Shimmer

SO many of you reached out after seeing the construction incident next door to Shimmer early this morning. A construction vehicle tipped over, knocking down some fencing and coming VERY close to my window. Thankfully, no one was hurt, there is no damage to Shimmer, and the entire situation was cleaned up within a couple of hours. By midday, it was almost as if it never happened.

While I have your attention, let’s talk about something affecting not only Shimmer, but many small businesses throughout our neighborhood: the Summer Slump.

If you’ve never heard that term before, it’s used to describe the slowdown many businesses experience during the summer months. People allllways say to me, “The nice weather is coming, you must be getting busy!” but the reality is that many locals spend their time elsewhere, and New Bedford doesn’t see enough tourist spending to offset that shift.

This year, the slowdown is hitting particularly HARD. Downtown has lost nine businesses since November, and the future of many others remains uncertain. In total honesty, it hasn’t just been a summer slump. At this point, it’s been a difficult few years.

If you’ve been meaning to stop by Shimmer, pick up a bouquet from Local Blooms x Flowers by NR , grab an acai bowl from People’s Pressed , or support one of the many small businesses that make downtown special, now is the time.

I’ve purposefully avoided posting much about the construction project because I know how quickly people can fall into the narrative that downtown is difficult to navigate. The reality is that this project has been remarkably minimally invasive. Aside from the occasional truck backing into the lot and adding an extra minute or two to your drive, it has had virtually no impact on the experience of visiting downtown businesses. Today’s incident was certainly an outlier.

The way we choose to spend our money shapes our communities. If we want thriving downtowns, independently owned businesses, and neighborhoods full of character, we have to support them. Inconvenience is the (minor) price we pay for community.

We hope to see you soon.
And yes, I know I need a new sign... but again... Summer Slump, guys.

One of my favorite parts of these one-on-one makeup lessons is that no two are ever the same. This particular lesson was so fun because it was with one of the most down-to-earth customers I have, and I could talk to her all day! She just gets it. No AI inspo pics anywhere in sight!

During her Enhanced Makeup Lesson, we started with a little extra self-care with de-puffing eye masks while we talked skincare and the products and routines that help makeup look its best. Because the truth is, great makeup starts long before foundation ever touches your skin.

Her goal was to learn more in-depth techniques so she could feel confident doing her makeup for special events while still feeling like herself. We did some strategic bronzing, subtle highlighting, and complexion products that let her real skin shine through.

If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with someone to learn what works best for your skin and how to use the products most effectively, that’s what these lessons are all about!

One of the best things about shopping small? You’re getting honest recommendations from people who genuinely want you to love what you bring home. Swipe through for a few skincare shopping tips we share with customers every day.

One of my favorite parts of our new space? The service rooms! Chloe grabbed this shot while I was in a makeup lesson in one room and was doing Color Analysis in the other. Having dedicated spaces for these services has completely changed the Shimmer experience and I just love seeing them in action!

Ana is back this Thursday for Color Analysis appointments, plus we also have lots of makeup lesson openings available! Whether you’re looking to build a routine that actually works for you, learn new techniques, or finally figure out which colors make you shine, we’d love to help. You can book now on shopshimmerbeauty.com.

This just popped up in my memories and even though I cannot remember this angel’s name, I do remember this was an absolute highlight from one of my events with !! Can someone put me out of my misery and remind me of this rockstar’s name?? This is the energy we all need to be bringing into the weekend ✌🏻 Open Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 11-3!

If you’ve been waiting for Skin Dew to come back, keep an eye out tomorrow! According to the tracking number, it should be in tomorrow! I’ll keep you posted! There may be a little surprise for you tomorrow, too. 😉

As you know, I’m extra intentional about the brands I bring into Shimmer. It’s my whole thing! One Love Organics is female-founded, manufactures their products in their own ECOCERT-certified facility, is certified cruelty-free through PETA, and has earned Green America’s highest-level Gold Certified Business designation. Most importantly, they make products that consistently earn a permanent spot in customers’ routines.

Yes, many of the brands we carry can also be found at large retailers like Target, Whole Foods, Sephora, and Ulta. But if you love having an independent boutiques in your community, it’s important to be just as intentional about where you make your purchase. Every time you choose to shop through an independent retailer, you’re helping create the kind of downtown we all want to spend time in…a community filled with unique small businesses and spaces that make us proud of where we live.

Thank you for helping make downtown a little more vibrant, one purchase at a time.

Lauren is a nurse who wanted to learn a few simple ways to feel a little more put together for everyday life without adding a complicated routine to her mornings.

We focused on easy, multipurpose products, a few personalized techniques, and skincare that made sense for her lifestyle.

A few minutes after her Beauty Basics lesson, she sent me this car selfie, and I immediately knew I had share it because she looked so fresh and confident! This is exactly what these lessons are all about. Thanks for being awesome, Lauren!

Shopping small is always a good idea 🛍️ Open Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 11-3 (Hiring as your photographer and personal hype woman is also always a good idea)