I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the new beauty services available at select CVS locations and expanding into new stores this year! CVS and Glamsquad have teamed up to provide in-store salon inspired services at featured CVS locations. GSQ by Glamsquad is the genius brainchild of the two beauty giants, which provides affordable hair and makeup services at select CVS locations — as well as an amazing line of essential products. Each treatment is provided by a licensed beauty expert — including professional hair stylists and beauticians. Treatments are reasonably priced between $10-35, and I walked out with a hair AND beauty makeover for only $50!
Currently, there are two CVS locations in the country which provide the beauty services — NYC Times Square and the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. In coming weeks, there will be outposts on 34th Street in Manhattan and three locations in Queens. By early 2020, there will be 49 GSQs by Glamsquad locations in CVS stores across eight states. Some of the new services offered include express blowouts, dry styling/braids, single-feature or full makeup applications, and even ear-piercing through a partnership with Studex.
On Saturday, I took the train into New York City to visit the first GSQ by Glamsquad location in Times Square. The night before, I booked three online services to have done in-store the next day. The website was super easy to navigate with styling categories and a drop down menu. I simply selected from a menu of beauty options, chose from available dates and times, and — BAM! — it was booked. I instantly received an email and text confirmation to my phone to remind me of the appointments. I chose dry styling (curls), an accent hair braid, and a makeup tutorial.
I’m notoriously bad at lining my lips, so I already knew what I needed help with the most! For whatever reason, lip liner mystifies me. I always feel like I’m doing it wrong. I either do a bad job at applying it or forgo it all together. I also wanted a fun accent braid to offset my curls.
Upon entering the second-floor makeover station of the pharmacy chain located at 1619 Broadway near 49th Street in the heart of Times Square, I was impressed by the setup of the store. Beautifully illuminated aisles filled with colorful products lined the shelves and floor. There was even a wall dedicated to faux eyelashes, which I later learned could be applied free of charge by a beauty expert with purchase of the lashes.
I was immediately directed over to the GSQ by Glamsquad beauty station in the middle of the floor. At first, I was a little intimidated sitting feet away from other shoppers picking up their prescriptions, but no one seemed phased by my makeover. My stylist, Emily, immediately introduced herself and asked me what type of look I wanted to achieve. We decided on a face-framing braid and beachy waves. She quickly set to work, executing a flawless and intricately placed braid tucked behind my ear. She explained what she was doing while she was working her magic and even threw a few tips and tricks in for me to recreate the styles at home.
One of my favorite parts of the makeover was learning about all of the new and exciting GSQ by Glamsquad products that CVS launched this year. I had already tested a few of these products was already sent a few products through PR before I was even approached by this campaign, so I was already familiar with some of the line. I’ve been using the Smoothing shampoo & conditioner for a few weeks now, and I’m so impressed with the quality. Emily actually complimented me on how smooth and strong my hair was without knowing I was already using the line. She recommended a few other products for me to try, namely the Volumizing Texture Spray and Heat Protectant, then went to work on my curls.
The GSQ by Glamsquad curling iron was truly impressive. With a flick of a button, it becomes fully adjustable and drops down to a 45 degree angle to achieve a perfect face framing curl.
About an hour later, my hair was transformed from fine and flat to bouncy and full. I loved how my look turned out! Emily then whipped out her makeup arsenal with a wide array of lip products, and we decided on a color and glossy finish. She gave me a hand mirror and walked me through the lining techniques. She then had me try the technique on the other side of my mouth. I can confidently say that by the end of the makeup session, I felt well versed in creating the perfect lined lip.
All in all, I would love to return to CVS for another Glamsquad makeover. Getting a full makeover for $50 — in under an hour, mind you — was totally worth it. I picked up some great tricks of the trade, plus the ability to buy the products the artists used, mostly for under $15, is a major plus. The convenience factor of being able to pop in for a quick hair or makeup touch-up by a licensed beautician while waiting for my prescriptions is multi-tasking at its finest. Getting a few head turns in busy Times Square post-glam session? I think the beauty Gods have spoken!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CVS Beauty and the InfluenceHer Collective. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Partial to Pink possible!
Thank u