With the arrival of spring, everything starts blooming, and not just flowers and trees, but women too. But just like the flowers, beauty demands care – creams, mascaras and sexy fragrances – and, if well applied, they can make any woman simply fabulous. Unfortunately, a place to find all these beauty products – from nail polish to perfumed body cream – is something a lot of women are perpetually on the hunt for (not to mention the wise husband or boyfriend who’s trying to keep up with his refined lady – or one that just wants to know a place to buy her some gifts). Rare is the store that provides a wide selection with democratic prices. With that in mind the Best Of team set out in the sunny spring weather in search of the best store to shop for all your beauty needs.

Beauty for the masses

The two most established and popular beauty chains in town, DTs and Kosmo, are obviously targeting your average Kyivan and are therefore very reasonable in terms of price and choice. But DTs’ and Kosmo’s stores differ from each other just as much as the shops within each chain do, mostly in terms of selection and interior. On the whole both assortments of products is relatively large and varies from Hr 2 Soviet-style hand creams and tissues to fake finger-nails, perfume sets and beauty products by Biotherm that cost over a hundred. The makeup showcases are supplied with mirrors and testers for most items, giving you the possibility of trying on a lipstick you’re thinking about buying. What’s more, shop consultants are always on hand to answer your questions and offer advice on certain beauty products (even if you might disagree with their taste).

A convenient system of discount cards given to anyone who buys products for Hr 100 or more (Hr 99 at DTs) make clients come back again and again. The Best Of team did find both chains to be quite decent, but a bit too low-key and mass-market. There’s nothing wrong with getting a good deal on a nice product, but many beauty treatments often call for something more exquisite.

Celeb choice

Our next stop, Roskolana, even though centrally located – situated right across from TsUM – proved to be a really quiet spot with just a few visitors. Inside we found a separate Yve Roche outlet and a selection of makeup and beauty treatments from Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Givenchy and other fancy brands. We also noticed, though, that while not being any smaller in size than an average Kosmo or DTs, Roskolana offered a much smaller selection, with most of its space occupied by shiny showcases and promotional pictures (yes, we know: quality and not quantity – but a line does need to be drawn somewhere).

Moreover, we found that a lot of the products were placed behind the counter and you couldn’t reach them until you addressed one of the shop assistants – who were all very serious ladies that kept following us around until we began to feel like Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman” when she was practically laughed out of that fancy Rodeo Drive boutique. In fact, Roskolana is known for being popular among local celebrities who like to shop there without being stared at – which is probably why the staff doesn’t make any other customers comfortable enough to stick around. So the Best Of team decided to leave the spot to the rich and famous among us and continue its search.

Lost in Splendor

Right after we entered L’escale we had to face an austere-looking guard and felt like we were supposed to hush our conversation as if we’d just entered a museum. Indeed that’s what the store mostly reminded us of with its marble floors and walls, neat shelves and silence, broken only by the hushed tones of the shop assistants. Somehow, though, this stylish store situated right on Khreshchatyk had just a few more visitors than Roksolana, and the atmosphere still managed to be a bit more relaxed. What’s more, the product range was quite wide. The store offered all sorts of perfumes, beauty treatments, hair and body care, nail and hand products by such cosmetic luminaries as Estee Lauder, Clinique, Nina Ricci and Sally Hansen. They also carried dainty little soap gift sets and shampoos for children that come in silly bottles. The selection of makeup is impressive too – however, with very few testers offered for most brands. In fact all the splendor here radiating onto the street is probably what scares off many shoppers, while surprisingly much of the assortment is actually affordable for most budgets.

Brocard takes first place

It came as no surprise that the Best Of team finally found what they were looking for at Brocard – a big chain of luxury perfume and beauty shops. As always, it’s most central and popular location at Globus was crowded; however, it was a soothing change after our two previous stops. The spacious and well-lit store has a great selection of world-famous perfume brands lining its walls, while the rest of the space is taken up with all kinds of beauty products – fruity shower gels and bath foams, handmade soap, supplies from Clarins, Elizabeth Arden and Shiseido, body care cosmetics from Guam and a decent choice of makeup, from the low-priced brand Seventeen to midrange Bourjois and expensive Dior and Chanel.

What’s more, most of the makeup showcases are conveniently supplied with mirrors and testers. And another plus of the store is the wholesale section where you can always find something you need at reduced prices. Finally, most Brocard outlets are situated inside big shopping centers, making them a perfect place to stop by while doing your other shopping – either to smell a fragrance, choose a new color of lipstick or even a gift for you girlfriend’s birthday. And that’s exactly what the Best Of team did at this newly crowned best beauty store. Don’t fear spring. Just make sure you’re also in bloom!

Brocard

Globus Shopping Center

(Maidan Nezalehnosti, 585-1109)

by Alexandra Matoshko, Kyiv Post Staff Writer