The Perfume Parlour is definitely the cheapest place to buy perfume in West Lakes. Every perfume is…read morethe real deal, not a cheaper knock off like other places. Usually their prices are up to 70% off the recommended retail price. They sell all the big brand names such as; Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and so much more. The staff are very helpful and happy to let you try as many perfumes as you like, even if you don't end up buying anything! If you are looking for a specific perfume and it can't be found at The Perfume Parlour then they are more than happy to try their best to track it down for you. The next time you're looking for a perfume, wether it's for yourself or for a special gift, head down to The Perfume Parlour.

Great quality products, there's an incredibly huge range of colours and the brushes are sturdy and…read moreincredible! The staff are friendly and while the decor can be initially a bit overwhelming with the store being completely black, the relaxed atmosphere soon puts you at ease. I love their brow kit and the lip care kit the most - they are such gems! Other than that, who can say no to rows and rows of lipstick?

I hadn't come across The Make Up Store before, and no wonder, because there are only two in…read moreAustralia, and one in Adelaide, though it's a global business. Intrigued by the mirrors and make-up chairs, I wandered in to see what they do. Their range of make-up is fairly unremarkable in products and price, though I can't comment on the quality, because I wasn't impressed enough to buy any. Though I do like the look of their range of brushes, which seem to be good quality at reasonably prices. While I was in the store, a women brought back a broken make-up purse in which the zip had come apart on first use. You can't help but notice incidents like these, and it doesn't give you great confidence in the product. I was seeking ideas for wedding make-up, and had a chat to one of the girls who offered some suggestions, though nothing I couldn't have come up with myself, and nothing that specifically suited the look I wanted. She offered that next time I come in we can try some styles on in front of the mirror - but wouldn't a serious saleswoman have offered to do it then and there? I can't say I was impressed overall.

I'm not really into cosmetics and beauty treatments. I prefer the au natural look. However I still…read morefind this store has it's benefits for me. Firstly I do like their stuff like foot spa's and massage pads. Secondly because they have some fantastic and well priced gift packs. You can find something for anyone in here. Or if you have a teenage girl there are heaps of make up bags, cosmetics, hair stuff the list is endless. And younger girls love the stuff. They also sell some well known perfumes much cheaper than some other places. So if you want something nice might be an idea to check here before you head somewhere like Myer, it may surprise you.

I like this shop, and especially love their bargain bins.read more

Awesome place for skincare products. Love their multiple locations. Great for gifts.read more

This is a skin care and cosmetic store that is a bit different to the rest. They have farms in the…read moreAdelaide Hills where they grow a good deal (if not all) of the products that they use in their skin care range, things like lavender, calendula, roses... all the ingredients required. They started out as a small enterprise and have gradually become a South Australian model of business success. This can only really happen when the products are good to begin with, and the way they pitch their business story has always included the story of finding Adelaide and the surrounds to be the perfect place to create the materials to use in their product, so obviously it has been embraced locally. After all it sends a very positive message about the area, and maintains it with a sought after commodity. The emphasis is on natural beauty and good product. Cleansers, Toners, Moisturisers, all of these things are relatively basic products, but if really pure and good ingredients are used they will be better, stands to reason. I've used some of the toners and moisturisers myself and I think they are very good. Pricey - absolutely - but that's one of those very personal things isn't it? The difference between what you chose for yourself is often relative to what income you are on at any given time. If I have little income I go for a generic brand every time, if I have a fair income I like to use products that are superior in quality. The whole Jurlique story is a little superior, a little more special than anything else - and maybe that is just astute marketing by degrees, but if something is extra smooth and smells really wonderful, it is going to get my vote over something a bit thick and smelling not so great. Chat in store to one of the assistants and you will get a good insight into what the products are all about and how they differ from your generic products elsewhere. You will notice they have a very earthy style in store, and the shop smells deliciously fresh and pure. They do some great tinctures and know how to make you feel special by rubbing a little cream on your wrist. It is very fresh and seductive in a way. Worth an investigation if you are prone to allergies as well.

I always love the Body Shop, not least because I have weird reactions to a range of other beauty…read moreproducts (oddly enough usually the ones which say that they're 'all-natural') but also as the products seem to do what they say they will on the tin. The service in the Marion branch can sometimes be a bit hit and miss, I've had great advice here and had staff go the extra mile for me and then other times I've been completely ignored. Most people coming to the Body Shop are already converts to the brand and the range in store is extensive but I think a few of the staff members need to practice on service!

