I sat there, on the other side of the counter and watched Amy, a fire-engine redhead flit around from customer to customer suggesting this shade of blush or that lip stick. I watched her as she shared advice to those browsing for the perfect eye shadow for the season, or the perfect lip gloss for a first date. I watched from the other side of the counter while the makeup artists dressed up faces to match outfits and attitudes. From that place, that sacred place, the place on the other side of the counter, makeup is different. It is a world of colors to match all faces, not just my own. I watched from the other side of the counter while artists easily chose palettes for faces other than their own finding the perfect shades to complement the eye and skin colors of each customer. I couldn’t imagine knowing the perfect shade and predicting the perfect look for the women of Charlotte and yet somehow these artists do.
From the other side of the counter, makeup is seemingly disposable. There’s always another tube of lipstick, always new colors to try for the season. That’s why the makeup artists are the experts. They chose their favorites of all favorites, and I’m here to share them with you.
MAC: “MAC is makeup by makeup artists, for makeup artists,” said Amy Tritt, the MAC’s Retail Manager at Belk in South Park Mall. Tritt’s time with MAC has been spent working with celebrities like Alicia Keys, models for fashion shows in Miami and with customers like you and me. According to Tritt, working fashion shows makes her miss customer involvement. She feels that helping individual customers from behind the counter is the most gratifying place to work as a cosmetician. I knew what she meant as I watched her help customers pick out shades of lipstick. All of the lipstick was close in color, yet only one shade made the customer light up. Her spirit was uplifted. She felt beautiful and that made a difference. For Tritt, brushes are the most important ingredient to flawless application. “Everyone who trains here always wants to head straight to the colors and try everything; I have to say nope, brushes are first.” According to Tritt, buying great makeup without great brushes is like spending a lot of money on a haircut then forgetting to purchase shampoo and a blow dryer to maintain your look. Tritt suggests starting with the 187 Duel Fibre Brush ($42). The brush is used to quickly, yet flawlessly apply foundation. Its unique bristles are made from goat hair and synthetic fibers. However, MAC’s secret tip: every October, MAC features individualized brush sets; each set is significantly reduced from their regularly sold prices. Another must-have at MAC was the Soft Ochre Paint Pot ($16.50) which is designed as an eye shadow, but also serves as a great face primer. Paint pots are unique because of their cream based formula. The pot goes on creamy, but dries to an intense varnish finish. Amy’s tip: apply the paint pot first, and before it dries, layer the pot with other shadows. Using the paint pot first will set your other colors leaving your makeup smudge-proof and fade-proof for over eight hours. Last but not least, is MAC’s Zoom Black Zoom Lash Mascara. Of all the fantastic products I tried while working on this piece it is the only product I purchased before leaving the counter. It‘s a no hassle mascara, as Tritt put it, and it goes on quickly, is water resistant, and you’re done in one coat. Voila! BOBBI BROWN: At Bobbi Brown, the associates are all about the modern but simplified look, according to Amber Speakman, Bobbi Brown’s Business Manager at Belk in South Park Mall. Speakman recounted many rewarding artistry experiences, but the most memorable was a customer returning to the job market after having been a stay at home mom. The woman had a number of interviews for executive level positions. She had a killer outfit, but after years of playing with her kids, she’d forgotten how to apply her makeup. According to Speakman, the woman was timid when she approached the counter, but when she left, her eyes sparkled and her face glowed. The stay at home mom transformed into a top level executive. She had a game face to match the “killer outfit” and needless to say, she got the job. My personal Bobbi Brown favorite was Make Your Own Palette. I love the idea of creating my own palette. You simply purchase an empty palette for $10 at Bobbi Brown then customize your look each season with new colors. All shades fit into the palette so you’ll have new shades without all the hassle. You can buy palettes with 3, 4, or 6 spaces for eye and cheek colors, and then make an appointment with a beauty advisor to pick out unique shades for your look. I love the idea of creating a unique look for myself, and the idea of being able to switch out my palettes each season. It’s simple. One of Speakman’s personal favorites is Bobbi Brown’s new Shimmer Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($19). The eyeliner is gel based, not wax like pencil liners, and according to the expert the non-melting gel is crucial for a flawless look. From summer vacation to the office, Bobbi Brown has you covered with transition palettes in mauve colored schemes that move you from summer into fall. Mauve, as an accent color blends beautifully to create the perfect transition into fall. As Amber stated, “mauve is both neutral and wearable.” SMASHBOX: The Smashbox counter at Nordstroms in South Park Mall is run by the fun and fabulous John Ader. Ader, who infuses his clients with a load of energy and confidence, described makeup as, “the personality you wear on your face—like putting on a pair of stilettos—it just changes your whole attitude.” One of John’s must-haves, and a must-have of my own, is Smashbox’s best selling Photo Finish Primer ($36). The Photo Finish Primer infuses your skin with Vitamins A and E, as well as grape seed extract and green tea. The primer creates a silky smooth canvas to paint the rest of your makeup on. This primer makes applying makeup easy by allowing colors to blend evenly while reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores; not to mention this must-have makes your makeup last longer. If you’re hooked, try the Photo Finish Foundation Primer with SPF 15 and Dermexyl ($42). One of Smashbox’s coolest products is the revolutionary High Definition Healthy FX Foundation. This foundation is the first foundation created for those appearing on snazzy HD televisions—meaning this foundation makes skin look flawless, even in HD where everything is seen. This foundation, paired with the primer, will make any complexion look flawless (not to mention the foundation is packed with corn extract, SPF, and Vitamin C). With Smashbox’s help, we can all be camera-ready. LANCOME: At the Lancôme counter at Belk in South Park Mall, Beauty Advisor Stephanie Lyke was eager to share her artistry experiences and must-haves from behind the Lancôme counter. “Because everyone worries about wrinkles and aging, even when we’re young,” said Lyke, “Lancôme has developed a product that fights wrinkles, targeting 80% of collagen in 48 hours making your skin look evenly toned and younger.” Lancôme’s High Resolution Collaser-5X ($65) is an intense collagen anti-wrinkle serum. The product was inspired by laser technology, and it works to replenish collagen in the skin, making wrinkles appear pushed up and out. While immediate results are seen and felt, dramatic results appear after using the product for a few weeks. For the MAC artists, makeup is part of the uniform. As I sat there, on the other side of the counter I learned from those who know makeup best. It’s about that perfect shade, yes, but it’s about so much more. While makeup is a staple piece of the MAC “look”, it also conveys a mood, an attitude, expresses style while hiding imperfections. Who would not want to maintain this look of chic and stylish perfection? No one and this is why we need the other side of the counter.
