I booked Smooch studio ( Fredrick location) yesterday to celebrate a girlfriends birthday! The website left me looking for more so I called just to get clarity around what they offer. I was able to book an appointment for me and the girls to make lipstick or lipgloss! Super excited!!!! Walking into the studio left a lot to be desired, I wasn't greeted with warm and friendly energy more like a blank look. Once confirmed on the books we got assigned an artist who was actually very friendly and excited to help us. Yaaay!!! Glad we did! The decor of the studio was neat and cute but It missed something : I don't feel they gave us an experience. We had to ask questions about the company and product. No one broke down the story or educated us on everything they offered. When asked what was the lipstick made of ? ..... both artist looked confused and handed us each an ingredient sheet. Giving me the feeling they didn't know what was in it! I will say our artist was sweet and helpful, she offered suggestions on how to obtain the desired colors but she didn't walk us step by step on how it all works. (not in detail) this would have created a more engaging experience. I love the idea of this business and think it's an amazing concept.... but the experience is what sales and we walked out paying 28 buck( social media discount) and not really sure what we paid for. I think it would also be better if they allowed the customer to be more involved in the making ..... more then just picking out the colors. The product itself was just okay... the pigment of the colors came out very light. read more

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About a year ago I went to Smooch Studio with a group of co-workers and had a custom lip gloss created. Sadly I didn't have time during that visit to experience all the studio had to offer. That lipstick quickly became my favorite, so when I lost it I had to replace it! I stopped back in this past Saturday and they were able to pull up my old recipe and re-create it on the spot! Since I was there, I decided to get some help with my foundation issues. At the age of 41 I have just begun to wear foundation, and the goop I bought at CVS just didn't match my face. I walked out with a "Magic Wand" that really does cover my dark under eye spots without making me look wrinkly, custom foundation with SPF, some kind of fairy dust that makes my face look pore-less, and my two lipsticks. I also walked out with a ton of tips and tricks that taught me how to use some of the cosmetics I already invested in. All the products are natural, and the stylist explained what each was made of, how to apply, and why it was good for my face. (Their products follow form and function). That night I got carded (woo hoo!). The next day I went to a fancy schmancy restaurant in DC and the hostess told me my eyes "popped." Prices are in line with what you would pay at a department store makeup counter, but Smooch Studio products are CUSTOM and CLEAN! Plus its locally owned and such a fun place to visit. read more

The only place I will ever buy makeup again! It's the best as are the owners and staff. They treat you like someone they've known forever. Kendra and Nicole know their stuff and are the greatest! The place is absolutely gorgeous too! Absolutely the best in every way! read more

Would NOT recommend Smooch for brides that want a "no makeup"/ natural look. Or for any bride that doesn't want to spend $85 and leave disappointed on her wedding day. My expectation of Smooch was to leave there looking (and feeling) like a beautiful bride on my wedding day. Perhaps even with a few new products to use at home. My appointment was in the morning with Natalie for the Wedding Day Makeup Package. I explained to Natalie that I am not the most familiar with makeup so she had free reign with her skills. However I did know that I wanted something natural looking. Apparently to her natural looking means no eye liner, no lip color yet very heavy dark black upper eye lid make up?!! Totally not my look and not a look I would consider "natural". Thankfully my friend was with me and suggested eye liner and lip color. (Yes, my friend even picked out the shade for me. So much for Natalie expressing some interest in her client!) I was told that part of the Bridal makeup was facial products that prevents flash back in photos. Based on some of my wedding pictures, I was not given that product. So I am wondering why and what I was charged $85? Natalie did not explain any of the products she was using to me. She did not ask my opinion or seem open to creating the look that I wanted for my wedding day. She was more concerned with looking at herself in the mirror. The Smooch website proclaims "we want to make sure that you are 100% confident about your face on your special day! We also know how important it is to get value for every dollar spent during this special time". I would have gotten better customer service and a better value from drug store products. For your wedding day makeup I suggest visiting the beauty counter at Ulta or Sephora. The ladies there are super friendly and possess a PASSION for people and makeup. Both things Smooch was NOT for me. Leaving a business in tears on your wedding day is atrocious and something no bride should ever have to go through. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE LADIES. read more

Don't go anywhere else for your makeup in Frederick! You will not get better serviceor products. Everything is natural, the ladies are genuinely kind, and it's a super amazing location! read more

I had a custom foundation and lipstick done and loved both of them. I also purchased other products that were not custom. After spending a good amount of money, I needed to return a couple items and found out that they do not except returns. I looked on the website, and do not see a refund policy. Regrettably, I did not look for one in the studio itself because I did not plan on having to return items. I am very disappointed as I did not use the other items at all, and now I am out a lot of money. read more

