Some time ago, I wrote on the blog about the beauty customization trend. Brands are trying to offer products that increasingly meet the needs of customers and other brands come on the market already with the philosophy of DIY – or do it yourself. This concept is very strong on the internet: you order everything on the website and get it at home. But, have you ever thought how this concept of customization would be even more fun in a store? Fortunately, this scenario is true in New York. The first-ever experiential store from St. Ives invites guests to customize face scrubs and body lotions, choosing from over 50 combinations of 100% natural extracts, exfoliants, or moisturizers. All custom face scrubs and body lotions will retail for $12 each. The St. Ives Mixing Bar, located at 577 Broadway (at the corner of Prince and Broadway), will be open until, unfortunately, September 30th.
Like so many of you, I was also sad about the news, after all, the idea is super cool, right? It is also an option to gift someone with something unique, special and exclusive. But for those who will miss St Yves, Mixing Bar, the good news is that New York has other stores in that concept! Next, you check out some of them.
Rain – From South Africa, Rain creates handmade bath & body products and hand crafted home ware using natural ingredients with African origins. The products and packaging are hand-made by trained crafters and Rain supports small local suppliers and producers. Rain is focused on bodycare products, but the brand also features hair items as well as essential oils and home products. Honey, Argan, Chamomile, Avocado and Eucalyptus are just some of the various ingredients used in the products. Everything is beautiful and very fragrant – and you can see the artisanal touch in every detail. Bath bombs have different shapes and are great gift options. At Rain stores, you can bring your own container to buy liquid soap. It is also possible to customize your own body scrub. Keep an eye on Savannah products, one of the brand’s most popular fragrances.
Address: 445 Albee Square W (City Point, Brooklyn)
Bite Lip Bar – At Bite, you can create your own lipstick! The service is super-customized. The range of colors is huge and you choose the finish, texture and even the fragrance. Although it seems complicated, the process happens in minutes, depending on the customer’s decision (if it is very hesitant, it takes more, of course, lol). The custom lipstick coasts $45 on average. The store runs from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 7pm (on Sundays closes at 5pm).
Address: 174 Prince Street.
Le Labo – it is that kind of store for those who enjoy something super exclusive. The brand has only 35 stores/kiosks in the world – and the first one was opened in 2006 in New York. Each store is designed as a perfume laboratory, open to the public, where the brand offers the possibility to the customer to smell and touch raw materials to arouse the sense of smell. The main focus are the handmade fragrances. It means that the concentrated essential oil remains separate from the alcohol until the time of purchase. The blend happens at the time that you buy it and this ensures that you take home a much fresher product. There are 14 fragrances available in the stores, in addition to candles, body lotion, among others items. The products have high prices – but there is a unique concept involved. You can even customize the label with your name or the name of the person you intend to gift.
Address: 233 Elizabeth Street / 14 W. 29th Street / 22E 65th Street.
Bespoke Beauty Bar – this Beauty Bar is located at Rouge Makeup Salon. The color artisans will work with you to create your very own completely customized lipstick, lip gloss or highlighter. Start from scratch and work together to achieve your ideal color, texture, finish – even aroma. Lipstick or gloss is $32 and highlighter is $38. You need to make a reservation on the website.
Address: 220 E 60th St.
BirchBox – Birchbox is a cosmetic subscription service – you pay a monthly fee and receive a box with product samples. And the coolest thing about this whole story is that the company has its unique physical store in New York. Besides the fact that you can build your box with 5 samples for $15, the design of the store is super cute and you can find different brands with products for hair, makeup, skincare, body care and fragrances. The curatorship is very special: Birchbox has chosen the bestsellers from brands like Molton Brown, Klorane, The Balm, Cynthia Rowley, Jouer, Dermablend and also Eyeko – a hard-to-find brand from England, famous for its mascaras. Also, the store offers services such as manicures, makeup, and hair-cutting. Birchbox also launched its makeup brand, LOC (Love of Color), with lipsticks and eyeshadows.
Address: 433 West Broadway.
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Laura Peruchi is a Brazilian blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She has lived in Manhattan with her husband since 2014. Since then, she has shared on her blog varied content about the Big Apple. From travel tips, including unusual things to do, shopping tips, etiquette, restaurants, and a lot more, her blog has become a reference in Portuguese (also available in English) for anyone planning a trip to New York City.
