Being a beauty lover in the Philippines can be frustrating sometimes. There are so many raved-about brands that don’t have stores here. Online shopping makes it possible to order directly from the brand websites, but who wants to deal with a long waiting time and high shipping fees? The savvy shopper’s secret is specialty online beauty stores that carry limited stocks and arrange pre-order bulk buys! Here’s a few stores that you should check out when Shopee and Lazada fail you:

@theglobetrottersph

Though it’s an Instagram-based store, The Globe Trotters PH is DTI-registered and has established a reputation of being a “multibrand curator since 2017”. This online store is best known for its CeraVe and Krave Beauty offerings, but Globe Trotters PH also carries popular brands like Paula’s Choice, Good Molecules, The Inkey List, and Drunk Elephant. To assure buyers of their products’ authenticity, this online shop regularly shares packaging updates from the brands themselves and share unboxing videos of deliveries. Check out some elusive beauty brands you’ve always wanted here: instagram.com/theglobetrottersph.

Seek Space 

Want to be sure that your beauty products are clean, but feel overwhelmed by all the available information? Seek Space makes it easy by strictly offering “curated clean beauty” in its store. The brand roster is focused on new and upcoming K-beauty names like Axis-Y, Isntree, and Skin1004. The website is beautifully designed and easy to navigate, with product recommendations for each skin type. Additionally, it offers free personalized skincare consultations to help customers pick the right products for their routine. Update your beauty stash by shopping at seekspace.co.

The Makeup Store MNL

Never mind that our social interactions are currently limited to Zoom meetings, you can and should be able to enjoy wearing makeup even if you’re just stuck at home. Now is actually the perfect time to practice your #FOTDs, so why not expand your kikay kit’s content as well? The Makeup Store MNL is a haven for fans of Tatcha, Milk Makeup, Dose of Colors, Pat McGrath, Viseart, and the elusive Charlotte Tilbury. This cool beauty shop also carries skincare from Youth to the People, Summer Fridays, Farmacy, and Sunday Riley. You may shop at themakeupstoremnl.com.

HairMNL

Most salons have reopened and resumed their services, but if you want a hair treatment, it may be safer to do it at home than sitting in an enclosed public space for more than an hour. You can find pro-level products at HairMNL, which carries salon staples like Olaplex, Kerastase, Davines and TIGI. Need product suggestions? Check out our list of home hair treatments to try. 

Buying your own products is also a more economical option, as most items are good for more than just one usage. Now all you need to do is to convince a housemate to be your hair stylist for the day. Shop at hairmnl.com.

Polish Please PH

Have you ever experienced coming home from the salon and finding that your new manicure has already chipped? Most places will happily fix that for you, but as we limit our trips to the outside world, using your own nail polish is the more prudent option. Polish Please PH puts a wide range of shades right at your fingertips, with brands like the popular OPI and Orly. This nail beauty store also carries Essie, China Glaze, and Zoya for polish connoisseurs. Check out polishplease.ph for your nail grooming needs.

Ki-Kai

Don’t have the dexterity (or patience) to be doing your own manicure? Nail wraps are the answer. Ki-Kai offers these colorful stickers for grown-ups, which are easy-to-apply “nail art” that can last for up to 3 weeks. And don’t worry, plain designs are also available for those who prefer the classic mani. Just clean, peel, stick, and you’re done! Shop to your heart’s content at ki-kai.ph.

Shopping for beauty products is the best kind of retail therapy. And it can be even more exciting when you know you can shop for beauty finds that are almost impossible to find. Enjoy, bellas!