Did you know we carry crystals and sage? We have confetti & an assorted array of crystals. They are by the ounce!
Today we are featuring ROSE QUARTZ
đˇ support emotional and relationship healing
đˇinspire compassion
đˇboost feelings of peace and calm
đˇpurifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace
đˇCalming and reassuring, it helps to comfort in times of grief
đˇdispels negativity and protects against environmental pollution, replacing it with loving vibes
How can you use it you ask?
đ¸Use it in your beauty routine : soak a polished crystal in a bowl or jar with fresh spring water and a handful of rose petals. Put the jar out into the sun for several hours so the water can become infused with the power of the Rose Quartz. Strain the water and add to a spritz bottle to mist your face morning and eve
đ¸ Keep it close to you or wear as Jewlery: If you want to attract an abundance of love, joy, and the grace of gentle-natured self-healing then keep it connected with your skin by wearing it in the form of gemstone jewelry. Necklaces, bangles, and bracelets are a great way of bringing it into your world
đ¸ Use it in your home or office: popular crystal to use in Feng Shui, place it in a special place in your bedroom, as this can be a vulnerable space where you attract romantic notions of love. Outside of the bedroom, you can also place the crystal in the center of the home where it will radiate out positive energy and pure love to all who step over your threshold
đNow if youâve made it this far and actually read this post mention the secret word ROSE for a free piece of rose quarts with your purchase of any rose quartz
đ XOXO
Babes! We have another great addition coming VERY soon! Kayley Wooten will be joining the Merle Girl crew in November! She will be taking appointments and walk-ins! You can call her directly at 618-302-0249 or the studio at 618-842-2345! She will
Start taking appointments November 4th!
Hereâs a few random facts about our girl!đĽ°
đI was homeschooled all of my schooling years.
đI was on a traveling tumbling team.
đI was on a traveling trap shooting team out of Clay City, Illinois. We shot at Rend Lake and the Sparta World Shooting Complex many times.
đGrowing up I always wanted to be a cosmetologist, but you could always find me outdoors hunting, fishing, and riding horses.
đI chose to follow my dreams and become a cosmetologist. That was the best decision I have ever made.
đI Graduated from southern Illinois school of cosmetology, in April 2019.
đItâs way more than just doing hair for me. Itâs a babies first haircut or maybe that older gentlemanâs last hair cut. Itâs that young ladies wedding hair or itâs that ladies crazy color change, because sheâs going through a divorce.
Itâs way more then just hair to me. Itâs making the person setting in my chair, no matter the situation, feel comfortable and see the Beautiful person they are inside and out. I simply love what I do.
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BABES I want to formally introduce you to Alexi Bladel! She is officially part of the team! And taking appointments next week!
5 Random things about Alexi! Drop her a hello đđ˝ below!
âď¸Held the record at GHS in soccer for career saves in both boys and girls soccer and accomplished that in 1 season.
âď¸Graduated high school a year and a half early and was the youngest to attend Tricoci University of Beauty Culture.
âď¸Firefighter in the Army
âď¸60th Miss Winnebago County Fair Queen and 60th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen (first ever Miss Winnebago to be crowned Miss Illinois).
âď¸I LOVE SKIN! âIf not now....then when?â I am a huge believer in the fact that it is important to invest in your skin! It truly is an investment and not an expense. In taking that big step towards healthier and happier skin, that means you are taking steps towards a healthier and happier version of yourself. Working with skin is a huge passion for me! What drives that passion is that I have the opportunity to help others feel comfortable and more confident in it! My goals with every service....1)Create a relaxing environment 2)Free the skin of toxins 3)Make sure my client walks out feeling like a million bucks! I find so much joy in goal number 3. You are worth it and your skin is worth it! So what is stopping you? Start investing in your skin and in yourself! BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH IT!
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Now lets talk about gold...yes, I said gold! Skincare containing gold is all the rage currently. Gold is an antioxidant and also has anti-inflamitory properties. These types of products provide your skin with the ingredients it craves and makes you feel like one of the stars. Today I will compare the Merle Norman 24k primer with the Guerlain L'Or primer. Both products claim to restore radiance, firm, and smooth.1 oz of the Guerlain primer comes with a hefty price tag of $74.00. Merle Norman's primer is the same 1 oz and is only $51.99. Come in and get a sample for yourself!
