Best Cosmetics Store

Those looking for over-the-counter mainstays or the newest lip kit from a Kardashian sister need not visit VICTORIA COSMETICS. This unassuming store, tucked in the middle of a strip mall, is a haven for cheap and delightfully weird beauty goods, like snail gel or a sake yeast mask, most of which costs less than $10. Some of the makeup seems to be geared toward Asian shoppers — like double eyelid tape or whitening creams and washes — but anyone with an appreciation for quirky beauty products will find something to like in this shop. 5150 Buford Highway, Doraville. 770-457-1413.

photo by: Lindsey Max

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When artist/artisan Maryam Moma relocated from New York to Atlanta, she brought YAMERRA, her growing line of hair and skin care products, with her — and boy are we glad she did. Her proximity gives folks the chance to get their hands on her fragrant shea butter-based soaps (in flavors like lemon grass, honey vanilla and tangerine grapefruit, among many others), hair and body oils, moisturizers and more at pop-up shops and markets all over town — not just on her website, where she sells her wares to shoppers all over the world. Yamerra products are advertised as being made from “traceable natural and organic ingredients,” and you can feel that sentiment when you use the gentle-to-the-touch items for yourself. And, on top of that, it’s all sold at prices that are gentle to your wallet, as well. www.yamerra.com. less...

With a focus on holistic and botanical-based beauty products, LUXE APOTHECARY has the market cornered on locally made bath products with unique ingredients, amazing scents, and artful packaging. We live for the sea clay and mint body scrub. With its thick, luxurious consistency (bless you, shea butter), it’s packed with mineral-rich sea clay and refreshing peppermint oil that moisturizes your bod while sloughing off dead skin. Available at these intown locations: So Worth Loving, Smith ACE, Sq. Ft., Eco Denizen. Studio: 976 Jefferson St. N.W., Suite E. www.luxeapothecary.co. less...

Created by a mother-daughter team right here in the city, MARVI BEAUTY is all about natural products handcrafted in small batches. But don’t let that “beauty” part fool you, bros — Marvi also makes products catered directly to dudes. Their beard oil, facial serum, soothing scalp serum, and anti-dandruff serum come with easy-to-use droppers and are made with all-natural vegan ingredients. They’ve also got you covered via herbal hair oil to give you that “Don Draper of ATL” look. Available at Made Again, 299 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Suite H2. 404-893-0300. www.marvibeauty.com. less...

If you haven’t had the chance to sample offerings from Atlanta-based modern face, body, and home goods brand LITTLE BARN APOTHECARY, then get thee to the Westside. It recently opened up a brick-and-mortar spot in Westside Provisions District, where you can snag its signature hydrating butter balms. Though technically all-purpose, we recommend slathering it on your lips before bed to wake up with supple, moisturized lips. Bam! 1198 Howell Mill Road N.W., Suite OL1. www.littlebarnapothecary.com. less...

For years, Atlanta-based artist Madam CJ has left an indelible imprint all over Atlanta music and culture. Her all-natural line of DIVINE CLEMENTINE’S SOAP ON A ROPE, however, is a fresh anointing. Since starting the line of sustainable, small-batch soaps in 2009, she’s turned a hobby into a nationally recognized brand of aromatherapeutics handmade with locally sourced goat’s milk and other natural products. With naturally scented and unscented soaps — including lavender goat’s milk, tea tree goat’s milk oatmeal cookie, peppermint goat’s milk, and aloe vera goat’s milk — Divine Clementine’s contains no harsh ingredients, deodorants, or chemical fragrances, making it good for such ailments as psoriasis, eczema, sunspots, and sunburn. And the attached rope means you don’t have to worry about all that goodness melting away in a soap dish full of water. 404-997-8445. www.soap2tote.com. less...

That nasal passage-clogging mall perfume outpost this ain’t. In addition to its array of all-natural beauty, skincare, and bath products, FIG & FLOWER stocks some seriously solid fragrances, all made with top-notch, clean ingredients. Stop in to score an au naturel body mist, perfume oil, roll-on fragrance, or perfume concentrate (Osmia Organics’ Cedar Smoke natural perfume oil is a favorite). Can you smell that smell? It’s you — in a good way. 636 N. Highland Ave. N.E. 404-998-8198. www.shopfigandflower.com. less...

Over at CHAMELEON COSMETICS, we’ve found the kind of personalized service that’s difficult to get when you’re fighting crowds at the mall. The Virginia-Highland boutique invites customers to stay and play with complete make-up sampling stations and wash-off sinks. Owner Pandora Golden customizes concealer and foundation shades and sells them at prices comparable to the department stores’. A complete range of skin-care products includes toners, face masks and preparations made especially for men.
1054 St. Charles Ave. 404-685-9868. www.chameleoncosmetics.com.

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The international makeup mega-store SEPHORA has everything a girl could possibly need to primp. With classic lines like Nars and trendy ones like Stila and Benefit, Sephora has the right hue for everyone. The store carries over 200 brands and features much more than makeup, including hair care, skin care and every tool needed to blush, curl, line and tweeze yourself into supermodel-dom. But be forewarned: This colossal color palace is addictive and puts you at risk of becoming a hopeless beauty junkie. With all luck, a chapter of MAA (Makeup Addicts Anonymous) will come our way soon. "Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road, 404-816-0123, and other locations. www.sephora.com" less...

Here's a little secret: Even us gorgeous "CL" critics weren't born "this" beautiful. (We know, we know, it's hard to believe.) We go to SEPHORA for all the shade, color, glitter and gloss that accents our sassy side. Sephora carries its own line of cosmetics (lotsa iridescent glows) and a slew of name brands. Plus, a wall of "professional" makeup tools crammed with enough sharp-shiny-pointy instruments to make a surgeon wet his pants. Sephora's nightclub vibe is enhanced by red carpet and throbbing dance music. Put on some silver eye shadow and get down tonight. "3393 Peachtree Road. Suite 3042. Lenox Square. 404-816-0123; and other locations. www.sephora.com." less...

3393 Peachtree Road 404-816-0123 http://www.sephora.com If you haven't been, go. Sephora is a cornucopia of color that excites everyone who walks in; it's difficult not to buy something. Though cosmetics with the Sephora label get prominent play, the shop also carries brands you can't find elsewhere, as well as ideas, colors and concepts that make you think about makeup in ways you haven't before. It's not just cosmetics, though; the store also carries a full line of skin-care products and fragrances for women and men alike. less...

They carry all sorts of makeup and accessories. They have a huge wig collection. I don't personally wear wigs, but I know that the drag queens in Atlanta love 'em. It's always good to please everybody. The staff is really nice and helpful. They tend to stay pretty current with what's going on in fashion. Best MallLenox Square
3393 Peachtree Road

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The crazy thing about this store is you go in for one thing, like Maybelline Great Lash, and somehow end up buying 20 products. It's probably because, unlike drug stores, which carry select lines, it has every mass-market beauty line out there, plus some specialty lines such as Iman and Color Me Beautiful. Then, there are all the hair care products to peruse. You start wandering and an hour later you're trying to remember what you needed in the first place. less...