Shoppers' Stop (Cosmetics)

Shoppers' Stop may have been a class unto itself, but with the popping up of equally slick air-conditioned malls in the city since 2005, it is definitely not the same exclusive experience that created all the hoohah way back in 1998 for its high standards and big brands. The cosmetics section, the first display straight at the entrance, scores especially low on the range of brands.

A few of them are Lakme, Revlon, Chambor, Ponds, Maybelline and Elizabeth Arden. Actually, all of them, as we write this in Feb 2008. And they can be expensive. The special age-specific beauty products from Elizabeth Arden are aimed at helping the 30+ look younger. Only, the price of that age-specific lip-gloss is high enough to bring fresh wrinkles to your face, unless splurging Rs. 1,450 on a lip-gloss is something you do to kill time.

The decor, layout and everything else about the cosmetics segment are standard - only that the stalls of the various brands are rather scattered, making you take a whole walk around the floor.

The perfumes section, however, deserves appreciation for offering its customers a wide range of brands from Nina Ricci and Davidoff Cool Water to Paco Rabanne, Tommy Hilfiger and Burberry. It fails to upgrade as quickly as Lifestyle does, though. A quick mention is in order about the diehard sales guys, who, er, never say die.

Well, Shoppers' Stop of 1998 or Shoppers' Stop of 2008, it is still Shoppers' Stop, and if you have the money, it is still a good visit to hunt for your age. Just don't forget the plastic.