When it comes to “concept dining”, my favourite way of eating food is definitely tapas style. Located in Blood Alley in Gastown, adjacent to Salt Tasting Room, Judas Goat Taberna is a 28-seat tapas bar which serves small plates influenced by Spain, Italy and France.  Despite the foreign food pairings, the environment of Judas Goat reminds of me a family grocery store.  A viewable food preparation station and high countertops close enough to make small talk with the patrons sitting beside you.  Square yellow stools huddle around small tables.  For larger parties, there is a counter right by the food preparation area, and another row of seating by the window – which, weather dependant, slide open.

Similar to its sister restaurant, The Salt Tasting Room, Judas Goat combines a variety of flavours and textures and teases the pallet with its small portions. I love the option of nibbling on a variety of food and sharing dishes.  Between the two of us, we ordered 7 items, which included two “hot” dishes, two “pressed, potted, or cured” dishes and a salad. Agreeing with everyone I have spoken with, what you pay for the portions is not really worth the price; but then again, “concept dining” is about the experience of “trying something new”, right??

We started off with two skewers of Fig and Manchego ($3 each) which had perfectly balanced flavours of sweet (soft, chewy fig) and savory (the firm manchego cheese). For our “hot” dishes, we ordered the Veal Saltimbocca Sweetbread ($6) and Brisket Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce ($6).  I learned that “sweetbread” is pretty much baby cow neck glands, but don’t let that phase you out.  The flavourful sage and thin prosciutto rind around the veal medallions made this one of my favourite dishes of the meal.  As for the meatballs, they weren’t anything special (to be honest, I prefer the kobe meatballs at Glowbal – which are larger, jucier, and more familiar tasting). The Potted Prawns with Pistachio Butter ($7) were very tasty.  We had to use our forks to dig through the pistachio butter to find the prawns (hence, “potted”) and eat it with the Melba Toast style bread.  We also ordered the Rabbit Rillette with Carrot Panna Cotta ($6).  Rabbit is not the most common meat to eat; if you haven’t had it before, the taste and texture reminds me of chicken or duck instead of beef .  I was surprised that panna cotta could be carrot flavored and paired with a savory meat, but once again, Judas Goat has been great at combining contrasting flavours and making it work.

In conclusion, savour the experience of this quaint little tapas bar, sitting elbow to elbow on high chairs and people-watching (Gastown fashionistas, foodies heading to Salt Tasting Room and the occasional homeless person…) while sampling a variety of unusual bite-sized dishes.

If you’ve been following my Twitter and Twitpic updates, you’ll remember that not too long ago I invited two of my beauty-saavy girls over to play around with Maybelline Eye Studio cosmetic products.  I was one of the fortunate recipients of a Maybelline Eye Studio kit and given the chance to play around with eyeshadow pallets, mascara, gel eyeliner and baked, marbleized eyeshadows.  The kit came from Matchstick, which is a word-of-mouth promotional company.  Past campaigns I have participated in with them include OB Tampons, Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara and Harajuku Lovers’ Fragrance.

Maybelline Eye Studio - Green with Envy

Anyway, my girls came over with fresh, clean faces and armed with their own make-up brushes and make-up remover (Hey! Nobody’s perfect!).  After much testing, note-taking and a general discussion and jotting down of our thoughts….here are our conclusions!  Thanks to Tiffany and Naomi for your help!

Color Pearls: Marbleized Eyeshadow Collection

In general, with the marbleized eyeshadows, we started with the multi-coloured side of the sphere and used the solid colour to highlight.  Tiffany tried the “Navy Narcissist” which proved to be dark and highly pigmented – definitely for nighttime or costume wear.  With Sinful Sinnamon, the colour goes on like pigmented glitter dust.  Beware, contact lens wearers – tears will start running if you get this in your eye!  Because of the “dusty” nature of the marbleized eyeshadows, all colours (light or dark, sparkly or not) was very easy to remove with make-up remover.

