’t confident enough to guess someone’s makeup preferences. So I headed for the inner-beauty section instead. Let’s call it a carefully considered strategy.


First up: CJ BYOCORE Skin Immune Probiotics. One of three luggage tags comes randomly with the product, which somehow makes opening the package feel much more exciting than it should. And then, against one-in-three odds, I got the Tan Pochacco I had been hoping for.


At this point, I realize I’m spending almost as much time talking about the luggage tag as the probiotics themselves. But that little thrill of getting the character you wanted is part of the fun, so I’m counting it as part of the experience. As for the actual product, it contains 50 billion probiotics, which my wife and I are looking forward to adding to our daily routine.


Then there was the FOODOLOGY Jeltiful PDRN Jelly. I opened one before giving it as a gift, just to see what it tasted like. Then I opened another. The sweet, juicy lychee flavor made it surprisingly difficult to stop at one. I’ll leave it to someone else to ask why there were originally seven sticks in the box.


And if I do get caught, I’m counting on the complimentary Hello Kitty phone-decorating keyring to make my case. (Cute things have a way of getting you out of trouble.)


Editor S: “I’m ready to travel the world with Pochacco in a raincoat”

I was browsing the Sanrio Characters collaboration products at OLIVE YOUNG when I spotted Pochacco in a raincoat. It was, frankly, impossible to walk past.


The product that ultimately came home with me was the Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Multi Pad. Along with the full-size pack came 80 refill pads and a travel-sized pad case.


As someone who has been using toner pads for more years than I’d like to admit, the thing I care about most is how they feel in use. I tend to move quickly when it comes to skincare, and I’ve often found that toner pads can curl up, lose contact with the skin or slip out of my hand.


This one stays nicely in place. It doesn’t curl up in my hand or on my face, which makes the whole process much easier. I had never actually tried Torriden’s toner pads before, but the brand’s reputation for hydration definitely comes through, along with a comfortable, easy-to-use texture. Add Pochacco in a raincoat to the equation, and I’m calling this a three-for-one skincare find: hydration, convenience and cuteness.


And then there’s the travel pad case, which may be my favorite part of the collaboration. Anyone who regularly uses toner pads knows the travel dilemma: What am I supposed to put all these pads in? The full-size container can take up valuable bag space and add a surprising amount of weight. But now I have a little case featuring Pochacco in his raincoat, ready to come along whenever I am. I’m not even much of a traveler, but somehow I feel prepared to leave tomorrow.


There’s one tiny detail that makes it even better: beneath Pochacco, his reflection appears in a puddle of rainwater, almost like a little mirror. Because, of course, two Pochaccos definitely make for twice the cuteness.