Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Grab your gal pals, Bay area ladies! Tampa is one of only six cities in the U.S. to host the third annual Beauty Sample Sale, which goes down next Thursday at the swank ultra-lounge AJA Channelside.

The name pretty much tells the gripping story: It’s all about sampling cosmetics and “cosmeceuticals” from a wide range of brands. Attendees can also receive onsite makeovers and complimentary offerings galore, from cocktails to candy to goodie bags that feature full-sized and sample products. Thurs., Dec. 10, 6-9 p.m., AJA Channelside, 290 S. Meridian Ave., reservations required (ages 21 and up only) at PrettyCity.com, no tickets will be sold at the door.

–Anthony Salveggi

Dec 8, 5-8 p.m.: The Orlando Beauty Sample Sale will be held at Rix Lounge, 1000 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista. Sponsored by PrettyCity.com and Shape magazine, you'll be able to sample Marina cosmetics and Pevonia skin-care products, Charles Winston jewelry, to name just a few. You'll also be able to sample services such as those from American Laser Center. And naturally, there will be goodie bags with samples and full-size products. Free and open to the public. Details: www.prettycity.com/beautysamplesale/.

-posted by jean patteson

Tampa, Florida - Our Deal of the Day is free makeup at the Tampa Beauty Sample Sale. The event takes place Thursday December 10, at Aja Channelside from 6pm to 9pm. Aja is located at 290 S. Meridian. There is a catch you must register for the free event at www.prettycity.com/beautysamplesale .  You can also get to their website by clicking here. The event offers a coupon for a free drink and free appetizers. You must be 21 to attend.

December 09, 2009

Pretty City's sweet sample sale!

If you haven't heard about Pretty City, it's about time you did.

It's a Web site devoted to all things beauty. In addition to product and treatment reviews written by readers, it provides a breakdown of the best places to go to get beauty services in cities across the country. Did I mention the site also has coupons for beauty services at certain salon locations?

Sounds pretty good, eh? I'd agree. About the only thing I don't like about Pretty City is their use of the word: "cosmeceuticals." That word scares me.

But I digress.

Tampa is among the cities that PC profiles, which is why we're privy to one of their biggest events, the Beauty Sample Sale.

It's a beauty bonanza of sorts. We're told there will be dozens of local salons and spas on location providing free manicures, pedicures and massages along with minimakeovers all in hopes that you'll like what you see and be willing to pay for it the next time around.

It all goes down from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the new, swanky Aja Lounge at 290 S Meridian Ave. at Channelside. Each sample goer will get a free cocktail. 

If you're inclined to get your sampling on, you must RSVP here.

Deal Diva Nicole

Nov. 11: PrettyCity.com and Shape magazine have teamed up for an "Annual Beauty Sample Sale" from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort (16701 Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach). During the sale, guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails, sweet treats and goodie bags. The after-party will be at Kitchen 305 with free drinks for the ladies and $35 all-you-can-eat stone crab dinners. Tickets are $10 at BeautySampleSale.com.

by Colleen Heather Rogan

Nov. 4 (6-9 p.m.) at Suite: Prettycity.com holds its third-annual Beauty Sample Sale, featuring beauty products, spa and salon treatments, complimentary appetizers, martinis, a candy buffet and goodie bags. To RSVP and purchase tickets, click on “Events” on Prettycity.com. 1103 Old World Third St., 414-270-9653, suitemilwaukee.com.

http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/shopaholic/default.asp

PrettyCity’s 2009 NYC Beauty Sample Sale a Hit
CurrentVine.com

On Wednesday, October 7, PrettyCity.com and Shape presented the New York City leg of the 2009 Beauty Sample Sale, where patrons can try new spa and beauty products, enter raffles, and shop at a discount.

Held at R Bar on the Lower East Side, women were lined up halfway down the block before the event began. Once they got in, they picked up a goodie bag with the latest copy of Shape and assorted beauty samples and got their raspberry kamikazes, the complimentary drink of the night.

The space was filled with tables staffed by vendors including handbag and accessory company Donnella’s Closet, Spa Ja, jewelry company Clo & Iz, Laser Cosmetica, and bag company Apple & Bee. In the back of the bar sat a prize wheel for patrons to spin to win giveaways such as DVDs and bronzing spray. As women lined up to take their turn at the wheel, they noshed on a spread of brownie bites, lollipops, jelly beans, and gumballs.

