Chicago is a shopping destination and beauty boutiques are plentiful. 312 Shops features my favorite places to shop in the city and explores new territory as well. Consider this your guide to Chicago, by way of beauty. If unique and hard-to-find is your flavor, you’re going to love space519.
Tucked away in the Bloomingdale’s building off of north Michigan Ave. is one of my favorite shops in the city, space519. It’s uber-curated with something special for everyone. Men’s and women’s apparel, beautiful jewels, books just screaming for a place on your coffee table, home décor, furniture and…you guessed it, a killer beauty section. The apothecary housed in space519 is well-stocked with organic beauty that you almost never see in brick & mortar locations. Frankly, we need more places like space519 who have a unique POV in the very crowded Magnificent Mile.
Well-stocked RMS display. I picked up the Lip Shine in Sacred during my last visit!
Best.mascara.ever.
It’s really tempting to just order up this entire display
The Look… Not your average boutique, there’s quite a bit of square footage here. It’s open and airy with a modern feel. Products are housed on glass and stainless counters and inside brass cabinetry. Nearly everything is for sale inside – even the furniture, props and art used for décor and merchandising.
My second favorite area of the store
The Brands… Natural beauties, prepare yourself. space519 stocks RMS Beauty, Kjaer Weis, Jin Soon, HippxRGB, ILIA and Rahua. Oh, and that’s just to name a few. There’s also an excellent selection of fragrances to sniff – Strange Invisible, MCMC and Apothia.
I’m obsessed with that light fixture
Accessories tucked around every corner
The Perks… Look for guest appearances of brand owners from time to time. Kirsten Kjaer Weis made an appearance last year and Astro Wifey (a.k.a. her royal nail art highness) is working her genius artwork to create one-of-a-kind manicures one Saturday each month.
The Experience… Take your time here. There’s nothing cookie cutter about this store, so you might find yourself getting lost in a sea of books about Paris and other travels.
this looks amazing! Next time I’m up there, I’ll definitely pop in – I’ve wanted to try out some RMS products for a while 😀
Kelly recently posted…August Birchbox!
Kelly, let me know what you think if you visit! It’s definitely easier to try a line for the first time when you can touch it and see it.
Now I have to visit this place. It looks so lovely and I just love that they’re selling Ilia. I remember how hard they were to find before.
Lynn | Makeup With Tea
Lynn, me too! They don’t have the lip crayons or lip glosses, but I am satisfied with seeing a big display of the rest of the line!
Hello!
Wow!! This looks like such a great space, I MUST go and visit!! And a HUGE plus for me is that I see they sell RMS Beauty and Kjaer Weis as they are cruelty free brands and amazing ones at that!! Thank you so much for sharing and being so fabulous! I am new to your blog and am loving literally EVERYTHING!
Keep it sweet and stylish!
Kaitie
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Kaitie, thank you for your sweet comment! You must check out space519 when you can – I literally could get lost in there for hours! It’s a great store to buy gifts (after treating yourself, naturally)
I just ordered Ilia’s Nightfall mascara online. I only wish Kentucky was cool enough to have a boutique that sold the brand!
SimplySkinDeepBeauty.blogspot.com
Addison, I’m hoping more boutiques everywhere start to sell Ilia! But I’m totally content stocking up on Spirit Beauty Lounge, they give great samples! Let me know how the mascara is – I have yet to give it a try!
i didn’t remember that they had aesop, but i’m more excited to see kjaer weis, a brand i’ve been really wanting to try! 🙂 must go when i am home again!
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Oh wow, it’s literally heaven on Michigan Ave. thanks for featuring this, I can’t wait to check it out!
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