After an eight-year hiatus, Sephora Hong Kong is finally back to cater to the city’s beauty mavens with a brick-and-motar store in IFC. Yes, it’s not as big as Sephora stores you’ll find in Singapore, Bangkok, New York or Paris, but it’s still a veritable playground for skincare, cosmetics and so much more. Best of all, the new store is bringing some cult beauty brands to Hong Kong for the first time. We braved the queues and crowds at the new store to bring you our pick of the best products and brands to buy at the all-new Sephora Hong Kong.
Drunk Elephant
Its name suggests intoxication, but the only thing you’ll be reeling over is just how incredible Drunk Elephant’s products are. The brand was created as an “safe” alternative to other skincare brands that are often stacked with bad-for-you ingredients, so these clean products are completely devoid of what they call the “suspicious 6” – those would be essential oils, silicones, alcohols, fragrances, dyes, chemical screens and SLS. We’re obsessed with the whole line, but hero products include T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial and Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser.
Sephora Sheet Masks
Sephora has its own range of home-brand products, and the Sephora Collection offers high quality at a great price. You’ll find everything from cosmetics to body treats and skincare, all of which are a solid choice if you’re on a budget. The standout of the collection, though, are the sheet masks. Inspired by the Korean beauty staple, these sheet masks are thin and fit like a second skin, but deliver great results. There are a range of different masks catering to all sorts of skin concerns, but our favorite is the Rose Face Mask which is incredibly hydrating and brightening.
Fenty Beauty
This is the brand we’ve all been waiting for. Hype about Fenty Beauty has been high ever since Rihanna dropped her cosmetics line in 2017, and after a two-year wait it’s finally available in Hong Kong. Luckily, the brand lives up to the hype – how could you not love cosmetics that are attractively packaged, offer fabulous results, and come in a diverse, inclusive array of shades? The Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer and Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation will last through the worst of Hong Kong’s humidity, while the Match Stix Shimmer highlighter range is exactly what you need for a glamorous night out.
Sunday Riley
This popular brand has won over skincare gurus with its lineup of highly effective, eco-friendly products. In line with the brand’s tagline – “powered by plants, balanced by botanicals,” each Sunday Riley product harnesses the power of nature to offer serious results very quickly. The only caveat is these products are pricey. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, try the A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, or the thoroughly moisturizing Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream.
Kopari Coconut Balm
Coconut is a go-to beauty ingredient thanks to its nourishing superpowers, and Kopari has turned the humble tropical fruit into a collection of sustainable products that use 100% organic pure coconut oil from small family farms in the Philippines. Did we mention they’re all kinds of good for you, too? Well they are, thanks to their being vegan and entirely free of nasties like sulphates and parabens. We love the multitasking Coconut Balm, but we’re also fans of the Organic Coconut Melt – 100% pure and unrefined coconut oil – and the aluminium-free Coconut Deo.
Ouai
Have you ever wished you had hair like the Kardashians, Chrissy Teigan or Gigi Hadid? Well, now you can certainly try thanks to the Hong Kong launch of Ouai, a chic brand by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin (she’s worked with all the previously named stars). The extensive haircare line is entirely free from sulphates and incorporates smart keratin to nourish the hair, so you know it’s effective. Their philosophy is to deliver red carpet hair that’s realistic, accessible yet luxurious, and boy do they deliver. The line includes everything from daily shampoos and conditioners to treatments, supplements and even fragrances. To try: Dry Shampoo Foam, Leave-In Conditioner, and Hair Oil.
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Urban Decay is known for its high-pigment cosmetics and street-friendly styling, but their cult product is the Naked Palette. Beauty insiders go wild every time a new palette drops, and for good reason – these smart, slick collections of 12 eyeshadows allow users to create a wealth of different looks using super saturated colors. The brand’s latest frenzy-inspiring offering – the Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette is now available in Hong Kong, along with the rest of the brand’s products.
Jack Black
This one’s for the lads. The great state of Texas is responsible for this manly brand of skincare and grooming products – this may explain why instead of the usual harsh, astringent men’s products, Jack Black offers a lineup that uses certified organic botanicals and herbs (that Texas heat can be rough on skin). Bearded boys will want to try the Beard Wash, while clean-cut gents should get their hands on the Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser and Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Beloved around the world for its ability to keep makeup firmly in its place, this cult-favorite primer from Smashbox is a cruelty-free clear gel that’ll keep your face photo-ready all day long. This is the original, but there’s an entire line of Photo Finish primers designed to address different skin concerns like oil, redness and large pores. They’re all great, so you’ll definitely find one that works for you.
Supergoop
You already know that sunscreen is a crucial step in your daily routine, and this protective brand makes it very easy to incorporate SPF into your skincare. Founder Holly Thaggard created Supergoop after a good friend was diagnosed with skin cancer, and now the brand has a whole range of useful SPF-packed products that offer chemical broad-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB and IR rays. Try the Unseen Suncreen as a primer, the Superscreen Daily Moisturizer for makeup-free days, and the Daily Correct CC Cream when you want light coverage with full protection.
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