A dear reader, Ines, emailed me to ask what cosmetic brands she should look out for whilst she was visiting the UK (London). Although I am not a Londoner, I managed to come up with a few suggestions…I am a encourager, after all! If anyone else can think of places she could look for British brands or hard to find ranges, do leave a comment!
1. Barry M
Although I don’t really use Barry M much, I appreciate how fun and affordable their products are. The Nail Polish range and especially their effects polishes (crackles, jewels, belly etc.) are popular, as well as the pigments. I have a think for their black gel eyeliner pencil which is very soft (a bit like Milanis’). The products are usually on some kind of offer, like 2 polishes for £6 or sometimes 3 for 2.
Where to buy: Superdrug and selected Boots Stores. I think Superdrug’s range is usually bigger. Superdrug and Boots are all over the place and easy to find, although here is the Superdrug Store Finder if you want to be prepared.
Price Range: Affordable
2. No 7
A Boots own brand, with a huge amount of skincare and cosmetic products. Protect & Perfect is one of their classic skincare serums if anti-ageing is your thang. As Boots quite often give out £5 discount vouchers for No. 7, it might be worth buying something first so you get the voucher at the till, then buy your cosmetics!
Where to buy: Boots
Price Range: Medium
3. No 17
Boots No 17 is No 7′s little sister and quite a fun range. Their nail polish is pretty good, as are their lipsticks – I like the Mirror Shine on range.
Where to buy: Boots – Boots is EVERYWHERE although some of the stores are only small. Store Finder is here.
Price Range: Affordable
4. Sleek
Sleek Makeup was originally created for darker skin tones but there’s plenty in their range for everyone. I find it hard to keep up with their products and you must always check what you buy from a Sleek stand because the chances are it’s crumbled or has been opened and tampered with by some 15 year old chav.
I love their blush by 3 palettes and the eyeshadow palettes are of course, legendary.
Where to buy: Superdrug.
Price Range: Affordable, pushing to medium
5. Fashionista, MUA
Superdrug actually houses many many unusual new British brands these days, too many here for me to mention but two that I think are the better ones is Fashionista and MUA. Both are very affordable ranges and offer palettes with different colours and lipsticks. I have swatched a number of MUA palettes – not as pigmented or special as Sleek mind you but still decent.
Where to buy: Superdrug.
Price Range: Affordable
6. Mii
Mii is a fairly new range with some more high end, elegant cosmetics. I like their eyeshadow palette and foundation. They have counters in various salons and spas, stockists can be found here.
Where to buy: Various locations, visit the Mii website for the store finder.
Price Range: Medium to Expensive
7. Wild About Beauty
A fairly new but interesting beauty range that is paraben free and really nice to use. The products are very wearable and elegant colours. I like the Multi Use Tint (below):
Where to buy: Selected Debenhams stores – store finder here.
Price Range: Medium to Expensive
8. Burberry
Burberry Beauty is absolutely gorgeous, although it does have high prices to match. I love their eyeshadows, lipstick, base…I definitely think that the range is worth checking out in person if you want to buy since it is expensive.
Where to buy: Harrods, nearest tube is Knightsbridge (87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 0NA)
Price Range: Expensive
9. Soap & Glory
You can’t beat S&G for some cheerful skincare (face and body) and cosmetic products. If you are visiting soon, you can catch some of the 50% gift sets left over from Christmas.
I like their Flake Away scrub and their cosmetics are worth a look too.
Where to buy: Boots
Price Range: Affordable
10. Topshop Beauty
I never thought I would be obsessed with a make up range from a High Street fashion store, but I do love Topshop Make up, especially the nail polishes and the lipsticks too. It’s not that cheap though, but it is nice stuff.
Where to buy: Topshop – store finder is on the bottom of the page. I always go to the one of Oxford Street as it’s HUGE
Price Range: Affordable to Medium
11. Lush
Lush has lots of interesting skincare for people who like that kind of thing; crumbly soaps and massage bars etc. There are in various locations in London, once again you may be able to catch a bargain left over from Christmas.
Where to buy: Lush Stores - store finder.
Price Range: Affordable to Medium
12. Jo Malone
Perhaps you can buy Jo Malone in your country but if not, you should stop by Jo Malone for a sniff – I’ve become quite obsessed with their lovely scents and candles. They also offer complimentary hand treatments on the counter (scrub, moisturise then fragrance matching) which gives you a chance to get a bit of water, wash your hands and pick a scent!
Where to buy: Harrods, Selfridges, closest tube Bond Street (400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB), Jo Malone Boutiques
Price Range: Expensive
13. Mary Quant
Mary Quant is sold in some Asian countries and also in London where they have a store in Sloane Square. Although the counter staff can be snooty, I do love looking at their products – there’s so many shades to choose from and they fit perfectly into the palettes.
Where to buy: Mary Quant Store, closest tube Sloane Square (37 Duke of York Square, London SW3 4LY)
Price Range: Medium to Expensive
14. Molton Brown
Molton Brown have a nice range of body care (lots of sale items now in store with 50% off!) and also one of my favourite scents of all time Li Jang. I also really like their Black Pepper shower gel even though it makes me smell like a man.
Where to buy: Various Molton Brown stores in London
Price Range: Medium to Expensive
15. Cosmetics A La Carte
Another interesting boutique type store in London with a large range of products and eyeshadows that can be put into palettes. It’s not a particularly cheap range but it’s nice to check out – the best thing is the bespoke service where they can make you a customised foundation or lipstick etc.
Where to buy: Cosmetics A La Carte Store, closest tube Knightsbridge (19b Motcomb Street, SW1)
Price Range: Expensive
Screenface and Charles Fox sell more theatrical make up items (like Ben Nye and Kryolan) but are still really interesting to look at (in Covent Garden)
There are plenty of other brands to look aren’t that aren’t British but can be tricky to get hold of such as BITE beauty in the Selfridges Beauty Playground area, Inglot which is in Westfields, closest tube Shepherd’s Bush (Suite 18 Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way).
If I had limited time I would visit; a big Boots store, a big Superdrug store and Selfridges if I were flush or a unique shop like Mary Quant.
What other brands would you recommend to someone visiting London?
For me one of the best brands I grew to love was Liz Earle skincare, the shop in Sloane Square is lovely (and a good excuse for a wander up the Kings Road). Also love the Cowshed range of products (my favourite is knackered cow lol) which I believe you can get at John Lewis.
Thank you so much, Rowena, this is really helpful!
Definitely interested on Soap & Glory and Boots skincare, I’ll try to check a Boots and a Superdrug like you said.
You’re welcome!
I may be wrong but I thought there was a Make Up For Ever shop somewhere in London, if there is that would be worth a visit.
Hi Anita
I think…MUFE is sold as a concession in a store called PAM!
May I suggest Elemis and Tom Ford?
I’m not sure where she’s coming from but one of the best chemist brands is Bourjois and the range is well-priced here.