Beauty, Fashion and Cocktails

Once again, the time for sipping fruity cocktails, shopping and sampling new beauty products arrived this week with the Style and Image Network’s highly anticipated eighth annual Beauty Night Out held at the Long View Gallery. With its array of fashion, beauty, gourmet treats and libations, this is the perfect event where hard-working Washingtonians can enjoy an evening of relaxation and indulgence.

Beauty Night Out is the perfect time to indulge in mini-spa treatments (Photo: Lia Phipps/DC on Heels)

This year’s beauty highlights included the latest from well-known brands such as Estee Lauder and Mary Kay, as well as local businesses with beauty specialties such as massage or eyebrow shaping and hair removal. One of the highlights of this event is the beauty bar offered by the students of the Spectrum Beauty Academy, which includes manicures, hand massages/treatments, and neck and back massages.

Perfect eyebrow shaping by Kimeera Spa (Photo: Lia Phipps/DC o Heels)

This year I chatted with top Washington stylist Kelley Kirchberg of Divine Style D.C. and was intrigued by the benefits of hiring a stylist/personal shopper to help get my wardrobe into shape. Kirchberg’s story is inspiring — she’s doing the work she loves, despite taking an initial detour into the world of corporate Washington, and her passion for fashion shines through in her conversation. If you’re finding yourself in a fashion rut this spring, it might be prudent to avail yourself of the services of a savvy stylist, who can help you strategize by auditing and working with the items already in your wardrobe, and most importantly, encourage you expand your fashion boundaries.

One of my more delicious discoveries was Slender Seven Cookie Dough, which is low in sugar, dairy and gluten, and egg-free. For those times when a sweet treat is absolute must, these cookies will hit the spot with minimal health repercussions. Slender Seven products are locally made, at the Union Kitchen Food Incubator — so you can feel good about supporting a local business while noshing on cookies!

And of course, one cannot forget the swag bag, which never disappoints. I left Beauty Night Out heavily laden with goodies — as always — and made new contacts in the DMV beauty and fashion industries. If you love great cocktails, fashion and beauty this is the event for you!