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]]>why choose Merle Norman? let's Compare Merle Norman's to the IT cosmetics CC cream with SPF 50. Our CC cream has Buildable light coverage with a radiant finish. SPF 30 protection, fragrance-free, oil-free, and is non-comedogenic. Each bottle contains 1.25 oz. IT Cosmetic's CC cream only contains 1.08 oz. and is priced at 39$. You can pick up our cc cream for only $35.
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]]>We employ other local woman who have a passion for helping people feel their utmost best! Here at the Gray Area Boutique we want you to feel your best from the moment you walk in the door!
And we just want to that you for supporting your local boutique who supports local women! Without YOU we would not be able to be here.
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XOXO,Â
The Gray Area Gals
]]>I want to sincerely thank each and everyone one of you for your continued support. Â Without you we would not exist! We pray you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Xoxo
Mistyđ
I want to sincerely thank each and everyone one of you for your continued support. Â Without you we would not exist! We pray you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Xoxo
Mistyđ
As I reflect back and try to find our place in all the noise I just want to make it known that my team and I are so VERY thankful for all the support we have been shown, locally and online! We pride ourself on our amazing customer service and our want to get to know each and every customer that walks through our door!
 I have worked so hard remembering everyone's sizes, styles, their skin tone, skin types what foundations they wear, what powders, cheeks, and even favorite lip colors that they love!
First and foremost we would not be here without our Customers! THANK YOU!
And to my team! I just LOVE YOU! I do! We all work so well together and have not only become family but have watched one another grow in so many ways!Â
So this past week we gave back! We gave 20% off to everyone who walked in our doors! Then on Friday & Saturday we played a little POP the Ballon Game and inside were special discounts inside!
Thank you again! From the bottom of my soul. I pray that we are able to be here in the heart of our little small town for three more years!
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xoxo
Misty
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All details and a link to the giveaway are listed below:
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Give Away TIME!!!!
You can win the following items by following the rules below!
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*Must Like Each of the Participating Businesses Pages
Merle Norman Cosmetics & The Gray Area Boutique
Serendipity Card & Gift
Blacks Fashion Flower Shop LLC
The WIllow Tree
*Must Like this Give away post & share it publicly on facebook
*Tag 2 Besties in comment section on the facebook post
*Added entries for attending & making a purchase at each participating downtown merchants Sip & Shop Event (Added entries for purchasing at each store individually)
Winner will be announced via DM(direct message) on July 3 and then announced on Facebook!
 Click HERE to enter!
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Spring 2018 is going to be full of Lacey bralette's showing or peeking through soft tank tops and crop tops, paired with white jeans and destructed jeans with fringed blown out bottoms!
Also trends that will be big are the leather earrings! In every print and so light weight you can wear it for the day on the beach, at work, or for a night on the town!
Thanks again for tuning in and touring our boutique! More to come! Believe in yourself and go tackle that day or night wherever you are!
xoxo
Misty
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Coroline Cronovich is modeling our gabKIDS line. She is wearing our everyday dolman in black! You can dress this top up or down, basically pair it with anything! She is also wearing our light wash distressed skinny jeans with our black glitter and suede loafers! She is ready for school or a weekend out with her famiy!
Hillary Hodges is in the top that we named after her! She is in the Hillary Choker neck top in blush! It has a beautiful swing style that you can easily pair with leggins shorts or jeans. We have added a cute stackable arm party beaded bracelet and rose gold glitter loafers to top her sassy style off!
Lainey Milner is next! We call her Sporty Spice! She is wearing our black and white varsity top with a cute neck line detail! Paired with our brand new Machine Jean White Skinny jeans with a knee cut out detail! You can cuff these pants or leave them straight! Great for any occasion!
Allison Hooper is beautiful in our Spring Me Dress! Its great for easter or any sunny day out! It's navy and white striped with a beautiful pink floral detail makes for a great casual day wear out with the girls! We have added our Weebo Taupe booties with a braided tassel detail for a lunch date!
Jacinda Keoughan is our classic comfy chic gal! She is sporting our comfy casual pants along with just a basic white tank and a timelss Jean Jacket! The Destination Jacket! Paired with silver and white loafers for a day shopping or hanging at the beach!
Addison Siefert has this boho look down! From her Kan Can USA jeans to her Live Free floral top with a beautiful elbow detail! Throw on some sandles or some cute taupe booties like we have here for a great vibe!
Last but certainly not least is Chloe Hodges! She is stunning and ready for her girls night out! This beautiful off the shoulder striped top is great for any figure! We chose to dress it up with white skinnies by Machine Jeans and a black bootie!
