June 21, 2004 – A.H. Riise will open a new cosmetics boutique on Thursday at its 37 Main Street store. The Travel Retail Boutique will feature products from Estée Lauder, Clinique, Origins, and Makeup Art Cosmetics, known by its acronym M-A-C. Origins and M-A-C are new to the Caribbean and available on St. Thomas only at A.H. Riise.
Jayne Winter, Riise's advertising director, said the Travel Retail Boutique carries a product mix selected to appeal both to people shopping while on vacation and to local residents.
Sebastiano Cassinelli, Riise's vice president, said the boutique was able to open specifically because the 23rd Legislature eliminated the excise tax and duties on fragrances and cosmetic imports.
"This tax initiative has enabled the USVI to compete effectively in the duty-free industry and has led to increased investment in this merchandise category in the U.S. Virgin Islands," he said in a release.
The boutique continues Riise's emphasis on brand names.
Opening events will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. They include makeovers in the season's newest Estée Lauder eye, lip and cheek colors by makeup artist Wilma Tichauer. And Clinique makeup and skin care expert Coley Purvis will be on hand to do makeovers and provide advice on skin care techniques. M-A-C will also conduct makeup demonstrations and makeovers.
Origins will present its new product, a Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian.
Estée Lauder and Clinique will provide complimentary gifts with purchases.
The Travel Retail Boutique is one of only 19 in the world. It is located next to Riise's Liquor Store.
Each company will spotlight some of its products during the opening celebration. Winter said proceeds from the sale of the M-A-C Viva Glam V collection of lipsticks and lipgloss goes to the M-A-C AIDS Fund.

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