One special table was commandeered by Bright Pink, the only national non-profit that specifically seeks to educate young women who are at a high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

The event has several more cities to hit, and shows no signs of slowing down. “Not only do we plan on hosting the Beauty Sample Sale in New York City again next year, but we’re also putting more events on the calendar,” says PrettyCity CEO Carolyn Brundage. “We weren’t prepared for the demand at this event—tickets sold out well in advance—and we were bombarded with women trying to find creative ways to gain entry to the event…beauty addicts like us, no doubt!”

10/7 Enjoy samples of new beauty products and spa and salon treatments at the NYC Beauty sample-sale event, which also features complimentary appetizers and martinis. All shoppers receive a goody bag full of treats. Purchase tickets ($10) at Prettycity.com. R Bar, 218 Bowery, nr. Prince St.; 6–9.

PRETTYCITY hosts its third annual beauty sample sale Oct. 21st. Tickets, $10, at prettycity.com. Must be 21 or older. At District Bar (170 W. Ontario St.)

Great Face and Style

Tuesday October 6, 2009 8:29 PM By Virginia Dunleavy

Oct. 7
The Beauty Sample Sale; Enjoy free mini manicures, pedicures and hair stylings with ticket, plus samples of the latest beauty products, 6 to 9 p.m., at R Bar, 218 Bowery, Manhattan. There’s also a complimentary martini bar and goodies valued at more than $75. Online registration is recommended. Tickets are $10; $20, at door, prettycity.com

New York Mag’s The Cut

Enjoy samples of new beauty products and spa and salon treatments at the NYC Beauty sample-sale event, which also features complimentary appetizers and martinis. All shoppers receive a goody bag full of treats. Purchase tickets ($10) at PrettyCity.com. R Bar, 218 Bowery, nr. Prince St.; 6–9.

The Beauty Sample Sale Comes To Town
Style.com June 23, 2009

Calling all product junkies: Your chance to sample the new goods from your favorite brands—with the opportunity to make some deeply discounted purchases—is T minus three months away. The third annual Beauty Sample Sale will bring testing areas, on-site makeovers, complimentary spa and salon treatments—and a martini bar!—to New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando from October through December, gathering representatives from Jane Iredale, Decléor Paris, MD Skincare, Sothys Paris, and Yes to Carrots, among others, under one roof. The Shape magazine and Prettycity.com-sponsored event is a try-before-you-buy opportunity like no other, and one that is particularly beneficial now, as blindly purchasing expensive cosmetics has fallen out of fashion alongside conspicuous shopping bags.

“Get Pretty with Shape and Pretty City"
The Beauty Sample Sale Returns

The Beauty Sample Sale is back, returning to New York on November 11 and Chicago on December 10. Presented by PrettyCity.com and Shape magazine, the one-day event offers sample sale prices on top beauty collections and products, from haircare to cosmetics to skincare. Beauty experts will be available to share trends and beauty secrets, offering complimentary beauty services. Goodie bags will also be distributed, with samples from brands like Bossa Nova, Blistex, Dickinson's Witch Hazel and Nature's Path Organic. Appetizers will be served and martinis will be available at the complimentary martini bar. Other participating brands include Jane Iredale, Barex, Lilian Obucina, Midori, and Decleor Paris. The event took place earlier this year in Atlanta in January, Orlando in February and Los Angeles in March, and will return to other cities in 2009.”

Press including Raves and Reviews

"When beauty fanatics come together, don't expect appetizers on the servers' passed trays. No, those are bath and body goodies, not finger foods.

Such delights pleased the many women -and a few men -who attended the recent beauty sample sale at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. Sponsored by the Chicago-based PrettyCity.com with Shape magazine, the first-of-its-kind event featured makeovers, hairstyling, skincare and the opportunity to try specialized treatments such as eyelash extensions.

A mix of local and national companies set up booths to educate guests about their products and services. The Jane Iredale mineral makeup counter was a popular destination, attracting a long line of ladies waiting patiently for a spring color makeover.

Lines were just as long at the cocktail bar, which served complementary "2Pretty" martinis and other drinks in the event's pink theme. A table of mini-cupcakes and pink candy offered more taste treats.

Fortified from the sugary liquid courage, guests experimented at the eyelash station, learning the how-tos of applying falsies. Others braved the aesthetician's magnifying mirror for an analysis of their skin condition.

