STAFF PRIORITIZES UPSELLING OVER ACTUAL SKINCARE NEEDS…read more I had a very disappointing experience. The staff pressured me into buying a product I did not want, ignoring my request for retinoids. Even after I expressed discomfort with the brand, they kept pushing for that one single new product that had nothing to do with treating melasma. They steered me away from the one product I trusted and knew worked for me, insisting instead on something expensive that, in reality, does not treat melasma or dark spots. It became clear their goal was not to help but to push sales and meet their targets. I even overheard when I turned last minute, Amber one of the staff members bragging to her colleague about convincing me as if it were some sort of competition. I paid around $100 for a product that does absolutely nothing for my skin. When I tried to take time to check reviews and make an informed decision, they repeatedly interrupted and pressured me to buy immediately. To make matters worse, a senior staff member approached when they noticed me checking and promised gifts and samples with the purchase but when I paid, I never received them. This was manipulative and left me feeling taken advantage of, especially as someone who came in with limited product knowledge. Be warned: do your own research, and if you know what you want, go directly for it without relying on their "advice." The staff here care more about upselling than about customer needs, and they'll push whatever is most expensive not what actually works for your skin.

10/10 A young lady named "Patty" completely helped, going WAY above and beyond, to find the correct…read moreskin tone and undertones for concealer and then took skin pictures and uploaded it to my profile so I can look at my profile anytime I want and buy the right product!!!! We were buying 1 item. This was a small sale and she treated us like we bought the entire store! We felt like royalty!!! She should be employee of the month!!! 5 stars Patty!

TLDR: Store in the Rideau Centre that sells Korean and Japanese products. They have cosmetic brands…read morethat are harder to find in Ottawa, but their food items aren't anything special and more expensive than elsewhere. So Sukoshi Mart just opened in the Rideau Centre on April 13, 2024. They sell Japanese and Korean products. Mostly cosmetics and skincare, but they also have stationery, stuffed animals and packaged snacks. I have to say I was a bit disappointed. When Sukoshi Mart opened their first store back in 2018 in Kensington Market in Toronto, they branded themselves as a convenience store with lots of imported snacks. They also served fresh food, like mochi, taiyaki and Bento box meals. But I guess they changed their business model because this location is mostly makeup and skincare. They have a tiny section in the corner with food and it's all shelf stable products like chips, cookies, ramen, etc. With the exception of a few items (like imported Oreos in flavours like fig, peach and berries) most of their foods I can get at T&T or the International aisle at mainstream grocery stores. Like they had Turtle Chips for $7.95 a bag. I can get these at Walmart for $4.99. I was hoping they would have freshly made taiyaki or mochi. Anyway, the store is cool. If you're looking for Asian cosmetics, they have a good selection. They have a claw machine and a photo booth! And so many stuffed animals. If I had never gone to the Sukoshi Mart in Toronto of days passed, I might have found their new iteration cool, but I personally like their original vision better, so it affected my opinion of it. Sorry dad, I'm drinking the tea I drank 6 years ago (my dad is a Buddhist and he's always reminding me to "drink the tea you are drinking now and not the tea you drank yesterday" in other words, enjoy things for what they are in the present and don't compare to past experiences. I am not nearly as enlightened as my dad, so my review is what it is, lol. However, I was originally going to give it 3 stars, but that's because of my expectations that it would be like the store in my memories, so giving it 4 stars as I strive to be more enlightened. No free parking at the Rideau Centre, so paid parkade or street parking only. (71)

I can't believe that I just discovered that a "The Face Shop" store opened at the Rideau Centre…read more Apparently they've been open since March 2014. This store is so awesome. They sell cosmetics and skincare products. The company is South Korean. Their prices are cheap and their products are cool. They have really unique and unusual nail polishes, and they are only $3-$7. They have something they call "yogurt nail polish" - which are glitter in a translucent milky base - really different looking (for you fellow nail polish enthusiasts, think China Glaze's "It's a Trap-eze" from the Cirque du Soleil collection, but much less glitter-dense). This store is on the lower level (same level as the food court and Shopper's Drug Mart) and is where "Fruits and Passion" used to be. I am so stoked that there is a place to get inexpensive Korean makeup in Ottawa. Now if only we could get a Daiso here...

After my consultation I was extremely impressed with Alison (owner and head esthetician). She was…read moreprofessional, knowledgable and made me feel very comfortable. I went in for laser hair removal. I only had 1 session after my free consultation and the results are very positive so far. I'm looking forward to my next sessions to be completely hair free! Alison has lots of incentive programs and very affordable rates. She has state of the art laser machines too, which is key. Rumor has it she does killer facials. Can't wait to try one! A must for sure! Free parking, clean and comfortable atmosphere.

