Millions flock to Bicester Village each year for discounted fashion at designer outlets. Now it has its sights set on beauty. I visited before Christmas and my fear of finding skincare-slightly-on-the-turn and sad-looking eyeshadows in shades of mint and mauve proved unfounded.
Fragrance was well served, with a festive pop-up store by Byredo, selling even its bestselling candles, fragrances and hand care at what seemed a smallish discount. There were also permanent outlets for Creed, Penhaligon’s, Roja and Molton Brown, all with up to 60% off the RRP.
Neom had 30-odd per cent reductions on its luxury candles and I couldn’t work out why, given that they were still full price elsewhere. (Slightly wonky labels? Overstocking? They looked great to me.)
