Londoners - Recommend me some makeup stores!

[user79]

I'm going to be in London UK for a week in July, and I would really like to hit up a beauty supply store, or a very big makeup store that sells lots of different stuff..something like Sephora! I also want to buy false lashes and stock up because they are SUPER expensive here in Switzerland and not much choice!!

Where do you recommend I go? I would prefer a central location, not outside London as I'm relying on the tube & train to get me around, I will be staying in Zone 2. Also, I don't have a make-up artists license so needs to be something open to the public.

Also, is there a MAC pro store in London, and where is it?

 

[Lalli]

Selfridges
Harvey Nichols
Debenhams

MAC stores!!!!! loads in london. we dont have a Sephora in the UK well we had one in solihulll, birmingham but its closed dwn

 

[Lalli]

Harvey Nichols
109 Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 7RJ
020 7235 7265

M·A·C
109 Kings Road
Chelsea
London
SW3 4PA
020 7349 0022

Selfridges
400 Oxford Street
London
W1X 1AB
020 7318 3276

M·A·C
Unit 4, 28a Kensington Church Street
Kensington
London
W8 4EP
020 7937 3738

House of Fraser
68 King William Street
London
EC4N 7HR
020 7444 4300
Fenwick

Brent Cross Shopping Centre
Hendon
London
NW4 3FN
020 8203 8615

M·A·C
Unit 4, 38 Neal Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9PS
020 7379 6820

MAC - Pro Products Available
28 Fouberts Place
West Soho
London
W1F 7PR
020 7534 9222


Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 7XL
020 7823 7969

 

[maxcat]

Selfridges has trendier stuff/lines generally...
But totally down-market, I love love love Superdrug - all sorts of product to play with. There is one up from Embankment station on The Strand that's really good.... also Boots has quite a good inhouse line called No.7 -they carry Ultima as well which can be tough to find.
For perfume heaven, Floris on Jermyn St. or Penhaligons in the Burlington Arcade near the Royal Academy...

 

[maxcat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalli we dont have a Sephora in the UK well we had one in solihulll, birmingham but its closed dwn

I've been to one in Brent Cross - about 5 years ago, though - did it shut down?

 

[neeshie]

yeah, all sephoras in the uk shut down...i think it was last year....got some good bargains!

 

[Lalli]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxcat I've been to one in Brent Cross - about 5 years ago, though - did it shut down?

yup they all shut down, shame really because i used to love shopping there

 

[Vicky88]

There was a Sephora in Bluewater as well. I wish we still had it!

There is a Pro Store, it's in Fouberts Place, just off Carnaby Street - I LOVE it in there.

I agree that Selfridges is a good place to go. Or Fenwick. Both are department stores.

 

[Lalli]

^^i cant wait to visit the pro store in august

 

[Vicky88]

It's wonderful! It's pretty small but I really love it.

 

[sel00187]

We used to have a sephora in Merry Hill, Birmingham but that closed down - curse the day that closed down lol

 

[user79]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check out Selfridges and maybe Superdrug. Also, what is the best place to buy CHEAP false lashes? I don't like buying expensive ones from MAC as I can only use them a few times anyway. Something from a drugstore would be preferable....

 

[Vicky88]

Superdrug should have some false lashes!

 

[mango88]

there's a massive Boots on oxford street, the superdrug is quite small

 

[amy_forster]

The pro store just off carnaby street is amazing!!! I was like a kid in a sweet shop! There's just so much choice!!! There was a post on here a while back explaining ho to get there too if you're stuck or think you'll get lost!!! If you get their phone number though (on maccosmetics.co.uk , run a store search), you could ring them and they'll give you directions!!!!

 

[Lalli]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sel00187 We used to have a sephora in Merry Hill, Birmingham but that closed down - curse the day that closed down lol

i know!! and the one in solihull, silly moos

 

[maxcat]

That makes me sad... I hauled ass all the way out to Brent Cross just as the store was closing - they kept it open an extra 15 minutes just for me! I got the best sephora brand stuff... you just can't go back, can you? I've found their "in house" stuff just slid terribly after they opened up all over the US...

 

[JesusShaves]

While i love selfridges, i'd really recommend covent garden for make up. Be sure to check out the stage make up stores in covent garden,
Charles Fox and Screenface, they both carry lots of different brands (ben nye/kryolan/becca etc & their own stuff).

Covent garden also has Shu Uemura store down the road from the MAC freestanding... in the opposite direction you also have POUT... they have real cute stuff and a range of other brands.

Charles fox have an amazing range of false lashes, that are great quality.. that in price can be comparable to superdrugs/boots so they are way better

hope you enjoy your time here

edit: Right near mac pro, on carnaby street, i think its called B for Beautiful. Its the sister make up store of LUSH (its right next door to lush). Check that place out... i havent tried any of their stuff, but it comes in amazingly pretty cases.

 

[caffn8me]

I expect you've been and gone now but there are a few other specialist shops that might be worth having a look in - Pout at 32 Shelton Street, Screenface near Covent Garden and Charles Fox in Covent Garden. Screenface and Charles Fox are aimed at makeup professionals but are definitely worth checking out as they have lots of interesting bits and pieces. You can walk between them and visit the M·A·C Pro store very easily as they are all close to each other.

 

[user79]

Thanks for all the suggestions, but I'm back from London already. I actually didn't spend any money at the MAC store there like I thought I would, I bought stuff at Shu Uemura - their eyeshadows are just incredible! I love them.

I actually did go into that Screenface store tho, I think, just passed by on that street. It seemed to be more theatrical oriented, though.