Washington Life sat down with girl-boss Susanna Quinn, and got the inside scoop on her start-up company and sun-kissed skin secrets.
By Meghan Moriarty
Veluxe makeup artist Sana Cordeaux demonstrates bronzing and highlighting techniques on Kelly Nine.
Former Capitol Hill staffer and real estate agent, mother of two and one of the city’s most well-known hostesses and people connectors, Susanna Quinn is constantly on the move. That busy lifestyle led her to create Veluxe, an all-in-one beauty app.
Susanna Quinn, founder of Veluxe.
“I had really solved a problem in my own life of not having time to get things done,” Quinn explains. “I wanted to look good, feel good, and be healthy.”
Nine months later, Veluxe was born.
The app, which now has more than 5,000 registered users, offers a variety of on-demand, at-home services for women and men, including blow drying, makeup, gentlemen’s grooming, yoga, massage, manicures and pedicures, and even personal training — a crowd favorite. Once the user selects his or her service, they request a date and time. It’s like having a personal stylist at the press of a button.
Veluxe’s regular clients range from athletes to actresses and politicians to T.V. personalities. Some well-known users include CNN journalist Dana Bash, HBO’s “Entourage” star Constance Zimmer, and “House” actress Lisa Edelstein. That said, the app also attracts many millennials.
“They like to have their own entourage. They like to live like a star,” Quinn says. “It makes them feel really special to have someone come in and do their hair and makeup.”
She added that the app is great because the people assisting users are professionals, and because all stylists use a variety of high-end products.
“A good blow dry can change your life.” Quinn says, laughing. “I’m serious!”
Her daily routine doesn’t always include a blow out, but she does have a few products she never leaves the house without. Some of her favorites include Blue Mercury Lune+Aster or Tom Ford bronzer, NARS Orgasm Blush and Chanel Alure #40.
“It looks good on all skin tones,” Quinn says, referring to red lips and a little blush.
Feeling good and looking good were always a big part of Quinn’s life. Growing up, she used to bake in the sun for that sun-kissed look. At age 30, though, she had a wake up call: she could feel the dryness of her skin. So Quinn decided to dump the laying-out life and cover up.
“I really believe in sunless tan,” she says, “whether it’s with a tanning mist, spray tan or makeup.”
365 days a year, Quinn applies her La Roche-Posay SPF 50 tinted moisturizer. She believes in protecting her skin as much as possible.
Washington Life got an exclusive look at the best way to achieve that sun-kissed summer glow without all the harsh sun rays. Check out the step-by-step tutorial below!
Washington Life Makeup Minute: Bronzing & Highlighting Featuring Veluxe from Washington Life Magazine on Vimeo.
