Nature Republic

0 stars for the owner of this store and 4 stars for the staff. Let me firstly say the people who work there are nice and polite, however the policies implemented by the owner are ridiculous. I purchased a couple of items and were overcharged (cashier’s error). It was handled well by the cashier, however, she was unable to issue a refund. She apologized, admitted it was her fault, and pointed out she could only offer a store credit… That’s a first. I did not want to buy anything else. But this brings me to the store policies implemented by the owner:
— NO RETURNS, ONLY STORE CREDIT (and it looks like, if they overcharge you by mistake, you won’t be able to get your money back. You’ll only receive a store credit and will be forced to buy something else. Such a nice way to treat your customers).
Now, right next to the cashier, on the wall, there is a warning to the associates (for everyone to see) that if they are late 5 minutes (10, 15) from their break or whatever, a specific amount of $ would be deducted from their salary. It is worth mentioning, Chinatown salaries in general are ridiculously low. The owner’s policies are shameful and I choose not to support this store moving forward. No matter how nice the associates are, it is just a part of the customer’s experience.

It is very small so there isn’t a wide selection but I knew what I was looking for so that wasn’t an issue. The issue was the fact that they didnt have it. Plus the girl was way too close for comfort

I want to really like them.
This particular storefront was my first (and still only) introduction to Nature Republic (I know, I know, they’re big in Asia), and their products are decent, if not good. The aloe gel, amazing!
But the multiple times I’ve been here in sweltering summer heat, there was inexplicably no AC. I don’t mind it too much, but I feel horrible for the girls working there.
The girls… are nice. But they hover. Not in a way where they think you’d steal something. But in a way where they’re hoping you’ll buy something. Even when I’ve told them I’m just browsing, they come back and hover again after a few minutes. I know the store is tiny, but they really stand next to you trying to offer other products.
It’s really the only thing that keeps me from coming here and browsing more often because it makes for an uncomfortable shopping experience for me.
And I have a pretty good handle on what I think works for me, but when a customer came in with sensitive skin, asking about sunblock, the girls weren’t really helpful/​informative. Just a generic «xyz» product is popular with most costumers, not addressing her particular issue.

Big fan of Nature Republic when I am ever in Asia. This NYC downtown store is «very small». I spent $ 139. and did NOT get any samples.
In the future I will try the bigger location in Flushing, Queens everyone speaks about.
As an FYI, shopped at The Face Shop too same day and spent $ 100. — walked out with 20 good size samples and 2 regular size sheet masks. Much better to shop there on Elizabeth Street.
Very disappointing Nature Republic — Centre Street, you should know better.

Both sales associates were very nice and helpful. The space is small and a tight squeeze when there are other customers inside at the same time. Not too happy about how close the register was to the door/​street. I just felt a little unsafe with my wallet out in that position. Otherwise, a great brand to try skincare/​beauty from.

Came in here real quick get a few items. One of the workers rushed me and told me they would close in 15 minutes. They were very helpful in telling me information of the product and promotions going on.

Stepped in for the first time today and was completely ignored. While I hate salespeople hounding or stalking you around. A simple «Hello/​Welcome» would have made sense. Then after I went around looking for what I went there for, one of the girls finally asked if she could help me find something. Turned out what I wanted was sold out. Ended up buying something else, cashier couldnt even be bother to say a word, most of her attention was on her phone and guess what? No samples. Nothing. First time I ever left an asian beauty shop with no samples whatsoever. Doesnt help that I had just left The Faceshop on Elizabeth St with a boat load of samples and coupons, the girls there were super sweet and helpful too.
As for here, Mannerless sales girls and absence of samples I will just stick to getting Nature Republic products online or 0035 mm.
The 2 stars really is just that the place was clean. Thats all.

I told the sales lady that I was allergic to specific ingredients in the products. She assured me that items not their concern and would not any responsibility for the reaction. I wanted was to return the product as I was assured, I could if allergic side affects would occur.

