Musette sez: I’m always interested in other business owners – who are they? how did they start their business? how’s it going? do you wake up, at 2am, screaming? In the coming weeks I will introduce you to some of my favorite small-biz retailers. A lot of us buy online (or even – gasp!- buy IN STORE) but rarely really know the folks behind those shops. We shop their sites, cheer when they have a Sale and moan when their prices increase…but who the heck are ‘they’? Well. Let’s see, shall we?
where my cherubs izzz?
Beautyhabit! I love so much about this shop. But what I love most is the stupid story I originally made up about the two sisters who own and run it, Teresa Mitchell and Paula Vazquez, back when we were setting up the LA Scentsation. At first glance I just saw California Girls, that gorgeous blonde, healthy bouncy fabulous Breckness endemic to the Golden State – I imagined them, reclining in chaises longue in the Valley, sipping mimosas whilst cherubs who look like The Rock drift through the terrace doors, bearing the latest, coolest offerings from Paris and Neptune.
Yah. Okay. I didn’t say I had any sense. These are BUSINESS people, Musette. Working their asses off. Just. Like. You. Only way cuter.
So. Teresa and Paula. Oh, SO cool. Did you know that Teresa studied Mysticism and Religious Studies at Berkeley before going to Beauty School to become an Esthetician ???(there’s a joke in there somewhere but …)…she started her business in her basement after she had to quit working in department stores due to an environmental (coughEL-relatedcough) illness. At that time, 1995-96, her husband (a Silicon Valley guy) told her about this new ‘online shopping’ phenomenon. She remembers thinking ‘who would ever buy beauty products Online?” . I said the same thing about books, when Amazon first came on the scene. Sigh. Luckily, Teresa was smarter than me! Also, luckily for us, she is a hunter, a self-confessed Beauty Magpie, JustLikeMe, flitting from product to product, which meant she could really bust the whole thing wide open, bringing a host of unusual, fun products to the fore. Lots and lots of trial, error and testing…. Though I still like the idea of The Rock-like cherubs bringing the products in through the window….or me trying the products ON The Rock (here, Dwaynebaby…let me smooth a bit of this on your chest…yah, it’s research,sweetcheeks. Research.”
my favorite conversation with Teresa: we were yabberin’ on about treatment and we got all mystical about Luxury and the thrill of the hunt for the perfect organic French rosewater and omgosh, I was hearing those cherubs…when she chuckled and said ‘yeah. and then I slap on my Retin-A! LOL!” I LOVE this gal!
But! We actually get the stuff because her sister Paula is a freakin’ dynamo! Listen. This woman is a size-zero Force of Nature! She owned a successful printing company when her sister came a-callin’ and now runs the daily operations portion of Beautyhabit as well as all the design management (and THANK YOU for such cuteness! Really! I love your catalogues!). Paula’s the Perfume Slut but she’s Beauty Faithful – been in the same Chanel eyeshadow for 15 years!
my favorite conversation with Paula: we were talking about how much of her day involves running around and she talked about how tough Christmastime is or, as it’s known at Beautyhabit: Paula’s Month of Sweatpants, when she would race to UPS and jam her foot in the closing door to get those last packages in so we get them On Time . I didn’t have the heart to tell her I have Anita’s YEARS in sweatpants. This woman is a WORKER (ask her about her trying to get a job at The Golden Door (at 14! as a maid! okay! okay! no cherubs, dammit). Plus, she’s way cuter than me, too. Even in sweatpants. especially in sweatpants! I need to run around more.
If you are in LA and can trek out to the Valley, I swear to Floyd you MUST go to Beautyhabit (go around lunchtime when Paula’s husband Chef Alberto is in the area. A year later and I’m still thinking about that amazing lunch). It’s sort of a brick&mortar wholesale spot, unprepossessing as hell from the outside….then…well..I remember March & I stopping dead in our tracks, right inside the door…we….omg…we couldn’t speak for a full 30 seconds…just stood there, panting! You wouldn’t BELIEVE it, it’s so……omg.
