Best beauty boutiques in Amsterdam

Babassu Beauty

Located on a pretty street in posh Zuid, this cosmetics Valhalla “appeals to cosmopolitan men and women who take good care of themselves and want to discover new and exciting cosmetic brands, fragrances and treatments,” says founder Heidi Olijerhoek. Choose from luxe brands like Natura Bissé, The Organic Pharmacy and Perricone MD for Babassu Beauty’s signature face and body treatments or shop “iconic brands with a story”, including Benamôr, Tata Harper, Trudon, Delilah Cosmetics and Lola’s Apothecary or niche perfumes by the likes of BDK Parfums, Miller Harris, Nissaba and Lorenzo Villoresi.

Babassu Beauty | Cornelis Schuytstraat 40, Zuid

Haru Haru Beauty

This is the place to learn the secrets of the “seven layers skin method”, the famous Korean skincare routine that supposedly gives you glass-like skin. At this well-respected K-beauty specialist, you’ll find a wide range of products from Korea, one of the biggest innovators in the global beauty industry, including futuristic beauty tools and innovative cosmetics at an affordable price point.

Haru Haru Beauty | Hartenstraat 4, 9 Streets

Real Skin Care

Beauty beasts should beeline to this beauty concept store secreted down a little street in the picturesque Jordaan area. Says owner Melanie Oterdoom, “We offer a selection of quality natural products that have been extensively tested: if it doesn’t smell good or it’s not effective, we won’t sell it. I love Amly Botanicals’ Sleep Tight Face Balm and L’Objet’s Bois Sauvage bath salts.” You’ll also find other local and international names, including perfumes by Jul et Mad, skincare from Chatelier, bath and body products by Messiah & Eve, haircare products by Baiobay, home fragrances by Erbario and men’s grooming products from Well Kept.

Real Skin Care | Laurierstraat 168, Jordaan

Back Stage

For over 30 years, this “cosmetics candy store” has been a favourite of beauty junkies, make-up professionals, special effects artists and drag queens alike. The range is dizzying – from lip palettes and camouflage cream to body paint and wigs - you’ll find it all here, and highly knowledgeable service, too.

Back Stage | Rozengracht 107, Jordaan

Perfume Lounge

Even as a child, perfume designer and founder Tanja Deurloo was “filled with wonderment at the impact and power of the sense of smell”, so it’s no wonder that she’s become a scent expert with her own haute parfumerie. “We offer a curated collection of quality fragrances that you won’t find elsewhere in Amsterdam – like Satori, Nicolai Paris, Strangelove NYC and The Zoo – and we take pride in the expert personal advice we can offer and our bespoke perfume service. Our shop appeals to a customer looking for something special and who appreciates independent parfumiers. That’s also why we’ve deliberately chosen not to be in a busy shopping street. Here, we have the space for a downstairs lab, a library, a scent garden and a boutique,” she explains.

Perfume Lounge | Cornelis Krusemanstraat 25, Zuid

Laboratory K

Hyun Yeu’s K Beauty concept store and beauty salon is the perfect place to score Korean cosmetics and skincare devices by brands such as ISOI, Cosrx, Manyo, Purito and Beigic. There’s also a large selection of vegan and “clean beauty” products and an in-house beauty salon called Face Lab. All browsed out? Venture to the nearby HUNQ Store (Huidenstraat 21C), by the same owner, where you can “find your inner hunk” by way of men’s fragrances based on five male archetypes.

Laboratory K | Huidenstraat 32, 9 Streets

Rituals

This Dutch home and body cosmetics brand was created in 2000 to turn ordinary routines into restful rituals inspired by ancient traditions like Ayurveda, Dao and Anahata. Whether it’s luxuriating in a bath with hammam-inspired products, pampering your face with advanced botanical skincare, creating a more relaxing atmosphere at home with scent diffuser sticks and matching dish soap, or picking the perfect present from Ritual’s impressive range of gift boxes, it’s all about celebrating life’s little pleasures. Though you’ll find brand stores throughout the city, the best place to immerse yourself is at the flagship House of Rituals (Spui 10), where there’s also an in-house mind & body spa.

Rituals | various locations in Centrum, Noord, Oost & Amstelveen

Marie-Stella-Maris

Attractively displayed against a backlit wall, Marie-Stella-Maris’ monochromatic natural care cosmetics & home fragrances and bottled mineral waters look ever so cool and contemporary. And if gorgeous unisex scents like Objets d’Amsterdam, with its notes of citrus, sage and green tea, don’t entice you to hand over your plastic, you should know that a portion of the profits benefit clean drinking water projects worldwide.

Marie-Stella-Maris | locations in Western Canal District & Zuid

Dany Diop

Trained by the Parisian skincare legends Joëlle Ciocco and Dr Philippe Allouche of Biologique Recherche, Dany Diop’s clients range from “red carpet regulars to those with serious skin damage” but “every skin is of equal importance” to him. Diop believes in “working with the best brands from all over the world” for his treatments. But if you can’t nab an appointment with this in-demand skin health epidemiologist, rest assured that all his favourite skincare and fragrances can be found in both of his shops.

Dany Diop | locations in Zuid and Eastern Canal District

Skins Cosmetics

Specialised in niche international beauty and fragrance brands, many of which are exclusively imported by Skins Cosmetics, this beauty store will surely excite even the most discerning product devotee. In addition to luxury labels like Balmain hair care, Westman Atelier make-up and Zenology home sprays and premium fragrances by perfumers such as Kilian, Maison Crivelli and Salle Privée, you’ll also get expert advice and plenty of premium samples here. For tailored facial and body treatments, head to Skins Institute at Hotel De L’Europe (Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14).

Skins Cosmetics | locations in 9 Streets, Zuid & Buitenveldert