Seven beauty finds that deserve a spot in your suitcase, HK edition
Hong Kong hits you with its own kind of energy the moment you arrive. The buildings feel taller, the pace feels quicker, and every corner pulls you in with food or lights or something you want to look at twice. Coming from Manila, the contrast pulls you in immediately. The city pushes you to explore, to eat, and to walk a little farther than you planned.
It creates a sense of curiosity that makes even the smallest purchases feel meaningful.
My Hong Kong beauty finds
I went from Nov. 9 to 13 and spent most of our money on meals and snacks, but there were a few beauty products I couldn’t part with.
I kept my beauty shopping simple. I visited SaSa and Don Don Donki. I asked the sales associates to recommend items that makeup lovers in Hong Kong often purchase. While asking their recommendations for local Hong Kong brands, they informed me that Korean and Japanese products still remained atop and that Hong Kong brands still lacked mainstream presence. I trusted their guidance and chose items that filled small gaps in my collection.
I ended the day with seven finds that stood out, either solving a need, surprising me, or sparking joy.
1. Pop Mart Crybaby Shiny Shiny series–Air Fragrance Spray blind box
I picked up the Crybaby perfume from a toy store due to my recent obsession with Crybabys. Their soft faces and dramatic tears feel cute, emotional, and extremely relatable. My partner would say that I am a crybaby, so he agreed to buy this for me while whispering how it resembles me with a smile.
The perfume sits in the body of a tiny crying figure in sunglasses and a floppy cowboy hat, so it felt more like a collectible than a fragrance. The scent opened warm and sweet with a light finish. The mystery behind the Crybaby’s blind boxes made it all the more exhilarating, so opening one felt like a small adventure in itself.
2. Rom&nd Better Than Palette in Light and Glitter Garden
From SaSa, I picked up the Rom&nd Better Than Palette in Light and Glitter Garden. The saleslady walked me straight to the eyeshadow section. I chose this palette because I wanted something I did not already own. Immediately, I became immersed in its unique colorway.
The shades shimmer softly without looking harsh. And the names like Dew Drop and Goldish Tear match the glow they create. When I swatched them at the store, the texture felt smooth. The finish stayed bright even without the store lights. The palette adds a soft gleam that lifts the eyes without overwhelming the look.
I really am a sucker for glitter, hence this was a genuinely happy purchase for me.
3. Ellips Hair Vitamin capsules
The Ellips Hair Vitamin capsules were another recommendation from the saleslady. She expressed that this was a local favorite. I’ve never tried hair vitamins like this before, so I wanted to understand the hype.
Each capsule has Moroccan oil, jojoba oil, and vitamins that nourish dry or treated hair. You apply one after a shower and let it melt into your strands. It gives shine and softness without weighing the hair down. The capsules are also travel-friendly. They are easy to place in a pouch and use whenever needed, so I’m excited to try these out for myself and will get back to you if that indeed stands true.
4. Eleanor Rose Beauty Makeup Base
The Eleanor Rose Beauty Makeup Base caught my attention because the saleslady spoke about it with so much enthusiasm. I tested it right away. The texture felt thin and silky. It smoothed the skin and created a bright finish under foundation when she was demonstrating it. The SPF50+ PA+++ added value since I love anything that protects my skin from the harsh sun.
The packaging also looked elegant with its soft pink tones; however, my favorite aspect of it was that it gave the skin a fresh appearance without feeling heavy.
5. Cyber Colors Ultra Stay Fine Liner
I then picked up the Cyber Colors Ultra Stay Fine Liner because I wanted a liner that resisted smudging, as eyeliners often break down on my eyes easily.
This one had a strong pigment and a sharp brush tip. I was thoroughly impressed at how well it maintained its pigment and shape when I tested it at the store. It remains unopened at home, but I am excited to see how it will perform throughout the hot and humid days of Manila. I cycle through eyeliners quickly, so a new one always feels welcome.
6. Curesys Dark Spot AC Patch
The next product came from Don Don Donki. The Curesys Dark Spot AC Patch was new to me. I struggle with dark spots, and I had never seen patches designed specifically for them.
The pack uses microcrystals to deliver ingredients into targeted areas, and the application comes before sleeping. It’s a solution designed to work while you rest. I wanted something I could test without changing my full routine, and this fit perfectly.
7. Utena Matomage Hair Styling Stick in Strong Hold
I ended my haul with the Utena Matomage Hair Styling Stick in Strong Hold. Humid days push my hair to misbehave, and this stick pulls everything back in line. It presses down flyaways, locks in a tidy shape, and leaves a smooth finish suited for any pulled-back style. The texture feels soft on the strands.
The packaging is also small and cheerful, and easy to spot in my pouch.
Small yet deliberate choices
These seven items were not impulse buys; rather, they were small yet deliberate choices made throughout the trip. I picked what felt promising, what felt new, and what made sense for my collection. I let the sales associates recommend these products, as I trust in their expertise and knowledge. Beauty shopping becomes more enjoyable when you allow yourself to be surprised.
Hong Kong may draw you in with its food and bright streets, but the beauty aisles offer their own kind of thrill. These seven finds brought a little of that city energy home with me. They turned simple shopping stops into small stories I can reach for each day.