Maybelline Eye Studio - Irresistibly Ivy

Color Plush: Silk Eyeshadow Collection

My favourites from this set are the “Irresistibly Ivy” (champagne, bronze, teal, brown) and “Green With Envy” (champagne, olive green, bronze-ish, black).  I think the green tones go well with dark eyes and dark hair.  In general, you would start with the lightest color (usually a sparkling white or light silver) and dust it over your entire eyelid, up to the bottom edge of your eyebrows (aka. you browbone).  Use the second and third colors in the pallet and blend horizontally across your eyelid, so it gradually goes from one color to the other.  You could also use the bolder color (ie. in the Irresistibly Ivy set, I used the teal to line my bottom lashline too.  Use the darkest color in your crease to make your eye more deepset.

Lasting Drama: Gel Eyeliner

The most famous product to compare the Lasting Drama: Gel Eyeliner to would be MAC Cosmetic’s fluidline.  Dip an angled brush into the pot of gel eyeliner and paint right on! The Maybelline collection comes in four colors – black, a dark charcoal grey, a plum purple and brown.  Could be just the particular pot I used, but the Maybelline gel formula seems a bit stiffer (dryer?) than MAC.  Or could be because it’s a fresh pot.  Regardless, I think it works just as well as MAC but at a lower price point.  The black is a great standard bold colour to have, the charcoal is a bit softer.  The plum purple and brown were not very dark colours.

XXL Pro: Mascara

I would not pay a premium for Maybelline’s XXL Pro Mascara.  Nothing special or noticibly different about this line of product.  They come with double ended mascara wands, with a white primer on one end and the mascara on the other.  I don’t like double ended mascaras because they can be time consuming to use and not the best when you are in a rush.  Although I like the concept of the mascaras coming in four different specialties (lengthening, volumizing, curling and “bold”), you might as well buy something awesome like Maybelline Pulse Perfecting vibrating mascara which has become my all-time favourite mascara.

In conclusion, the Maybelline Eye Studio collection has an extensive line of colors and product.  Lots of sparkles and bold colours, if you want to be more experimental.  I love how the eyeshadow comes with four compatible shades to easily create looks (without puzzling yourself about what color matches with what).  There’s definitely a lot to choose from and I am confident no matter which eyeshadow collection you get, you will be able to create a unique look to call your own!  Play around and dare to inspire!

Makeup party with Maybelline Eye Studio!

]]> http://modernmixvancouver.com/index.php/2010/05/06/maybelline-eye-studio/feed/ 0 http://modernmixvancouver.com/index.php/2010/04/09/marc-jacobs-splash/ http://modernmixvancouver.com/index.php/2010/04/09/marc-jacobs-splash/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:47:39 +0000 vanessa http://modernmixvancouver.com/?p=3185

Indulge in an array of macaroons at a patisserie on a sunny day, this year, your Parisian vacation comes early with the release of three new limited edition scents under the Marc Jacobs Splash collection.  This new trio of fragrances are inspired by the simple pleasure of sitting outside at a patisserie and enjoying the rich and beautifully displayed sweets.   Spring 2010 marks the addition of Apple, Pomegranate and Biscotti to Splash.  Everything from the advertising to the actual coloured tint of the perfume itself  evokes a reminder of sweet pastry scents.

Marc Jacobs Apple provides the irresistible brightness of fragrant green apple.  Deliciously fruity, apple is aromatic and energizing, with an intriguing freshness.  The scent evokes the enjoyment you get from a fresh tart on a lazy day. This fragrance is by far my favourite of the Splash trio, with its mouth-watering sweet fruity scent and reminds me (and will probably remind everyone else) of DKNY’s So Delicious in Green Apple.

Marc Jacobs Pomegranate creates a fresh sensation, capturing the sparkling radiance of an exotic fruit.  Vibrant and upbeat, pomegranate exudes an inviting balance of elegance and brightness. With top notes of mandarin flowers, bergamot, lemon chiffon, rhubarb and violet mix with pomegranate, this fragrance can definitely be classified with a citrus scent.

Marc Jacobs Biscotti tempts the senses with its savoury aroma and a touch of citrus.  Uniquely delectable and crisp, biscotti is the perfect pick-me-up.  This comforting and refreshing interpretation is unique and beautifully surprising. Although the top notes are of freesia, bergamont and orange flower, for some reason, the scent closely resembles liquorice to me.

