INTRODUCING: ORIBE LUXURY HAIRCARE at AVENUE 42!

Have you ever come across a hair care brand that was beyond amazing? A brand that is so beautifully packaged, a scent so delicious and bright, and to top it off it actually WORKS? 

 WE HAVE AND WE ARE SHARING IT WITH YOU! As of June 2013, 

Avenue 42 is now an Oribe exclusive salon and we could not be any happier! 

Avenue 42 founders Natalie & Rachel were invited to Miami in early June to meet with the Oribe team and experience one of their largest events, La Fama, a gathering focused on creativity, community, and most of all: fun! Through their time in Miami working directly with the founders, educators, and creative minds of this brilliant brand, they then decided to better serve their clients Avenue 42 would become Oribe exclusive. 

oribe on the shelves at avenue 42; natalie & rachel at la fama in miami

Our team will now be working with Oribe educators and stylists to bring you the most up-to-date techniques, styles, and the most luxurious products on the market. We are so very excited to bring this to Richmond and hope you are as well! Please stop by and check out our beautiful assortment of this range at our studio located at 16 East Main Street, Richmond VA.

www.Oribe.com

xo,

Ave42

Sunless Tanning: Your guide to a gorgeous glow!

Just when you thought things couldn't get any more hectic in your life, you've realized summer is in full swing and your still have not had time to work on your tan! Be it a BBQ or a beach day, if you are getting ready for a summer trip or get together and haven't had time to catch some rays like the rest of your friends-it's time to give what was once considered a scary solution a try!

Self and sunless tanning have become absolutely huge over recent years. From celebs to skin care gurus, it seems like just about everyone is trying their hand at obtaining that perfect formulation of sun in a tube! With research constantly surfacing about detrimental damage to our skin from tanning beds or from spending time in the sun, these alternatives are a major game changer when trying to get that radiant glow most of us ladies (and men!) secretly desire. The days of looking orange and streaky are long behind us with many of the products on the market today using superior technology thus eliminating us from the sunless tanning nightmares of the past.

Always plan ahead when using self tanners or getting a spray tan! Use our helpful tips and tricks as well as check out our picks for self tanning at home. Avenue 42 has carefully sought out the best professional spray tan products on the market today and proudly offers Lavish Tan organic tanning, and Xen Tan spray tans! 

Tips for Self & Spray Tanning

Prep: Exfoliate! Exfoliating will rid you of any dry skin that will create an uneven tan.

Moisturize:Use oil-free moisturizer on areas of the skin that are typically dry (knuckles, elbows, knees, ankles). These parts of the body will often grab the self tanner & spray tan more quickly than smooth skin. Moisturizing will prevent these areas from appearing darker than others. Let your moisturizer dry thoroughly before applying the tanning product or going to have a spray tan done.

Apply:When using self tanners always apply the from top to bottom. Applying on the stomach and upper body first may create creases when you bend over to apply to your legs and feet. Use enough product! Streaks are typically created from not using enough. Keep track of the areas you have already applied to and work in an upward motion.


Dry: Stand in front of a fan, or even use a blow dryer on the cool setting to speed up the drying process. If you are unsure you are totally dry, wait it out!
Be sure to wait at least 15-20 minutes before putting clothes on or laying in bed. If you are getting a spray tan, always bring loose fitting clothing to put on after.

We love: (from left to right ) St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, $32 www.beautybar.com; Dior Dior Bronze Self Tanner Natural Glow (face), $33 www.sepohora.com; Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe, $40 www.ulta.com; Lorac Tantilizer Body Bronzing Spray (with puff) $32 www.loraccosmetics.com

Mention this blog posting when booking your next spray tan with us for $5 off! Offer valid from June 28-July 3, 2013. Appointments are subject to avalibility!

xo,
Ave 42

Real Brides: Kristin!

We recently had the pleasure of working with Kristin, one of our lovely June brides! This California-based couple returned to Virginia to celebrate the wedding of their dreams. 

Their nuptials took place at the Wilton House Museum here in Richmond, where our team was on-site to create Kristin's bridal look. The bride's hair and makeup styling were done by Avenue 42 founders Natalie and Rachel.

Kristin and her husband carefully created a rather unique wedding with LK Events & design. We are so pleased we could be present to make this truly special day exactly what the bride and groom had imagined. Check out Timmester Photo for more images and the story of their beautiful day! 

Congratulations Kristin & Dan! 

xo,

Ave 42

Portrait of a Bride: Elise!

Bridal portraits are a great way to test your day-of look! With all of the modern convenience social media and the internet can bring, it can also make it confusing and often send one into an image overload when trying figure out what your dream look is going to be! Booking your hair and makeup trial on the same day of your bridal portrait can create a better idea of how you want to look on your big day, as well as how your desired hair and makeup styling will look in photos. 

