Beauty Supply By Lee
Statia's go-to stop for hair, skin, and everyday beauty essentials
Why Go
On an island of roughly 3,000 people where the nearest big-box beauty retailer is a plane ride away, a well-stocked local shop is worth its weight in gold — and Beauty Supply By Lee is exactly that kind of quiet, dependable find tucked along Stinging Thyme Road just outside central Oranjestad.
The Experience
Beauty Supply By Lee is a small, no-frills neighborhood retailer that punches above its weight for a destination as remote as Sint Eustatius. Walk in and you'll find shelves organized around the essentials Statians and visitors actually run out of: haircare (relaxers, edge control, braiding hair, wigs and weaves, shampoos and conditioners for textured hair), skincare basics, nail supplies, fragrances, and a rotating selection of makeup. The vibe is functional rather than boutique — think practical island shopping, where the value is in having what you need close to home rather than in curated displays. Staff tend to know their regulars and are happy to point newcomers toward the right product line, which is a lifesaver if you've flown in for a dive week and forgotten something in your dopp kit.
What to Try
If you're a visitor, use the stop to restock reef-friendly sunscreen, aloe-based aftersun, insect repellent, and any humidity-taming hair products before heading back out to the trails or dive boats. Locals come here specifically for the textured-hair range — protective-style hair, edge control, deep conditioners — plus press-on nails, lash kits, and everyday fragrances that are otherwise a Winair flight to St. Maarten away. It's also a handy spot for small gift-basket items if you've been invited to a Statian home for dinner.
Insider Tip
Stock on a small island turns over unpredictably — the container schedule, not the shop, dictates what's on the shelf any given week. If there's a specific product you need for a longer stay (a particular shade, a specific brand of relaxer, or salon-grade tools), call ahead or ask in person and give them a few days; owners of shops this size on Statia are often willing to add an item to an incoming order rather than have you leave empty-handed. And bring cash — card infrastructure on Statia is improving but still patchy at smaller independents.
The Practical Stuff
Location: F2HF+56W, Stinging Thyme Road, just outside central Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands). A short drive or ~15-minute walk from the F.D. Roosevelt Airport area and easily combined with other errands in town. Getting there: rent a car from one of the island agencies (the island is only about 21 km²) or grab a taxi — there is no public bus network. Payment: bring US dollars in cash to be safe; the USD is Statia's official currency. Hours are not publicly listed, so it's worth phoning ahead, especially on Sundays and public holidays when many independent shops on Statia close or keep short hours.
Pair It With
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — A calm, self-catering base nearby — handy if you want to unpack your new haircare haul and actually use the bathroom mirror space you don't get in a hotel room.
- Alvin V Courtar Park Guide — A short detour for a shaded sit-down after errands in town, and a nice way to see a slice of everyday Oranjestad life between stops.
- Baby Beach Guide — Pair a restock run with an afternoon at one of Statia's easiest swim spots — pick up sunscreen and aftersun at Lee's on the way out of town.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — Divers spending a week on Statia can grab any last-minute personal-care items here before heading to the boat — from waterproof mascara to leave-in conditioner for post-dive hair.
- Antillean Horde Car rental Guide — Grab wheels first, then loop Beauty Supply By Lee into a single errands-and-exploration circuit around Oranjestad.
- Bacchanalia Guide — Round out a town run with a proper sit-down meal nearby, turning a quick shopping stop into a low-key half-day out.