The girls were so helpful and sweet! They told me what was promotions they were having and their recommendations were helpful. :))

The lady at the cashier was very pushy and persistent with me, I did not appreciate that. My friend and I were browsing some products and this younger sales associate told us more about a product that I was interested in. She was sweet about it and gave me some time to rethink if I wanted to actually purchase it. I spent a few minutes contemplating over two different products. The lady at the cashier came, she should’ve just stayed behind the register, honestly. Anyway, she came and told me a long list of reasons why I should buy the more expensive product because it’s better and whatnot. She spoke to me in an unfriendly manner as well, when I objected with questions about the other product. Anyway, I chose the snail gift set (the more expensive one; $ 108.55). I wasn’t pressured by her, but I came to a finalization that this set offered more compared to the other. Anyway, I paid and she placed the gift set in a tiny bag; it was a struggle for her to insert the gift set in, but anyway, I asked her if I could get a larger bag. She refused to follow my request, claiming that she had to save the bags because she only had a small stack left and these bags are «oh so precious» because they’re flown all the way from Korea. In reality, it’s a damn paper bag and my friend saw that she had 2 full stacks (about 50) bags behind the counter. I spent a good amount of money here, why couldn’t you just give me a bigger bag? I wasn’t about to argue with her so I let it slide. She gave me small sample bottles to compensate for the bag… little did I know, the samples have already been opened and used… overall the customer service here is horrible. I’m going to order facial products online from now on; I’m not going to deal with people like this anymore…

After court hours with a co-​worker whom I’d piggyback to learn the ways she was piqued by a life-​size cardboard cutout sign for a foot cream. Ergo, we stopped in and inquired about the product as advertised on the sign. The associate spoke limited English and was unable to understand what was requested to resolve her foot skin problem. The associate appeared very disgruntled in helping us as if we were so-​called disturbing/​intervening her precious time. When inquiring if there was any product available, Nature Republic have limited solution. Their products are organic but since it is a Korean based company they are limited in skin care. Small cosmetic shop.

After purchasing a few great products in Seoul, I was happy to discover that there is a Nature Republic store in New York. I did find the products I was looking for and spent more than I was planning to but I wish they 1) offered product samples with purchase as they do at Seoul ‘s Myeong-​dong market 2) the location was a bit bigger. Overall, I am very happy that I don’t have to travel to Seoul to get my favorite BB cream and face tonic.

Very cute place and very clean. Everything is well organized and easy on the eyes. The sales associates were super friendly and offered to help. Found snail essence gel eye patches and can’t wait to try them! They offer a variety of face masks, but I’m just not ready to splurge $ 6 for a one time use thing. Maybe in the future, but for now, I’ll stick to my Face Shop masks.

Second time coming here and I’m pretty sure the snobby Korean that others mentioned in the reviews is gone for good. There’s this really nice girl working there and she’s really helpful and polite! She definitely makes me want to go back there and spend all my money.
I noticed there was a price hike in some of the things and they got a bit stingier with the exo promotions. You have to buy the handcream sets for the standee and if you buy over 80, you get a free calendar. If you buy both K and M’s hand cream set, you get a catalog! Then if your purchase is over $ 15 then you get a free poster. Still no signs of any type of membership deals or student discounts.
I really wish this store was a bit bigger, like the one in Flushing, because the products here are limited.

Never Go There ！！Believe Me .
I went there and bought a sunscreen and what i found out is that it is only 1／3 （or a half ）lefted inside. I went there the next day and they treated me badly and did not exchange it. The sunscreen clearly was used before i purchase and maybe it is A TEST PRODUCT IN the STORE.

