We had a SUPER fun (and super packed!) “Braids, Buns and Bubbly” event at Alba Beauty Studio last week. The owner wanted to invite Cincy Chic’ers in for a fun night to showcase everything from their cocktails to their all-natural nail, hair, makeup, massage, brow and skincare services! Everyone looked SO fab as they left — here are a few pics I snapped of some of our attendees!
Me and my staff after getting glammed up at Cincy Style Bar!
We wrote this story about Andrea and Ashley Lauren, the co-owners of Cincy Style Bar last week. We also have a Cincy Chic staff spa night there this Thursday… so it has me thinking about how much I adore them there. Not just Andrea and Ashley, but their team, business, vision, how they make you feel, and just everything about their concept. So, I thought I’d do a little Top Ten list of why I love Cincy Style Bar so much… here goes:
Ashley and Andrea Lauren, co-owners of Cincy Style Bar
#10: They are the Original Blowout and Makeup Bar in Cincinnati. ‘Nuff said.
#9: They put the studio together piece by piece. Literally, most of the furniture and remodels around the spa and salon are all done by hand by family members! It’s very shabby chic, Pinterest meets real life, sophisticated but unpretentious, hip but not hipster.
#8: They were green before it was cool to be green. Andrea and Ashley’s commitment to organic, natural and non-toxic beauty goes back to 2003, and they’ve been Cincinnati’s organic, natural and non-toxic full service salon and spa since 2012. So, as long-time advocates it has been a dream come true for them to create a safe beauty haven for their guests. Oh, and because it’s eco-friendly, it’s all preggo-friendly. You don’t realize how much toxic stuff you put on and in your body until you’re pregnant. Simple things like getting your roots touched up or a pedi with a friend becomes a headache to find a place that uses non-toxic products. That is, unless you go to Cincy Style Bar.
Me after popping in for a quick braid at their blowout bar
#7: They have great hours. It’s actually really rare for a salon and spa to be open seven days a week, plus they’re also available outside of our posted hours if arrangements are made.
#6: It’s perfect for groups. They host nail, tanning, blowout, makeup, bachelorette and kids parties, and also do group makeup lessons. I love taking my staff there because they have a whole separate room for groups. It feels like you rented out an entire spa just for you. Plus, you can have some people getting nails, some getting pedis, but still be able to see and chat with each other because you’re in the same room. I can’t think of anywhere else in Cincinnati you can get this!
#5: They come to you. If you have a special occasion like a wedding or event (we’ve had them come do our fashion show models before), they do on-location services, which is SO nice!
The staff and I enjoying a pamper party in their private spa area
#4 Pre-Wedding Beauty Prep. This is actually what we just wrote the Cincy Chic story about last week. They of course do the typical hair and makeup for brides day-of. But what I love about them is that they also offer a package of stuff a bride could (and should) do prior to the big day, such as facials, waxing, hair coloring and cuts, massages, nails and airbrush tanning. It’s nice to have everything included in one package and have one place to go for it all.
Drew lookin’ smooth with his new ‘do!
#3 Men’s Services. So, last year, I took my staff here for our annual spa day, and Drew on my team opted to get a haircut instead of the facials all of us gals were getting. He FREAKED out because he said it was the best haircut he’s ever gotten. He’s been going to the same girl ever since. They have a really extensive men’s services menu, which is nice. Guys gotta get their groom on too!
#2: They have really nice drink menu. Yes, you read that right. You can get spa’ed while sipping on a cocktail. Doesn’t that sound nice? And I have to tell you, those cocktails are DEEEELISH! They have a liquor license so they have a large lounge and cocktail menu with discounts for drinks bought during a service. They also offer complimentary local favorites, like Carabello Coffee and Eschencha Teahouse tea.
Me after getting spray tanned the day prior, and up-do and makeup all from Cincy Style Bar! LOVED this look! Keep in mind, I had really short hair and they made it look like I had tons of it!
#1: Great Retail. Ever leave the salon and wish you could recreate the look? Next time, ask your stylist to teach you the techniques as they’re doing them, and then also ask exactly what products they’re using. A lot of times, this is the secret sauce to being able to recreate the look. And a lot of the products help to extend the time between salon visits — for example, I finally splurged on good fade resistant shampoo and conditioner the last time I was at the salon and it’s really helped to keep my color looking fab. They also have really nice skin care and makeup — all of course toxin free and good for ya!
Ok, that’s my Top Ten list (I feel very David Letterman-y! haha!) for why I love Cincy Style Bar! So now it’s time for you to find your reasons! Check them out at http://www.cincystylebar.com or in person at 2882 Wasson Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209.
It’s been a crazy year here at Cincy Chic! In January we celebrated eight years since launching (yes, EIGHT!!!), but since Lola was so little, and my right-hand-woman Stephanie also just had a baby, we delayed our annual staff outing.
In the past, we’ve done limo rides, shopping sprees, and fancy dinners. But I think after introducing two humans into the world, and the staff absorbing our responsibilities while we recovered, all anyone really wanted to do was spend a day at the spa.
Drew’s new ‘do! (by Lisa Walker at Alba Beauty Studios)
During my pregnancy, I tried to go organic with everything from the foods I ate to the beauty products I used. I started spending a lot of time at Alba Organic Beauty Studios in Hyde Park and LOVED it. So, naturally that was the first place I wanted to go for the staff night.
When I called, they were amazing with all the planning of services and working around our schedules. They even did our nail services in the private studio space next door so we could all be in the same room getting our manis and pedis done! This would be a great place to take a bridal party to get primped before the big day! They also just got a liquor license, so you don’t have to worry about bringing anything — you can just order it there! (I suggest the Moscow Mule! Delish!)
