Hansine Johnston

If you are looking for a beauty salon, Geneva has some of the best in Switzerland. It’s not hard to feel occasionally under-coiffed when stood next to the manicured, elegant ladies (and gents) of Geneva, particularly those with equally groomed small dogs poking out of designer bags. But luckily there are plenty of places in the city to get yourself plucked, waxed and scrubbed into shape. On the gentle end of the price scale, several city centre day spas such as Urban Mirage are ideal for a quick mid-shop mani-pedi, holistic massage or facial. While bods in need of more serious attention can check in to a high-end beauty salon like Forever Laser for cosmetic improvements including fillers, Botox, peels and laser treatments. 

We want to show you just how creative your shopping in Geneva can get – once you know where to go. The block around Place du Molard may be well stocked with designer boutique options and department stores, but the surrounding side streets and downtown villages like Eaux Vives, Carouge and Quartier des Bains have a wealth of interesting and creative one-offs. How about a unique mechanical art gallery complete with flying structures? Or a world-renowned vintage clothing collection? One of a kind jewels? Retro home design at affordable prices? Book-stores where you can buy art and get your hair done? Geneva has so many original outlets to discover on any shopping tour. Plus a big advantage to shopping in the city is its bijoux size: you can cover most of it on foot and the remainder via the super efficient tram system. 

Geneva is not just about luxury watches and big brand names. There is much more to high end shopping in town than ladies who lunch tottering over the cobbles in Louboutins. Tucked away in the side streets you can find a heavenly host of hip boutiques with edgy and interesting fashion choices, including the pick of the rack of assorted international designers. The most affordable items may be the scented candles, but the styling and service can be exceptional, and many outlets have worldwide fashion exclusives.

This is when Geneva's expensive lifestyle finally becomes an advantage; ladies here throw out their designer gear faster than you can say Carrie Bradshaw. There is a blossoming scene of well stocked vintage and second hand stores such as Julia's Dressing, as well as markets with luxury finds you’d be hard pushed to discover elsewhere. You can enjoy every type of used clothes shop here – from hectic over-stocked charity bargain buckets to chic vintage emporiums like Numéero 6. It is also worth keeping an eye on local flea markets, car boot sales (vide greniers) and the twice yearly Puces de Design, a vast retro furniture design market in a warehouse in Morges which has a formidable vintage clothes section.