These online and brick-and-mortar makeup stores have us feeling like a kid in a candy store.
Great news if you’re total beauty fans. The city is rife with beauty meccas – think of all the countless nail parlours, hair salons and spa(ahhh)s. But relaxing massages and skin-perfecting facials aside, our first love’s got to be: Makeup and skincare. Drugstore, high-end, organic or cruelty-free, there’s plenty to pick from – and we don’t just mean from Sephora (AKA beauty heaven #1). Sit up and take notes as we reveal the biggest beauty stores.
Escentials
You don’t have to suffer from choice paralysis, thanks to Escentials’ tightly curated collection. There’s a nice mix of niche brands like Allies of Skin, By Terry, Eve Lom, Gesgep and Aveda. Fragrances your thing? The multi-label “beautique” also carries premium perfume, candles and home fragrance brands.
Escentials, three outlets at Ion Orchard, Paragon and Tangs Plaza, also available online.
Inglot
Prior to Inglot’s arrival in Singapore, we made monthly trips across The Causeway to purchase Inglot goods in bulk. Fortunately, the brand is now available in Robinsons Jem for lucky Westsiders. If you’re new to the Freedom system (palettes for single products), the friendly staff are on hand to guide you in customising the palette of your dreams.
Inglot, Robinsons, #01-07/13, Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549
Amore Store x Lazada
Get the best of K-beauty at this first-ever retail concept by Lazada and Korean beauty company, Amorepacific. Browse, test and shop 11 brands including familiar faves such as Sulwhasoo, Laneige and Etude House, as well as debutants Espoir, Iope, Hanyul, Easy Peasy, Bro&tips and Rarekind.
Amore Store x Lazada, #02-13, Funan, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105; also available online.
Look Fantastic
This premium beauty retailer hailing from Europe boasts over 500 brands as well as names you won’t find elsewhere in Singapore. Be your own Santa and surprise yourself with the monthly beauty box for special edits.
Look Fantastic, available online with free standard shipping to Singapore.
Cultbeauty
As its name suggests, this online makeup store offers just that – Cult favourites worthy of going up on the beauty hall of fame. Even though many of its brands can be found in Singapore, the steady stream of new products has us on edge. Beginners, The Cult Beauty Top 10 list is a good place to begin your expedition.
Cultbeauty, available online with free standard shipping for orders over $75.
Sephora
One word: Sephora. Do we even have to delve further? Ever since it debuted in Singapore (way back in 2009), Sephora has been gifting us with myriad beauty essentials including cosmetics, skincare, body, fragrances, beauty tools and haircare. It carries over 300 brands and counting, including its home brand of vegan skincare, makeup and hair products.
Sephora, 12 outlets islandwide, also available online.
Althea
Banila co, Cosrx, A’bloom and, of course, Althea are some of the names you’ll find right here. All brands go through a meticulous curation process so you only get the good stuff at this K-beauty emporium.
Althea, available online with free shipping for orders over $29.
Watsons
Admittedly, we don’t always think of Watsons as a makeup haven but you’ll be surprised at the massive list. Everyone’s familiar with American drugstore brands like Maybelline and Revlon that lord the makeup aisles, but it also features gems like Milani Cosmetics, Unpa Cosmetics and Max Factor.
Watsons, multiple locations islandwide including Bugis Junction, Funan and Ion Orchard; also available online.
Beautyfresh
Get the most bang for your buck at Beautyfresh where you’ll find high-end names such as Chanel, YSL, Bvlgari and Jo Malone, along with over 70 brands at discounted prices. Look out for the sales too – that’s when you’ll nab the best goods for the lowest prices.
Beautyfresh, available online with free shipping for orders over $60.
Asian Beauty X
This under-the-radar online beauty platform may be carrying just under 10 names (for now, at least!) but it’s piqued our interest thanks to the impressive array. Mainly from Korea, these boutique skincare brands embrace slow living, giving us a reason to add clean beauty and plant-based and organic ingredients to our routine.
Asian Beauty X, available online with free standard shipping for orders over $50.
Strawberrynet
There’s a reason behind Strawberrynet’s quirky name – much like the fruit, its products are fresh off the shelves and are sweet(ly priced). The over-a-decade-old biz offers an enormous collection of brands unavailable in Singapore, including celeb fragrances and luxe labels.
Strawberrynet, available online with free standard shipping for orders over $50.
Smoochiezz
Sephora is our version of Disneyland, but every trip to this makeup mecca does serious damage to our poor wallet. $200 in 20 mins? Sheesh. That’s why we thank the makeup Gods for Smoochiezz. NYX, L.A. Girl, OPI, and e.l.f. at reasonable, won’t-bankrupt-me prices? Sold. Tip: Follow Smoochiezz on Instagram for updates on its weekly atrium sales.
Smoochiezz, available online with free standard shipping for orders over $1.