From the owner: It is our mission to help you feel and look your personal best by tailoring our services to meet…read moreyour individual needs. Ottawa Laser Clinic has been providing laser hair removal, tattoo removal and skin treatments since 2008. OLC is the winner of the prestigious consumer choice award for business excellence in the category of laser hair removal for the last 13 years in a row. We are also the Top Choice Award winners for 10 consecutive years as well. Our goal is to provide personal and professional care to all of our clients. We work with the industry leaders in technology and product lines, and our staff are all certified and experienced in their fields.

TLDR: Imported Asian snacks, drinks, makeup and skincare. Fair prices. Friendly service…read more Anyone who even knows me a little bit knows that I love imported snacks and drinks. So I knew that I would love Mergi Shop. It's been open for a while, but I only recently made my way down there. It's in a rougher part of town, hence the bars on the windows. Public drug use, vandalism and acts of violence are common in this area, especially in the last few years. The store inside is brightly lit, clean and well-organized. Staff are friendly, greeting you as you enter, but leave you to browse on your own. If you need assistance though, they will help. I came to buy a specific Japanese mascara base (the Japanese make the best mascaras, IMO). Unfortunately, they didn't have it, but they had other items, including regular mascara of the same brand (Kiss Me Heroine Make). I got a mascara ($18.79) and decided to try their liquid eyeliner ($16.49) too, since the store was having a 10% off sale and I wanted to make my trip down there worthwhile, lol. They had lots of chips and other snacks from Asia and also imported drinks. They had mostly items from Japan and Korea that are harder to find. Not stuff from China that you can easily get at Kowloon Supermarket, Green Fresh or T&T. Their prices are very fair considering they are imported goods and rarer to find in Ottawa. I really enjoyed poking around looking at stuff in this store. Street parking only. (88)

Cool little convenience and grocery store that specializes in east Asian…read more Lots of snacks like cookies, chips and other things. There's a small shelf of things for your pantry. A decent selection of frozen food for such a small store. They have a lots of drinks from coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks. Surprisingly they have some cosmetics as well. Some items seem to have really high prices while others seem like they're reasonably priced or cheaper than expected I'd give this place a 3.5 if I could but rounding up Go check it out for yourself!

I am a status Indian. #axia station #Korean store (#MergiShop ) at 147 or 142 Rideau Street…read more514-826-9188 613-867-5888 (she failed to write it down properly) in #Ottawa refused to give me my Point of Sale (POS) tax exemption using my Indian Status Card - This is the legitimate form of identification for a provicinal sales tax exemption for status Indians. When I complained, the female Senior employee told me to go see a tax man. I do not have a tax man and I was insulted. Then she told me to ask CRA for a rebate form (I explained that CRA for responsible for federal tax and this was a provincial tax and she did not understand). My father fought in the #Korean war in the fifties to provide freedom for South Korea and this is how new Canadian #Koreans decide to treat original #Canadian #Indigenous people. #Shame #donotshoplist I am sending in my complaint to Summers Wang and the Provincial Ministry of Finance 1-866-668-8297.

Omg! If you love exotic/imported snacks from Asia, this place is paradise! It is huge! Much larger…read morethan I expected it to be. It's bright and clean and so awesome! They have so many varieties of KitKats from Japan. And so many exotic Lay's Potato Chip flavours. Their drink selection is also impressive. Lots of Fanta flavours, lots Mountain Dew flavours, and they have those Pokemon canned drinks too. In addition to candies, chips and drinks, they also sell cosmetics, toys, housewares, and kawaii stationery. The ceilings have cool neon lights. The shopping carts and baskets are pink and yellow. They have claw machines, but weren't set up yet when I went, but I suspect the plan is to have them functional in the future. Staff are nice and leave you alone to browse, but are available if you need help. Street parking or paid parkade parking only. It's right downtown/on the edge of the Byward Market, so parking is always a pain. Definitely worth a trek across town to visit. My coworker who lived in Japan for a few years said it reminded her of Japan.

A wholesale/retail store, it can be hard to spot, as evidence by my driving by 3 times before I…read morefound it. The first time I discovered the store, was in search of a professional grade flat iron for my wife's curly hair. It was recommended by one of the local hair salons. My wife was very pleased with the product. Word of warning, it being professional grade, it wasn't cheap. The store is nothing like a hair salon, more like a wholesale operation, which the products stacked upon themselves on shelves. To give you an idea though, there might have been 50 options for flat irons. The hair clippers caught my attention though, as the prices seemed very reasonable for what barbers/stylists use: $100-$130 range. They have a decent sized selection of barber shop products as well. Check out the website, and give them a call if there is something specific you are looking for. They have been in business for over 25 years - they must be keeping their clientele busy.