Annie Krikorian thought it was all good. The Calabasas resident was toting two large gift bags, one for her sister who didn't make it. "This is a nice forum to try different things," she said. "You get a good overview and the chance to discover new products. It was worth the drive."

The L.A. event was the last of five beauty samples sales PrettyCity.com held in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Orlando beginning last fall. Organizers are planning another series of special events beginning on the East Coast this fall."

Andrea Adleman for LA.COM

“The first Beauty Sample Sale offers a combination of cocktails, treats, and complimentary beauty services and samples from hair care, skin care, and cosmetics brands, with products sold at a discount. The sale runs Oct. 24th from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Chicago Illuminating Company (19 E. 21st Street). Buy tickets for $25 at prettycity.com/beautysamplesale; the price includes a goody bag stocked with full and sample size products.”

Rebecca Little for Chicago Magazine

“The Beauty Sample Sale has launched a Pretty City tour… Sample new products, buy at sample sale prices while being pampered with cocktails, appetizers and spa services. You also get a goodie bag with stuff to try at home!”

SleepingBeauty.com

“I am so excited! Pretty City is hosting a Beauty Sample Sale in Atlanta during the time that I will be there for a work conference. Events like this just don't end up in my neck of the woods, so being able to actually attend one just makes me happy! During this event, you can sample new beauty products, try out new spa treatments, enjoy complimentary cocktails, get goodie bags, and score sample sale prices on beauty products.”

Daily Dose of Coffee Blog

“The Pretty City Beauty Sample Sale took place on November 28, 2007 at the West Side Loft. Represented beauty brands included Jane Iredale, Revlon, Sunsilk and Conair. Shape Magazine featured a spin-to-win prize wheel for giveaways including tote bags and yoga mats, and there were also Lumene and Aquafina beauty giveaways.

The Pretty City event was very similar to Shecky’s Beauty Night, with most sponsors showcasing their products and providing information at their tables, while other sponsors provided product demonstrations or sold beauty products at discounted pricing. The martinis, sushi, cupcakes and lemon bars added to the enjoyment for a girls night out.”

NewYorkCool.com

“You've heard of designer sample sales -- now comes the city's first sample sale for beauty products.

On Oct. 24, prettycity.com hosts the event at the Chicago Illuminating Company, 19 E. 21st.

The event will include:

- A "beauty in balance" pavilion sponsored by Shape magazine, where attendees can sample beauty treats from Revlon, Aquafina Beauty and other brands
- A pampering pavilion where several of Chicago’s top spas and salons will be offering complimentary services such as free eyelash extenstions
- Deluxe goody bags with full-sized products

Tickets are $25 at www.thebeautysamplesale.com. The event will sell out in advance -- no tickets will be available at the door.”

Susanna Homan for the Chicago Sun-Times

“As publicized before, I had the pleasure of attending PrettyCity.com’s first beauty sample sale in NYC. Aside from the press pass, I like to attend these events to get a glimpse as to what products are hot right now, and of course, network, network, network!

As soon as I came in, a PrettyCity staff member greeted me with a goodie bag, and surprisingly, it wasn’t overcrowded and stuffy. As I explored the space, I was happy to see that they had coat check! I was expecting to lug my laptop on my arm as I went to the various tables. Drinks were served by (semi) attractive waiters and bartenders, courtesy of Cointreau and V2 Vodka.

One of the highlights of the night was getting a styling demo done by Leslie, owner of Capelli D’Oro, a luxe salon on Lexington Avenue. He taught me how to make fingerwaves using my handy-dandy straightening iron!”

Gorgeousonthego.com

 “Calling all glamour girls! Shape and PrettyCity.com are teaming up to bring you the first beauty sample sale ever.

Join us and delight in complimentary beauty treatments, sample sale prices on the world's prettiest brands, celebrity beauty tips, overflowing goodie bags, a generous "sampling" of cocktails and decadent treats! Plus, Shape's Beauty in Balance Pavilion will bring you Spin & Win prizes and fabulous giveaways from our sponsors!”

SHAPE Magazine

We love beauty counters — trying out new products, learning about special ingredients, having makeup applied for you.

