We've moved!

In case you hadn't noticed... The Santee Alley has a new website! As part of the redesign the blog will now be part of the website. You can find it at www.thesanteealley.com/blog. The new site also features a searchable directory and updated map.

A huge thanks to all of you who have been following us on Blogger for the last four years. We will leave this account open so you can continue to access previous posts. All new blog posts and store features will be posted on the new site.

SEE THE NEW BLOG AT WWW.THESANTEEALLEY.COM/BLOG

Is Santee Alley open on Labor Day?

Yes! The Santee Alley is open on Labor Day which falls on Monday, September 7, 2015. Stores in and around the alley are expected to have normal business hours. Please remember that all stores in the area independently owned and operated. This means they all set their own business hours. In general stores start to open by 9:30 a.m. and will begin closing around 5:30 p.m. Questions? Tweet us! @shopsanteealley or Messasge us on Facebook.

Shopping for Makeup in Santee Alley

HM Hormiguitas is a long-time favorite of Santee Alley shoppers and this blog. Along with its sister store, Iyalorde, it's the biggest makeup and beauty supply store in the area open to both the public and wholesale shoppers. We stopped by recently to see what was in stock and found they're makeup selection has grown since the last time we visited. And you thought it couldn't get any better! Scroll below to see some of our favorites and check them out on Instagram @hmhormiguitas.

HM Hormiguitas

315-B E 11th St.

213-536-5448

• Makeup/Cosmetics
• Eyelashes
• Beauty Tools & Supplies
• Hair Extensions
• Hair Tools
• Makeup Cases

• Contour and conceal palettes
• Makeup brush sets
• Eyeshadow palettes
• Blush palettes

• Lipstick and lip glosses
• Maskcara
• Blush
• Concealers
• Foundations
• Eyeliner

• Hair straighteners and curlers
• Hair wands
• Hair products 

Brands:

• Jordana
• City Color
• L.A. Girl
• J.Cat Beauty
• Proliss
• NYX Cosmetics
• + many more!

Makeup cases come in a variety of sizes and colors.  Please contact the store directly for pricing information.

Chantel's Wigs, Hair Extensions, & Hair Accessories

Wigs, hair extensions, and hair accessories can be purchased retail and wholesale at Chantel's. The Santee Alley store offers the best clip-in and weaving hair extensions, all 100% human hair and Remy virgin human hair. They also have an excellent selection of wigs in blondes, brunettes, reds, and black hair colors including lace-front wigs.

Available brands include Fashion Source, Eve Company, New World International, and Hair Republic

Chantel's
1015 Maple Ave. inside Santee Alley
213-746-4036
chantelsapparel@yahoo.com

Remy virgin hair is considered to be the best quality as it is natural human hair that has never been processed and is typically sourced from the first haircut a woman receives before she turns 30. It is especially recommended for women looking to perm their wigs. The cuticles in Remy Hair are not stripped, which makes them look completely natural.

Clip-in hair extensions are available in sizes 14"-22" and track weaving hair extensions come in sizes 8"-26".

To care for your wigs and hair extensions, Chantel's recommends conditioning as needed. Wigs and hair extensions can also be washed with soap and cold water (if needed) followed by conditioning and should be stored in a cool place. 

Chantel's is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Iyalorde Cosmetics and Beauty Supplies

Beloved makeup and beauty supplies store Iyalorde got a makeover! Now under new ownership and re-named Iyalorde Cosmetics, the store is focusing on providing quality makeup and beauty tools for wholesale and retail buyers. Though they still carry some hair tools, about 90% of the store is dedicated to cosmetics and cosmetic products. Popular brands include L.A. Girl, NYX, City Color, L.A. Colors, and J. Cat Beauty.

Scroll below to see current inventory and stop by the store to shop your favorites.

Iyalorde Cosmetics

1006-F Inside Santee Alley

213-536-5448

Our favorite find were these makeup cases (pictured above). They come in a number of sizes from "personal sized" to "make-up pro". The rolling makeup cases come in various colors and are very affordable.

Contour palettes, eyeshadow palettes, blush palettes... you name it, Iyalorde has it.

The beauty tool selection includes makeup brushes and brush sets, sponge applicators, eyebrow shapers and more.

Everyone's favorite however, is the massive wall of lashes!

New products this week: L.A. Girl pressed powder for darker skin tones and gel polish.

Where to Shop for $5 Sunglasses

It's true! Sunglasses are only $5 in Santee Alley. Some vendors will give you an even lower price if you buy multiple pairs. Sunglasses are typically sold in booths throughout the alley, but one of our favorite sunglasses spot is on the corner of the 11th Street entrance (11th Street between Santee Street and Maple Avenue), next to HM Hormiguitas. They carry the latest eye wear trends for both men and women and have unique styles. Check them out!

Please note inventory changes weekly.

Yira Swimwear: Affordable swimsuits for the whole family

Yira Swim is now open in The Santee Alley offering swimwear for the entire family. They have a huge selection of women's and juniors swimsuits, as well as a modest selection of girls', plus-size, and men's swimwear. Prices range by style. Please contact the store directly for more information.

The store is open to retail and wholesale buyers.

Yira Swim

1150-B inside Santee Alley

213-973-5303

yiraswimwear@hotmail.com

Now Open: Azzure Couture Special Occasion Dresses

 

The stretch of Santee Street between 9th and 14th Streets has long been known as the go-to destination for prom and special occasion dresses, a reputation that continues to grow as new special occasion dress stores open along the street. The latest is Azzure Couture, a Florida-based line offering prom, pageant, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, evening, and special occasion dresses. This is Azzure's first West Coast location, with plans to expand in the near future.

Azzure Couture is owned by a husband and wife design duo who maintain full creative control over their business. This mans all of the dresses at the Santee location are exclusive to the store. You won't find them anywhere else in the Fashion District.

The dresses are sized 2-20, retail between $250 and $350 dollars, and are available for wholesale and retail. New collections arrive every two to three months.

Azzure Couture
1136-A Santee St.
323-672-1189
Facebook, Instagram

All that Glitters...

Whether you're looking for evening shoes or just a gal who loves a good sparkle, Santee Alley has the shoes for you. Metallic shoes are currently trending in the alley. We've seen gold and silver heels, wedges, flats, and even boots! Typically reserved for night-time and special occasion, the low-heeled styles allow for day time wear and more casual looks.

All styles pictured here are available to wholesale and retail shoppers at Forever Shoes, located at 1010 inside the alley. Forever Shoes is one of many shoe stores in the area that sells to both business owners and the public. This is one of the many things that makes the alley so unique!

Forever Shoes

1010 inside Santee Alley

(213) 744-8098

*Photos courtesy of Forever Shoes.