Trish McEvoy, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Stila…Kirsten Brusse has worked with them all. A beauty expert and licensed makeup artist with more than 17 years’ experience in the industry, Kirsten brings her makeup magic to Newport Vineyards tonight at the highly anticipated Sips & Style NEWPORT. I sat down with Kirsten to get a sneak peek at what to expect and to chat about summer trends: 
What sets Sips & Style apart? It was really important to Jill and I to make this event fun, casual and approachable. Admittedly, the beauty industry can have a snooty vibe and people are often intimidated by it. I will never forget, after our first event, a woman approached me afterwards full of smiles and said: “Honestly, I was nervous coming here by myself and I thought people would look me up and down and judge me, but this was the most fun I have had in ages!” I knew we had achieved our goal. Since then, the event has grown and we have a lot of people coming again and again and bringing their friends. It seems, we are doing something right.
What can guests expect at Sips & Style? I always try to find products that are a good value, or at least worth the money if they are expensive, and have changed my life in some way. My goal is to make your life easier by helping you discover products that work, and my philosophy is, “beauty and makeup advice for real women with real budgets.” With us, it is like chatting with your girlfriends – we drink wine, we tell our war stories and laugh and have a really great time. And you will learn a lot along the way that will help you look more put together. During our presentation, we try to cover 
real topics for busy women.
Last fall, we talked about “How to get ready fast,” and shared time-saving strategies as well as product recommendations. I can’t think of a woman who wouldn’t benefit from that. And let’s not forget our great prizes and giveaways. You are automatically entered, if you buy your ticket in advance. Last time we gave away some amazing gift cards for local services and to local boutiques, as well as some great beauty loot, including entire skin care sets and cosmetics from high end brands such as, Benefit Cosmetics, Patchology and Dermalogica, just to name a few.
What trends are you seeing in spring and summer makeup? It is all about causal and easy makeup. I love multi-tasking products you can toss into your beach or pool bag to help protect from the sun and make you look put together without too much effort. For example, a CC cream with an SPF 50, a cream blush and highlighter, waterproof mascara and a tinted lip balm with sunscreen. For hair, a sun protection spray and a few clear rubber-bands and a brush – off you go.
How would you define “Newport style?” To me, Newport exemplifies laid back elegance. It is a resort town and women here definitely take a more casual approach to clothes and makeup, yet still manage to look refined and elegant. For evening, they simply add some accessories to their summer dresses or white jeans and tunic tops, add a swipe of bronzer and gloss and they are ready to go. I love that!
SOME TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR TONIGHT!
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Venue: Newport Vineyards
Tickets: Email jill@jmstylist.com
And if you’re busy on April 26, the Providence event will take place Thursday, April 27 at Gasbarro’s Wines
Kirsten Brusse has an extensive portfolio of weddings, magazine, runway and television work. Her artistry and advice have been published on The Knot, Style Me Pretty,The Providence Journal and Rhode Island PBS, among others and is a contributor to WPRI’s The Rhode Show as well as WUSA9’ Great Day Washington. Kirsten also has a popular beauty and lifestyle blog that shares her knowledge and expertise accessible in a fun and approachable way.
Leave a Reply