They go all over the world (and the world comes to them), to find the most interesting, intriguing lines.. Racks and racks and RACKS of Fabulous! It’s so fabulous it’s stupefyin’. Some of my favorites are..
…heck! You don’t care what MY favorites are. You care what YOUR favorites are becauuuuuse:
As thanks for taking the time to get to know them, Beautyhabit is giving away 4-fabulous-4 eGift Certificates!!! What you need to do: go over to beautyhabit.com, fall in love with something and come back here and lemme know what it is. That’s all you have to do! Bruno is feeling all better’n everthang so he will pick 4 winners! You won’t win ‘the thing’ but if you win you’ll win the eGift certificate so you can buy the thing! Draw ends Midnight 20 April – this draw is open to Everyone.
PLUS! Shopping at Beautyhabit.com? From now until May 31 we have FREE SHIPPING! (Free Ground shipping to lower 48 only) Code : POSSE. So get on OVAH there!
Can I just say how completely JEALOUS I am of you? You guys get a chance to win a $50 eGift certificate. I get a chance to write about it. Lucky me. But I’m happy for you. No, really! Happy!
Am probably too late for the draw. But beauty habit is one of my favorite etailers. I have several lemmings from their site including POTL’s AMAZE and several lippies by Ilia Beauty
Wellllllll, it is not on the site yet but if Beautyhabit carries the new Penhaligon’s Tralala in its quirky packaging, that’s what I would choose. My other potential perfume bottle would any one of the Rouge Bunny Rouge perfumes.
Thanks for the generous draw!
I’ve been longing for a full bottle of Profumi di Firenze Dolce Patchouly as I hoard the the precious last of my decant, and Beautyhabit carries it! Hmmmmm…….
Thanks for the entertaining post and the draw!
Hello! New reader and fragrance fanatic here. I’ve been reading through your posts the past few days, love the blog! My current obsession is i Profumi di Firenze – Vaniglia del Madagascar. I love vanilla perfumes and I’m dying to try this!
I might need to spring for Luctor et Emergo. I have a sample and I’m obsessed with it. But also want to try Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance bc they do good things with rose, or so I’ve heard.
Torn between L’Artisan Seville a l’Aube Eau de Parfum and Diptyque Volutes. Glad Bruno is feeling better and up to assisting with such a wonderful Springtime drawing. Happy Easter to all who observe it, and a lovely Sunday to those who do not.
Costes! I’ve tried and loved Costes 2 and would love a Costes candle – since it doesn’t look as if I’ll be getting to the actual hotel any time soon. 🙁 Thanks for the lovely draw and fun review!
Since Comme des Garcons Zagorsk has been on my wishlist at BH for a while, I’d spring for that. It was fun browsing though, because I don’t usually look at their makeup and today I did. Seriously nice stuff. Thanks for the draw.
I know they have a ton of perfumes that I would want, but they also have Rouge Bunny Rouge – Long-lasting Eye Shadow. Don’t make me pick just one color, because there is no way that I can. I want the whole collection.
Penthaligons LP #9. Definitely. Been eyeing up this one a lot lately.
Oh my I would love either Comme de Garçons Champaca perfume or Rodin Olio Russo’s perfume or beauty oil!
Definitely in love with Histoires de Parfums Edition Rare Ambrarem Absolu Eau de Parfum. I have never sniffed it, but it sounds divine! Thanks for the giveaway!
Ooh, I love Arquiste L’etrog! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love BeautyHabit! It was fun reading behind the scenes. I just ordered jour de fete and it’s en route… Maybe my next purchase will be something summery like Kai or some Child extra rich body creme yo go with my rollon oil.. Child is fantastic, you know.
Wow wow – I had come across Beauty Habit before, but hadn’t explored the full site – it’s like having an international pharmacy insider – no need for Citypharma! Wonderful getting to hear the founders’ story a bit more too.