If I do step foot in The Body Shop these days I prefer the cozy size of this particular store…read more There was a time in the years of old when their thick syrupy lip gloss and vanilla perfume was all the rage (basically you'd smell like different varieties of ice-cream). At that stage it was one of the few companies that supported an ethical approach to ingredients, sourcing and anti-animal testing. In this enviro-conscious age many a store makes such claims, so one of the few things that separated this brand (and justified the expense) has lost prominence. Add to this that their founder sold the business to Loreal, or some similar conglomerate, a few years ago, and it's former spotless reputation is officially sullied. Having said that I would recommend the chamomile eye-make up remover (perfect for sensitive peepers like mine) and if your at a loss gift-wise you can't go too far wrong with the packs. At the very least it'll give someone nice products for when the guests come to stay. In a nutshell - fancy soaps anyone?!

6/1/2012 Photos I might just be a stereotypical Aussie male…read more I'm just not that into all these fragrance-type stores. My sense of smell really isn't that strong as yours! LOL However, I believe in giving any store a fair go and share of my time. So...My top favourite scent in these store was the 'Strawberry Massage' cream for the gals, followed by the 'Breath of God' cologne, which I can still smell on my arm several hours later. The service was fantastic, and she let me smell probably two dozen different scents all around the store! This is why I really like the service in Lush. I was approached very quickly, and don't tell anyone, but she did something unexpected that no other skin care store in Adelaide has done to me. She rubbed cream on me. Yes, you read it here. But oh, let me tell you now, if she wasn't working here, she'd be a damn good massage therapist! *winks* :) The shop is jam-packed full of body creams, lotions, bath bubbles, and gift packages/boxes - watch out for those perfumes to the right of the counter, they can cast a lustful and dangerous spell up your nose. The lady who served me was dressed in all black; but her cheerful attitude is a breath of fresh air, and even made me breathe in some...pleasurable....scents. The company's directors still create all the products and do not compromise on quality. Mark Constantine and his son Simon create all the fragrances, using the loveliest ingredients. This is probably the only company which uses real jasmine absolute perfume (more expensive than gold) in affordable objects to throw in the bath! In her own words, luckily, there is some talent in management here - because even if you don't buy a thing, this store makes sure the customer goes from "Oh, here comes another skin care shop," to leaving the store thinking, "Wow, that was a really pleasant experience"! If you ever change your name, I suggest you change it to Lust, 'cos that's what I felt for you.

Rude staff, poor merchandise. Took a long time to be served and the staff were rude when they did.read more

For a very long time, like many other women, I have struggled with finding products that I can use…read morethat is kind to my skin. I have often had reactions to petrochemicals and perfumes in brand name products. On an outing to Hahndorf about 5 years ago, I walked past the Beeswax Natural Health and Harmony store. I had never really tried anything that was all natural on my skin and I really like the idea of avoiding any bad chemicals. So, I ventured in. Upon walking in the store you will notice beautiful scents of many different oils. There are many shelves of different products. You will find everything from facial cleansers to dog shampoo. So if you after anything in particular, speak to the lovely staff and they will help guide you. I guess most people would be skeptical on the effectiveness of natural oils and products on your skin. A lot of us are used to listening to marketing that states "scientifically proven formulas" and recommendations from the stars. But really, when you think about it (and I am going to sound like a hippy), nature gives you what you need. It is really the truth. I started with some foaming cleanser and moisturiser for sensitive skin. These products smelt beautiful and refreshing. To my surprise they were quite inexpensive. After trying them for around a week, I started to notice the difference in my skin. It looked fresh and blemishes started to clear up. After this, I returned back to the store to purchase lip balm, foot creams, face scrubs, body creams and shaving foam for my partner. I can tell you and will vouch; the products offered in this store work. I have noticed a dramatic change in my skin and will never touch a brand name product again. So, for you metro Adelaidians, I imagine that you would have enough time to venture to Hahndorf. Don't fret, you can order their products online as well. Check out their website and call them for advice. Give this amazing line a go; what have you got to lose? I guarantee you will enjoy it. All of my friends and family do now as well.

