All Made Up: Beijing's Best Cosmetics Buys

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but wearing the right makeup never hurts. Below is a selection of Beijing stores that sell cosmetics for all facial types and price ranges.

Shin Kong Place
The intensely perfumed aroma that greets shoppers once they step inside the doors of this CBD shopping center is a sure sign of the cornucopia of cosmetics – Dior, Sisly, La Mer, Chanel, L’occitane, etc. – within.
87 Jianguo Lu (beside China Central Place), Chaoyang District (6530 5888) 新光天地. 朝阳区建国路87号 (华贸中心旁边)

Sephora
The French cosmetics store specializes in high-end makeup and skincare products, with a helpful staff on hand to advise.
1) Daily 10am-10pm. NB128, B1/F, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 6726); 2) B1/F, Joy City, 131 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District; 3) Daily 9am-10pm. 1/F, Wangjing Capital Mall, Guangshun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (8472 9388); 4) Store 28, 29 Zhongguancun Carrefour Shopping Center, Haidian District (5172 1136) www.sephora.cn 1) 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城B1楼NB128A; 2)西城区西单北大街131号大悦城B1层; 3) 朝阳区广顺北大街望京华联商厦一层; 4) 海淀区中关村广场地下28&29

Benefit
This youthful, whimsical line, created by a pair of twin sisters from San Francisco, is aimed at sassy, sweet girls with its bright colors and cute packaging. Find it at that Mecca of local youth culture, Xidan.
Daily 10am-10pm. 1/F, Zhongyou Shopping Center, 176 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District. (6605 8906) 西城区西单北大街176号中友百货1楼

M.A.C
Known for its range of bright colors and long-lasting, high color impact, this is the go-to brand for many makeup enthusiasts and professionals.
Daily 10am-10pm. L120, 1/F, Bldg C, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6587 1598) www.maccosmetics.com 魅可，朝阳区光华路9号C座L120

SASA
Like Victoria Peak or the harbor, Hong Kong’s wildly successful chain of makeup and accessories stores is a must for women when they visit – they go ga ga over the relatively low prices and high quality of their merchandise. Although prices in Beijing’s stores are typically higher than in Hong Kong, SASA is worth checking out for its stock of hard-to-find brands in Mainland China.
1) Daily 9.30am-9.30pm. The Malls at Oriental Plaza, 1 Dongchangan Jie, Dongcheng District. (8518 6072); 2) Mon-Thu 9.30am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9.30am-9.30pm. Xidan Department Store, 120 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District. (6656 3179) www.sasa.com 1) 东城区东长安街1号东方广场晨曦百货; 2) 西城区西单北大街120号西单商场

DHC
One of the most popular cosmetic brands in Japan, DHC provides a wide range of makeup and skincare products. Try its perennial bestseller Olive Essential Set (RMB 580).
Daily 10am-10pm. 1) B2-1, Glory Mall, 18 Chongwenmenwai Dajie, Chongwen District; 2) B1/F, Joy City, 131 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District. (5971 6005) www.dhc.net.cn 1) 崇文区崇文门外大街18号国瑞购物中心B2-1; 2) 西城区西单北大街131号大悦城B1层

The Face Shop
This Korean owned chain sells cosmetics made from natural ingredients, including pure plant extracts and the essence of different flowers and fruits, to help protect your skin from residual damage.
Daily 10am-10pm. B1/F, Joy City, 131 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District. (5971 6279) www.thefaceshopen.com 西城区西单北大街131号大悦城B1层

Korres
A Greek natural skincare brand with roots in Athens’ first-ever homeopathic Pharmacy. With over 150 skin, hair care and makeup products available, there’s something for everyone when it comes to braving the harsh Beijing elements. They are also maternity safe.
Store 35 B1/F, Xidan Joy City, 131 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District. (5971 6158) 北京市西城区西单北大街131号大悦城B1楼35号

Lane Crawford
Selling itself as the regional counterpart to retail emporiums like Barney’s in New York and Selfridges & Co. in London, this Hong Kong Chain is the ultimate beauty destination with its wide range of cosmetics offering including Dr. Brandt, Dior, YSL, Guerlain, Clarins Men and exclusive perfumes.
Mon-Sun 10am-10pm. Lane Crawford Beijing, Seasons Place, 2 Jinchengfang Jie, Xicheng District. (6622 0808) 西城区金融街金城坊街2号金融街购物中心L130

Red Earth
This Australia-based cosmetic brand follows a “premium beauty made easy” philosophy with its line of middle-range priced cosmetics.
Daily 10am-10pm. 1/F, Phase Ⅱ, New World Department Store, 5 Chongwenmenwai Dajie, Chongwen District. (6708 9951) www.redearth.com 崇文区崇文门外大街5号青春馆1楼