The Ultimate Beauty Shopping Guide to Edinburgh

When most people think of Edinburgh, they imagine whisky, castles, and cobblestone streets — not skincare and luxury makeup. But hidden among its medieval architecture is a surprisingly vibrant beauty shopping scene. From high-street drugstores to luxury beauty halls, Scotland’s capital has plenty to offer beauty lovers.

If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to shop for skincare, makeup, and fragrance in Edinburgh, here’s your complete guide.

St James Quarter: Edinburgh’s Beauty Shopping Hub

The best place to start is St James Quarter, the city’s newest galleria-style shopping center. It’s home to a mix of affordable, mid-range, and luxury beauty retailers — meaning you can find everything from drugstore essentials to cult skincare brands under one roof.

Boots

Boots isn’t just the UK’s largest drugstore chain — it’s an elevated shopping experience. Think of it as a cross between CVS and Sephora.

At Boots in St James Quarter, you’ll find:

• Drugstore staples: Maybelline, L’Oréal, No7, Soap & Glory, Barry M

• Premium counters: Fenty Beauty, Dior, MAC, Clinique

• Trending skincare: Beauty of Joseon, Anua, CeraVe

• Extras: travel minis, fragrance, haircare, seasonal exclusives

Whether you want an affordable mascara or a luxury lipstick, Boots makes it easy to shop both.

Superdrug

Just a few doors down, Superdrug offers a fun, budget-friendly alternative. It stocks:

• Affordable makeup from Revolution, Rimmel, and NYX

• Everyday skincare like CeraVe, E45, and L’Oréal

• French pharmacy icons La Roche-Posay and Vichy

• Trendy picks like ELF and Beauty of Joseon

The self-tanning section is massive, and the travel-size minis aisle is perfect for filling your bag before a trip.

Space NK

Upstairs, you’ll find Space NK, the UK’s answer to Sephora. Recently acquired by Ulta, this boutique offers a carefully curated mix of high-end and affordable brands:

• Cult skincare: Drunk Elephant, Sunday Riley, Laneige

• Makeup icons: Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Hourglass

• Affordable heroes: The Ordinary, Byoma, Inkey List, Naturium

Fragrance lovers will find niche scents, while skincare enthusiasts can stock up on viral products. Don’t miss their impressive travel minis section.

H Beauty (by Harrods)

For a true luxury experience, head to H Beauty, Harrods’ standalone beauty concept. Expect:

• Luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass

• A glamorous, spacious shopping environment

• The Champagne Bar, where you can sip while you shop

It’s the closest thing to shopping at Harrods in London without leaving Scotland.

John Lewis

The John Lewis department store rounds out St James Quarter’s lineup with a wide range of brands, including:

• Jo Malone, By Terry, Liz Earle, Clarins, Molton Brown

• Gift sets and seasonal exclusives

• Travel minis from Sol de Janeiro, Living Proof, and Ouai

It’s a great place to shop for gifts or indulge in beauty treats while browsing fashion and home goods.

Harvey Nichols

Just a short walk away, Harvey Nichols Edinburgh is the city’s luxury department store. Its beauty hall features:

• High-end staples: Chanel, Estée Lauder, Tom Ford

• Cult skincare: Augustinus Bader, Barbara Sturm, Trinny London

• Exclusive launches and polished service

It’s sleek, curated, and indulgent — perfect for luxury beauty shopping.

Marks & Spencer

Surprisingly, Marks & Spencer has a hidden gem of a beauty section. Alongside everyday essentials, you’ll find:

• Pixi skincare and Color Wow haircare

• Affordable yet elegant M&S brand products

• The Apothecary line — candles, diffusers, and body care with indulgent scents like Warmth

If you love brands like Nécessaire or Salt & Stone, you’ll enjoy M&S Apothecary’s minimal yet luxurious vibe.

Why Edinburgh Is a Hidden Beauty Destination

You may come for the castle, but Edinburgh’s beauty shopping scene is worth exploring. From budget-friendly drugstores like Boots and Superdrug to luxury beauty halls at H Beauty and Harvey Nichols, the city caters to every kind of shopper. Add in unique finds like M&S Apothecary, and you’ll leave with more than just souvenirs — you’ll leave with a refreshed travel skincare haul.

Whether you’re after drugstore steals, cult skincare, or luxury makeup, Edinburgh proves it has it all.