About Us: Offering Unique Bra Sizes, Fittings & More in Richmond, VA

Learn More About Kiss and Make-Up.

Kiss and Make-Up is an exclusive specialty boutique is located on Patterson Avenue in the West End. Get driving directions to Kiss and Make-Up at 5432 Patterson Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23226.

Kiss and Make-Up opened in November, 1984, offering cosmetics and perfumes. Prior to the arrival of Victoria’s Secret stores, the lingerie market was vastly underserved in Richmond until the mid-1980s. As Kiss and Make-Up developed their lingerie clientele, the owner, Ruth saw that it was imperative to cater to everyone, including women of all sizes and men.

Ruth McMahon’s original plans were to open a second store in Southside Richmond within 5 years of opening, but with the eruption of E-Commerce, Ruth again made an aggressive change. She hastily developed a web presence, struggled with vendors as she tried to develop her site, and finally won out by creating a large, quality catalog of items online. Many clients enjoy the convenience of shopping online and Ruth strongly believes future retail success will depend on shopping online.

In 2004, Richmond Magazine named Kiss and Make-Up the “Best Shop for Pretty Lingerie”.

Winner of The Richmond Times Dispatch "The Best Local Women's Clothing Store 2020".



Meet Ruth McMahon, the owner of Kiss and Make-Up.

When Ruth McMahon graduated from VCU, a degree in social work in hand, little did she know that the essential "key" to her eventual business success lingered beneath the playful exterior of that excited young girl. Her drive, determination and enthusiasm led her to establish a very successful Richmond based business which she enjoys today.

36 prosperous years later, she knows that her successful career as a small business owner is directly linked to those early beginnings. Ruth believes that her early training helped her to define her market and its needs - selling lingerie and intimate items to adults.

“My education has helped me understand my market. It has helped me to develop a sensitivity to people and I know this background gave me the ability to understand my customers and their needs,” Ruth says. “I listen to what people say and I can help them select products that will accommodate their taste, need and/or fantasy (yes, many customers are longing for that "fantasy" - I help them make it come true).”

Ruth feels that her insight as a woman has given her an advantage with her product line. She understands and likes people. Many customers drop in to chat because they feel comfortable talking to Ruth. “I think women and men find it easier to buy intimate things from a woman,” she says.

As for the future, she is optimistic because her market niche is unique. She doesn't have time to worry about competitors, she listens to her clients and constantly researches new product lines so that Kiss and Makeup always offers the very best to its customers. Kiss and Make-Up has obviously carved out a special place in the loyalties of not only Richmond customers, but many from around the World.

Please Call (804) 285-0326 to Schedule a Bra Fitting with Ruth.