Ask the Makeup Doctor

NARS HOLIDAY - THE G-SPOT MULTIPLE

The holidays are upon us!  The makeup counters are wrapped up in their holiday glory, the newest colors twinkling and beckoning with their beautiful and glittering holiday palettes.

It goes without saying (me being me afterall!) that I've begun purchasing some of the beautiful holiday sets.  I have SO much to write about, that I'm getting dizzy. 

NARS HOLIDAY - THE MULTIPLE

First up for me this time is NARS Multiple in G-Spot.  Ya gotta love NARS and his product names!  ALWAYS gets your attention, doesn't it?  You just have to be careful where you discuss your items - you don't want to be yelling "I FOUND THE G-SPOT I was looking for" when you are out with your friends at a holiday lunch. Or - maybe you do.  Perhaps people around you might think you are in "Sex and the City" and filming a new scene or something!  (Just remember - if that happens, you are ALWAYS Samantha!)

Rose With A Hint of Gold

The G-Spot Multiple is beautiful and is indeed the gold infused rose as described on the website.  As with all the NARS Multiples, it is in a convenient twist up case, and easy to throw into whatever bag you are using that night.  I love the NARS Mulitples because you can indeed use it as lipstick or blush - and that means less to schlep around in your tiny little evening bag that is meant to hold a stick of gum and/or a toothpick and nothing more.

On my fair skin, it gives a lovely warm rose with a hint of gold - just beautiful.  It looks as though I just as if I just came in from a very cold night (which is a joke - does it EVER get cold when you are menopausal?  I think not...) and looks as though I'm beautifully flushed. 

This is a definite must have if you are looking for a creamy holiday red - that doesn't scream '"CREAMY HOLIDAY RED!" to the masses.  You will just look beautiful - and better than that - you'll feel beautiful.  And when you feel beautiful - there is NOTHING you can't do or accomplish.

Go and check it out - a beautiful red is waiting for you!  And it isn't polite to keep it waiting!

 

 

Face Illuminator - Laura Mercier Strikes Glow!

You know how when you look at the magazines and the actresses and models have that special "glow" about them?  The kind that ALWAYS seems to elude us normal everyday folk?  The kind that makes us go crazy in the search for the perfect glow?

 Illuminating

 Laura Mercier has done it again.  I've been waiting with bated breath for the absolutely GORGEOUS Face Illuminator.  I ordered it and then began stalking my mailbox, just waiting for it to get here. 

Well - it's here.  And I'm in glow heaven.  THIS is what I've been looking for for SUCH a long time.  Not only does it do the job - it is GORGEOUS as well.  To be honest - I thought - "It's too pretty to use!"  But use it I did, and boy, am I thrilled.

 

An Ethereal Experience

It gives just the right amount of sheen and glow.  You don't need a massive amount at all.  I used my Laura Mercier brush blush - the flatter one, and I gently pressed it onto the product, and then pressed it lightly on the areas I wanted to glow.  It doesn't just "sit" on your face - it blends in and it looks like you are glowing from within.  It isn't like a special color - and will glow differently on different complexions, I'd imagine, but the main thing is, you will look like you have a special and ethereal glow about you - that people just won't be able to put their finger on. 

Laura Mercier's Face Illuminator will just add to your personal mystique.

The mysterious glow.....who doesn't love a little mystery?

 

 

Estee Lauder - Old School

Hi!  It's me again.

I frequent a great many beauty/blog sites as is to be expected, considering what I do.

Makeup Packaging

Inevitably, I read that Estee Lauder is the "old lady"brand, and most younger girls or women aren't excited enough about their packaging to use her product. What a shame to judge the entire product by the cover.  Some of the cutest most impressive packaging have the worst possible products.

So interesting!  When I was a young woman, 20 or 21, the only brands you could buy in the department stores were Estee Lauder, Lancome, Chanel, Princess Marcella Borghese, Clinique and the incredibly modern, Ultima II.  We didn't have NARS, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Benefit, Urban Decay and all of the other brands that are now considered "regular brands". 

A Long Time Ago....

I remember going to the Estee Lauder counter at The Emporium in San Francisco.  A saleslady (now they are beauty advisors, makeup artists, sales associates - but not one saleslady among them!) introduced me to Estee Lauder's eye cream at the ripe old age of 20.  She was a good sales person, and she also introducd me to Lauder's pressed powder, and a love affair was born.

