Review: Kiss and Makeup
byI love discovering new businesses around town especially when they are formed by ambitious and enterprising local women. I was invited to the Kiss & Makeup boutique at the Village in Park Royal last week for a chance to explore their cosmetic and skin care collections on top of getting a mini makeup makeover.
The shop boasts “A-list apothecary, apparel, and accessories,” which they certainly live up to. The brand and shop (both physical and online) was founded by Julie Blanchard and Heather Huntingford, “sisters travel the world to discover the next big thing with an eye for niche products that are conscientiously made.”
I received an ‘evening look’ for my makeup since I rarely wear anything very dark on my eyes, wanted to see a ‘smokey’ effect, and was heading out to a party (that ended up being canceled). Side note: You can book an appointment at Kiss & Makeup for your wedding or special occasion as well.
Savannah (assistant manager and makeup artist extraordinaire) used Stila products for my eyes and lips, including their little smudge pots for an accented eyelash line.
The shop is definitely high end and the quality of the products makes it worth while. You can even shop their online store and search products based on: Vegan, Natural, Organic, or Paraben Free.
They also carry non-cosmetic items such as purses, jewelry, gift items, and men’s products, as well as top of the line hair products such as Keira’s favourite, Bumble and Bumble (which are only guaranteed from approved retailers like Kiss & Makeup).
Kiss & Makeup is located at Unit H2-925 Main Street in The Village at Park Royal in West Vancouver (West of Whole Foods) and online. The Village is a really quaint way to shop in the open-air however I would suggest simply taking transit (dozens of buses run right past) as parking can be mayhem in the warmer months.
I walked away with a great new makeup look and a few goodies that I cannot share (since they may be Christmas gifts for a few special people).
Disclosure: I was not paid to write this review however my makeup service was on the house.
8 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I LOVE Bumble and Bumble. Happy to see that there is a nearby supplier– I was going out to Fort Langley to get mine! I saw it the other day, and now I will have to check this place out!
My only issue with Kiss and Makeup is their markup — you can’t get everything they sell at other Vancouver stores (or many stores, at least… although their selection is kind of hit or miss), and they take full, obvious advantage of that with price hikes.
BeautyMark (in Yaletown) prices are 10% cheaper or more on many items they both stock, and Holt Renfrew and the Bay undercut them, too.
That’s why so many of us beauty junkies are looking forward to Sephora coming to town. They have selection and competitive pricing, not “Vancouver” pricing. Sure, it will cost more to shop there in Canada, but you won’t get neighbourhood markup.
One might say it’s good business to do it, but it doesn’t make me a frequent customer (and I buy a fair amount of product.)
@ Meg – Thanks for the insight, I’m so *not* a beauty junkie (when people ask me my skin-care regimen I say soap + water) hehe. Although, I am looking forward to Sephora – sources say July 2009 (?)
You are looking beautiful Rebecca, you’re totally Rocking that evening makeup look! I’am a soap and water girl too, but I now have added SUNSCREEN as an essential to my minimal routine.
Have a looky at this video to see what sun damage can do….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j226hBF-qis&feature=channel_page
Dear Miss 604, so glad you loved your makeup, and such a shame about your party. You will have to come in again for your next big gala, and perhaps try lashes this time.
In response to Meg, I would love an opportunity to discuss which items she feels we take “obvious advantage of with price hikes and neighbourhood markups.”
Here at Kiss & Makeup we are very contentious in following recommended Canadian retail prices, which are the same ones that Sephora, Holt Renfrew, The Bay, and Beautymark follow on any brand that we have in common.
Best Regards, Heather
Awesome review and even better to see Heather in there responding to the review and the comments. A great example of online reputation management.
Steve
ps. my wife Sarah loves KissandMakeup
I love Kiss and Make-up!! They are way more helpful and friendly than many other cosmetic places I have been to.
[…] few months ago I reviewed Kiss and Makeup, which supplies organic, mineral makeup, as well as other salon products and makeup services. I […]