Harrods opens stand-alone beauty store H beauty in Lakeside Essex

Harrods has opened its very first stand-alone beauty concept, H beauty, in Intu Lakeside, Essex, with a second location to follow at centre:mk, Milton Keynes in Spring 2021.

The 23,000 sq. ft. space intends to represent the future of beauty, providing an open and expansive space for customers to safely shop brands from around the world, from legacy brands to pioneering, new generation beauty brands.

Annalise Fard, Director of Beauty, Fine Jewellery & Watches and Home at Harrods, said: “As Harrods very first beauty specialist retail space, H beauty is going to be a significant addition to the beauty landscape and will be a game-changing, destinational, beauty emporium offering experience, make-up, skin care, hair care and fragrance.

"By opening the first H beauty store in Lakeside and the second closely following in Milton Keynes, we are bringing beauty to an incredibly responsive community of existing beauty lovers. Although the brand portfolio will be similar across both locations, the edit will be slightly different according to the culture of that location, city or that particular client and will allow H beauty to be the central beauty hub in each destination.”

With inclusivity and self-expression at the heart of H beauty’s ethos, the H beauty buying team, led by Annalise Fard and Mia Collins, have carefully curated an offering that aims to deliver something for every customer’s desire, in one accessible hub.

Mia Collins, Head of Beauty at Harrods, added: “H beauty has really bold ambitions, but they’re ones that are entirely befitting of this amazingly vibrant & dynamic category that is Beauty and to have the opportunity to pair this with equally vibrant and dynamic communities across the UK is nothing short of epic."

H beauty customers will experience an interactive 360-degree experience from the moment they enter the store, with each of the unique, in-store services shaped with social distancing in mind and created to provide customers with an unmatched, elevated beauty retail experience.

Everything at H Beauty has been designed with social distancing and safety in mind.

Beginning with the Skincare Station, where customers will be treated to facials from the foremost skincare brands, customers can move to the magic mirrors which are in lieu of counter sampling, allowing customers to virtually try on a host of different makeup products.

Many of the instore experiences lend themselves to a socially distant, safe environment including A Click & Collect service will also be available from late September for customers who shop online, where they can receive and try on their parcels in the changing rooms, and finish their experience at The Champagne Bar.

The store will come alive with a series of exclusive on-counter services including bespoke fast facials from Sisley, using a selection of the brands most nourishing products as well as product personalisation from Dior, Givenchy, and Atelier Cologne. 

Succeeding the grand opening of H beauty, further brands and services will become available including modern eyewear from the David Clulow Sunglasses boutique, followed by the launch of Dior Beauty in early October.