With all of the fabulousness of New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in full swing all over the city, from the tents at Lincoln Center to MILK Studios in the Meat Packing District, it’s important to take a break to refresh and recharge once in awhile–of course, the same could be said of parenting, just about every week of the year.
Thankfully the beauty and bliss gurus at Birchbox Local are taking everyone’s favorite subscription box from the mailbox to the streets–in this case Chelsea Market specifically. This past weekend, on the third official day of NYFW, my co-editor Christine Wei and I were fortunate enough to get an early peek at the Birchbox Local beauty suite that will soon be open to the public from September 12-16 (more on getting in below).
Complete with candy-colored decor and a seemingly endless supply of actual candy, the focal point of the event was the Birchbox Local sample wall–yes, it’s as magical as it sounds–from which attendees curated their own personal Birchboxes with exclusive samples from brands like Stila, Oribe, Amika, and more. My picks? Juicy Couture’s new scent, a Pur mud mask, a luxe BB cream, Juice Beauty lipgloss, and Mally eyeshadow.
Not to mention the fact that refreshments from Treat House NY and Resource Spring Water, a Benefit Brow Bar, a nail bar by Ruffian, hair and makeup touch-ups, skincare consultations, and even a “man lounge” (including a very masculine foosball table) kept things simultaneously lively and super-relaxing.
However, at the end of our day of fashionista-worthy pampering, Christine and I were both left with one shared reaction: Birchbox Local is perfect for city moms in need of a quick break in their day to do some one-stop beauty shopping, get glam, and get educated on everything from the last skincare products to easy hair styles to rock for fall. Especially given that this week marks the official start of a new school year, perhaps you’ll find just a little extra time on your hands. Parents could even make a date out of checking out the lounge and take advantage of fun the his-and-hers set-up–throw in a yummy dinner in one of the city’s chicest neighborhoods and you have all the trappings of a day fit for a fashion show-hopping it-couple!
Getting in: You can simply show up, enjoy the treats, do some shopping, and put your name on the list for beauty services when you arrive–because there probably will be a wait if appointments are still available. But to guarantee a service, you can reserve a time slot online ahead of time at birchbox.com/local for $15, which will cover the cost for a curated box of 5 samples. So if you were already planning on getting a box anyway, we say to go for it and get glammed up.
Mia Weber is the associate editor at New York Family. She can be reached at mweber@manhattanmedia.com
