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Is Edinburgh a beauty junkie’s paradise for shopping?  Some favour cities such as Glasgow and Newcastle which are only only a short train journey away.

But whether you are on a budget or enjoy taking a browse down the more luxurious cosmetics route, believe it or not our capital city has it covered. The capital is home to a plethora of makeup, skin and hair care suppliers however you may just need a helping hand in knowing where to look.

Boots and Superdrug undoubtedly reign as the nation’s high street staples for all beauty essentials, but here are some alternative cosmetic hotspots in Edinburgh.

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Space NK, 103 George Street and Harvey Nichols’ Beauty Hall,

30-34 Saint Andrew Square:

If you are a self confessed beauty queen of regular indulgence or simply treating your makeup bag to a well deserved upgrade, both Space NK and Harvey Nichol’s have a great deal to offer when it comes to nabbing some of the world’s leading cosmetic brands. As the Mecca of all things beauty, both boutiques offer premium products from the likes of Tom Ford, By Terry and NARS while also stocking more coveted and budget friendly labels from across the pond, for example US skincare phenomenon Mario Badescu.

Marks and Spencers Beauty section, Fort Kinnaird Retail Park, EH15 3RD:

If you are in the market for upping your skincare ante without severing your purse strings, the recently launched beauty department at Edinburgh’s Fort Kinnaird store carries a selection of the skincare blogging communities’ most raved about commodities.

With a range of products from Burt’s Bees, to REN and other French pharmacy favourites such as Nuxe, it is a haven for skincare lovers. Similar to Harvey Nichol’s, M&S offers a medley of hard to find brands such as Jurlique or Korres. The cosmetics concession’s laid back atmosphere is a breath of fresh air to beauty shopping as you can browse freely through a serious selection of brands without feeling overwhelmed.

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Kiehl’s, 54 George Street:

As the first Scottish Kiehl’s store, the brand has brought something special to Edinburgh’s recently refurbished Assembly Rooms. If you prefer a more wholesome approach to your skincare regime or love unearthing the science behind beauty, try popping in to Kiehl’s. Beginning as a family-run business, Kiehl’s was established in 1851 and specialises in natural skin and hair products, withholding extensive cosmetic and medicinal knowledge. Issuing skin consultations, the shop has something to offer everyone from the more opulent beauty enthusiasts to thrifty weekend browsers. Furnished with a treatment area, coffee bar and barbers, the store’s cool and quirky interior is worth a visit.

The Body Shop and Lush Princes Street:

If you are not wanting to spend so much on your beauty shopping, but still have the desire to invest in quality products, two more affordable retailers are Princes Street’s Body Shop and Lush stores. Both brands provide kind to skin cosmetics at a purse friendly price. I think the customer service in Lush on Princes Street is particularly great and I recommend trying their facemasks. Made with fresh and organic natural ingredients they are modified to target specific skin types, covering various skin woes. The Body Shop’s Chamomile and Tea Tree ranges are inexpensive and gentle therefore would suit a variety of skin types, particularly those suffering from breakouts.

No matter if you are a born and bred Edinburgher or a newbie in town exploring the city, these local shopping landmarks might help you to boost your beauty game.

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