The new Splash collection fragrances are once again packaged in the luxurious, oversized glass bottles that have become the signature silhouette for the Marc Jacobs Splash scents.  Get one, or get them all, each 300ml bottle retails for $85 and is available March 2010 at Holt Renfrew, Sephora and select Bay department stores across Canada.

]]> http://modernmixvancouver.com/index.php/2010/04/09/marc-jacobs-splash/feed/ 1 http://modernmixvancouver.com/index.php/2010/03/02/holt-renfrew-spring-2010-preview/ http://modernmixvancouver.com/index.php/2010/03/02/holt-renfrew-spring-2010-preview/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:00:06 +0000 vanessa http://modernmixvancouver.com/?p=3051

Holt Renfrew has had a presence in Vancouver since the 1970’s.  Since the 2008 opening of the stunning westcoast flagship, designed by New York architects Janson Goldstein, the store has hosted numerous hot-ticket parties, and hosted some of the greatest names in fashion and entertainment.  Located at the epicenter of downtown activity, with its main doors opening to bustling Granville Street, Holts Vancouver is a shopper’s paradise, and  a must-see tourist destination.  Over 200 individual brand names are represented within its walls, with shop-in-shops for Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Burberry, Tom Ford, to name a few.

In the fashion industry, trendsetting can be compared to a pyramid.  High fashion and couture, starting at the top, and their runway looks for the upcoming season are way beyond the budgets of the average shopper (and MMV reader).  But as time passes, these trends trickle down the pyramid as assessable ready-to-wear fashion available at our favourite clothing chains.

Described somewhat as a “fashion visionary”, being a fashion globe-trotter is part of Barb Atkin’s job description as the Vice President of Fashion Direction for Holt Renfrew (737 Dunsmuir Street).  At Holt Renfrew’s Spring 2010 Media Preview, Barb gave a presentation about forecasted fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2010 and brought back to local media, her insights and observations about upcoming trends, neatly packaged into 4 easily-understandable “looks”.  If you’ve been following @ModernMixVan’s Twitter, you already would have had a sneak peek at Barb’s forecasted trends as I was doing a bit of live-Tweeting from the media event last week.

World Cultures: The world is getting smaller with a melting pot of international cultures.  Just look around us with the upcoming Olympics, with 5,000+ Olympic officials from 80+ countries visiting our lovely city, it is no surprise that the upcoming season will incorporate global trends into our fashion too.  So what “World Cultures” signifies is the incorporation of cultural references into our clothing pieces.  This could mean an emphasis on hand-stitching, or hand-dyed items with colourful dyes, or origami-style folding in fashion pieces.

Urban Traveller: This look consists of slightly rugged, but functional pieces.  For example, nature-inspired with color pallets of earth tone and khaki with rough hewn and frayed edges or faded water prints.  Think “perfect imperfection” – not grubby but consciously rugged, for an “Urban Traveller” on the go.  Accessories may include oversized bags for all your travelling needs.  For jewelry, focus on natural elements like wood, stone or suede to accompany this look.

Executive Suite: The most corporate classic of the four looks, “Executive Suite” consists of a clean-cut look with smart cuts, luxury materials and a high attention to detail.  The power woman, ambitious but stylish.  These are investment pieces – timeless and iconic.  Your presentation in style enhances the experience with elegant but  simple, clean lines.  There has also been a trend towards a more structured shoulder for women, with a focus on the silhouette.  Meanwhile, the shoulders in men’s clothing are becoming more slouched and rounded.

Cool School: With an emphasis on “whimsical fun”, “Cool School” consists of a young, preppy look with bright, popping colors.  So take classic pieces like a polo and enhance it with color, on both guys and girls.  Bring back retro, with bright red lips and peals.  (I LOVE PEARLS).

Keep reading Modern Mix Vancouver this upcoming season to see fashion and beauty products in the retail world, of Holt Renfrew and beyond, which will reflect the trends that Barb Atkin has outlined for us.  See the gallery below for some Spring/Summer 2010 picks, available at Holt Renfrew.  Pay attention to the details on the items – a line of buttons, sturdy straps, the materials of the accessories, etc.  Click on the images to see prices.