To this day, I STILL use Estee Lauder's products.  Not exclusively because there are SO many different lines, but this line still has some of the best quality products I've ever used.  My HG pressed powder is Lucidity Transparency.  Perfection for a very fair woman as myself.  In the 30 years or so since I first started wearing her powder, I've strayed, tried the newest big thing - and have ALWAYS gone back to that perfect powder.  (They'll be back. They ALWAYS come back.  What movie or book was that from?)

                                                      What's Inside?

Estee Lauder's line has reinvented itself many, many times since my first foray into her makeup line when I was 20 years old.  She has a great line - love the lipsticks, the blushes, and still prefer "More than Mascara" to any other mascara at this point.

So Bright, So Shiny!

So - yes, there might brighter and shinier and really clever advertisements and packaging on the newer brands. Some lines are fascinating with their glimmer and shimmer and special effects packaging - like a 3-D movie.  But - where's the substance?

Don't judge a book by its cover  - think of all the beauty opportunities you are missing!

If you haven't tried anything of Lauder's you are SO missing out! 

If she's been around this long - she obviously doing something right - and it ain't all smoke and mirrors!

 

Laura Mercier -My Continuing Adoration.....

LAURA MERCIER

I know I've written about Laura Mercier's makeup before.  But it is so worth writing about again.

Since I blog about makeup, there are very few lines I've not tried, played with, had crushes on, felt I was in love with - only to have to break up with them soon after we met.  *cue violins*

Not so with Laura Mercier's makeup.  I've strayed - it's my job.  But, I always come back.  I come back to her wonderful Kohl Liners (Black Violet - I cannot deny you!) and I truly cannot live without my favorite eyeshadow of all time, "Morning Dew" (hint to Laura - please, please NEVER let me see this on the Au Revoir list!)

Her newest collection is coming out, and I've already made my list. The Canyon Collection - check it out!  Look at the blush or Cheek Melange as it is called?  Oh my - I MUST have this!

In addition to the lovely color stories, Laura is my staple - I always come back to her eyeshadows - they simply just work.  I use them on myself, I use them on my clients - I might start using them on strangers on the street if I didn't think that someone would call people that would speak to me gently!

Invisible Loose Setting Powder

My newest crush is on her new light and airy powder with the fan brush. (The real name is Invisible Loose Setting Powder, but I like my description!) Instant attraction - love at first sight.  I tried it on myself (of course - that's what any makeup artist does first) and then I tried it on my clients - only to see their tail lights zooming down the street to go and get some for themselves. (Note to clients - could you at least say "bye!" before you go?  Manners, ladies, manners!)

If you haven't checked out her collection recently -  do yourself a favor, and drop by the counter and let a Laura Mercier artist work his or her magic on you. 

We all need a little magic - and what better place than the Laura Mercier makeup counter?

 

 

 

Eve Pearl

Well - hi again!

It's been another long while in-between postings, but my chronic migraines don't really seem inclined to be leaving any time soon, so while I send a pox to my migraines, I'm tapping at the keyboard once again.

Off-Broadway Brands

Many of us in the field of makeup know the regular brand names you see in department stores, as well as the pro-lines that are off the beaten path.  Myself - I LOVE makeup lines that are off the beaten path - I love discovering new products and techniques.  New to me perhaps - but many of these (what I call) off broadway brands have been around longer than I have, which always makes me happy!

Eve Pearl - The Book

Eve Pearl.  Know that name?  Heard that name?  I happened upon Eve Pearls book "Plastic Surgery Without the Surgery" a few years back.  I believe I had heard about her from "The View".  Who can resist such a title?  Plastic Surgery Without the Surgery?  Nice.  I'm all for no surgery.

This book truly is wonderful.  I purchased it back in 2004 when it was released, and constantly referring to it as a skill refresher and guide.

Eve Pearl - The Concealer

A key product that Eve Pearl is known for is her salmon concealer.  I FINALLY got my hands on the concealer a couple of months ago and it is outstanding.  So outstanding, I was enthusiastically showing a client, and ended up giving her mine. (A client and a friend - she had a new job and wanted to look her best!)

This concealer is amazing, truly amazing.  I purchased mine in "Light" and it is creamy and delightful, and does the job a concealer is SUPPOSED to do. My old undereyes (which will celebrate their 50'th birthday very soon) look spectacular.

Eve Pearl - the Makeup Line

I'm so sold on this line, that I just recently (last week) made a purchase of some staples to put into my kit.  I can't wait to try out everything in this line, because if the concealer is any indication, I've entered into HG (holy grail) territory when it comes to product.