We suggest bringing photos of hair styles and makeup you LOVE, as well as photos for reference to looks you do not like, thus making your consultation and trial a little easier to navigate. Visuals are typically the best way to clearly communicate what your desired look is and of course...what it isn't! 

One of our bridal beauties, Elise, was kind enough to send over her images from her bridal portrait shoot. Her hair was done by Welsey, and makeup was done by Kaitlin. Through their combined consulting with the bride they were able to achieve this gorgeous look! 

Elise's photos were done by photographer Allyson Dempsey. Her outdoor images were done at Cooper Vineyards in Louisa, VA, and her indoor images took place at Main Street Station in downtown Richmond. Check back with us soon to see what Elise chose for her day-of look! We would also like to give Elise a big thanks for sharing a glimpse of what her portraits looked like! 

xo, 

Ave 42

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Making the world a prettier place: the We See Beauty Foundation

The biggest part of our mission at Avenue 42 is about empowering women! We truly admire when we learn about other salons, artists, and foundations striving to do the same thing. 

We recently have learned about an amazing collective out of New York doing just that and then some. The We See Beauty Foundation is a collaboration of artists & ideas that is based the on the philosophy that working together and sharing ideas will create greater benefits for all-ideals easily lost within the often very competitive world of make up and hair artistry. 

image courtesy of www.weseebeauty.com

The project was started by Nikos Mouyiaris, a name synonymous within the beauty industry for both creating successful business ventures and giving back to the community. Mouyiaris created Mana Products, Inc. in 1975, a cosmetic manufacturing corporation responsible for some of the most carefully formulated, iconic beauty products still found in makeup bags, purses, and medicine cabinets all over the world today. 

We See Beauty is entirely owned, managed and run by the people who work at their Brooklyn co-operative. Their accompanying brand, Make Cosmetics, offers products through their online marketplace; which also offers various unique lifestyle and design items.

33.3% of their profits are directly donated to the We See Beauty foundation. Through the donation of such a large portion of their profits, WSB is able to create jobs, promote their platform for change, inspire others to do the same. Their goal? To create global awareness of their mission: together we do more. 

image courtesy of www.weseebeauty.com

Cruise on over to their website and check out their beautiful products, graphics, and images. Who ever thought buying absolutely AMAZING make-up would ever feel so good? Now take those good vibes and pass them on. :)

http://weseebeauty.com/

Pamper your Pops: Fathers day product picks!

What does one get for the man who has everything? The man whom has used the same shaving cream and bar soap for the past, oh, 30 years? Surprise your special guy with a medicine cabinet overhaul! We did some serious searching for the perfect product lines for whatever type of guy your Dad (or husband) may be.  The are sure to give your Dads "beauty regime" (or lack there-of) a serious makeover. 

{The Classic Man}

The Blind Barber combines modern luxury and versatility with the simplicity of classic mens grooming products for the discerning man of any age. Their NYC and LA locations offer the feel of an old-school barber shop & lounge with a new-school twist.  http://blindbarber.com

{The Hunter & Angler}

For the Dad who spends his time in the woods or on the water, or for the guy who just believes in protecting the earth from which he came. Ursa Major combines earthy scents and uses highly effective ingredients while providing a serious solution to natural skin-care. These products come straight from Vermont & their philosophy is to create products from sustainable resources.
www.ursamajormen.com

{The Active Dad}

Recipe for Men believes in carefully thought out products to suit men's needs. Easy to follow instructions and simple packaging make this product line perfect for those minimalist guys on the go. However simple these products may look on the outside, the ingredients and carefully thought out formulations contained inside are sure to deliver powerful results. Perfect for the man who enjoys the elements and an active lifestyle. 

http://www.recipeformenusa.com/

 If your Father just needs a day of relaxation, Red Door Spas offer a variety of services specially designed for pampering men! This is always a great gift for the guy who would typically not splurge on himself. Red Door Spas of Richmond (for all of our local readers) is located at Short Pump Town Center. http://www.reddoorspas.com

We hope you enjoy a happy and healthy Father's Day with the man (or men!) in your life! 

xo,

Ave 42

Real Brides: Cailin!

Here is a sneak peak at one of our bridal beauties, Cailin!

Hair was by Sara, makeup was done by Natalie on the bride, and Katey on the bridal party. 

Her wedding, styled by Courtney from Merriments Events, took place at the Williamsburg Inn. 

Photography was by Eric Mencher Photography. 

Cailin & her little ladies. 

Congratulations Cailin! 

xo,

Ave 42