I had the opportunity to check out Bombay Brow Bar (1056 Mainland Street), a new concept boutique specializing in shaping your brows but with Yaletown service style.  Newly opened by sisters Ravy and Amy Minhas, Bombay Brow Bar brings in a Bollywood experience, with a Yaletown twist!  Ravy is a business graduate from Thomson Rivers University, while younger sister Amy is a freshly trained esthetician from Vancouver Community College.

Bombay princesses and stylish mavens, your brow search is over. At Bombay, we’re not a spa. We have a major brow obsession – it`s all we do. Brow Sculptresses are trained to give you the ultimate brow experience. Sit back and relax in Bombay’s trendy Indian environment. Your Sculptress will consult on the shape, define your brow, treat you to an Indian brow massage with a soothing rosewater gel, and finish with a complimentary make-up touch-up.

So what are some Indian stereotypes that the sisters would like to bust?  According to Amy, more often than not, Bollywood style services have been associated with tacky, overdone decor, clutter, and loud music.  However, when I entered Bombay Brow Bar, I was very pleased with the classy decor.  Magenta walls, with patterned wallpaper from the UK.  The decor of this cozy boutique fits right in with Society Dining Lounge and Blo Blow Dry Bar. Four plush chairs for clients to sit in, a gold framed mirror, a plush window seat with cushions….true to the vision of the Minhas sisters, the furniture makes you feel right at home.  The “Bombay Loft” as Amy calls it!

On one side of the boutique, a shelf of square shelves is up against the wall with tasteful Indian artifacts positioned right in the center of each cubical: a rack of colorful bangles, folded pashminas, an elephant artifact, a silver vase… Some of these items came right from their home, to add to the welcoming environment the sisters envision Bombay Brow Bar to be.  They want to share with Vancouver their living room, and bring a piece of their Indian culture and values to the rest of the world.

For $23, get your eyebrows sculpted, arched and groomed.  Each esthetician is trained with a “3-point technique” to get the eyebrow shape which compliments your face.  They also explain to you what they are doing, while they are doing it.  Feel free to ask questions, or tell them to stop or slow down.  They are very patient – it’s all about customer service.  And you can choose the technique used on your brows – threading, waxing and tweezing.  I would personally recommend getting your eyebrows threaded for a very precise, sharp line.  With wax, it’s hard to get out the smallest hairs, and you don’t want saggy eyelids from getting your eyebrows waxed too often.

Sometimes my eyes start watering and my eyeliner/mascara starts running when I get my eyebrows threaded.  At the end of the 20 minute “treatment”, you can always ask for a complimentary make-up touch up.  In conclusion, Bombay Brow Bar is a perfect fit in Yaletown “beauty lane”.  If you don’t mind paying a price premium (hey, it’s Yaletown!) at a clean, trendy boutique, and you like to be surrounded by beautiful decor, Bombay Brow Bar will be the right fit for you!

Founded in 2002, Vida Spa offers uniquely luxurious, personalized and healing spa experiences including an expansive menu of treatments based on the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda, all designed to enhance wellness, engage the senses, and nurture body and mind. Because every individual has unique needs, Vida Spa tailors their full range of traditional body therapies, wraps, exfoliations and facial treatments to each client, providing a customized way to restore energy and promote well-being. Vida Spa currently has four spas serving clients in Vancouver, Whistler and Seattle, and will launch their next location at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver in fall 2009.

Last week, I was invited to their Sheraton Wall Centre location for the festive treatment of Vida’s “Pine and Juniper Berry Massage”. The waiting area (see above picture) was extremely tranquil. Big comfortable chairs, couches, and other cushion-y things to sit on were arranged inside the waiting area. The lights were dim, and a small waterfall/fountain was at one end of the room. I was offered tea and water (with lemon or cucumber) as I filled out the health form while I waited for my masseur to lead me to the other room.