We all got facials, massages, manis and pedis (and our dapper dude Drew got a new ‘do we’re DYING over!). Everyone love love loved it, so I wanted to do a post to give props and recommend them if you have a group you want to take to a spa/salon. Alba is the place to go! Oh, and they also share good deals if you “like” them on Facebook!
Thank you to everyone who came out last night for our Eco-Chic Fashion Show at ADC! The night was a HUGE success and could not have gone on without the insanely talented DAAP students who created amazing recycled styles and the wonderful ladies of Cincy Style Bar for providing hair and makeup for all of the models! Be sure to stop by Cincy Style Bar’s Facebook page to see more!
We just published details about our March event! I’m really pumped about it because it’s going to be hosted at one of my favorite venues in town, ADC, the “gallery in the sky.” On the walls of the gallery (special just for our event!) the owner, Litsa Spanos, is going to feature local artists who use eco-conscious, repurposed materials in their pieces. Also, we’re doing a different spin for the fashion show — it’s going to be an hair/makeup show by the stylists at Alba Organic Beauty Studio (they use all organic and non-toxic products!). It’s also going to be a fundraiser and drive for clothing/jewelry donations. See below for all the details — hope to see you there!!
What: View eco-chic hair/makeup fashion show and eco-conscious art by area artists. shop local businesses, enjoy refreshments, and a swag bag valued at $250. Tickets are $10/pp, and all proceeds benefit St. Vincent dePaul. Plus, receive a raffle ticket for each gently used item brought for donation (click here to see list of requested items). From jewelry and boutique gift certificates to spa and salon packages, more than $3,000 in fab prizes are up for grabs!
I just got an email from my gals at Cincy Organic Stylebar because they’re offering a new Loyalty Program! I’m always telling people where I get my hair done, so now I’ll be earning points for it! haha! 🙂 Check out all the details below about it!
Rewards program or not, I actually really do love going there and telling people about it. I initially started going when I was preggo because they’re all organic, and I stayed because they do an amazing job on color (I go to Megan there FYI) and cuts, and their people are SUPER nice, talented and accommodating (they have been great with adding on last minute mani/pedi services, or fitting me in for a hair appt when I find a window in my busy mama schedule, and also making events special when I’ve brought my Cincy Chic team in for pampering!) HIGHLY recommended!!!
I’m so pumped! My fab Cincy Chic team and I just posted our first event of 2014!! It’s our “New Year New You” event on Jan 24 at Elements Event & Conference Centre in Sharonville! It’ll feature a runway fashion show featuring the newest trends for the new year, 40+ vendors offering product samples and discounts, as well as primping and pampering stations so you can learn tips and tricks for looking your best in 2014! It’s only $5 to get in and 100% goes to the Patty Brisben Foundation! Check out all the details below and click here to RSVP!
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New Year New You!
WHEN: Jan. 24, 6-9pm
WHERE: Elements Conference and Event Centre
11974 Lebanon Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241
Ring in the new year with sipping, shopping and spa-ing! Enjoy complimentary makeup touchups, mini-massages and spa treatments while sipping on Fancy Pants wine and enjoying light bites and sweet treats. Also shop with more than 30 local boutiques and vendors, all with great deals and new trends to get your 2014 off to a stylish start. Don’t miss the runway fashion show at 8pm presented by Harlow & Liv, a new Cincinnati-based online women’s fashion boutique. One lucky attendee will be selected to win a $500 shopping prize pack! Tickets are only $5 and all proceeds benefit the Patty Brisben Foundation.
Over at Cincy Chic we recently had our Fall Into Fashion event at Mercedes-Benz October 10. Attendees were able to get a first glimpse of the all-new 2014 CLA while sipping on refreshments and shopping local vendors. CRAVE provided light bites and there was an amazing fall fashion show.
Some of my favorite looks from the fashion show included the pops of red, mixture of browns and the colorful accessories! The red dress by Urban Chick Boutique was so cute and is the perfect piece for a holiday party! To see all of the looks from the show, click here!
Clothing for the event was provided by: Urban Chick Boutique and Jewelry by: Jewels by Jules. Cincy Style Bar did an amazing job with the hair and makeup for the models from MTM Cincinnati!
Urban Chick Boutique, Jewels by Jules and Cincy Style Bar were the fashion show sponsors. Booth sponsors included: Chateau Le Beau, The Scarf Diva, Origami Owl with Irene Maschinot, Miche Bags with Mindy Richards and Barb Germone, Stella and Dot with Courtney Shannon and Kim Powers, Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery, It Works Global with Shelly Kinder, Patty Hagood, Road + Fields Independent Consultant. You can check out all of the information about booth and fashion show sponsors by clicking here!
Exciting news at the Hyde Park-based Cincy Style Bar! They just launched a new Braid, Bun, Ponytail, and Extension Bar! So, of course, I had to check it out for myself! They did a super cute fishtail braid, and some amazing organic airbrush makeup, for me last week before a night out with my girlfriends. I felt fabulous! Plus, the hair lasted the entire next day! It’s such a great way to pop in and get your hair/makeup glammed up before a night out, and the fact that they now specialize in braids, buns, ponytails and extensions is the cherry on top! Megan, my stylist there, is a GURU at the braids. She did all different kinds on the other gals who were there that night – some kinds of braids I’ve never seen before! Check out some of the pics from my glam up and keep them in mind the next time you want a new ‘do for your next night out!
Cincy Chic had an event last Thursday featuring 10 Centerville-based boutiques, and I had so much fun! The shops are seriously fabulous, and I can’t wait to take a trip up there to shop more often (it’s actually just about 20 minutes north of West Chester!). Below are a few pics of some of the looks from the fashion show (clothes are all by the Centerville boutiques and hair/makeup is by Cincy Style Bar). Here are the businesses that participated in the event: