Prices make
shopping an ugly experience in Tokyo. Alex Jordan bookmarks some Internet sites offering on-line eyeliner and other
beauty products at beautiful prices.
When life moves at the speed of light, sometimes you don' have enough time to breathe,
much less go shopping for new fall fashions. Shopping? What's that? You work 12 hours a
day! What's a busy working girl like yourself supposed to do? Go without those new yummy
fall lipsticks? Resign yourself to last year's look because you don't have the time or
energy to update your cosmetics and clothing wardrobe? Take heart; your answer lies in
cyberspace.
Internet shopping is the fastest growing sector of consumer retailing, with new sites
opening up at a dizzying pace. It's the dream shopping mall: Open 24 hours, they always
play your favorite music, your feet never get tired, no fighting for a parking space come
the holiday season, no line for the ladies restroom, delivery right to your door and
instant gratification. Log in and go Windows shopping for cosmetics, hair care, fragrance,
skin care, vitamins and herbs, hair color - whatever your personal care needs, you are
sure to find them at one of the sites listed below.
www.cosmeticscounter.com
A little piece of heaven on the Internet, this site has just about everything, including
cosmetics, treatments and accessories. You'll find Origins chunky Matte Sticks ($12) and
Lancome's popular Primordial Visibly Rejuvenating Day Cream ($47.50). There is also a
special men's shaving and skin care line too. They ship international orders UPS and if
you aren't happy with the product, they will accept returns within 30 days of the invoice
date.
www.fragrancecounter.com
One-stop fragrance shopping, this site specializes in perfume and carries hundreds of
brands. Check out the amusing "Smell This" line which makes fragrances with
names like Chocolate Brownies, Sticky Buns, and Just Mowed Grass. A special Calvin Klein
Boutique has all the his and hers fragrances, including Blonde by Gianni Versace, Poeme by
Lancome and L'Eau D'Issey by Issey Miyake.
www.smashbox.com
Check out all the latest rage in cosmetics from LA, smashbox, a decidedly wearable high
quality line of cosmetics, including a gorgeous line of eye, face, nail and lip colors.
The lip gloss ($14) in port is perfect for fall as well as the anti-shine lipstick ($16)
in cigar and wine. Check out their professional line of make-up tools and brushes too.
www.theavedastore.com
Fans of Aveda products take note: You can get all your favorite hair care products at US
prices. Known mainly for their fabulous shampoo and conditioners that incorporate herbs,
flowers and other natural ingredients to bring out the best in your hair, Aveda's other
products are of the same high quality. Try the lip satin with fresh essence ($15) or
mascara with essence of rose ($14.50) from their makeup line.
www.diamondbeauty.com
This is the site to get those hard-to-find brands that go for 2-3 times their original
price at Tokyu Hands. You'll find aromatherapy, face and body scrubs, skin care, hair
care, cosmetics and skin care for men as well. The Elancyl hand-held cellulite massager,
the one that goes for JY6600 elsewhere, is just $22.50. Call the Customer Service center
for international orders.
www.discountblvd.com
One of the best sites for international customers with everything from fragrance to hair
care. Check out the prices: Rogaine for Men, a 2oz bottle $19.95 and Envy for Women
(JY8800 in Japan) just $42.95 for the 1.7oz EDT spray. Haircare products include KMS, Paul
Mitchell, Redken, and new releases like Angel for Women by Thierry Mugler.
www.moreonline.com
This great on-line drugstore has everything from beauty and baby supplies to home
accessories and health and pharmacy products. It's like a trip down the aisles of Walmart.
Neutrogena Rainbath Shower Bath Gel ($7.99), Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (the
best-selling mascara in France, $5.09) and Cover Girl and Wet&Wild cosmetics.
www.spacadet.com
The Internet site for Makeup Forever. Click for their luscious lip glosses in wine and
moonstone, scroll down for the Alterna hair care products and before signing off check
their select lines of accessories, bath and body products, hair care and skin care, as
well as the great gift set section.
Words of Caution
While all of the sites listed above offer international shipping, a majority of on-line
stores do not, citing some vague "customs regulations" as the reason. Credit
cards are the method of choice for payment but some sites do allow you to print out your
order and fax or mail it in with a check or international money order. As security
technology increases so do the techniques of hackers who steal numbers off the Web so if
you still are hesitant about shopping the net call the customer service center number,
which is usually listed on the site, and place your order over the phone. Keep track of
all invoices to cross reference against your order and credit card bill when they arrive
and notify the company immediately in the case of any discrepancy.
ADVERTISERS
Ash 03-3770-3755 Biodanza Boots Clinique TCA Club Boy Beau
Crunch 03-5459-123- Dr. Allen Leroy Robinson
Hair Dressers Archecal 03-0449-6106
Hayato New York 03-3498-9113
Hugo BOSS
Japan Electrolysis Clinic (Ginza) Maiko Make Over Studio
Shiki
My Boo Nail Salon 03-5428-1121
Neal's Yard Natural Therapy Center
03-3405-7216
Roksen Bar Cosmetic 03-5658-7675 Sin Den
Takagi Skin Clinic Tamariba.inc. Tokyo Skin Clinic
Toni&Guy Japan 03-3797-5790
Watanabe Hair Dressing 03-3405-1188
Who Ga 03-5570-1773
ADVERTISERS