When Sephora opened its enormous Robson Street store in October 2014, other nearby beauty retailers must have worried. The head-to-toe, all-price-points emporium seemed to offer everything shoppers might need, including services like makeovers and eyebrow shaping. Popular opinion had it that smaller stores would struggle to compete.
But that’s not what happened. Shops continue to open, revamp and thrive along Robson.
“We know it’s impossible to carry every item that a customer comes in looking for, so we always suggest other beauty retailers they can check out to find the product they’re looking for if we don’t have it,” says Rita Lee, store manager at L’Occitane.
The natural beauty and fragrance shop opened in the same month as Sephora, at the corner of Robson and Burrard, and does brisk business. And they’re not alone. “Robson is a unique district in Vancouver, and in Canada,” says Kate Ross Le Blanc, founder of Saje.“I think that the businesses along the street feel a sense of pride in contributing to the overall atmosphere.”
Here, a snapshot of the beauty ecosystem that thrives on the street.
L’Occitane en Provence
French brand L’Occitane (pronounced ‘lox-ee-tan’) is 40 years old this year. It specializes in products inspired by the Mediterranean and Provence, using plant ingredients like lavender, almond and verbena, which are sustainably sourced, traceable and, where possible, organic. The brand has more than 2,000 stores around the world. Lee says the Vancouver branch offers a little slice of Provence on Robson, as well as complimentary hand massages and mini-facials.
“In Vancouver, most of us aim to be aware of what we’re putting into our body. By purchasing L'Occitane products, customers know they’re getting a quality product with traceable ingredients,” she says.
Lush
One of Robson’s golden oldies, this location opened in 1997 – only the second North American branch of the British brand best known for its cruelty-free, ethical and sustainable stance (as well as its famous “bath bombs”). In store, you’ll find haircare, skincare, bodycare and makeup (we particularly like the Power lipstick), all with a healthy dose of essential oils. You get one-on-one service, product demos, and plenty of samples to try at home. Next spring, the shop will be refurbished, with dedicated boutiques for skincare and haircare consultations.
Kiehl’s
This 165-year-old brand opened its first freestanding Western Canada store on Robson in 2004. The store layout and décor are crucial to understanding what Kiehl’s is all about: lab glass and apothecary jars to show off the scientific background, with botanicals and herbs to represent the nature-based formulations. You can also interact with lab-coat-clad customer representatives, who’ll do a complimentary two-minute healthy skin check. Meanwhile, a huge samples area means no one leaves empty handed.
“Our customer is every age, from six weeks to 100 years,” says store manager Grant Bjorge. “We even have products for dogs!”
The Body Shop
Another 40-year-old brand, the Body Shop makes and sells only vegetarian and cruelty-free products, with a large proportion being 100-per-cent vegan.
“This really appeals to the Robson Street shopper,” says Jennifer Spencer, VP of marketing and corporate responsibility for the Body Shop Canada. “Our customers are diverse and always in the know with the latest beauty trends. Our team is a true reflection of the diversity of our customers. We showcase beauty from all kinds of people.”
Bestsellers and iconic products include the White Musk fragrance range (an instant splash of nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the ’90s) and the brilliant, makeup-artist-endorsed, cruelty-free makeup brushes.
Saje
Vancouver success story Saje has 45 stores and has just expanded into the US, but its very first location was on Robson. Today, Ross Le Blanc describes the store as a little oasis of calm on the busy shopping street. Everything – including skincare, bodycare, homeware and healing products – is plant- and essential-oil-based, as well as sustainable. Our favourites are the elegant diffusers, which we consider to be a beauty accessory because of their ability to humidify dry winter air. Earlier this year, the Robson location introduced the Saje at Home concept: a dedicated home area with diffuser bar, living wall, and every essential oil you could imagine.
Dr. Lee Thompson Centre for Skin Rejuvenation
If your skin has needs that are beyond serums and creams, stop by this boutique clinic. It’s been located in the West End for the past seven years, and specializes in injectables (fillers and Botox) and high-grade skincare. The owners are Dr. Thompson and his wife, nurse Jeannie Ross.
“Dr. Thompson probably does more lips than anyone in Canada,” says Ross. “He’s particularly known for the mini-lip: a small volume filler that gives a natural – not overdone – look.”
The clinic carries the ZO Skin Health range, which is exclusively sold by medical professionals.|
Shifeon
The indie-beauty faction is represented on Robson by Shifeon, which founder Shirley Fong opened in 1995 after arriving here from Hong Kong and not being able to find the professional-grade skincare she wanted. The family-owned store sources niche, premium skincare from all over the world, with Swiss botanical brand La Colline being the top seller. It also offers facials and waxing services.
