The best shops for last-minute Christmas shopping in Singapore

WHERE The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

The hip Australian hair and skincare label is known for its gorgeous boutiques in Singapore – and the flagship store at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is no different. The interior of the store is said to be a meditation on Singapore’s relationship with land. 

The clay and muted tones and stainless steel finishes are a nod to how Singapore transformed from a humble port island to a modern global city. As with the other Aesop stores, the signature central basin is the centrepiece of the interior. Here customers can gather to explore Aesop’s products with the help of the store’s consultants. Shop according to skin type – there will be a special set of products recommended for each specific need – or browse through the beautiful and profound seasonal gift kits. This year, the kits come packed with some light reading from literary greats.

SHOP Signature products like Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, Parsley Seed Anti Oxidant Serum, Rōzu Eau de Parfum

WHERE Ngee Ann City

Local label Beyond The Vines is known for its ready-to-wear apparels for women and men that are stylish but practical for Singapore's climate. When you drop by the physical store, you will see its vibrant signature hue of Engineer's Blue all around. This colour is chosen deliberately to represent the utilitarian nature of the brand. All elements of the store are repurposed to reflect a new perspective on what was previously ‘invisible’.

A massive blue, see-through polycarbonate structure, reminiscent of the iconic transparent products that marked the 80s and 90s, doubles up as a visual installation and a retail counter to spark a sense of curiosity and playful nostalgia. The Beyond The Vines philosophy is inspired by the duality that is 'to create boldly, and to design simply'. You will see that reflected in the fashion and lifestyle products from the brand. 

SHOP 'Dumpling' bags that come in different sizes, amber drinking glasses for your home

WHERE Orchard Central

The Japanese fashion brand’s first global flagship store in Singapore is located in the buzzy Orchard Central. It carries the largest product line-up for men, women and kids. Spanning across three levels, expect to find the largest dress collection, a graphic print tee-shirt section carrying designs from crowd-favourite collaborations like Marvel, Disney and more, and a dedicated space to showcase collaborations with the local community.

The flagship store is also home to the only UTme! Booth in Singapore where you can get creative and play designer for a day. The hard work starts on the UTme! app where you can draw, paint and design artwork to be printed on a t-shirt. Once you've completed the masterpiece, save it and head to the store in Orchard Central. Purchase a plain Uniqlo t-shirt of your choice and head up to Level 3 where the booth is. A friendly staff member will then assist you in printing the shirt. It's that easy. 

SHOP Personalise a t-shirt at the UTme! Booth with your own design as an exclusive gift for friends

WHERE ION Orchard

The concept store at ION Orchard celebrates the activist spirit of The Body Shop. The brand has always prided itself in being cruelty-free, making sure that its ingredients are all-natural and ethically sourced. It's gained plenty of loyal customers through the years and many people swear by its scents and products, be it a shower gel made with strawberries or body butter with British roses.

The shop at ION is also a space that embraces social change and awareness. Shoppers are encouraged to explore and recycle products, and also read up more on where key ingredients come from. At the DIY Gifting Station, customers can get creative while wrapping their gifts and personalise them with fun and funky stamps and stickers. The Activist Bay in the store is where you can learn about The Body Shop’s activist roots and passion for inciting change.

SHOP The Scents of Life fragrance collection houses 16 cruelty-free fragrances and spritzes for women and men

WHERE Paragon Shopping Mall

Whether it’s hiking, camping or just a casual picnic, Outside is your one-stop-shop for all your outdoor adventure needs. Decked out in faux lush greenery, brick walls and pebbles, the vibe of the store will keep you inspired to go out and explore your backyard as you browse the wide range of camping essentials such as backpacks, portable chairs and even mini refrigerators from brands like Fjallraven, Alite Design and CHUMS. 

SHOP Steel flasks from United by Blue, footwear by Keen, multi-coloured bags by Kanken