I was recently in NY for vacation. Being from the swampy southern lands of Louisiana, my skin was not used to the cold and parching dryness. MAJOR kudos to both ladies for being super cordial and helpful despite my gross, wind chapped face.
It’s definitely rare to get such nice treatment… most Asian SAs I’ve dealt with will judge you up & down and not even try to hide it.
The store itself was small, but everything was arranged neatly and the sample stations were immaculately clean. There were two workers there, one older lady working the cashier station and a younger SA helping with samples and product recommendations. About 4 or 5 people came and while I was browsing the shop and the SA efficiently helped everyone. She was extremely nice, recommended a wide range of stuff to help with my skin, and was not pushy or aggressive at all.
I ended up leaving with some Argan 20 real cream and a hydro ampule. The prices were very good, much cheaper than the Face Shop, and I even got a bonus cute snail essence sample pack!
This place is the bees knees and I’ll definitely come back next time I’m in New York :)

I want to buy something in Chinatown so I went to this store, the Korean seller’s attitude is much WORSE than the one in Flushing, and I didn’t get what I want for the product is sold out and they replenish their store every three month. Finally, I brought other products instead of what I want, it cost me much more than I planed to. Believe me, you would like to choose to go to Flushing’s Nature Republic too.

Now, the“A-okay” is for the product itself. I like it because it’s much cheaper than the Face Shop. One of the reviewer is correct. The price here is cheaper than eBay. I looked on it and thought I should have gotten more stuff, but I bought over $ 30 or was it $ 50? I got a EXO file because it’s part of their promotion and also the snail essence sample. I shouldn’t complain about that because faceshop gives you jack squat. All that aside…
Can I get a snobby Korean over here~?
Yeah, she judges you and does not hide it. One of the ahjummas came and wanted the EXO thing and she said condescendingly that it’s for CUSTOMERS that purchase over $ 20. So she bought stuff over $ 20 and get it. The CUSTOMER said «Thank you, have a nice day» while the SALES ASSOCIATE said «uhh.» What in the freaking world. She had that face that I would want to punch. My hands were itchy. She seems to be the manager because the other girl was much nicer and willing to help. The counter girl should double check herself before she goes to judging others. I hope she gets fired.

This store is much smaller than the Flushing one but still carries the popular products. Like others said, products are cheaper than The Face Shop and they work pretty well for me, such as the green tea cleansing foam and aloe vera 92% soothing gel. I looked up the prices for many of the items on eBay and this place has them cheaper or has stuff that eBay doesn’t have listings for.
If you’re an EXOtic, you’re in luck if you have money to spend. Promotions that are happening as of December 2013:
Buy $ 20 or more ($ 30 or more in Flushing location): Free standing figure of an individual EXO member of your choice
Buy $ 80 or more ($ 100 or more in Flushing): Free EXO calendar
Buy 8 masks for $ 10 (original total $ 11.20)
Staff is friendly and ask if you need any help without being pushy, although the first time I went they acted standoffish as if the products were going to sell themselves, but maybe they were having a bad day. It doesn’t seem like they know the products well because when I asked about one I’ve never seen, they didn’t explain too clearly.
FIRST EDIT: After several visits over a period of a month, their promotions got worse and worse. I buy the same exact things every week and each time I get less promotional offers listed above than the visit before. When I ask what happened, staff says the current meager promotion has always been like that. No it hasn’t, they’re just getting cheap. They’re also skimpy on free samples, never gave me any but I’ve been told by friends who came here got them.
SECOND EDIT: The promotions depend on who is ringing you up. There’s one snobby rude woman (probably the manager) who is the cheap one and the nice younger woman who is generous. Even at the Flushing location they’re not as cheap as the first woman mentioned.

The store is quite small, which means not so much products. I have to say way better/​affordable prices here than TheFaceShop. I got some stuff a lipstick which is really good and the 92% Aloe Vera Soothing Gel. They didn’t give me any samples like normal Korean Shops do. Free Poster with a $ 10 purchase, (Poster is big) There’s a poster with EXO and one with Taeyeon on it, I got the EXO one. The sales lady was very nice, she was very helpful, and explained the products and what they were good for. She wasn’t pushy so I felt like I have time to decide what items I need. There were two ladies that spoke fluent English and Korean and other two English and Chinese. an decent experience but I need to go again to completely say that it was a good experience.
Update: I went a second time, very helpful, got some samples too!
Overall good experience!