A Glam Shazzam Makeover

When it comes to make-up, I’m a Lancome kinda girl. I’ve tried so many lines and I just decided that overall, I can rely on their entire line.

One day, as I was wasting time doing research at my computer, I got a call from Alicia, my Lancome Lady from our little Boscov’s. When she asked me if I wanted to make an appointment for the National Make-up Artist Event, I couldn’t scream “YES!!” fast enough. For $25, I’d get a gift card in the same amount, a bag of Lancome goodies (and they were good!) and a chance to win a huge prize. (Which I didn’t win, btw.)

I’ve had make-overs before. Several, in fact. I was placed at the counter, on an uncomfortable stool while the sales person would try to figure out my East Asian features and skin tone. I’ve only been satisfied once, when a hip, young Filippino woman did an amazing job. I always left the other times feeling like they didn’t understand my skin tone or my features. Which, is basically everything. I remember one time looking cross-eyed, and another time with my eyes looking puffy. Hmph! Maybe I’m an eternal optimist (or I know I can always wash my face,) but I put my faith once again, in the hands of what I assumed (rightly) would be a group of Caucasians people that did not look anything like me.

I live in a little town. We have a little mall. With a Sears and Boscov’s. Suffice it to say we do not have a Nordstrom. When I showed up at our little Boscov’s, was I surprised to find this:

I know!! Can you believe it? While waiting, I even got a little hand scrub with their products. They were serving big, red heart-shaped cookies, which I didn’t eat. I swear. (You know if nobody sees you the calories don’t count. Right? Right?) Then, along with 7 other women, we sat at the above “Wall of Wonder.” Each of us had our own make-up artist who applied the skincare, foundation, blush and lipstick. Then the National Arteest came down the row to do our eyes.

When I first got there, even from a distance, I could tell that he was The Man. He had an air of aloofness and, well, basically not belonging in this here Little Town. Very NEW YORK. (Or, New Jork, as he says.) He was impeccably groomed and dressed and stood ramrod straight. As I observed all the other artists cackling about, frenetically looking for this brush, product or base, there he stood – calm and in control – someone who has become used to being served. But he was the picture of gentleness and professionalism the whole hour-and-a-half that I was there. When he got close to do my eyes, I could see that his face was a caricature of perfection: symmetrical, prominent cheekbones, strong brow line, square jaws, delicate trefoil bulbs of his nose, perky brazilian butt. (Could they all be natural?)

Did you ever scoff at the notion of MAKE-UP artist? A make-up ARTIST. ARTEEEST. I know artists. Real artists. Granted putting mascara on eye after eye after eye is not Art, but he was really like an artist, wielding all kinds of Extremely Awesome brushes, mixing and blending, dabbing here and there. And you know what? He totally “got” me. My coloring. My features. I think I’ll hire him.

Lately? I’ve really felt the need to tweak my look that would be more suited to my – um – new proportions. Let’s face it. (“Face it,” ha ha – get it??) We’re all getting older and as we age, our features, as well as tastes change. I don’t know what I expected from the make-over – maybe just one trick or one new color to try? I went in with only foundation on (left.) But I came out…..GLAM! SHAZZAM! My Honda didn’t recognize me!

Overall, they used a neutral palette on me but then really accentuated my eyes. I’ve tried to get that look but could never get my eyes to be intense and dramatic enough, like these “Memoirs of a Geisha” stars Michelle Yeoh or Gong Li.

Here’s the skinny:

SKIN CARE:
I really thought I knew everything there was to know about skin care. After all, I’ve had 30 years of practice. But I learned 2 important things:
1. Use a washcloth to wash off your cleanser. I have not had success with a whole slue of products. I’d use make up remover, then wash my face diligently only to have my cotton pad of toner come up brown. When washing off the cleanser, I was advised to use a soft wash cloth or sponge that has enough texture to actually remove all the impurities. After years of frustration I am saved!
2. Warm up your moisturizer before applying. Put a small dollop of cream onto the palm of your hand. Put your hands together to warm it up, then apply. What a difference! I can use just a fraction of the amount I’ve been using. That is a recession buster!

BROWS:
This is where The Arteest worked really hard. I’ve always thought my brows were drawn darkly enough. I didn’t want them to look painted on like crazy Aunt Gertrude who has 4. But the Arteest gave me dark, dramatic brows using Le Crayon Poudre in Taupe (I know! go figure.) Then he took the white from the shadow quad and highlighted right under my eye brows, and at the inside corner of my eyes (Just like Carmindy.) This set the framework for the overall potent look I’ve always wanted.

EYES:
In the ‘before’ picture above, I think my eyes look droopy. I’ve always used the contour color in a fan shape across my lid. It used to work when my skin and eyes were perkier. Here is where I really needed some help. In my new look, he made a triangular shape with the contour color. He started at the outer corner of my eye and went diagonally up toward my nose, as you can see at right:

BEFORE AFTER

With some pain, The Arteest scraped a pencil, mascara and liquid liner on my lids, in that order. He used a glittery metallic pencil very close to my lash line, followed by plenty of Definicil mascara. Then he took Artliner in Noir and dragged it right AT my lash line. By filling in the spaces between my eyelashes with black, my lashes looked fuller and darker. (Sorry for the fuzzy ‘after’ picture. It was heck not having a personal photographer, who was at Blissdom.) You see the sparkle of gold at the inner half of my eyelids? He used gold, then dusted it with the darkest color in the quad and it ended up looking like a burnished gold. It was amazing.

LIPS:
I’ve tried to do a neutral lip, but because of my skin tone, it’s easy to look washed out. So, I’ve been going in the opposite by using fresh pinks and corals. When I was younger, I used to wear all kinds of bright colors. But as my cheeks and chinline – um – take on a different shape, I’ve wanted to use lighter colors to draw the eye away. They used this amazing mauve that had just the right hint of gold specks that was fresh, new, modern. And on me, looks neutral. Dontcha think?

CHEEKS: This is easy with Lancome. More than any other line I’ve tried, their colors are complex and rich, with just the right touch of shimmer. Each color flatters an amazing array of skin tones without ever looking clumped on or harsh. I bought the Mauve Coquette that they used on me and though it looks very brown, it goes on subtle, shimmery, natural.

Now the important question: Can I do this at home? You make your own judgment, but this is what I think: I want to buy a better brow shaper than what I currently use, which is a drugstore brow pencil and my mom’s brow brush from the 60’s. It’s been a little way to keep a part of my mom, who passed away 23 years ago. But I think I can let go now. She’d want me to have perfect brows, I’m sure. And, I think I need to get that lip color which is a tad lighter but eversomuch richer than what I’m wearing here. It’s the subtle differences that are going to give me the GLAM look that the Arteest gave me.

Have you gone through a GLAM SHAZZAM make over? Maybe you can catch a Lancome event near you!