Ask the Makeup Doctor

Really?

Well, hi!

Even I didn't think that some crisis could last well over two years. 

Guess what?  I was wrong.

Anyway, since this site has long been neglected, I am in the process of a site revamp.

Look for it in a couple of months!

 

 

Eyebrows - Window Dressing to the Soul

We've all heard that eyes are windows to the soul.  So, I've decided that eyebrows are the window dressing to the eyes that are windows to the soul.  And as such -- attention must be paid.

I was very lucky in my younger years -- eyebrow wise, though I certainly didn't think so at the time!  They were dark, thick, and course and I had to pluck those suckers every damned day -- sometimes twice a day.  It seemed the minute I looked away more eyebrow hair appeared to form a unibrow to join my hazel eyes together.

Eyebrow Pencils, Mascara and Powder, Oh My!    

I never had to use an eyebrow pencil, much less any sort of special brown eyebrow powder to fill in sparse eyebrows. Nope -- not my problem.  When I was little, and my mom would get ready to go out, she'd always have her trusty Maybelline brow pencil in hand and filled in her blonde eyebrows prior to leaving.  She may not have worn any other makeup -- but those eyebrows were ALWAYS filled in.

The other day, I was grudgingly getting ready to go out, and I pulled out my makeup.  I gave myself a cursory glance as I half-heartedly decided what eyeliner I should wear, when I suddenly noticed my eyebrows -- as if for the first time.  Can it be?  Were they looking dull?  Were they looking not only dull, but a bit sparser (no-way!) and even a little gray?

I couldn't believe this was happening to me!  (Doesn't this sound really dramatic, like it should be about the crash of 1929 or something?)  I grabbed something I don't think I've ever used in my lifetime.  An eyebrow pencil. And, I also grabbed something I've used since 1997, but had seriously slacked off in the past few years -- eyebrow mascara.

Oh, It IS Me!!!!!!!!

After adding these two useful (and always used by my clients because I insist) items, I suddenly looked like me again.  Dark brown full and lush eyebrows. 

Ladies -- we are a changin', but we can certainly help ourselves along.  Doing my eyebrows really made a difference.  After all my makeup was on, I looked like me (to me) again and that is the best feeling of all.  If all it takes is a little makeup to make yourself feel like you again, I'm all for it!  And there is nothing easier than adding a little color to make all the difference. 

Don't leave out those "little" things because they are too small to make a difference.

Trust me -- they aren't little, and I LOVED the difference -- because it made me feel like I really hadn't changed that much (looks wise) and I felt the same way I used to feel.

So, dust off those window dressings -- you'll love feeling like you again -- even if only in your eyebrows!  I'll take feeling like me again wherever I can find it!  (And yes -- I did pluck those gray/white ones and got rid of them.)

I used YSL's Eyebrow Pencil in #2.  Great color, and I like the spoolie at the opposite end for grooming.  YSL is available at most high end department stores.  I bought mine at Nordstrom.

I used Paula's Choice Brow/Hair Tint in Sable.  She has other color options as well.  Paula's Choice is available online at http://www.paulaschoice.com.  

 

 

MAC Store - Hillsdale Mall

Well, FINALLY! 

Yep - a blog post about MAC. My first blog post about it - but I'm sure it will hardly be my last.

Actually, I'm not writing about the MAC line of products, but I am writing about their Customer Service.  Specifically, the Customer Service at the standalone MAC store at the Hillsdale Mall (San Mateo, CA).

Since MAC's inception back in the 80's it quicly became a fan sensation and a media darling - so to speak.  The SA's all wore black, and had that slightly (to be honest NOT slightly) but a very haughty attitude as if we mere mortals in the non makeup world - we mere buyers were so below them it was if they weren't certain if they could speak to us without sneering.

After one to many off-putting SA's, I decided not to use the line - as delightful as the colors and product might or might not have been.

Fast forward to now.

In the years that I've been a makeup artist, it is almost impossible to avoid the MAC line - for a variety of reasons, outstanding color choices and a wide variety of everything you could possibly want.  MAC is a very visible and popular line with the general public and professional alike.

Enter the standalone MAC store at Hillsdale.  I walked in with a great deal of trepidation.  To my surprise, every single one of the SA's were friendly, helpful and most of all, knowledgable.  They looked right AT me - no looking around for someone younger or hipper.  They talked to me, advised me and were friendly and kind.

Honestly, I was taken aback.  Could it be possible that MAC just got a very bad rap - and I felt the negativity and kept away?

Which brings me to the wonderful Natalia.  Natalia is not only knowledgable - she is friendly and kind - and as I said, she knows her stuff.  She won't push you to purchase anything you do not need, or wouldn't enhance you.  She is so accomplished that even I - ever on the watch for customer service and product knowledge - knew at once she wasn't just trying to sell me, she was listening and asking the right questions.

While I was browsing, I saw her at work on a customer and saw first hand her outstanding application of the products.  Her sharp eye was very apparant, manner friendly, and her ability was impeccable.

I am very careful with my clients.  If I cannot be with them when they are shopping, I want to guide them to not only the very best makeup for them, but I want them to be able to walk up to a beauty counter secure in the knowledge that the SA will not only assist them, but won't push them to buy something uunnecessarily, and won't talk down to them - especially when you can be dealing with the 40 + woman.  (We have enough on our plates without a young and beautiful SA looking down on us, or worse, TALKING down TO us.)

It is so comforting to know that I needn't be worried when my clients shop without me.  Every client I've sent to the Hillsdale MAC store has called me with wonderful compliments about the service they received.  No exceptions.  All 100% delighted.  (That ain't easy to do these days!)

So maybe MAC Customer Service got a bad rap years ago, or maybe I had run into some not very good SA's in the past. But now, with the professionals like Natalia and  her fellow associates at the Hillsdale Standalone MAC store-that rap is undeserved. 

Here's to you, Natalia, and to your fellow associates at MAC Store at the Hillsdale Mall - San Mateo, CA. *raises virtual champagne glass*

I'm now a believer.

You'll believe too. 

Now clink those virtual glasses!

 

 

 

 

 

A Makeup Doctor Mystery....

Hi!

Where have you been, I hear you cry?

Yes, once again, a long time since I've last been able to write.

By way of an explanation (and more than a year and 3 months between posts deserves SOME sort of explanation) I have migraines.  Not just migraines, but MIGRAINES.  Chronic and ugly.

Since I devoted last year (and some of the year before to bitterness) I'm once again trying to join the living, and will continue my blog, and hopefully get on some kind of schedule.

Just asked some of my past brides and other theatrical and medical clients  to send me their pictures, which I soon hope to post and will be updating my page as pain permits.

I have been quietly consulting with some theatre groups and some medical groups, and have continued to purchase and review makeup-just been unable to write about it - which, when you think about it, doesn't serve the blogging world, now does it?

Nice to have you back.  Stay awhile.

 

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!