The Pine and Juniper Berry Massage begins and ends with a deep breathing aromatherapy exercise where the guest inhales the essential oils of pine and juniper berry, together cleansing the mind and spirit, combating fatigue and bringing to mind a natural holiday feeling. Stressed out guests will immediately find deep relaxation, and the mood is set for a soothing experience.

Next, a massage – using Swedish techniques and base oils infused with pine and juniper berry – continues to relax while imparting a celebratory mood. Pine oil brings a refreshing, invigorating aroma, and naturally soothes sore muscles, elevates mood, increases metabolism and renews dull, tired skin. Juniper’s woody scent offers a cleansing affect on the mind, body and spirit, and both essential oils are extremely beneficial to the skin.

Although it was a pine and juniper berry massage, I don’t have a strong memory of smelling those scents.  Perhaps it would have been better if we are given explanations of which scents and oils were being used throughout the process?  Then again, different people have different preferences about whether they like to be talked to during the massage.  Throughout the massage, heat pads were placed under the blanket to keep warm!  Definitely a cozy escape from the winter cold.

I left Vida Spa feeling much more relaxed that evening.  If you book yourself (or someone special!) in for a 90-minute Pine & Juniper Berry Massage, you will receive $50 back until Christmas!

Photographs by Jeremy Lim.

Earlier this month, the Glowbal Group’s newest initiative “Society” (1257 Hamilton Street) opened in Yaletown.  With the tagline of “Opposites Attract.  The Unexpected Reigns”, Society most definitely has unique, unexpected menu offerings!!  Described as a “union of opposites”, the menu offers comfort food – but with a twist.  

So for example, classic tomato soup accompanied by mini grilled cheese sandwiches (hmm, following the “tapas” trend?), Mac & Cheese balls (think crabcake style), apple pie with vanilla ice cream and a Nutella milkshake (spiked with Baileys).  As for prices, Society’s express lunch menu is a pretty good deal.  Less than $10 for sandwich-y types of food.   Also, several of their menu items contain cotton candy as an ingredient, including on their drinks menu, the “Candy Collins” which is probably the most creative drink I’ve ever had.  It came with a generous fluff of cotton candy on top, and I was advised by the bartender that I could either eat it plain, or melt it into my gin to sweeten as desired.

This is a completely new kind of Yaletown dining lounge. At Society, opposites come together to create all-new pleasures. A vibrant, sultry space where casual nonchalance – the freshness of a favorite pair of jeans and a white tee – meets a subtle decadence that you simply won’t find anywhere else in this city. A dining lounge where comfortable meets chic, warmth meets undeniable cool, light humour meets dark sensuality. This is a place where anything can happen.

But I think the most talked about aspect of society is the venue and decor.  Yes, it takes on the layout of the former Coast Restaurant (now located on 1054 Alberni Street), however, the pink chandeliers are a definite topic of conversation.  In view of both the first and second floor, the chandeliers are so kitschy, contrasting the wooden paneling of the rest of the restaurant, yet it somehow fits with the “opposites attract” theme.  

From now until the end of November, take advantage of Society’s 2 for 1 weekday lunch special from 11:30am to 4:30pm or come by for dinner and receive a complimentary Junk Food Platter (with the purchase of two dinner entrees), every night of the week. What’s a junk food platter, you ask? It consists of nostalgic childhood treats including cotton candy, chocolate cupcakes, caramel corn, ice cream sandwich, an oreo milkshake, doughut holes, cookies and rice crispy squares.

Surprise!!  The GAP has literally turned its retail world upside down with the launch of its “SPRIZE” card.  Last week, on a regular Thursday morning, the downtown Vancouver community awoke to upside-down logos, signs, mannequins, and even cars (!!) surrounding the GAP on Robson Street.  All this “shopping turned on its head” in preparation to prepare the public for the SPRIZE offering.  “What wants to buy something today only to see it go on sale tomorrow?”  The answer is: “You do.  For a change.”

