The Face Shop

I love The Face Shop. Ever since its official introduction to Canada, most of my products have come from this store. This 1 star rating is not for products or service, but the staff and service of this location only. I’ve been to many different locations, I have to say this one is the absolute worst.
I have no idea who the manager of this store is, but he/​she has some training to do. The staff ARE NOT helpful, and only talk amongst themselves/​gossip/​idly check their cellphones. In every other store, I am greeted and asked what I’m looking for, while the employees here look bothered if you talk or look at them. Definitely not the way to keep customers.
Go to any other TFS location, just not this one.

Skincare is my life. My products are seriously bordering on the Korean 10-​step method (not necessarily Korean-​brand exclusive, of course) but I’m always on the lookout for new items to slather on my face. The Face Shop had a pretty awesome deal going on, and they’re really in-​your-​face about it. The advertisements for «buy one get one 50% off» is placed all over the tiny store, so it’s hard to miss this bargain.
I’m a die-​hard Sephora fan, but I also purchase a lot of Korean brand products online, so I know that these cute cosmetics can be really hit or miss. I usually steer clear from the Face Shop simply because it seems to veer towards a less expensive path? It doesn’t feel right that a lot of their products are discounted 70% of the time. I was running low on a few items, however, so I decided to purchase.
There was only one sales lady and one cashier taking care of this shop that was totally bloated with customers. The bright store is super pretty and decked out in all kinds of nifty makeup that is also not high quality. The lip tint is so watery and almost pastel-​like in color, and their cushion compact is different from other brands; you have to press a button for the foundation to squeeze out from a tiny hole, which is really odd.
They gave me one sample only, which is depressing because Korea is famous for their excessive sample giving, but when in Canada, do what the Canadians do I suppose. The peeling mask that was given for free really burned my skin when I used it, but I do happen to have very sensitive skin to begin with. I probably won’t return here to be honest.

Pretty typical Face Shop layout, although it feels extra cramped. The male employee was knowledgable and friendly. However, the cashier has pretty terrible customer service. She was browsing the Internet and chatting loudly about some crude celebrity gossip. Attitude just seemed off and didn’t seem interested in answering questions I had. The last straw: She also forgot to give me samples with my purchase, which is the basics of Face Shop!

I went into this store not knowing anything about it I even asked the girl if it was related to The Body Shop as it has the same logo feel and branding. As soon as I got closer to the products and saw they were in Korean, however, I quickly realized what kind of store it was, but not before the girl rudely said «No, it’s Korean» and then went back to her conversation with her friend who was on her break from another store (I gathered from their convo.) Talk away wasting an opportunity to help someone who’s interested in the line you’re getting paid to sell. So then I saw another girl and I asked if they had anything for acneic skin and she legit couldn’t answer the question. She had no idea what the products did, and even tried telling me that a gel moisturizer is thicker than the lotion, when I was literally testing them on my hand and could tell the gel was much lighter (as they are meant to be.) Then she took off, and left me to to my own devices. I found a green tea serum that felt nice on the skin and was going to purchase it (the prices are reasonable-​comparable to The Body Shop, actually, although they have better sales), but ended up walking out empty handed as I came in looking for a complete skin care régime.
I will say the branding is really cute and clean and eye catching. I have no idea if the products really work or if this is just a bandwagon to the Korean beauty trend with gimmicky products (like seriously, some of them have a 15 product routine filled with pseudo-​science claims), but that’s only because the service is hugely lacking here.

I get so excited every time I shop here. They always have a deal so prices are great, and their products actually work! Their Black Sugar and Honey scrub has changed my face and complexion from dull to goddess radiant! Their sheet masks work wonders. Everything brightens! I love their toners too. I prefer it to one I’m using from Korean brand Innisfree which is too watery. They hook you up with so many deals and freebies… Its a fun store and the customer service is great, especially considering the volume of customers in a tight spot… I order most of my Korean skincare from Momomango but it’s convenient to have a Korean beauty shop with knowledgeable staff right downtown!!!

Bad store layout, but I guess they can’t really be blamed considering were allotted such a small corner location. Staff aren’t very knowledgeable in my honest opinion. Customer service is average. Affordable face masks. Nail polish aren’t great — flakes easily.
They are very limited in stock compared to the Pacific Mall LocationX

They have great face mask which generally are cheap. My first experience in NYC was a lot better considering everyone speaks korean and is extremely helpful also gave me free samples.
This location my experience after the 2^nd visit I found the associates to be stuck up and don’t speak the language of Korean, so have no clue what’s in the products and also didn’t give me any free samples after my purchase. What bugs me is that the products are korean products and having no knowledge of the brand itself or speaking the language doesn’t benefit anyone. I would avoid this location. I only ever go back once in a while but to purchase do your research on be brand before your purchase associates have no clue what they’re doing.

The first time that I walked into The Face Shop right when it opened at the Eaton’s Center, nothing really caught my eye and I walked out of there pretty fast. It is a tight kind of space. However, I recently went in and spent more time browsing all the different brands they carry, and I can positively say this is now one of my favorite spots (after Sephora).
I did a little bit of research on the brands (they are mostly Korean) and they use a lot of active ingredients that are meant to be beneficial for the skin (think ceramides, hyaluronic acid, fermented products, essential oils). They’re NOT organic, so I can’t make the claim that these products are all natural, but they are quite effective for being so COST-​effective. Some of their cleansers are as low as $ 5, and their sheet masks ($ 6/​each) are AMAZING. Especially the hyaluronic acid one. Think winter skin savior. I also really liked the SMIM Line and the White line for brightening products. They also have a makeup section but I haven’t looked into that yet.
It’s pretty well known that Asians are really into beauty, think BB and CC creams that have recently entered the North American market. At the face shop you’ll see products like emulsions and essences. You’re meant to layer these on top of each other and while they’re moisturizing, they’re not heavy. Check it out for yourself and go crazy.
Disclaimer: some of these products contain a lot of fragrance that may be irritating. do a patch test to avoid any allergic reactions.

This shop stocks make up, nail polishes, skin care products, face sponges, empty travel pump bottles etc.
They have a lot of face masks for $ 2-​$ 8. They have CC cream and BB cream as well. Some products are as low as $ 5 (cleansing foams, hand creams). The packaging on their products are cute.
Service & Atmosphere: When you buy more than two items or so, they put your products in a gift box and tie it with ribbon (this was during the holidays). They give samples every time you purchase something. The staff are very honest and helpful. This shop looks polished and refreshing. It could get a bit crowded during the rush. On the right side of the shop they have items that are on the more expensive side.
Really glad this place opened up!