A large group of us loved this place. We were dedicated and loyal. Now all I hear from my friends and my own personal experience we are having a bunch of customer service issues. I hate having to have an argument with them to get what was promised. I still love their products and I've spent way over a grand in there but I'm looking for a replacement. read more

I went to Smooch for custom foundation for a wedding I was in. I got a custom BB Cream made to the specifications I wanted and the color was an exact match. I also purchased Stay Put eyeshadow primer and got a healing concealer. The makeup artist I worked with was very friendly and helpful. I will be going back for custom lipstick creation soon! read more

I am very disappointed in this place. I recently went there with my neighbor to have foundation matched to my complexion. The makeup artist recommended products for my face plus she made a foundation for me. After spending over $300 which is a lot for makeup, I used it for a week and my skin felt itchy and dry. I then went back after a week and came to find out they do not give refunds. Their theory is everything is made of natural ingredients. Well you know what you can be allergic to natural ingredients also. She then changed my products for more sensitive skin. I am using those now and am still not happy. My skin still feels dry. The makeup color also makes me look tired. It does not brighten my face. Because I am older my skin is becoming more dry and sensitive and I think they should take that into consideration. I now have a credit on my account because I exchanged products. That is my money and now it sits there in their account. I know that department store brands will give a refund. From now on when I buy something I need to ask about their refund policy. read more

I received a gift card for Smooch and went in to get some foundation. The cosmetic specialist mixed up a custom shade for me. It was customized, not just color-wise but coverage-wise and weight. Since it's winter, I wanted slightly more coverage than usual, less sheer than a foundation I'd wear in the summer. The result was terrific, I LOVE my new foundation and have had a couple friends notice the change, or improvement, in my makeup. Highly recommend Smooch, look forward to going back for future make-up purchases as well as lessons/advice on color selections. read more

Smooch is a bit of a conundrum, for me. On one hand, they give fantastic customer service, are a really great bunch of ladies, love to help their clients with skin concerns and makeup tips, and provide a fun environment for women to hang out in. But on the other hand, there is a level of dishonesty going on here, in regard to the products they sell. The products offered at Smooch Studio are not "Smooch brand products." They are products made by a private label cosmetics company, and resold, at much higher prices, to consumers. In general, I don't take issue with private labeling. I don't love it, but I don't have a problem with it. My issue, in regard to Smooch, is that every time I've spoken with the owners, they've had something to say about "their labs," and "their product line," and the efforts "they" go through, to customize every product they offer - not just the custom-mixed foundations and lip products. All of Smooch's staff members are incredibly talented when it comes to mixing lip and face products. That makes it all the more unfortunate that I've experienced this level of dishonesty, regarding where their products actually come from. If you enjoy the Smooch experience, and have found some great items there - good! However, please be a savvy consumer, and aware of what you're actually purchasing. As an example, Smooch offers eyeliners called "Indelible Waterproof Automatic Eyeliner." These items can be seen here, with the exact same product names, in the exact same packaging, on the website for LadyBurd cosmetics, a private labeling company: http://www.ladyburd.com/product_detail.php?categories_id=37&maincol=2 You will also find the Ultimate Eyeliner Pencils on LadyBurd's site: http://www.ladyburd.com/product_detail.php?categories_id=360&maincol=2 Again, we see the same names, packaging, and color selection. Smooch previously offered LadyBurd's Eyelights line, as well. In fact, I own the aqua shade! It's beautiful, but in no universe should I have paid the amount I did for it, at the time. Thank goodness I know better, now. Granted, LadyBurd does not offer every item that Smooch is selling in their store. However, given the knowledge that so many eye products are DEFINITELY private label, one can reach the logical conclusion: many of their other products are, as well. It is therefore also not out of the realm of possibility that Smooch's fantastic lipgloss and lipstick bases, for their custom shades, were in fact NOT designed by Smooch's owners, either. Many companies, such as TKB Trading, offer pre-mixed lipstick/gloss bases, as well as a variety of recipes for purchase. Now, you may still think it's worth your while, for the convenience and friendly atmosphere. Before you pass any final judgments, however, I would like to offer you a price comparison. Several years ago, I was suffering from sensitive, reddened skin. Smooch associates recommended that I purchase the Stress Recovery Complex. At $68.50, it carries a steep price tag, but I was desperate for relief. Here is another company, online, offering the exact same product, in the exact same packaging and number of fluid ounces, for twenty dollars less: http://www.cellularskinrx.com/products_stressrecoverycomplex.html If a company can offer what we are led to believe is a $70 product, at $50, and still make a profit, you can draw your own conclusions, regarding the actual wholesale cost of these private label products, for the folks at Smooch. Here is another example, in skincare: While there are no product images on the site I'm going to link to, a crosscheck with the Smooch Studios website shows that all the names are identical. Here, the Visibly Moist Toner is being offered for $15.95 http://www.touchdiscountdayspa.com/skin_care.html Smooch would like you to pay $35.50, for the same product. Again, a twenty dollar difference. Crazy, right? Smooch is a fun experience, but they're dodgy about where their products come from, and the price tag is clearly not worth it. Save yourself the money. If you absolutely LOVE a Smooch product, the odds you can find the exact same item, for cheaper, are pretty great. You may even find better quality products, in comparable shades/with comparable skincare benefits, too. read more

