It is DIFFICULT to find popular beauty products in general in Canada, let alone the kbeauty cult favourites. If you’re in Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver - come check out this post for some in-store options too.
For online shopping, you might’ve come across StyleVana as an online shop option. If you’re wondering if they’re real, I will just confirm that right now: yes. They are real. They are not scamming you, you will get authentic products and you will most likely get your package in about 3 weeks+. However, there has been a lot more complaints recently about late packages and unresponsive customer service. It hasn’t been the case for all my previous orders personally, but I’ve seen a ton of unhappy complaints on their FB page and their ads.
Update: If you’re from the east coast, I’d recommend checking out this new shop I found called Esmea! They’re based in Montreal (so expect fast shipping times, I’m in BC and got my order within the week), and they’ve got a great selection of the most popular brands. I’ve found the Needly toner pads on here and will be reviewing it shortly!! I think right now they have a welcome 10% off coupon on their homepage!
Btw if you want to know any of my recc’s, read here for a list of my all-time favorite skincare and makeup products!
Why I’ve usually ordered from StyleVana
StyleVana is an awesome option if you’re looking for the best price. They have the best selection for both kbeauty and Japanese products, best prices and lower minimums for free shipping compared to YesStyle.
They almost always have a sale running too and you can get product bundles (2 for $x amount or 3 for whatever amounts).
Now, their website mentions free shipping on orders CAD$85 and over (7-14 Business Days). But I usually expect my package around the 3-week mark (western Canada).
My tip is to take a look at their stock status to see how quickly it will be processed, usually, if it’s “In-Stock” it will be processed and shipped out within 24 hours.They do send out confirmation emails so expect those in your inbox.
Things to consider when ordering from StyleVana
I’ve recently heard on Facebook that they have been really unresponsive in terms of customer service inquiries and some delays in shipping. I’ve had to contact their support team once when I typed my own address wrong, but they were able to resolve it before the products shipped. (This was a few months back already though so I’m not sure about what it’s like currently).
While I do think most orders are going to be fine - you can also try one of the other stores below that other people have suggested before:
Sukoshi Mart
I have not purchased from Sukoshi Mart before but know of this store! If you’re out on the east coast I think shipping times will be a lot faster for you here. Apart from a lot of cute plushies and things, they carry all the popular skincare brands like COSRX, IUNIK, Round Lab, Klairs, Purito, AXIS-Y, but also many of the korean makeup brands too (ROM&, Peripera, japanese brand Miche Bloomin’ lashes).
Minimum for free shipping is $65 CAD and they have an introductory 10% off.
(I’d check out both StyleVana and here because most of the time StyleVana is still cheaper, but some of the popular makeup shades might be out of stock).
Mikaela Beauty
Since 2016, Mikaela Beauty prides themselves on being one of the first and only approved Canadian retailers for many KBeauty brands such as: Beauty of Joseon, Benton, Klairs, By Wishtrend, I’m from, Mizon and Son & Park. Each product that arrives at their facility, directly from South Korea, has been registered through Health Canada to confirm both its authenticity and skin safety.
They also offer reward points as they work towards their mission in providing affordable high quality Korean beauty products. They offer:
Free Expedited Shipping (1-6 Business Days) for orders CAD$65 and over
Free Xpresspost (1-3 Business Days) for orders CAD$150 and over
Skin TO
I’ve never personally ordered from them before but have heard of them:
With over 30 brands to choose from, Skin TO started as a passion project by a Torontonian who felt Toronto’s KBeauty scene needed a little makeover itself, focused on great customer service, fast shipping, and readily available top KBeauty brands like Beauty of Joseon, Some by Mi, Apieu, SKIN1004, Laneige, Innisfree and more.
3 Shipment Options Below:
1. Free pick up downtown and Markham
Available at: First Markham Place Sundays at 12pm / Downtown Toronto by College Station Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm (Wednesdays only through Jul/Aug)
2. Local Weekend Delivery
Available in the GTA for $5. Deliveries are once a week on a rotating basis between the east and west side of the GTA.
3. Shipping
Postal runs twice a week. Fees:
$10 within Ontario ($15 if beyond 300km from Toronto)
$15 in Quebec
$17 in BC, Alberta, Sask. Manitoba and the Maritimes
Was this post helpful? Let me know if you decided to order from one of these shops above or if you had a good or bad experience with StyleVana. I’d love to read about your experience!
Cheers,
-Tiana
*Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links - however, these are my honest opinions on the stores I’ve shopped at.
I am a skincare and beauty enthusiast with a deep understanding of the industry, having extensively explored various products and platforms. My expertise is grounded in first-hand experiences, meticulous research, and an unwavering passion for skincare and makeup.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article you shared:
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Difficulty Finding Beauty Products in Canada: The article highlights the challenge of finding popular beauty products in Canada, emphasizing the scarcity of kbeauty cult favorites. This could be attributed to limited local availability and a preference for online shopping.
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StyleVana as an Online Shop Option: StyleVana is recommended as an online shopping option for beauty products. The article assures readers that StyleVana is a legitimate platform, dispelling concerns about scams. The shipping time is mentioned to be around 3 weeks or more. Recent complaints about late packages and unresponsive customer service are acknowledged.
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Esmea as an Alternative: Esmea is introduced as a new shop based in Montreal, offering a solution for those on the east coast. The author praises Esmea for fast shipping times and a great selection of popular brands. A welcome 10% off coupon is highlighted.
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Why the Author Prefers StyleVana: The author explains that StyleVana is their preferred option due to the best prices, a wide selection of both kbeauty and Japanese products, and frequent sales. They mention lower minimums for free shipping compared to YesStyle and suggest checking the stock status for processing speed.
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Things to Consider When Ordering from StyleVana: The article provides tips for ordering from StyleVana, suggesting checking the stock status for quicker processing. There's a mention of recent complaints about unresponsive customer service and shipping delays, but the author believes that most orders will be fine.
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Other Recommended Stores: Sukoshi Mart, based on the east coast, is recommended for faster shipping times. Mikaela Beauty is highlighted as one of the first Canadian retailers for many KBeauty brands, emphasizing authenticity and skin safety. Skin TO, a Toronto-based store, is presented as a passion project focusing on customer service and readily available top KBeauty brands.
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Disclosure and Affiliate Links: The author concludes with a disclosure about affiliate links, emphasizing that the opinions shared are honest and based on personal experiences.
This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the Canadian beauty market, online shopping options, and considerations when choosing a platform for beauty product purchases.
