Every girl knows Sasa - hell, every girl loves Sasa. Sasa is home to affordable skincare, makeup…read moreand everything in between. They even sell toiletries like cotton wipes and toothpaste - seriously, Sasa's got everything. I think one thing people don't know is that besides affordable products that are mostly imports from Korea and Japan, Sasa also stocks high-end brands like La Prairie and La Mer. They're way in the back of the store and displayed behind locked cabinets, so you will have to ask the sales ladies to help you with them. The advantage of buying high-end products here is that they are usually cheaper than if you buy them at the actual stores. Products from brands like these are no doubt expensive, so why not get the exact same thing for cheaper? The disadvantage, though, is that you don't get the A-list treatment that you would if you were shopping in, say, Lane Crawford. You probably won't get to sit down in a lush chair and allow the sales lady to let you try all their products, knowing you have your eye set on just one thing and nothing else. You likely won't be able to leave with free testers either - but who cares, if you're able to buy something with about a $100 knocked off its price? My mother has bought skincare gifts for friends from here before and they have no idea she got a better deal for them at Sasa! I've found that the sales ladies at Sasa aren't the most helpful people on earth - for example, I've asked for their cotton pads and they just kind of point vaguely in the direction that it's in. If I'm in a hurry, I usually have to try my luck and ask for where something is rather than scanning all the aisles and looking for myself because Sasa is quite big and if I'm not familiar with that particular branch, it would take me a while to locate what I want. All in all, I would choose going to Sasa over Watsons and Mannings any day. The items are cheaper, and for things like makeup, there's a much larger variety for you to choose from! However, speaking of price, some things are cheaper at their competitor, Bonjour. Bonjour isn't as varied as Sasa though and between the two, you're more likely to find what you want at Sasa!

There are Sasas everywhere in Hong Kong, and I think that they are a good place to look for asian…read morebrand cosmetics. They had an extensive mask selection at this one, and I felt that the collection was pretty complete in general. I would consider this similar to Sephoras in the US (but there were not as many of the popular US brands represented, of course). This location is just a few feet from the subway station, which was super convenient. I had been hearing a lot about japanese mascaras, and found the one I was looking for at Sasa. They take visa cards, and speak English.

Sasa is like the Ulta of Hong Kong (if you are from America and are familiar with Ulta). THere are…read moreseveral Sasa's around Hong Kong. Their selection from store to store can vary and is not consistent based on the size of the store it seeems, so just know that. But if you are a skin care guru like myself and like to dabble in all things beauty and skin care, Sasa is a good place to spend some time and browse around. Lots of Korean, Chinese and Japanese skin care brands you cannot easily find in the US. They sell a vast variety of brands from low end like Nutrogena & Burts Bees to high end like SK-II and La Mer, and many brands in between. Skin care appears to be about 65% of their business model, with make-up lines, lotions, shampoos, etc. making up the other 35%. It is not that their prices are any less expensive necessarily, simply they have more brands and more variety in one store. Skin care can be tricky and you can get lost in a sea of serums, masks, lotions and creams if you are not knowledgable in places like this. Sasa has a website in which you can look at brands in English that appear only in another language when you are looking at the packaging in the actual store. They do appear to have a membership program that rewards you for your loyalty as well. Sasa is a good way to look at a lot of skincare

I heard that the black pearl face masks are pretty cheap here. So i got some.. maybe more than i…read moreneed. It's clean, the staffs are friendly and prices are not that bad.

Bonjour is one of the main cosmetics chains in Hong Kong. Sasa is the other one. This location is…read morelocated on Bute Street in Mong Kok next to the footbridge that connects Grand Century Place/Mong Kok East Station with Mong Kok Station. The store actually has three different entrances since it takes up multiple storefronts. While Bonjour is known for their cosmetics and fragrances offerings, it has commonality with the two drugstore chains, Mannings and Watsons. While cosmetics are the main offering, Bonjour has a nice selection of drugstore products. Particularly Chinese medicines and healing oils. And the prices seem to be the same or better at Bonjour than at the two drugstore chains based on a product comparison I did on a few items. The store also has a nice food and snacks selection including some that are imported. There is even an area here in the right side back of the store that is full of Japanese snacks and groceries. The only issue with this store is that the aisles are small and the checkout location seems to be oddly placed near the middle of the store. If you are looking for a drugstore item, you should check out Bonjour to see if they have it. You might save a few bucks here rather than going to one of the drugstore chains.

