Lynee Ruiz

Image via LOFT.  Southridge Mall has undergone quite the facelift! A brand new LOFT concept store opened up middle of February, and we were pleasantly surprised by it’s fresh new aesthetic. It’s light and white spacious interior allows the colorful clothing to pop. There are many areas to lounge, giving the store a more intimate boutique setting. It’s almost like being in a large, luxurious closet, with all your outfits put together already. All LOFT’s employees are trained as stylists to help you put together that perfect look, and they’re generous with the one-on-one time, including taking care of you…

Lip smack with color that pops.  It’s about that time of year when we all start feeling a little bleh. Instead of doing something wacky like cutting yourself a full set of bangs after a bottle of wine (which I did, and do not recommend), set up an appointment at Boston Store for a fun new makeup look. Lancomé’s national makeup artist, Alex Sanchez, will be doing customized personal makeup sessions with his team of professional artists at two Boston Store locations. The first session  takes place Feb. 27 at the Boston Store in the Regency Mall, and the second is…

Image by © Crystal Schreiner.  A little over 6 months ago, a fabulously fierce 23-year-old blazed in to my life and introduced herself as Crystal Schreiner, fashion photographer and entrepreneur. I’ve had the luck of working with her on an amazing photo shoot, and every day she continues to amaze me. Just this past weekend, she landed a spot during the Superbowl for a Pizza Hut commercial she directed.  For the past couple years she has braved the insane photographers area at New York Fashion Week called the photographers pit, and she’s about to do it again this week for the…

Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago is one of the biggest Midwestern markets for retailers to buy next season’s merchandise to fill their stores. With floors upon floors of merchandise,  and hundreds of vendors, there is a constant buzz of buying and displaying the latest fashion trends. A few times a year, I am lucky enough to step into what seems like the most magical (and trendy) closet. As you can tell from the image below, Merchandise Mart is filled with racks and racks of the season’s latest styles, and among them are loads of jeans.    A glimpse inside one…

(Main Image 9.44.45) Back in 2008 our local fashion scene was a buzz over it’s first official Milwaukee Fashion Week, set to take place October 3-6 2008. Embarrassingly it was canceled just a day before launch, while organizers pointed fingers in every which direction over who was to blame. In a story written by TMJ4 (read here http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/45732717.html?lc=Smart ) in which Boutique B’lou owner Barbara Berg tells reporters that venues were not booked by promoters, models were never hired, and sponsors were never sponsors. Shortly after the story on TMJ4 aired, a conflicting blog was written by the other side of…

As the rush of Black Friday brought headaches and stress to many, an oasis of relief opened it’s doors in Brookfield Square Mall: the Aveda Experience Center. Located near the main entrance, customers can enjoy Aveda’s full product line, hand and chair massages, makeup, hair touch-ups, and skin treatments. Soon to be added in the near future: two full service styling chairs.  Aveda’s mission is to leave as little of an environmental footprint as possible. Nearly 90% of their ingredients are certified organic, and all of their packaging is 100% post-consumer recycled.  Never tried the Avenda lineup before? Here are…

Image courtesy of Aveda. The worst part of winter is upon us! Along with it comes brittle nails, chapped lips, and lackluster hair. I set out to find what our local beauty professionals are using to combat all-over dryness. Here are a few of their favorite picks.  Stylist Stephanie Abts from Carenza in Brookfield suggests Pureology Essential Repair Leave-in Conditioner to keep your locks loaded with moisture. Its weightlessness still allows you to achieve full volume when you’re styling. Kellie May, a stylist and manicurist also at Carenza, uses the Hempz Pomegranate Moisturizer on her clients’ hands while she’s giving…

I pushed through the red double doors leading to Erik of Norway Downtown salon expecting to be greeted by a rush of blow dryers, conversations, and scented products. Instead I faced a flight of stairs leading up to a light, airy room. A receptionist pleasantly ushered me into a lounge where Scott Yance, owner of Erik of Norway Downtown, greeted me.  The original Erik of Norway salon is located in Mequon and was opened more than 40 years ago by Erik Knudsen. Due to Erik’s stellar reputation in the beauty industry, many of Milwaukee’s best salons were started by stylists…

Photo: Crystal Schreiner Model: Molly Marigold Hair and Makeup: Lyneé Ruiz Do you love those bouncy, vintage hair waves but have no idea how to get it yourself? I had so many clients at my salon ask how to achieve this at home, so I decided to make a how-to video. Plus, it’s just in time for that New Year’s Eve party or Christmas soiree. Enjoy! Here are is the list of products I used for quick reference: Moroccan Oil A nickel-sized amount used mid-strand to end on wet hair. Aveda Confixor Use generously. I used about 2 quarter-sized amounts…

Images courtesy of Stone Fox Salon. As soon as I opened the door the new Stone Fox Salon (2430 N. Murray Ave.), I was greeted with a burst of excitement by owners Jackie and Dan Mickelsen. I felt immediately at home, and there wasn’t a trace of stuffiness.The salon itself is very open and clean. Grey walls with pops of neon colors were the perfect blend of calm and creative. As they showed me around their space, I was delighted to see their product lines: Zoya nail polish, Neuma and Beverly Hills hair products. As we walked passed their hair color,…