So - bottom line - check out this book, and check out her concealer.  Read it - study it - refer to it.  She covers everything in a very easy to understand and well illustrated way.  I know you'll want to try this concealer once you've read the book.  I've already given one away, so check out her site: http://www.evepearl.com

Happy reading, and even happier concealing!

 

 

 

Illamasqua

I was told about this line by a new friend I met at the MAC store, but had never heard about it before. Nope - not in ANY of the multiple makeup/fashion/celeb culture magazines or sites that I had read or visited.  That alone fascinated me.  I mean, since I peruse hundreds of makeup sites as one of the many things I do for a living, (and for a hobby) you'd think I would have at least HEARD about it.

I was simply buying makeup (gee - I hope you were sitting down - buying makeup is something I almost NEVER do!) and another makeup junkie was in the store and began telling me about the line.

Of course, I was immediately fascinated.  Suddenly, I'm seeing articles about  Illamasqua, seeing Sephora advertisements about it and soon it was available at Sephora.  But only in the Sephora on Powell Street in San Francisco. 

Being in a Sephora (as you well know) is a dangerous thing.  Especially dangerous when there is a long awaited makeup line just sitting there - staring at me - no DARING me to try it.  I don't generally go to the Powell Streets store and since Illamasqua isn't sold anywhere on the Peninsula, being the good makeup junkie that I am, I immediately purchased the liquid foundation, an eyeshadow, two blushes and a lipstick. 

Many times, I will savor the makeup once I get it home. Look at the box, study ingredients, take note of the packaging and generally enjoy the experience, even as I take notes for my clients.

This time, I went for it.  Opened every box that I purchased anxious to see, smell and study the texture.

Just Say Yes to Illamasqua

Impressed - very impressed.  So much so that I immediately placed an online order for the pressed powder foundation in two different colors.  (They were out of the cream to powder in my color.)

The liquid foundation is like nothing I've tried before - and believe me, there are very few foundations that I've not tried!  (Again - hope you are sitting down!)  The color was perfect - the texture was very thick and creamy - meaning a little dab will do you!  With this type of texture, you want to make sure your skin is well moisturized, not only with a moisturizer, but also with a primer.  Or, you can do what I do..add a little moisturizer to the foundation, mix in your hand and you are ready to go. 

I'm still a makeup sponge user - though I also have and use foundation brushes on clients.  I had no problem with the foundation coverage - it did what I want foundation to do - made me look like me, only better.  The color was a good match, and it felt nice on my face.  Even though the foundation is very rich, it didn't feel heavy.

I can also see this being used in theatrical makeup - and I've already begun to calculate how much purchasing all the foundations might cost!

So much to review in such a short little blogging amount of time. 

To Be Continued.....

Trish McEvoy Makeup

One excellent line of makeup you don't hear discussed very often is Trish McEvoy Makeup.

I was re-introduced to the line a couple of weeks ago at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco.

Let me tell you something about this particular line - not only is the product superior, but the knowledge of the Sales Associates and Makeup Artists at this counter are nothing short of superb.  These ladies and gentlemen KNOW their line of makeup, inside and out.  They also really listen to what you are saying, and don't try to steer you to something you've expressly said doesn't interest you, or isn't what you are looking for.

Sak's was having a makeup event, and they had a guest makeup artist.  Because I do makeup artistry, I very rarely get makeovers myself, but my friend insisted that I get one anyway.  So, even though I know the sales gamut, I liked the MA, and sat myself down in the chair.

I didn't tell him I was an artist - not only wasn't there time, but it felt funny to say as I was sitting in his chair and he was going through his routine.  I particularly liked his making up one side of my face, feature at a time, and then letting me do the other.  Very wise, gets the client very involved, and you can learn so much about technique this way, what to differently, what you like, and what you don't.  I was very pleased with his style and his listening to what I had to say.

Superior Knowledge of the Trish McEvoy Line

All of the people at this counter know their stuff.  They know the product inside and out.  They weren't just giving the fancy hard sell - which is a tough thing to avoid - especially given the pressure on makeup counters during these events.  They were funny, kind and on top of it.

Another kudo to the Sales Associates in this line is their outstanding communication.  You can opt to receive e-mails regarding upcoming events and sales.  Though many counters take your information, I've never had follow up as I do with these lovely people.  They unfailingly let me know when there will be specials or sales, or even color choices I might like.  And again, there is never a hard sell - which is very important to me and my clients.

Trish McEvoy is known for her outstanding makeup planners.  A zip around case that hold magnetized pages that you can fill up with her squares of eyeshadow, blush, powder, you name it.  There are 3 sizes of planners, allowing for maximum or minimum storage,  and you can play and mix and match colors to your heart's content. 