I ventured into this shop several years ago on a day trip. I had been using a facial serum which…read morewhilst good was very expensive and recent events in my life had required me to be more economical. So I used cheaper products which I was not at all happy with. I pounced on the Serum made for Mature skin and bought some. It is very, very good, and not expensive. Since then I have bought about 7 bottles, it lasts months and is very, very good. I have brought other products which have all been very good. I won't use brand name products again. I have bought in store and inline.

Apart from the slightly droll implications of calling it Mecca, a beauty and skincare store that…read moreallows a woman to make an appointment to come in and have her face painted is not such a bad thing. Many women enjoy the 'make over' element of having the right foundation, blush, eye shadow and lipstick, but do not have the money to build up a cache of makeup when they're not really using it all that often. One wouldn't necessarily be wanting to use foundation all the time or applying eye shadow every day, it simply isn't very practical. Obviously some jobs require the added enhancement of makeup, but not all. If you were working in a laundry you wouldn't feel any great need to be made up with cosmetics every day would you? Possibly if you were working in a shop or as a receptionist or as a bank manager or teller you may feel it is par for the course to wear some makeup, just so you look that extra bit fresh even when you are not feeling quite so fresh. Mecca Cosmetica is an outlet for some very vivid cosmetics, but I am drawn to it as a business because I am told it is a nice treat. You see I don't go and get myself made up, as much as I may need some sort of cosmetic enhancement, I shy away from it being a male. My grandchildren may feel strong enough to get around wearing eye liner and blush, but today's young men are definitely more adventurous that I ever was in that department. I myself have been informed in this particular instance that the service provided by Mecca Cosmetica is a "treat and a half", "a real splurge out" and "essential if you don't know what to do with cosmetics to save your life" and I am inclined to believe the advice I've had imparted to me. I do know that when I worked in television on various TV series and in movies there was quite a lot of time spent in the makeup chair for relatively little effect, which was the desired outcome. The difference in real life for a woman is she can learn a lot by having someone apply her makeup for her, to deliberately make her look made up, coloured, enhanced; however you want to put it. Once the lessons are learnt they can be utilised without the luxury of having someone do it for you. We all know a little bit of self indulgence can be a good thing from time to time as long as it doesn't get you into trouble. If you and four friends want to be indulged in an evening of sppecial treatment and crash course of education it will cost you $100.00 each which may seem a lot at a glance to some, and will not seem too much to others obviously; what is the value of self grooming and knowing what to do with the cosmetics you bother to purchase? I suspect this is a fairly reasonable price for a working woman, and we all know how easy it is to then share secrects with our nearest and dearest, don't we women?

8/01/2012 It's always really awkward for me trying to talk…read moreabout make-up. I mean...how do I share with the rest of Yelp (and maybe the public user) that: 1. This is only the second EVER cosmetic store I have ever been to in my ENTIRE life... and 2. It was SO bad that when you normally have the ability to think on your feet and answer spontaneous and tough questions, you were asked by the shop assistant what my "lady friend" specifically likes in make-up, you were absolutely stumped on the spot! (I mean...I should be alright in the field of make-up, right?...Boy, have I never been more wrong in my life!) Awkward confessions aside, Mecca Cosmetica was the most informative, and comfortable beauty&cosmetics store I have ever been to. (Well, yes, out of the two shops so far. Give me a break! I'm still a rookie!) Mecca Cosmetica had fantastic service! While I was the only other living and breathing customer in the store I quickly gained courage to ask her to introduce me to this new world of make-up! She effortlessly introduced me to the lipstick colours of orange, red, and even recommended purple as the new trendy colour for nails! I must say, really...the quality of the lipstick and nail colour was clear and pretty to look at! I figured I might as well enjoy the free ride. But she laughed at me as she knew that this wasn't my element when she kept asking questions, until I told her, "I have no idea what I'm doing here. I feel like I'm on a shopping spree in Sex In the City, except I'm Mr Big, not Carrie Bradshaw." I'm still not sure how I managed to survive half an hour here! So here's a TIP: Guys, when visiting any make-up store, ask a female friend to come along with you. For the ladies, if you want the best make-up in Adelaide CBD, go and step inside Mecca Cosmetica on your next trip to Rundle Mall...especially if you want friendly & educational customer service, coupled with the best beauty & cosmetic products from USA and Europe!