Cosmetics store in Hong Kong

COSMETICS & FRAGRANCE SUPERMARKETS
The best buys in this category are noteworthy in terms of availability, not price—check out scents that have been introduced in Europe but not in the U.S. And I am not going to mention a brand just because it’s new or hot in Hong Kong, such as Kiehl’s (the latest thing), because you can easily get Kiehl’s for less money in the U.SMany big-name cosmetics companies manufacture for the Far East in and around Hong Kong; often they will have a product with the same name as the one you use at home, but it will be slightly different. They may also have a product or shade that you have never heard of and will never find again anywhere else in the world.
If you just wander through any of the malls, especially Harbour City, you will finds tons of little shops selling brands that may interest you—a few local labels, some European brands that don’t have good distribution in the U.S., and many Japanese products.

BONJOUR
Locations all over town.
This is a chain possibly devised for adolescent girls; I’m not crazy for it, but your 12-year-old might enjoy it. It’s a knockoff of the SaSa concept (see below).

BOOTS
IFC mall, Central (MTR: Central).
Boots is a British chemist that sells several of its own brands of makeup and treatments, among other things. Some Watson’s stores carry the line at in-store boutiques, but there is a growing trend toward free-standing stores for beauty items only (these are not Boots stores as we know them in the U.K.), with an emphasis on well-being products. The line No. 7—a riff on No.5, as in Chanel—is an excellent color cosmetics selection at a moderate price.

SASA COSMETICS COMPANY
Locations all over town.
SaSa has emerged as one of the leading discounters in Hong Kong, with branch stores everywhere. Note that all branches are not created equal; some have more stock than others.
Many goods come directly from sources in the U.S., which makes them much cheaper locally—but not cheaper than athome, if you are American. Shop carefully. Also note that some items are closeouts and discontinued lines.

WATSON’S, THE CHEMIST
24-28 Queen’s Rd. (MTR: Central), and many other locations.
There’s a Watson’s on almost every big, busy block and mall in Hong Kong; I stop in all of them because they’re not all the same. Selected stores have a Boots department (see above). Watson’s is actually a drugstore-cum-general-store that sells many things, including other lines of makeup and treatments.