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ELEMENTS SHOWCASE BEAUTY/MAKEUP/NAILS Highlights Part 1

Tenth Avenue, NYC


James Read Tan, Rouge Bunny Rouge, USLU Airlines,  Meow Meow Tweet


The Big Apple version of the Elements Showcase is geared towards retailers, large and small-attending the nearby Gift Show at the Javits Center.

We love stopping in-for the smaller, high end-niche/cult beauty labels---as collections that might lack marketing muscle-definitely don't lack for quality anything else. 


James Read-he told us he's chums with "all the Vogue girls.." we can see why-he's smart, engaging and good looking. 
Most of what we saw … with only time for the non-fragrance exhibitors because it overlapped NY Fashion Week ---were products that are the 'children' of hard working entrepreneurs already in the beauty biz…who could not find 'something' that fulfilled their needs-and in turn, launched their own.

Some standouts in the beauty category--are rep-ped by one smart entity, Cult&Commerce---where one of the founders (so we later learned) had worked for Woodley & Bunny-a Brooklyn destination for hair/beauty products.

 James Read Tan-and its namesake guy-hail from the UK…and is a beauty business veteran. His genius recently extends to include a line of sharp looking, self-tanning products--- like no others we have seen on the market.



This multi-tasking overnight moisturizing (aloe vera in the mix) =SLEEP MASK TAN- doesn't rub off on bed sheets- but  imparts a realistic glow-after a few hours of zzzs. $43
FYI---already working on a slew of innovative ways to get a realistic bronze glow-with new breakthrough ingredients. TBA...
Love the controlled dose of this brush for the BB Gradual Tan face formula…apply like a foundation…hands /nails free of tanner. In light or medium tones-also contains skin nourishing goodies like CoE Q10, Red Algae, and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid $25
Factoid- Read was inspired by that Farah Fawcett poster from back in the day---that coincidentally-was one steamy summer for London -and the year this entrepreneur was born (1976) .


14 fragrances…






IMO-have to see this makeup line -Rouge Bunny Rouge in person-the package graphics are unique and the foundation formula we tried= lightweight, build-able---and very realistic looking. Cannot tell the high quality from this picture.

Founder Alexandra de Montfort whimsically named her cosmetics  ---after an  "Enchanted Garden" …but rest assured-the romantic fairytale' like names are backed by serious quality ingredients and "actives" that treat the skin as well as as offering coverage…and color. Set to launch in a big way in the USA-we look forward to trying this high-end line out for ourselves.



USL Nail Polish Edition1º


We know scores of women that wear no makeup-but always have their nails done-often, and fantastically so! They will love Uslu Airlines-that's an offbeat name for a nail polish/lipgloss-stick company.

The vaguely Finnish (Turkish?) sounding brand- was/is huge in Germany….we remember from our trip there 4 years ago.

New to us though-the tube shape bottles-pictured above…and the nail polish collaboration with fashion designer Bernard Wilhelm…pictured below! ALL named after airports ---


we tried the Bernard Wilhelm Okinawa Japan blue on the right-great color-we got loads of compliments!!!!


Main line and limited editions...




BONUS POINTS-want a  manicure to last-let a professional do the honors-Rachel Shim…who we ran into backstage- all of NYFW…had our mangy nails looking pretty fab PLUS---lasted for days without even a tiny chip at the tip.


Brooklyn's own-Meow Meow Tweet (CUTE)-a collection of oils, soaps, balms and candles- lovingly handmade in the founders' apartment…of plant based vegan ingredients-and without carmine,  beeswax,  honey,  palm oil,  lanolin, or tallow. No need to be a cat lover either but let's face it-adorableness personified..




Part 2

Part 3