Trendy - No - Classic - Yes

The eyeshadow colors aren't as "trendy" as a MAC or some others, but they are well pigmented, feel like satin, and no chalky texture.  You won't have a problem dressing these up or down.  There is a color wardrobe for everyone - and a classic wardrobe at that.

Trish McEvoy is also known for her outstanding brushes - and they live up to their hype.  I have a couple I purchased years ago, and they are still going strong.  I believe Trish was very well known for her brushes long before all of the other lines started carrying/pushing them.  Hers are nothing short of outstanding - although a bit pricey.  Pricey or not, they will last a lifetime provided you take care of them.

In short, check this line out.  You won't be disappointed.  If you are ever in San Francisco, you must stop by the Saks Fifth Avenue counter.  The two ladies there - Greta and Kimberly are knowledgeable, courteous, funny and they know their stuff.  This counter will neither disappoint or pressure you. 

The Makeup Chart

All makeup counters have special events, and at the end of your makeover you are presented with the makeup chart.  It lists all the colors used, and what you should buy, what went best with your complexion and hair color.

I Am Special!

I loved that makeup chart.  I always felt very special, and it was fun to look at the chart and re-create the look, even though in my real life I'd NEVER wear sparkling green eyeshadow.  I'd keep them all, and refer back every now and then before I got into makeup business myself, and found out how much of it was just a selling game.

Did you ever wonder where that makeup chart idea came from?  Even if you didn't, I'm here to tell you it was from Max Factor.    Max Factor noticed that women were buying powder from one line, lipstick from another, etc.  He discovered that if a sales associate presented women with a makeup chart, with all of the colors spelled out for her very special coloring, she would indeed buy all of the colors presented to her on the chart.  If not at that time, definitely at another.

He called it "Color Harmony" and has been working since 1920.

Sort of makes you want to run out and buy some Max Factor makeup, doesn't it?

When does Long's open again?

The Makeup Counter

The makeup counter can be a very daunting place.  I know plenty of women who refuse to walk up to a cosmetics line and ask questions, or play because they are afraid of being stalked by the makeup counter sales associate.

Don't let them scare you.  Really.  They are just people trying to make a living like the rest of us.  Remember, you do have the right to say "I'm just looking.  I'll let you know if I need some help."  You can say it pleasantly, it is not rude to want to shop or play with makeup in peace.

Yes, these sales associates can watch you like hawks because they have numbers they have to make.  Some lines require that they sell $100.00 an hour.  Some lines require $150.00 an hour.  So, these sales people are constantly under the gun, as their last sales numbers are the numbers they have to live up to or beat.  Though it looks like a lot of fun (and sometimes it is) this can be a very stressful job.

Many people go to work in retail cosmetics because they love makeup.  Unfortunately, the makeup counter has little to do with loving makeup when you are working behind it.  It's all about numbers, and all about competition. 

Sales Associates - Not Makeup Artists

Remember, the majority of the women (or men) behind the makeup counter are not makeup artists - they are sales people.  They are there to sell a product and make the numbers expected of them by the line and by the store.  I've heard interviewees be asked if they want to be makeup artists or sales associates. Huh?  That means it doesn't matter at all if they know about how to apply makeup - it only matters if they can sell.  Knowing how to apply makeup is a plus, but not necessary.  

I know some sales associates that are outstanding with makeup and well trained on their line.(Susy at Bobbi Brown/Nordstrom at Hillsdale, and Patrick at La Prairie/Neimans at Stanford.  I would go to them in a heartbeat, because not only do they really know their line, and just about every line at the store, but they do not pressure.  They are the ones I go back to, and the ones I recommend. I'm also betting they have no problem meeting their sales goals because their personality and attitudes make them lovely to deal with - whether buying or not buying.

I also know some sales associates that know nothing about makeup and haven't been trained.  That's when you have to remember that generally speaking, their expertise doesn't matter, their sales do.

Sell! Sell! Sell!

The pressure to sell is a constant, and this is why you are being watched from the moment you enter the makeup area of a store until you walk up the counter to make a purchase (or not). If the sales associate gets rude or cops an attitude, it is probably guaranteed that you won't go back.  If they are helpful, and leave you alone to browse, it is likely that not only will you come back, but you will also recommend them.

Go the the makeup counter.  Play, have a good time.  If you are bothered by the sales person, and politely tell them that you are just looking and playing and they respect that, great.  If not, move on.  They just lost a potential customer in you.

Whatever you do, have fun at the makeup counter.  Makeup is SUPPOSED to be fun!  Remember fun?