Once upon a time, green beauty was hard to find in Hong Kong… but that time is long gone. Rachel Read seeks out the city’s best natural, organic and eco beauty stores, spas and home-grown brands.
NATURAL STORES. Ditch your preservative-laden cosmetics for all-natural, organic skincare.
Cabanee
This local e-boutique stocks independent, international organic and natural beauty brands that you won’t find elsewhere in Hong Kong – including haircare from Tabitha James Kraan and Yarok, and skincare from Bottega Organica and 5YINA. Shipping costs $50 whatever your order size, so stock up!
A Beauty Bar
This local distributor of international brands carries an impressive roster of eco lines for your shopping pleasure – including organic colour cosmetics from Ilia, natural haircare from John Masters Organic, synthetic-free skincare from Esse and natural suncare from Coola. 15/F, Kin Tak Fung Commercial Building, 467-473 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 2295-6072; more locations and online shopping at
10/10 Hope
This multi-brand boutique does all the hard work for you, cherry-picking the best natural and organic beauty products from around the world and selling it all under one roof. Ranges include cult Brit favourite Neal’s Yard Remedies, organic skincare from Grown Alchemist and Absolution, and dedicated organic baby care lines from Erbaviva. Shop B11, Lab Concept, Queensway Plaza, Admiralty 5920-7079 more locations at hk.1010hope.com
BEYORG
Founded in 2005, Beyorg is a veteran of the green scene in Hong Kong – early proof that natural beauty is a force to be reckoned with. Its luxurious boutiques sell internationally renowned organic brands Susanne Kaufmann, Amala, RMS and Nuori, amongst others; they’ve also just opened the swanky No.8 Spa in the Landmark if you’re looking for indulgent organic treatments. Shop 1091B, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2882-5218; more locations and online shopping at beyorgbeauty.com
Gooseberry Beauty
This small but perfectly formed store sells handcraft ed organic and natural skincare from a trio of much-loved eco brands – Fig + Yarrow, MOA and Odylique. Shipping is free on orders over $500 ($35 otherwise), with the option of free pickup from their store too. Unit 1841, 18/F, Eton Tower, 8 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, 6094-0663 (open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and public holidays), gooseberrybeauty.com
Little Things in Life
As a long-time suff erer of sensitive skin, Angela Wong started this excellently curated e-shop to share the all-natural skincare alternatives that helped cure her complexion. Brands available include organic makeup by Eye of Horus and 100% Pure, and skincare by Kahina and Sally B’s Skin Yummies. There’s free shipping on orders over $500 ($45 otherwise), or you can try the goods in-person at their showroom. Visits by appointment at 2/F, 157-159 Wong Nai Chung Rd., Happy Valley, 9087-3338, ltilhk.com
Gourmet Skin Bar
This super-slick e-boutique’s extensive range of natural beauty brands puts many department store off erings to shame; lines include organic lipsticks from Nudus, natural sun-care from Suntegrity (exclusively sold here in Hong Kong), scrumptious fair-trade Hurraw lip balms, and organic skincare from Cowshed. Shipping is free on orders over $500, or $50 otherwise. gourmetskinbar.com
Skinbook
With a retail space in Langham Place operating alongside an e-commerce site, Skinbook has all your natural beauty shopping needs covered – with certified organic and eco-friendly skincare from brands including Bioff icina Toscana, Naobay and OLOS on their shelves. Shop K203, L2, Langham Place, 8 Argyle St., Mong Kok, +852 2866 1833; online shopping at skinbook.me
GREEN SPAS Green beauty doesn’t have to end at home: these spas provide all-natural pampering:
Spa L’Occitane
This haven of calm in Star Street will transport you to the South of France, via incredibly relaxing yet highly eff ective facials, massages and body treatments, all done exclusively with the brand’s famed natural lotions and potions. Their shea butter massages are certain to fix any bad day! Shop 3, Star Crest, 9 Star St., Wan Chai, 2143-6288, more locations at hk.loccitane.com
Emmanuel F
Thought Emmanuel F only did hair? Think again. These green beauty long-timers have a whole spa area dedicated to delivering divine natural face, body, hand and feet, and waxing treatments – all using certified organic products from French brand Phyt’s. U/G, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 2167-8280, emmanuelf.com
