Cruise guests can now mix their own signature lipstick at sea thanks to a new Blend Bar experience.
Cruise guests can now mix their own signature lipstick at sea thanks to a new Blend Bar experience.
Holland America Line has unveiled a new beauty experience at sea with the launch of its first lipstick blending bar.
The new Blend Bar offers guests a hands-on session with expert beauty consultants, guiding them through the process of creating their own custom lipstick or gloss.
Currently available in the beauty section of the onboard shops on Nieuw Statendam, Eurodam, Westerdam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Volendam and Zaandam, the experience will roll out across the remaining Holland America Line (HAL) four ships in the fleet by mid-November.
Guests can choose from more than 30 premium pigments, four finishes and over 20 signature flavours to design their perfect shade. Working alongside a consultant, they can craft a completely bespoke hue, recreate a discontinued favourite or create a colour to complement a specific outfit. Lipsticks can be finished in butter, crème, matte or gloss.
Once the shade is mixed, the formula is melted and poured into a lipstick mould or gloss tube, and guests can even name their creation – with the label printed directly onto the packaging. Each guest receives their personalised lipstick or gloss along with a formula card listing the selected ingredients for future reference.
The products are made using ingredients free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates and GMOs. They’re also cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan, with added antioxidants and SPF protection.
Prices start at $65 for a custom lipstick or liquid matte, and $60 for a gloss.
Carole Biencourt, vice president of onboard revenue for Holland America Line, said: “Today’s travellers are looking for more than just a holiday – they want exclusive experiences like Blend Bar that feel personal, immersive and meaningful.
“We’re excited to launch the first lipstick blending bar at sea, where our beauty-loving guests can express themselves and create a unique souvenir of their time on board.”
Duration: 12 nights
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Ship: Oosterdam
Price: From £2,699 pp – at the time of writing (flights and hotel stay included)
Duration: 14 nights
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Ship: Nieuw Statendam
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Harriet Mallinson is Editor of Sailawaze and an award-winning cruise and travel journalist with 10 years of experience. Named Specialist Travel Writer of the Year at the 2024 Travel Media Awards for her cruise coverage, she writes about cruise ships, destinations, travel trends and life at sea. Her adventures have taken her from flyboarding in Malaga and ziplining in Costa Rica to truffle-hunting in Tuscany and whale-watching in Iceland. After finally ticking off the Northern Lights in Sweden, she’s now dreaming of Antarctica or French Polynesia.
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