I would LOVE Parfums de Nicolai Odalisque!!
(but like everyone else also probably hundreds of other things – Leonor Greyl, Ilia, Cire Trudon) Thanks for the draw.
How was I not informed of this site before now? I will take Parfums DelRae Debut, or perhaps some SuperGoop! mineral sunscreen, or now that I see Atelier makes candles I could get an Orange Sanguine…. In any case I’m pretty sure I good make good use of the GC!
I’d love to try an iris fragrance, maybe The Different Company – Bois d’Iris?
I love Beautyhabit! I found them when they were pretty new and wanted most everything I saw in their catalog. I would look at all the perfumes and read the description and what the notes were. I really fell in love! I have ordered many of them over the years and I regularly pop over to their website to see What’s new. Thanks Musette I love reading about the faces of these great places. I’m so happy Bruno is doing so well!
Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadow.
Or if dreaming big — L’Artisan Jour de Fete unsniffed which I saw featured in an email from Beauty Habit
I adore the Paul and Joe lipstick case in retro pink and white. I’ve always wanted to buy their lipstick but because I can’t try it on locally I haven’t. Thanks for the draw!
Wow, what a great draw. I would pick Arquiste Parfumeur – Flor y Canto Eau de Parfum. Thanks!
My gosh! I’ve actually been pining for a chance to smell some Olfactive Studio scents, and they’ve got a great little discovery set of 4ml’s over at beautyhabit. So that, I think.
Sidenote: I picked up a set of the Perfume Posse beginner fragrances samples at Surrender to Chance, and am really digging it. Wonderful suggestions, and definitely furthering my education. Thanks, Posse!
Wonderful giveaway! Thank you very much!
I have my eye on Memoire Liquide Reserve – Vacances Liquide Eau de Parfum 🙂
WHOA nelly there’s a reason I don’t tempt myself often. Now I WANT! please count me in. And thanks guys for such a great draw!
Got my old Frapin and Botrytis and POTL and other lovelies there many years ago and still enjoy them all. The site is even better now.
stuff I knew I wanted: Anima Dulcis, Vanille Insensee,
new wants: Lubins esp. Akkad; Patch NYC all of them! tdc divine bergamot, L’Artisan Parfumeur – Vanille Absolument, the entire Providence Perfume line….
I have been wanting Serge Lutens Bas de Soie for many moons…a gift certificate can make the dream a reality!!
I would go for Vanille Tonka or Botrytis, but forcing me to browse the site is making me feel a sample order coming on. Eek!
I love BeautyHabit!!!!!! Gah, this is an AMAZING drawing. I’d spend the money to buy myself an early birthday present. I definitely know what I would buy: Parfums de Nicolai’s Juste un Reve. Lovely stuff. Seriously– if you haven’t sniffed it, it’s the perfect balance of refinement and fun. It reminds me of the beach, and I love wearing it with other fragrances (not layering them but wearing them on two different arms, to enjoy the juxtaposition).
Or wait. Maybe Penhaligon’s Iris Prima. You can never have enough iris in the collection, and this one is girly AND slightly odd at the same time. So pretty but so unique. Love it.
Yay, Beautyhabit and Perfume Posse! I’ve had my eye on Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger Neroli Blanc Intense Eau de Parfum. Thanks so much for this awesome draw!
My bottle of Parfum d’empires ambre russe is calling to me. Thank you, this is a wonderful giveaway.
what a great draw!
i’d take the kai gift set and throw in a couple of rouge bunny rouge eyeshadows and liners for good measure!
thanks!!!!
At the moment, I’m eyeing Serge Lutens’ Cuir Mauresque. Thanks for the draw. I love browsing through the selection that Beautyhabit carries.
Golly! there’s just so many possibilities! I’ve been wanting to explore the Diptique line for a while, and I see that Beauty Habit carries both fragrances and some lovely looking bath and body products by them.
