Kiss and Makeup: Looking Good in Provincetown

Provincetown means many things to many people, but for Christine Horovitz, owner of Kiss and Makeup, it has been a place of healing and renewal. "I lived here in the early '90s and it was so much different then -- there were no theme weeks, and it was a bit more wild and crazy. You could show up with no job and find a place to live."

Those bohemian days were good times, but she eventually settled in Rhode Island after meeting her husband, Steve. Her career in the beauty industry began as an assistant at an Aveda Concept Salon, and over the years she used her natural talents and drive with such major brands as Christian Dior, MAC and Lanc�me. A job in visual merchandising for Nordstrom was a welcome change after years of climbing the corporate ladder, and then tragedy struck when her husband was hit by a car and killed.

"I also lost my dad and one of my close friends within a month," recalls Horovitz. "I knew this is where I had to be. I sold my house and moved. Healing was the most important part, and I started thinking about what made me happiest: being in the beauty industry and selling cosmetics."

Horovitz gave herself a year to find a location, and it was three days before her self-imposed deadline was about to expire that she stumbled on a bookstore that was going out of business. It happened to be where she bought her first book in Provincetown. She spent two years in that location before relocating to a new space on Commercial Street, which has allowed her to also offer spa services.

Horovitz has a keen eye for top-of-the-line products as well as small, independent companies that are committed to eco-friendly business practices. For men, she recommends Damn Handsome Grooming Co., which partners with craft breweries to repurpose ingredients into natural provisions such as beer soap, after shave gel and body bars. Triumph & Disaster is another unique brand. Founded by former New Zealand cricket player Dion Nash, the product line includes "Gameface" moisturizer with a subtle infusion of essential oils, Coltrane Clay for hair sculpting, Shearer's Soap with exfoliating poppy seeds and more.

For women, Horovitz recommends legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin's namesake collection. The 30-year industry veteran launched the line in 2001, and the brand has grown to encompass high-quality products for the face, eyes, cheeks and lips, as well as tools and kits for looking your best. Makeup artist David Klasfeld's Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is another noteworthy brand, which has expanded since its 2004 launch to include nail lacquer, lip tar, moisturizer and concealer -- all vegan and cruelty-free.

Keeping it local and paying it forward, Horovitz has also created her own lipstick line called Provincetown Performers. Inspired by local drag queens including Varla Jean Merman, Dina Martina, and others, a portion of proceeds are donated to the Steven L. Horovitz Memorial Fund. Horovitz established the fund in her husband's honor to raise money and create awareness for those in recovery from substance abuse.

Kiss and Makeup
244 Commercial Street
508-413-9337
www.kissandmakeupptown.com