With an easy one-minute in-store sign up … the SPRIZE card offers customers an incentive to purchase now, instead of waiting for an item to go on sale.  How?  If something you buy from GAP goes on sale within 45 days of your purchase date, you are notified by email and automatically given an in-store credit (called “Sprize Bucks”) of the difference in pricing.   No more waiting, no more hassle of keeping receipts or having to run in and out of GAP, holding your breath, hoping you got the best deal on something!  You also don’t need to carry the card around – the GAP system has your contact information in its database.

According to the Gap executives who were at the in-store press event (the morning everything went upside down), the Sprize card is “convention breaking” in the industry.  However, the concept is a win-win situtation for both the company and its customers.  By delivering value to customers, Gap hopes it will be rewarded with customer loyalty.

Currently, the Sprize card works at the following ten locations:

Seven Oaks Shopping Centre
Metropolis at Metrotown
Coquitlam Centre
Richmond Centre
Guildford Town Centre
Kerrisdale GAP Kids
Pacific Centre
Robson Street
Oakridge Centre
Park Royal

I personally haven’t stepped foot into GAP in quite a while.  However, when I went last week for the launch of the Sprize card, I actually found a lot of stuff that I liked there at a decent price.  GAP clothing is definitely good for staple pieces, or pieces for layering, and several items this season are made with premium quality material, like wool or cashmere.  Of course, those items are higher priced, but with the Sprize card, you might actually get a good deal. I ended up buying a wool v-neck sweater from GAP.

One of the limitations of the Sprize card that I have noticed is the fact that it doesn’t take into account other ways that you could get a better deal on GAP items.  The Sprize Bucks are only rewarded when the item goes on sale.  However, I just recently got an email for a “friends and family” event, with a coupon for a 30% discount at GAP.  Although a 30%-discount is cheaper than what I paid for my wool sweater from GAP, I will still have to go back to the store in person, to do a price-adjustment on my purchase.  This could be a potential cause for concern, especially since GAP (Banana Republic and Old Navy) sends out these discount coupons several times a year.

Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation opened its first Murale store in Vancouver at Oakridge Centre.  As I walked into the new venue (located near the food court, on the GAP and Aritzia side), the bright lights, white floor and neatly lined shelves of beauty products mimicked Shoppers’ Drug Mart’s beauty boutique – but much more spacious.

As Shelley Rozenwald, the president of Murale, gave her speech, she pointed out that luxury is not about price.  Perhaps it is more about finding the right fit of beauty and cosmetics, for the right person.  Murale prides itself for its assessable but unbiased shopping format, with a strong level of customer service differentiating itself from other beauty shops out there.  Beauty is about having fun, trying the latest looks and seeing what’s right for the skin in a “great, fun place”.

I had the pleasure of trying the services of the Benefit brow bar.  In other words, I got my eyebrows waxed….or “arched” as they call it in the Benefit pamphlet….a service they have specialized in for 30 years.  I’m usually an eyebrow threader, so getting my eyebrows waxed was a new experience for me.  They only wax the bottom part of your eyebrows, resulting in a clean, natural look.  However, if you prefer that immaculate razor-sharp eyebrow shape, (at a fraction of the price), I would stick to eyebrow threading. Other services include brow tweezing ($19), brow & lip wax ($30) and upper lip & chin wax ($19).

As for Murale’s “Beauty Wish List” for the upcoming holiday season, their top picks include:

• CARGO Holiday Nights Collection ($25): Packaged in a luxurious cloth box equipped with its own mirror, the collection features Midnight Eye Shadow Quad, Blush, Boogie Nights Eye Pencil, as well as Face & Body Sparkle.  As an added gift, the gorgeous fabric covered box doubles as a clutch or jewelry box, making it the perfect gift for all of the lucky ladies on your list.
• Smashbox Wish for the Stars Kit ($23): Comes with Lash DNA Mascara, a mascara that strengthens and lengthens lashes that defy genetics, Soft Lights in Dusk, for a gorgeous luminous glow that will last all day and night and Medium Lip Gloss in Illume, to keep lips soft, smooth and naturally plumped while drenched in radiant colour and shine.
• Benefit Glitz, Gloss and Glam Lip Gloss Set ($34): This luscious lip gloss set comes with 6 tantalizing new shades, loaded with dazzling shine and perfectly paired for when the spotlight’s on you.  Set includes the shades Friends in High Places, Kiss You, Almost Famous, Zone Out, I’m With the Band and Fresh-Squeezed, which cover a range of hues from sparkling raspberry to copper penny to pink grapefruit.

