Makeup exam: Vancouver stores that pass the beauty test

Whether you’re gearing up for party season, a gala event, a dress-up occasion like Halloween or simply just want to accentuate your natural beauty, the right makeup — and knowing how to apply it — can be your best friend. These beauty bars make “putting on your face” fun and fabulous.

Makeup exam: Vancouver stores that pass the beauty test
Alison Cairns By

Kiss and Makeup Inc

1
1760 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2J7

North Van’s Kiss & Makeup is your one-stop relaxed beauty shop. High quality brands of makeup and skin care are gorgeously displayed alongside luxurious lounge pants and cozy scarves. Service here is impeccable, with both stylists and makeup artists at the ready to help you cultivate your perfect beauty regime, however you’d like to define it. And once you’ve found your go-to colour or perfect-match foundation, your purchase is forever on file so you’ll always know the best product for you.

Beauty Mark

2
1268 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2V1

If you’re looking for a fun outing with a couple of girlfriends, look no further than Beauty Mark. With a wide range of designer products from niche lines like Kevin Aucoin and makeup accessories from Tokyo Milk, this fun and funky Yaletown beauty store carries all those must-have items for your makeup drawer. Don’t know where to begin? Let one of their trained staff guide you through an hour-long tutorial, and open your arms to the generous samples always on offer.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Mink Makeup and Hair

3
170-422 Richards St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z4

Don’t leave your big day up to a quick stroke of the mascara brush and a smear of lip gloss. With all those cameras around you’ll want to be looking your best, and Mink has made it its mission to ensure all your wedding day makeup and beauty needs are taken care of. From offering a pre-wedding day trial run to coming to wherever you’ll be getting ready on the day itself, Mink stylists have your fully polished look top of mind.

CurliQue Beauty

4
410 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0H3

The retail extension of the Blanche Macdonald Centre, Curlique is both a warehouse of excellent, professionally chosen beauty lines and an experimentation and education lab for budding makeup artists. Their makeup services will prepare you for a wild night out, a fantastical event or just everyday application, all under the guidance of Blanche Macdonald alums seeking to share their knowledge. Much of the cost of these is redeemable through makeup purchase, making this both an educational and affordable beauty session.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Finlandia Natural Pharmacy

5
1111 Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G1

Shopping at Finlandia means you’re getting the best for your health, promoting wellness, prevention and holistic healing using a reasonable mix of Western medicine and homeopathic remedies. The same goes for their makeup counter. They stock nothing but natural and organic beauty products from such lines as Sappho, John Masters and Butter London. Their on-site beauty department manager is always on hand to offer guidance and demonstrations, working with your skin’s natural inclinations to find the best products for you, and for the earth.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Alison Cairns Alison Cairns
Alison Cairns has been working in writing and publishing for over a decade. A devoted Vancouverite, she loves exploring the hidden gems and new happenings — both cultural and culinary — in the city. She is also a lover of coffee, wine, craft beer and pretty much all food except sea urchin. She staves off the results of these loves by running the seawall, cycling the city and hiking the mountains.
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