Hyde Park Afternoon

This feels like we are about to be exposed as the ultimate Joburg girls – girls who spend their weekends during summer in a shopping mall – GASP! However, in fairness, we don’t have access to a beach, or a private pool with deck chairs, so some weekends we make do with what Joburg can offer and find ways to enjoy it.

This past Saturday late afternoon, we met up in the Hyde Park Shopping Centre with the intention of having a sundowner on the beautiful Hyde Park Hotel deck. Although the cocktail on the deck didn’t quite materialise, we spent the afternoon casually browsing the gorgeous range of shops in the centre, including a new spot – Cosmetics Gallery. The large space houses all the top cosmetic and beauty brands under one roof; a first for South African shoppers. We spotted MAC, Chanel, Tom Ford and Kiehl’s – to name a few – each with full product ranges currently available in the country.

Kiehl’s – the American premium cosmetics retail brand – claims one corner of the gallery. The consultant was kind enough to give us a few samples each (including the cult “Crème De Corps”), and because some of our favourite beauty bloggers – All Dolled Up and In My Bag – have written such positive reviews about these products, we have a feeling we will definitely be back to give them a try!

In terms of mall browsing, Hyde Park always feels like a treat compared to a chaotic Saturday at Sandton City or the bustling Rosebank Mall. It’s quiet, relaxed and sophisticated. We even popped into Luminance for a casual glance – the space is so refined and glamorous it almost felt as if we had been transported to 5th Avenue in New York for a shopping trip (girls can dream…) 🙂 

We ended up at the faithful Tasha’s Le Parc (one of the best ones, in our opinion) and it never fails to impress.

Tummies extremely satisfied, a few wine cocktails down, never ending good conversation – we left as two very happy and relaxed city girls 🙂