Lucky for us, PrettyCity.com is bringing the first-ever Beauty Sample Sale to the Georgian Ballroom at the Biltmore Jan. 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. This event has already found success in New York and Chicago and is now coming to Atlanta, Orlando and Los Angeles. The evening offers a plethora of samplings of the newest beauty, leisure and wellness products and pampering treatments from notable brands such as Revlon, Clarisonic, Revitalash and Jane Iredale.

Technicians from some of Atlanta’s top spas and salons will provide complimentary services, and makeup experts from Jane Iredale will be dishing on application tips for the upcoming season. Ticket holders will score goodie bags… Read the entire article

Kirsten Ott for The Sunday Paper

I have been to a sample sale or two…mostly in New York. Mostly in search of handbags or clothing. So I was surprised to hear about a sample sale coming to Atlanta tomorrow.

This is a first… a BEAUTY sample sale.

Since sample sales usually mean buying model remains in weird sizes, I’m not sure how that works with cosmetics, but founder Carolyn Brundage of Pretty City.com has somehow made it work in New York and Chicago.

Brands such as Jane Iredale, Revlon and more will be on hand with sample products and services, as well as some of Atlanta’s local spas. And of course there will be cocktails and treats.

Beauty Sample Sale

January 16, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Biltmore, 817 Peachtree Street

MORE: Buy tickets ($12.50 to $25). Must be over 21.

Nedra Rhone for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Beauty can be in the hand of the holder thanks to PrettyCity.com and Shape magazine, who have teamed up to present The Beauty Sample Sale, which will be arriving in New York City November 28. Besides offering discount prices on top brands like Revlon, Jane Iredale, Clarisonic, Kiss, Xtreme Lashes, Lucy and Conair, the Sample Sale is giving attendees opportunities to start prettifying right away with free beauty treatments and celebrity beauty tips. Goodie bags, appetizers and a complimentary martini bar will also be on-hand for sampling. Bringing a beauty buddy is encouraged: VIP tickets are $25, but if you purchase yours before November 15, you can take along a friend for free. Once it’s finished adding shine to the Big Apple, The Beauty Sample Sale will be spreading sparkle in other cities as well; look for it in Atlanta in January, Orlando in February and Los Angeles in March.

Gayot.com

Jane Iredale. Conair. Complimentary spa treatments. Free cocktails. For one day only, you'll be able to find all this and more in one spot -- The Beauty Sample Sale, sponsored by Pretty City and NewYorkBeauty.com. Dying to try the latest Revlon nail polishes? Interested in speaking with someone from the American Laser Centers about that pesky unwanted hair? You can do it all here! Simply head to The Beauty Sample Sale's website and snap up your ticket for $25. But you'd better think fast, because these will definitely be gone before you know it!

Beauty Chick 101 Blog

The Beauty Sample Sale: A beauty bonanza bringing together the best names in beauty, all under one roof. Guests will sample complimentary beauty services, from hair care to skin care from cosmetics to cosmeceuticals and save money with sample sale prices on beauty's top collections, products and more. Save face as the most respected beauty experts share tricks of the trade, trends and celebrity secrets. Sample on the go with overflowing goodie bags filled with full and sample size products and more than generous "samplings" of cocktails, sweet treats and more.

Orlando Metromix

On March 19, 2008 PretttyCity.com and SHAPE Magazine are taking over the Ebell Operating Company when they bring their highly successful Beauty Sample Sale Series to LA’s most beauty inspired females. The ladies who will be attending will get the opportunity to pamper and indulge themselves with a full night of all things pretty.

Skincare, Make-up and Spa vendors will be on hand to make sure that every guest leaving will be spring ready. The guests who are lucky enough to attend this beauty bash will enjoy delectable candy treats and infused martinis while dancing the night away. As a special treat during the event, exclusive beauty products will be passed out to guests, PrettyCity hors d’oeuvres style!

LAstheplace.com

Hello, gorgeous

WED 12 - BEAUTY

West Side Loft, 336 W. 37th St.; 1.800.670.3190, prettycity.com/ beautysamplesale

Beauty is in the eye of the holder - the holder of bargain-priced makeup, hair care and "cosmeceuticals" - at Wednesday's sample sale. At the 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. event, there will also be tons of treatments to sample and complimentary cocktails to drink. Awesome brands like Jane Iredale and Decleor Paris will be in the house, and, best of all, your gorgeous self will skip out of there with a jam-packed goodie bag. Reserved tickets for the 21-and-over NYC Beauty Sample Sale are $10.