I’ve had my eye on Rouge Bunny Rouge Embers for a while! Also, at Beautyhabit they always send a little card and extra samples with your order. Thanks for the draw!
Wow, what a great selection BeautyHabit has! I adore the huge selection they have of i Profumi di Firenze, and I would love to try their vanilla fig fragrance.
What a great drawing! I would spend my e-certificate on Luctor et Emergo parfum. Thank you.
Love the Ineke perfumes
An Atelier Mistral Patchouli candle. I’m far from all my fumes right now and really missing Mistral in particular.
I can’t count the number of times that I’ve gone out to the Beautyhabit website ‘just to have a quick look,’ only to glance up at the clock and realize that an hour has passed while I’ve gazed longingly at Cire Trudon candles, lusted for the latest release from Arquiste Parfumer, or imagined the newest Butter London shade adorning my toes. I can’t even imagine the experience of their brick and mortar store; I probably wouldn’t come out for a week!
My BH wish list is long, so off the top of my head, I would flip a coin: heads, it’s D.S. & Durga Silent Grove, tails, it’s Providence Perfume Co.’s Samarkinda. Thanks to Paula, Teresa, and the Posse for the opportunity!
Ths is such a generous draw! I often browse here and have bought skincare from them, but they cannot ship me perfume unfortunately…
I have always coveted the Dr Vraanjies home diffusers, the Vaniglia Mandarino sounds lovely, and some of the bottles are gorgeous. Can’t even look at the Murano glass ones!
Beautyhabit is a nice site! Becca’s Ultimate Colour Gloss in Palm Breeze is calling my name (says the woman with enough perfume & lip products to furnish an entire state!) Thanks for the draw.
So many appealing options – but I would love to try the Cire Trudon candles, particularly Solis Rex, Spiritus Sancti, Carmelite, or Trianon.
I live halfway across the continent from the brick and mortar store, but I’ve perused their website and bought a couple things. They have an awesome selection of products. It’s hard to pick one thing I’d spend the gift certificate on, but I’m smitten with the Chantecaille Lip Chic in sunrise. Gorgeous color!
Oh my – this is difficult! Either Dzing! or Iris Parma I think. But that’s this hour. I’m sure next hour I’ll think of something else. Love that site!! And way to go Bruno!! You keep getting better – your momma needs you!
tis the season for Parfum d’Empire Azemour and oh so many more! Thank you Posse and BeautyHabit
O wow…I would love to try the “Une nuit à Bali” perfume or the Eve Lom cleanser. So hard to choose!
That darling lovely Comme des Garçons Avignon has been beckoning for me since Christmas and a gift certificate would make her mine, all mine. 🙂
Thanks for the generous drawing!
I really need the new CdG Sugi for summer! Beautyhabit is a pretty cool website, my wife bought me recently a Hierbas de Ibiza, another perfect fragrance for summer, hope to win the card so I can get the Sugi. Thanks!!!
Well, I have to first say that these girls were absolutely WONDERFUL to everybody who was lucky enough to attend LA Scentsation. Musette and the rest of the Posse had to literally drag some us out of their store by the hair, kicking and screaming, in order to get us all back on the bus.
If I had to pick just one thing, I think I’d go for one of the Cire Trudon candles. I remember poking my nose into all of those glass cloches they keep ’em under, and loving the scent of every one.
My recent favorite thing from Beautyhabit is a silk satin eye mask that you wear while sleeping to block the light. It’s very luxurious and old-school glamorous Hollywood feeling. I got it in the lavender color. I’m also a big fan of the Parfums de Nicholai line. Thanks for the great drawing Musette!
I hope to visit the brick and mortar store by the end of the year! Getting to know a little something about the owners adds meaning. I would love to try something from the Nicholai line, either Odalisque, Le Temps Une Fete, Sacrebleu Intense. Or Olfactive Studio Lumiere Blanche. And that’s just scratching the surface. Give a tummy rub to Bruno for me. Thanks for the great draw!