I’ve been a full-time Londoner for over six months now. I’ve just about memorised the tube map, only have one walking speed – fast – and have tucked into cheeseburger porn at many a fair share of ‘trendy pop-ups’. But more importantly than all of that, I’ve trekked across all of the makeup-filled hotspots. From big ol’ department stores to those less-footed yep, I’ve devoured them all and have the slightly dented bank balance to prove it. So for this weekend’s post I thought I’d take you for a tour of London’s best beauty landmarks, quite literally…
Liberty Beauty Hall, Great Marlborough Street, W1B 5AH – this is not your average beauty hall. Featuring a whole room dedicated to Diptyque, much coveted products you’ve always heard about but never actually seen in the flesh and manned counters you won’t find anywhere else in the big smoke, I’d go as far to say this is my favourite place to shop. Big statement, I know. It’s worth scouting out the stationary section too if you get as hot under the collar about notepads as I do.
Add to your basket: Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Fragrance, Egyptian Magic, CO Bigelow Cold and Flu Soak Herbal Formula, Biologique Recherche P50 Balancing Exfoliator, Le Labo Figue 15 Classic Candle
Zest Pharmacy, 18 Broadwick Street, W1F 8HS – a gem of a beauty find in the streets of Soho, stocking a slice of the French pharmacy action along with a display of novelty gifts and quite bizarrely, baby clothes. Skip to the back of the store where the real beauty action starts and although it’s small, schedule in a 30 minute-stop off cause you’ll end up inspecting every shelf from left to right, picking up products and then googling to see if Lisa Eldridge has mentioned it. Been there, done that.
Add to your basket: Bioderma H20 Micellar Solution, Dr Bronner Magic 18-in-1 Pure Castile Soap, Klorane Oatmilk Gentle Dry Shampoo Spray, Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask and NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-use Dry Oil
John Lewis Beauty Hall, Oxford Street, W1A 1EX – the more traditional pick of the five but don’t think it’s not worth a wander. After its overhaul last year, John Lewis now reigns supreme beauty-wise in department store sprawl that occupies Oxford Street. All the usual suspects have counters here, but the middle section houses a more handpicked hard-to-find edit. Be prepared to get a lost and make a special stop off at the Burberry stall where you will no doubt get a little swatchy at the lipstick section.
Add to your basket: Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush in Nectar, Burberry Lip Cover in Cameo No.02 and Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley No.22, Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir EDP, Topshop Nail Polish in Nice N’ Nude
Being Content, 14 Bulstrode Street, W1U 2JG – one for all you au naturale lovers out there. One of my newest spots and a little off the well-beaten track, here you’ll find a beauty stash eliminated of synthetic chemicals, Soil Association approved products and a stock free from animal testing. A welcome hideout from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus and a place you may just find something new that tickles your fancy.
Add to your basket: Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, NEOM Luxury Organics Invigorate Candle, RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, Weleda Wild Rose Body Oil, Primavera Cold Therapy Blend
& Other Stories, Regent Street, W1B 3AA – the H&M, Monki and COS conglomerate of a beauty hall that we’re all getting a loose around the pursestrings for at the moment. It’s creating one hell of a fuss and rightly so. From the testing tables for you to get creative at, notepads by the pencil products that encourage doodling and one beefy offering of an own brand lineup, all with a reasonable price tag; get ready to sharpen those elbows and battle with the fashionistas.
Add to your basket: Total Tint Stick in Beige, the lot of their Fig Fiction bathing range, Nail Colour in Borato Greige, L:A Brunket Citrongräs Candle and one of their mirror backed makeup bags.
Other makeup Mecca-worthy mentions go to the Superdrug at Marble Arch which hands down offers the best budget beauty lineup within ambling distance of central and Space NK on Broadwick Street, one of their bigger stories with plenty of products to peruse and usually the first to get all the good stuff onto counters. If you fancy taking the Anna-approved ‘London Beauty Landmark Tour’ then I’ve already marked the best spots on this map. So pack up your purses, slip on some comfy footwear and follow me…
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