From the owner: Keep your clients satisfied and make your life easier with innovative salon and spa products from…read moreBytown Beauty Supply in Ottawa. For over 25 years we've supplied eastern Ontario with a vast array of hair and nail care products. From hair dryers to clippers and even salon furniture, we have it all. Bytown Beauty Supply offers special deals throughout the year, usually on a bi-monthly basis. Please check with us often to enjoy extra savings!

I love Lush, but sometimes I just can't deal with the overwhelming combination or aromas. Purple…read moreUrchin, a new handmade bath and body store is like Lush, if Lush was small, less smelly and located on Somerset Street. I was greeted by one of the owner's sisters who was watching the store that day, and watched her as she packaged soap while I browsed. When Purple Urchin says handmade they really mean handmade! I loved the intimate feel of the store and appreciated the aromatic, but not overpowering scents. I browsed the store for a few minutes, but since it is so small, it did not take long to see everything the store has to offer. They have a variety of skincare products (lip balms, moisturizers), bath salts, body scrubs and even a line of baby products. They also have a few unscented products, which are in fact unscented, something that anyone with a sensitive schnoz can appreciate. I walked away with a foot product, something called Heel Healin' Balm (I am a dancer, I abuse my feet, don't judge!). I have only been using it for a few days, but can already notice a difference. It was a little bit on the expensive side, but I typically am okay with paying more for a quality, handmade product. Purple Urchin also features EcoCandles which smell amazing! I will keep this little shop in mind the next time I am looking for a cute little present to buy someone. Finally, Purple Urchin has lots of fliers for local events and charities scattered throughout their shop. As if I wasn't in love enough, now they are charitable? They support the local Ottawa community? Love it. The only reason I didn't give a full score is because they do not have an extensive list of products. Once they get on their feet and their business takes off, I am sure we will see more from Purple Urchin!

Holy bejeezus. I can't say enough amazing things about Purple Urchin. First of all, I've been…read moresearching for a local, handmade bath and beauty place for awhile now, and a few products in particular. After running into the lovely co-owner of Purple Urchin at Urban Craft a few months ago, my (skin's) life was forever changed. In case anyone is wondering about the origin of their business, (nosy me), asked Sarah how it all began. Apparently she and her friend (and now co-owner) were short on money for holiday gifts and they decided to try making soap. she also mentioned she's struggled with sensitive skin her whole life, and it wasn't until she starting making her own recipes that it calmed down. the two starting trying different things, selling their products at local fairs and markets (which they still do!), and recently opened iup their own store. Not only are these women hard workers, but they're also super-involved in the local community, as Emily mentioned. If all of Sarah's charm wasn't enough, her knowledge and expertise were even better. I asked her what she would recommend for my skin, and she explained all the different cleaners to me. We settled on this amazing-smelling scrub (Pomegranate Fig and Coconut Sugar) that has some neon colour to it that she explained randomly happened while mixing the ingredients. It basically smells like pina coladas and summer. I've also been on the hunt for a cocoa butter or beeswax lipbalm (other than Burt's Bees), and found one with BOTH! Their coconut lip butter is divine (yes, I like coconut), and I actually feel naked if I forget it at home. Bottom line - check them out. This is a hyper-local business run but two awesome women who make amazing products. I'm definitely thinking of buying their pet line (shampoo, paw pad moisturizer) for Finn, and their baby line for my friends. Also love their slogan - "You need soap. P U"

I absolutely love Sally Beauty Supplies. Where to start, the prices are cheap, and if you watch…read moreenough YouTube videos you'll just start doing your hair yourself. LOL The staff are also amazing in their knowledge with color , toners and everything in the store. I think this used to be a store just for hair professionals but it's open to the public now. I'm constantly experimenting with my hair and thanks to Sally Beauty I can do it without breaking the bank

From the owner: Sally Beauty at 1091 St. Laurent in Ottawa, ON is your go-to for thousands of salon quality…read moreproducts at budget friendly prices, including the best in hair care, hair color, accessories, styling tools, cosmetics, nail care, and salon equipment. You'll have everything you need to inspire pro results at home. With nearly 3,000 stores across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, we carry top brands like Clairol, L'Oréal, Wella, and Chi. Need help with hair color? Our free Licensed Colorist OnDemand service connects you with expert colorists for personalized product recommendations and easy to follow guidance. All products are backed by our Love It or Return It Guarantee. Unleash your PROtential, only at Sally!