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We have tons of spring arriving daily! And with all the sunshine lets get out and shop! Hope to see you all in store soon! Thank you for watching! (and reading)
xoxo
Misty
]]>Jaylee is modeling our cross cross long sleeve tunic top in navy with our burgundy pocketed cardigan topped with the perfectly paired blanket scarf! She is also wearing our Merle Norman Aqua Balance Foundation it has a perfect semi-matte finish for photos. She is also wearing our Knock Out Nudes Palette, the Countour & Highlight Duo, Euphoric Blush, Java Soft Touch Eyeliner, Wicked Lash Mascara in Black, and Rich Burgundy Lip Pencil Plus Â
Addison is wearing our ladder cut detailed sweater in burgundy along with our knitted infinity scarf and our brand new Kan-Can USA Jeans! She is also wearing Merle Norman Aqua Balance Foundation, Knock Out Nudes Palette, Java Soft Touch Eye Pencil, Contour & Highlight Duo, Euphoric Blush, Wicked Lash Mascara in Black, and Lip Pencil Plus in Chocolate Mousse.Â
Jacinda braved the weather in our brand new striped swing dress with pocket & elbow patch detail. Topped with our Black Pocketed Cardigan and a Blanket Scarf! She is also wearing Merle Norman Aqua Balance Foundation, Knock Out Nudes Palette, Contour & Highlight Duo, Euphoric Blush, Java Soft Touch Eyeliner, Wicked Lash Mascara in Black, and Lip Pencil Plus in Chocolate Mousse.Â
Allison looks good in our popular pairing of the knitted cold shoulder top, cream pocketed Cardogan and matching blanket scarf to keep her warm. She is also wearing Merle Norman Aqua Balance Foundation, Contour & Highlight Duo, Euphoric Blush, Java Soft Touch Eyeliner, Wicked Lash Mascara in Black, and Lip Pencil Plus in Spiced Cider.Â
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In our our studio as you can see our goto Foundation for most photo shoots is the Aqua Balance Foundation it is a weightless liquid foundation that helps balance oil & water in the skin and is long wearing. Itâs a medium to full coverage foundation with a semi-matte finish. It is for anyone with normal to oily skin. Click Here for shade selections!Â
All other Merle Norman Cosmetic Info that we used can be found here:
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Stay tuned for more in our next blog!
Before you leave check out some footage from our fun snow day !
]]>Here at Merle Norman we offer many solutions that will get you through these elements. For those of you who do not like to use moisturizer during the day I recommend using the Night Time Recovery Crème.
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It is for all skin types and is oil free! It is a restorative cream that noticeably revitalizes your skin over night to help it appear less dry, tired, and stressed. It also nourishes while protecting the skin with itâs multi-vitamin complex. It will help improve your skins clarity and even out skin tone as it brightens with its Antioxidant Vitamin C derivative. It can also help firm and increase moisture retention over time to improve your overall appearance!
Now for day time users I would most definitely step up my game so to speak in the winter time with my moisturizer! Also do not be afraid to layer your moisturizers just like your clothing during the freezing temps!
If you want to use this next moisturizer alone or paired you can! It is great for normal skin and dry skin!
It is a rich moisturizing cream that helps replenish lost moisture in order to improve the skins appearance and prevent dryness. It is a highly concentrated blend of moisturizers! You can use this moringing and night and applys so smoothly to the skin!
I could go on and on and on but I want to save more for later! Stop in to see me in the studio to sample these moisturizers today! I hope you all are having an amazing day wherever you are! Stay Warm!Â
xoxo
Misty
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Well tonight is the night. Itâs the night that millions of people will celebrate the end of a year. 365 days of a life they are putting in the past and looking forward to a clean empty page of tomorrow...2018
With that being said I just want to Thank You, each and everyone of you who have not only supported my little dream of giving our community a cute little contemporary place to shop, but also supporting all the women who work here as well. Not only are you getting great affordable clothing but your supporting someoneâs schooling, someoneâs day care, someoneâs day to day ability to live and support themselves and or their family!Â
Thank you for a great 2017 and thank you for stopping in to browse, just say Hi! Or even making a purchase! When we say Hello, Thank You, and See You Next time when genuinely mean it from the bottom of our hearts!Â
So go out tonight, be safe, kiss that special someone at midnight!Â
Cheers to a Great Year
&
Thank You
xoxo
Misty
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