Justine Wenzel: Beauty Influencer and Thrift Expert!
Name, pronouns, and little bit about yourself:
I’m Justine Wenzel (she/her) and I’m a makeup artist with “JM Makeup and Bridal“ and business coach, podcaster “Courage Queen,” singer in a band “Deerfield Drive.” I’ve been an obsessed thrifter since my aunt introduced me to it at 10 years old. I’m married with a golden doodle fur baby and have a baby on the way due in December!
What are your favorite items to thrift for and why?
My favorite items to thrift are NWT (thrifting lingo: "new with tags") bathing suits, shoes, blazers and jackets! I love shopping off season and find some of the best stuff and save it for anywhere from 3-6 months.
What has been your best Goodwill find?
I found Tory Burch leather boots before at the bins (the Goodwill Clearance Center)! Which was amazing and such a surprise.
Do you have a favorite Goodwill store? If so, why is it your favorite?
Every goodwill store has secret gems, it just depends on timing your running thrift bucket list so I can shop all year. I often shop most at the Webster and Victor stores just based on convenience to my work appointments!
Do you have any thrifting tips for novice secondhand shoppers?
I love putting anything I want to think about in the cart which I call “the think tank”- if you don’t it will be gone! I also love shopping off season from my thrift wish/bucket list I create on my phone.
Goodwill of the Finger Lakes is a not-for-profit organization supporting the Rochester and Syracuse area communities. Headquartered in Rochester, NY, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes along with Goodwill Vision Enterprises (formerly ABVI) have a very long and successful history of creating job opportunities and serving the community through the Good Neighbor program, 211/LIFE LINE, and our vision services. In addition, we have several Goodwill thrift store locations offering second-hand clothing for men, women, and children as well as home goods and other accessories.