Apothecary & Apparel.  Sounds catchy, doesn’t it?  And that’s exactly what’s inside and online at Kiss & Makeup, a “friendly fashion and beauty resource”, newly relocated to West Vancouver’s The Village at Park Royal.  Owned by Heather Huntingford, with her eye for niche products, Kiss & Makeup carries beauty lines that are “conscientiously made, original, organic, natural and amazing”.

“Our new space is twice the size of the original location,” says Heather Huntingford. “Now that we’ll have dressing rooms, we’re officially launching apparel at Kiss & Makeup with classic Richard Ruiz, luxe Soyun cashmere, coveted Mike & Chris, sexy Cynthia Vincent shoes, and more. Of course our favourite beauty brands including Själ and Stila aren’t going anywhere, plus we’ve secured the Canadian boutique exclusive on Skyn Iceland and celebrity favourite, Becca from Australia.”

With an eye toward eco-nomics, the new store features reclaimed pine floors from the original tenant, and Kiss & Makeup’s existing furniture, vanities and shelves are being whitewashed and repurposed in the new space. Vintage chandeliers and clothing racks complete the vision that Heather refined.  Also, several of the lines that Kiss & Make-Up carries have been featured in various Modern Mix Vancouver articles.  These include: BECCA Cosmetics, Geisha Ink and Sienna Ray & Co. handbags.

What else is in Heather’s vision for Kiss and Makeup?  Read on for Modern Mix Vancouver’s interview with her!

MMV: How long has Kiss & Makeup been around for? What was your original inspiration for opening up your boutique?

Kiss & Makeup opened in September 2004. My own personal experiences inspired the boutique. Like many people, I suffer from severely sensitive skin so most drugstore and department store beauty brands are out of the question for me. I personally test all the brands we carry, and niche products that are conscientiously made, original, organic, natural, and amazing that make the cut. I also loved the idea of creating a refreshingly frank and friendly fashion and beauty haven. We are anti-intimidation at Kiss & Makeup. Makeup is supposed to be fun after all!

MMV: Being an independent boutique, what do the staff at Kiss & Makeup do to make every customer feel welcome at your store?

It all goes back to our mission to be refreshingly frank and friendly. We start by attracting really talented people with warm, approachable personalities, and great individual style. We’re completely excited about what we have to offer and our enthusiasm for the brands we carry is pretty contagious. The girls are also very well educated to insure that you leave with the right product for you.

MMV: Kiss & Makeup has now expanded to include apparel too. A customer’s fashion sense may be different from their preferred beauty products. How will you make sure that your fashion and beauty product selection complement each other?

Kiss & Makeup is an original boutique with a slightly boho-chic vibe. From the exclusive cosmetic and skin care lines found only at Kiss & Makeup to the hard to find accessories and apparel favored by celebs, our aesthetic is anything but cookie-cutter. It was really a natural transition into the apparel, we have been styling our clients from head to toe for years.

MMV: I’m sure you get asked this a lot, but what is your one “must-have” staple beauty product that every girl should have in their cosmetic kit?

We do indeed get asked this all the time. The truth is that we really cannot pick one! I think these are the top three products that every woman should own. The first is Geisha Ink Ultra Volume Mascara ($34) which gives massive volume without the smudging and smearing. It also comes off in a cinch – no multiple face washings. The next product is Line and Pore Corrector by Becca ($43). We love this primer as it works like polyfiller on large pores and fine lines. Use before your favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer. Finally, there is the Sue Devitt Prime Target ($40) which dispenses a serum of plant extracts and natural caffeine to battle dark circles and puffiness. You feel this product working …Ahhhh instant relief!

MMV: Any last words to Modern Mix Vancouver readers?

Don’t be afraid of embellishment. Whether it’s bold lips, notice me shoes, or signature bangles you are a blank canvas. Make yourself a piece of art.