Written by Maura Musial
Having interned just a few blocks away, I have meandered down the short but sweet street that is officially named Melrose Place more times than I count. Located in West Hollywood, the inclusion of hotspots such as The Row and Alfred’s coffee makes it a shopper’s dream street. (Okay, the idea of actually shopping at The Row is a fantasy, but you get the idea.) Out of all the times my feet and 30-minute lunch break have taken me to Melrose Place, I had never seen a line snaked out the door of a single store. That is, until I stopped by to check out it’s newest inhabitant: Glossier.
Glossier LA opened it’s doors to the public on May 15 of this year, but having visited nearly two months later, I can tell you that the buzz is still very much, buzzing. Even though the day I visited had temperatures in the high 80’s, girls as young as twelve, and their moms, were willing to wait in the sun for a chance to get their minimally manicured hands on their favourite products from the millennial-centric, Instagram-friendly brand. I too, was excited, because I knew once inside we would be having quite the special shopping experience. Props to the Glossier employee that not only managed the line in the heat, but was kind enough to pass around the Glossier Invisible Shield sunscreen and rosewater Soothing Face Mist. Honestly, those samples could not have come at a better time.
Once inside, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful Glossier-pink walls that encompassed the entire space. Products are 
laid out in beautiful arrangements, all available for testing and photos, as the entire wall space is also covered in mirrors with cute, self-affirming phrases. The theme is decidedly Californian, with flowers reminiscent of the desert and vintage rearview mirrors peppered throughout. To round out the theme, guests are invited into a hidden Canyon room, where the lights turn from sun-kissed sunset to starlit night. It’s the perfect time to take photos with friends, or if you happen to go alone like I did, awkwardly take selfies and wonder why you didn’t come with friends.
It’s important to note that while the LA store was clearly designed with social media fanatics in mind, the products really do live up to the hype. I swiped a couple tantalizing shades of the Lidstar cream eyeshadow on my hands and they really, truly, did not budge. Another favourite included the one and only fragrance Glossier You, a refreshing, light, but delicious scent that is meant to really take life once it lands on the wearer. Also, being a lipstick fanatic, I was kicking myself for not actually purchasing the Generation G lip colour in Jam, because it was the perfect just-kissed tint that every girl probably hopes their lipstick or stain will give them. At the time I thought, “No, I’ve got way too many lipsticks as it is”, but in hindsight, I’m pretty sure I can give up on those other brands and just go for the easy-to-wear Generation G. I really did feel like I looked like myself, just better.
Glossier boasts itself as a company that provides “Makeup and Skincare for real life”. After visiting the small but impactful LA showroom, and testing multiple “holy grail” favourites, I can promise you they are providing an experience for real girls who want real, great products, all on a real girl’s budget. Mission accomplished! Bravo Emily Weiss. We are all eagerly looking forward to what this brand does next.