SO DISAPPOINTED. My daughter wanted to have her birthday party at Smooch - what a great idea! Testing wall, make your own custom lip gloss, private party room, etc. What a disappointment! We stopped in on a Saturday and they were so understaffed. Customers were standing around everywhere, no one was able to answer questions. I tried calling and after a few tries, finally got through. The weekend we wanted was booked, but the following was available - I wanted to double check schedules before booking. Called the next day to confirm - no one working at the time could book parties, so they took a message. No return call. Called again the following day - phones weren't functioning. Called AGAIN ... after all that, they aren't able to do the party after all due to a WFRE event! Surely they knew that 2 days earlier (it's only a week and half out!). What a disappointment for me and heartbreak for my daughter who had already prepared invitations & told friends! Seems like a neat concept but really poor execution. read more

Smooch is a super fun, trendy, place to go with a bunch of girlfriends for a "make over day." The shop is clean and bright and fabulously girly. The makeup artists are welcoming and sweet and give you a sense that they care about more than just selling a product. I went in with a group of girls and we did the full makeover with a three product purchase minimum. It was fun although a lot of the girls make up was so natural we weren't sure if they had been made over yet. My make up artist said that when she thinks of smooch her three makeup staples are the concealer, eye primer, and lotion. I would agree that those may be the best options because none of the eye makeup was impressive in any way. The mascara was just so so, the shadows weren't very pigmented and the pencil eyeliner quickly smeared and faded. The liquid liner had more staying power but they don't yet offer it in felt tip so it's only available in the super hard to apply brush. Please don't buy the beauty blender they sell for $20, you can get a larger more luxurious one for $12 at any other place! The bronzer is nothing special although I really loved the brow make up she used and I'm kicking myself for not buying it. I did however purchase the Smooch Pore Your Heart Out Facial cleanser ($36) and I love it so much that I think I'm going to invest in the entire skin care line. To conclude, it's a fun girls day. The skin care is incredible, the make up is mostly just average with a million better options and prices at Ulta or Sephora. The majority of the group spent at least $200 upon our visit and that was for 3/4 items. read more

I am not a makeup expert by any stretch of the imagination so I really love that the ladies at Smooch! are. I like to throw on some eyeliner, mascara lip gloss and jet out the door looking like I spent hours on my makeup when I only spent 5 mins tops. I love that the Smooch! ladies gave me tips and tricks to beat the clock and look amazing. I absolutely love their custom foundation. As the summer approaches and I spend more time outside I can take my foundation into Smooch and have it darkened. I cant tell you how many complementary comments I receive on my skin and its really the foundation working its magic. I recommend them to all of my family and friends. read more

Smooch Studios is by far the best make up and learning experience. I haven friends, family and even teenage neighbors to visit the studio and each time I leave with more knowledge about skin care not only for the person I took to visit but for myself. I enjoy each experience and would highly recommend you visiting the studio! read more

Last week I went to Smooch Studios to get a gift certificate for a friend. I made a special trip on a Wednesday during my lunch break. When I arrived, an attendant started to help me but when the phone rang, I was forgotten. 7 minutes later I interrupted and asked her if she could help me because I was on my lunch break. Without so much as an apology, she put the phone customer on hold and proceeded to help me through the complicated process of getting a gift certificate. I eventually said, "Thanks, but no thanks" and went around the corner to the Perfect Truffle. So while the customer service was lacking, I give them one star for fantastic advertising and for leading me to the discovery of The Perfect Truffle. For future reference...makeup looks better with a smile. read more

I have had two parties at Smooch and can not thank the ladies enough for how wonderful they make all of my guests look and feel. Many of my guests have even booked parties of their own! The fact that they have a room for parties is such a great idea. The room is beautiful and fun. Great for women and girl's parties! I have used Smooch Studio products for years and my skin feels so great. I also get so many compliments on my custom lip glosses! I would highly recommend the Smooch experience and products to any woman of any age! Thank you for such a great boutique! read more