3 tips for shopping at the brand-new ARC Store

INSIDE HEAVEN Beauty

3 tips for shopping at the brand-new ARC Store

Luxury beauty destination, ARC has opened its first flagship store in Sandton City – and yes, OMG, it’s what most beauty junkies believe the afterlife will look like. The hallowed halls of beauty heaven are our new happy place; where we go to find inner peace, calm … and about a million new skin potions, lipsticks and perfumes. The beauty retailer’s self-service store is approximately 500 square metres and offers a variety of interactive and experiential tools and services. With the return of in-store shopping, it needs to be on your to-go list. Here’s our advice on how best to shop at the brand-new ARC Store.

1. GET HD-READY SKIN AT THE SANCTUARY

ARC Store’s skincare section, The Sanctuary, is often the quietest place in the store, so its ‘skin specialists’ are happy and available to demonstrate products on you. Basically, everything on display is tried-and-true skincare favourites from international brands such as La Mer, Elemis and Dermalogica as well as equally covetable local brands including SKOON., Skin Creamery, Lulu & Marula, Suki Suki Naturals and THE SKIN CO. We recommend picking whichever products you’d like to try – cleansers, toners, moisturisers and treatments – to give yourself (and your skin) a quick pick-me-up. There’s ample opportunity to try exclusive brands like Wishful Skincare by Huda Kattan before you buy, too. If you have time to spare, have a complimentary Dermalogica Face Mapping skin analysis done. For a quickie facial that will get you in and out in under 30 minutes, book an express treatment in the privacy of The Pod.

2. CHECK OUT THE LAB

The Lab is the heart of the store, where customers can sit, play and learn. Complete with mirrors, makeup remover and cotton pads, in this interactive space you can either test newlylaunched products or take an expert-hosted masterclass (which you have to sign up for – keep an eye on ARC Store’s social media pages for further information). Thanks to a friendly crew of makeup artists trained to school you in the art of makeup application, you can take a seat and listen to your pro dispense tips using your choice of products. Those willing to drop serious cash will find the latest products from luxury cosmetics brands – think Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Guerlain. There are also plenty of staples by well-known brands like MAC, Benefit, Smashbox, Clinique, Lancôme and Estée Lauder. Most exciting of all, there’s an impressive collection of Huda Beauty and Beauty Blender makeup, exclusive to ARC Store.

3. DISCOVER A NEW FRAGRANCE

At ARC Store, there are no overeager salespeople dousing you with the latest fragrance launches or shoving samples in your hand. So, there’s no better time to swap out that tired body mist you’ve been spritzing every morning for one that’s new, fresh and special to you. We’ll warn you though: After exploring the store’s artisanal selection, you’ll never again be able to stomach a synthetic spritz. Tantalising fragrances by the likes of Atelier Versace, Gucci, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors and Molton Brown – plus lesser-known brands that have just launched locally, Ellis Brooklyn and Floral Street – will keep you coming back for more. You’ll also meet Kayali (which means ‘my imagination’ in Arabic), a fragrance brand from #perfumeprincess Mona and Huda Kattan that you won’t find anywhere else locally. We’re partial to the decadent, dessert-like Kayali Vanilla and the gloriously musky Kayali Musk.

Another reason to love ARC Store? Rather than requesting that customers purchase shopper bags, they’re donating R5 to local environmental organisation, Greenpop on your behalf if you don’t take one of their locally made, 100% recycled and reusable bags. We love a good shopping spree as much as the next girl, and those ‘take all my money’ memes are way too real when it comes to this brand-new store! Find the ARC Store in Sandton City on Level 6 next to Bulgari (close to the Diamond Walk). If you don’t want to leave your house – let alone look up from your phone – to get your hands on the best new beauty launches, the online store makes stocking up on your favourite products easy.

Shop U29 & U30, Sandton City Shopping Centre, 83 Rivonia Road, Sandton 087 330 4947 www.arcstore.co.za