When you’ve managed to last since 1838 in New York, you must be getting something right. A veritable institution, locals and visitors come here for hard-to-find brands, high-end favourites and their own in-house label that comes in pretty vintage packaging.

414, 6th Avenue, Manhattan 

As Londoners, we might be biased but we defy you to find a better beauty hall in ANY department store around the world. Expect a light-filled, bedazzling, marble-clad series of rooms on the ground and lower ground floor of this iconic store: shopping here is a calm, luxurious experience. From make-up to skin care and scent, the big (and upcoming niche) brands can all be found here.

87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge 

Founder Kazuo Takamoto’s parents used to produce handmade brushes for calligraphy, which is where he learnt the art of making beautiful brushes. Having followed in his parent’s footsteps, in the 1980s he started producing make-up brushes. Today, they sell hundreds of varieties, all exceptionally designed and handmade by artisans (for the brush aficionados out there, they are evangelical about maintaining the brush “fude” – keeping all of the hair tips in tact so that the super soft brushes are in another league), in this stunningly designed wood and glass flagship store.

715-1 Yohojimaecho,

Stepping through the door of this chis LA beauty haven, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’ve wandered into a millionaire’s mansion – interior wise, Violet Grey feels more like a fabulous living room than a store. One glance at the shelves though and you’ll find a curated edit of the industry’s most beloved products.

8452 Melrose Place, Los Angeles

This black and white 2900 square foot store is everything you’d think a Chanel Beauty Atelier might be and more: floor to ceiling displays show off their nail polishes, skin care and of course the infamous Chanel lipstick collection. Designed to act as both a shop and a place for customers to be able to delve deeper into the products, they offer regular workshop events and there are detailed discovery stations dotted throughout the store (our favourite was being able to “blind test” all of their fragrances).  As a parting gesture, each customer receives a ceramic bracelet scented with their favorite perfume.

120½ Wooster Street, Manhattan