One thing we miss in this pandemic is shopping for makeup and skincare. We miss trying out new stuff and swatching lipsticks and eyeshadows on our arms and the back of our hands. We cannot speak for everyone but shopping for beauty products is therapeutic and we were glad when LOOK, a multi-brand beauty concept store, opened at SM Aura Premier last year.

International creative and digital agency Malherbe Paris did the store concept, design and brand identity of LOOK. The interiors are sleek and modern with the products displayed in gondolas, shelves and counters with adequate spaces in between so the whole store is easy to navigate.

You’ll find department store brands like NARS, Benefit, Laura Mercier, Innisfree, Laneige, Clarins, Aveda, Make Up For Ever and Shiseido. LOOK also carries niche and hard-to-find Western and Asian and luxury brands such as The Ordinary, Fenty Beauty, Huda Beauty, Glossier, Klavuu, VT Cosmetics, Cerave, SK-II, Shu Uemura, Gucci, Charlotte Tilbury and YSL.

One of the things we love at LOOK is the “Store Studio,” a place where brand events, talks and makeup tutorials are held. It can also serve as a waiting here for partners, husbands and boyfriends while you shop. There’s free coffee here, Nespresso no less.

Can’t go to the mall just yet?.Check out the LOOK website (we ordered some Kocostar products and the transaction was very smooth) at their website or download the LOOK app available for iOS and Android. They have curbside pickup so please check that out.

Be a “LOOK List” member and enjoy the perks of their rewards program, including welcome voucher of Php300 (with minimum purchase of Php3,000), free samples and birthday treat, exclusive offers and invite to events, free delivery vouchers, store credit of up to Php2000 for high-spenders (who also get a virtual personal shopper) and bounce-back voucher for Click & Collect shoppers.

The fun part is in the shopping, right? Here are our picks:

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment American Woman (Php1,500)

This liquid lipstick is a medium-dark mauve in a nondrying formula that we love.

The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer (Php350)

Everything about this concealer—from the price to the texture to the SP F28 PA++--is a winner.

Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Velvet Powder Foundation (Php1990)

This buildable, velvety-smooth powder foundation is lightweight and mattifying but not cakey. It’s a bonus that the compact is so cute. Wear this alone applied with the brush that comes with it for light coverage or full on using the sponge. Either way is a winner.

Blk Cosmetics 90s Soft Matte Mousse in Booyah (Php379)

This soft pink-brown shade works well on any skin tone. The mousse texture applies smoothly and doesn’t dry the lips (a dealbreaker, for sure!).

Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion With Sunscreen (Php1680)

This moisturizer provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection plus it absorbs quickly and has a nongreasy finish.

Dr. Ceuracle Royal Vita Propolis 33 Ampoule (Php1428)

This looks like an oil but it’s actually an ampoule with a soft moisturizing texture that is made with “33% Propolis Extract and Royal Jelly Extract plus Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 Niacinamide and Vitamin B5 Panthenol.” It’s also hypoallergenic tested and antioxidant tested.

Estee Lauder New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi Recovery Complex (Php4350 for 30ml)

The only thing we can say about this serum is that it works. It’s not Estee Lauder’s bestselling product for nothing, with 22 bottles sold per minute (as of October 2020). It works to prevent fine lines and other signs of aging but it can be used by those who have acne-prone skin and it won’t clog your pores.