Now under new ownership, Wisteria Beauty Lounge offers posh treatments and a range of exclusive products

by Jessica Jones-Gorman Photos By Doug Polle

When Rosemary and Alexis Panicali took over ownership of Wisteria Beauty Lounge in Red Bank eight months ago, bringing years of high-end cosmetics experience to the posh retail space, their main goal was to revive the boutique style shop with a strong sense of luxury.

“The entire concept of Wisteria works because it’s one-stop shopping; you can get all of your fashion and beauty essentials under one roof,” noted Panicali, current owner of the upscale beauty and accessories shop, which shares space with Broad Street fashion boutique CoCo Pari. “Our shop is for a woman who appreciates life’s luxuries, especially in terms of skin care, fragrances, and cosmetics. It’s a place where customers can find the latest unique and exclusive accessories and products.”

Wisteria features a retail selling floor decorated with brands like LaMer, Laura Mercier, Chantacaille, Natura Bisse, Kiehl’s, and EShave. A number of exclusive beauty lines are also available, thanks to the business’s strategic alignment with some of the industry’s elite markets.

“‘Exclusive’ is a big word for us,” Panicali said. “We carry Creed and Bond No. 9, as well as Maison Francis Kurkdjian—fragrances you can’t get anywhere else in this area. Those are brands our customers have grown to love and expect.”

This, and a superior level of customer service are things that Panicali and her daughter (a manager and partner) pride themselves on.

“Our customers have choices, but we offer a level of expert service that cannot be found in a department store setting. We’re experts at what we do; members of my staff are highly trained makeup artists and aestheticians who are focused on making our clients look their best, not pressuring them to buy the latest, greatest shade of red lip gloss, but offering ultimately much more valuable advice.”

Panicali, who has experience with a variety of luxury brands, discovered the power of makeup when she was just 14 while visiting her family in Sicily.

“I lived with my relatives for the summer and as a young teen was so impressed by how glamorous each woman looked,” Panicali said. “They looked like someone from an advertisement or a glamorous character from a Fellini film, and their look completely contributed to my style. I came home wearing thick black eyeliner, sketching my ideas, and experimenting with makeup.”

Panicali trained with celebrity makeup artists Laura Mercier and Trish McEvoy and worked as a lead artist in their companies. She developed a talent for identifying clients’ unique characteristics and creating a makeup look to complement them.

“Every woman who sits in my chair walks away with a different look,” she explained. “No two faces are the same, so no makeup applications should be the same either.”

“The very idea of the Beauty Lounge is a completely new concept,” she added. “This is not a day spa; it’s not a salon. It’s a luxurious space where clients can go for their everyday beauty needs or to experience red carpet treatments and prepare for their special events.”

The business, which serves both men and women, is located on the second floor, and makes available an optional separate entrance if clients choose to use it. Its services include facials, hydrofacials, body waxing, a brow bar, professional private makeup application, and bridal party preparation expertise.

“We provide very personal attention and a high level of expertise,” the beauty guru concluded. “I like to treat my customers with the utmost honesty and respect, making them feel both comfortable and welcome here at all times.”

Wisteria Beauty Lounge 17 Broad St., Red Bank / 732.530.9491