Susan’s Makeup and Skincare

As you open the door to , located in Syosset on Jackson Avenue near , you hear bursts of laughter coming from the back and the sultry beat of Brazilian music. 

Intrigued, you make your way there by passing shelves lined with fashion accessories and cosmetics.  Suddenly you come upon a fully operational beauty salon. 

Owner, makeup artist, and colorist, Susan Cohen, is chatting up her clients with funny stories and quips as she mixes hair colorant for these giggling ladies. It feels like you just entered a scene from a good chick-flick like Steel Magnolias.

The beauty business comes naturally to her; she comes from a long line of salon owners -- her mother, her aunt, and her brother.     

"30 years ago I came here from Israel," Cohen said.  "My first job was at Bloomingdale's spritzing ladies with Yves St. Laurent perfume. I did so well selling, that the company sent me to 'YSL School' and taught me the business.  I went on to work for them and various other high-end beauty companies over the years." 

After dabbling in her own private label cosmetics line, Susan was told about a 27-year-old beauty supply business for sale in the Syosset area. She jumped at the chance.

"I have been here now for seven years and during the early years I pulled many all-nighters setting up my salon," she said. 

When asked where she lives, she jokingly replied, "Here!" It's like a Cinderella story; a hum-drum business blossomed into a thriving establishment.   

After streamlining her product lines and recently re-doing her salon with the help of a contractor, there is one thing she won't give up: the torn and worn purple salon chair. 

"It's been with me since the beginning," she said.  "It holds many memories."

Starting Monday, December 13, and for the next four days, Susan and her business partner Alfred Elsner are inviting the town to stop by from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. for some sips, snacks, and socializing. 

They are launching Phyto Sintesi, Cinecitta, Immunocologie, and La Biosthetique; exclusive skin-care lines not generally found on the Island.  Come by and sample a serum or meet the woman behind it all….you can try to catch up on some gossip too, but remember: a good beautician would rather dye than tell.

Address: 115 Jackson Avenue

Phone: 364-8696

Website: www.susancohenmakeup.com