Mi Ming Mart was founded by celebrity/ politician Erica Yuen. The Central store is the newest…read morelocation of the 5 stores. Despite the feminine interior design of the store, there are many things that are suitable for both sexes. I stumbled upon Erica's YouTube channel 4-5 years ago when I started watching beauty videos. Back then, she was probably one of the first few local celebrities or "beauty gurus" as the YouTube community calls it, creating videos introducing skincare, makeup and healthcare products in Hong Kong. I used to have skin allergy problems when I was younger. As such, I've always been careful with the skincare products I use. I always look for products that do not have artificial fragrance and chemicals. Erica's concept of choosing chemical-free products for her store is exactly what I've been looking for all these years. The skincare industry these days just use marketing techniques by giving you statistics and telling you they have this exclusive formula. Honestly, can you even search for these so-called exclusive ingredients and formula on the Internet and prove them right? What I like about Erica is that she hand-picks and introduces many different brands of products that are hard to find in Hong Kong. She also carefully studies the ingredients to explain to her viewers and customers why such natural ingredients are important and others are bad for the skin. If you watch her videos, sometimes it can get a bit scientific... but I'm convinced! Her products aren't cheap, but for something that gives me results these years and given her hard work on researching for products, I'm willing to pay a higher price. Mi Ming Mart is truly a "mart" as she doesn't just sell skincare or beauty products. There are also other products such as health supplements, healthy snacks, laundry care, home fragrance, etc. For those who are living overseas, they also have an online store!

The worst shopping experience I've ever had. The sales…read moreassociate -- I think her name was Judy or Jedd -- was incredibly pushy and made the entire visit uncomfortable. She followed me around the store, constantly pressuring me to make a purchase and even tried to rush me to the checkout. She repeatedly misled me about a VIP promotion, claiming I'd get a coupon I could use right away. When I asked if it applied to the lipsticks I was interested in, she said yes -- but conveniently failed to mention it was only valid on a $150 minimum purchase and limited to certain brands. After I spent time carefully picking out items, the cashier informed me the coupon couldn't even be used on most of them. It felt like the whole thing was just a tactic to boost her commission before the end of her shift. I honestly don't understand how a major store would hire someone like that -- dishonest, aggressive, and clearly not focused on customer experience.

While I typically stay away from Sasa stores here in Hong Kong as I find them chaotic and not…read morestocked with product brands and lines I am seeking, this particular location is a game-changer. So what puts the 'Supreme' in this Sasa outpost? According to their website, it's a concept store providing a comprehensive cosmetics selection in addition to beauty and styling services. What I noticed: an open layout, tons of space to roam without bumping elbows with anyone, so many more products than the regular Sasa stores, and better product availability within certain cosmetic lines. I didn't end up going home with any cosmetics (I tend to prefer department store lines), but I did find my beloved Nuxe line and at a very competitive price offering. I took home a large shower gel and a shampoo for about $225 HKD - not bad for this French line that smells sensual yet fresh (in a 'warm' kind of way) at the same time. I also have the perfume (purchased in Paris) and so many strangers stop me to inquire about my fragrance. It's a good one! I'll definitely be back when it's time to get my hands on more Nuxe goodies.

The store is easy to find. It is nearby the big shopping malls like Times Square and Hysan Place…read more Accessible from the MTR as well. And It is a walking distance from Holiday Inn Express where I am staying. My daughter wanted some of the No Sebum Mineral Powder. (I came early and I have to wait for the store to open). I was glad that they have what I was looking for. There is a 15% discount if you buy 7pcs. So that's what I did. The salesperson is welcoming. She greeted me with a smile and asked what I was looking. The downside is that the store is tiny. Probably 4 - 5 customers can fit at times. If more than that, it will be so stuffy and crowded.

This location of Innisfree is crazy crowded. Avoid if you can! For what it's worth, I found it…read morecheaper in Taipei and Singapore...

Etude House is a Korean cosmetics and skincare brand that I learned about through my friend in the…read moreStates. I stumbled into this location while wandering around TST and found my experience to be a solid one. The sales women are very helpful, not pushy and can speak English. You can receive free samples after meeting certain purchase minimums, which they display at the register. I purchased the "My Lash Serum" which is apparently great for growing lashes, several eye liners both liquid and pencil, and the Collagen moistfull essence-in-pact powder. You will find that many of their products only come in one color, but they allow you to test any product, which generally is translucent enough to fit most (Asian) skin tones. I am generally looking for Asian cosmetic products that are hard to find in the States, and I highly recommend this brand and store for it's cute packaging, affordable prices, and stress-free shopping experience (compared to Sasa)!