Lush Spa
What this cult British brand doesn’t know about green beauty ain’t worth knowing… and now they have a lovely jubbly spa in Hong Kong off ering the ultimate in eco pampering. Gorgeous décor, unique quirky treatments (one’s inspired by The Beatles) and incredible all-natural products – what’s not to love? Soho Square, 21 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 3915-0638, hk.lush.com
Sparadise
This organic oasis caters for all your pampering needs in style, with an extensive menu of facials, massages, body treatments, nail services, waxing and even tanning, all done with organic products. Local brands such as Native Essentials and Coconut Matter share the spotlight with established eco lines Juice Beauty and Sparitual… and the results speak for themselves. 3-4/F, 60 Wellington St., Central, 2997-2208, sparadise.com.hk
Hong Kong Brands Who says nothing is made in Hong Kong any more? These brands keep their beauty local:
Bahia Cosmetics
All-natural ingredients sourced directly from Moroccan women’s cooperatives, recyclable packaging and highly eff ective results – Hong Kong-based Bahia ticks all our eco boxes. Their 100 percent pure Argan oil, rose water and Rhassoul clay elixirs are true skincare saviours. Available at Home Evoriginal, Room D, 1/F, 13 Yu Chau St., Prince Edward, 5281-3081; more stockists and online shopping at bahiacosmetics.com
Bathe to Basics
This boutique is a haven for beauty lovers – a gorgeous Kinfolk-ready space piled high with the brand’s locally produced organic and sustainable skin, body and haircare products. Signatures include ultra moisturising cream soap bars and gentle face washes… Now that’s the kind of basic we can get on board with. S403, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St., Central, 2858-8135; more stockists and online shopping at bathetobasics.com
We Are NO Expert
This blooming lovely local brand hand-makes all the products in its natural skincare line, including flower waters, face creams, serums and soaps. Their kefir yoghurt masks have a bit of a cult following; they’re made only once a month, so mark your diaries! Available at Eslite, Shop 1014, 10/F Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 3419-6779; more stockists and online shopping at wearenoexpert.com
Native Essentials
“Simple, pure, botanical luxury” – this home-grown brand’s slogan says it all really. Made in small batches with the finest freshest ingredients, this line of potent natural skincare and unique essential oil blends is a winner for the whole family. Available at Sparadise, 3-4/F, 60 Wellington St., Central, 2997- 2208; more stockists and online shopping at nativessentials.com
Purearth
Bringing ancient Ayurvedic wisdom well and truly into the 21st century, this stunning skincare line highlights nutrient-rich natural ingredients harvested ethically in the Himalayas – and has won rave reviews from Vogue India as a result. Visits by appointment at 6/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield Rd., Kennedy Town, 6080-0045; more stockists and online shopping at purearth.asia
POLISH IT OFF. We’ve come a long way from the dark days of nail polish, where the smell alone was toxic enough to strip paint! Here are some of the best non-toxic lacquers in Hong Kong:
SpaRitual
This well-established brand of cruelty-free, vegan nail polish is all 5-free – meaning it’s formulated without harmful chemicals DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin. Available at A Beauty Bar.
Kure Bazaar
A chic cruelty-free French brand that’s both 5-free and vegan; its formula is composed of up to 85 percent natural ingredients, including wood pulp, wheat, cotton, potatoes and corn. Available at The Nail Library, L/1, 10-12 On Wo Lane, Central, 2803-2290
JINSoon
Created by influential New York nail artist Jin Soon (Sarah Jessica Parker is a fan), this elegant line of high-shine polishes is 5-free, vegan and never tested on animals. Available at Beyorg.
Deborah Lippmann
Manicurist to the stars Deborah Lippmann is renowned for her rainbow of lacquer colours, with a long-wear Gel Lab Pro series of polishes too (no UV lamp required!). They’re all 7-free (5-free, plus no xylene or diethylhexyl adipate either), vegan and cruelty-free. Available at Joyce Beauty, Lane Crawford, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 3572-0364, more locations at joyce.com
