Last Saturday with Marcus Monson, Guerlain National/Celebrity Makeup Artist, at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria

Saturday morning, I had the privilege of having my makeup perfected by Marcus Monson, National/Celebrity Makeup Artist from Guerlain. He laughed after Karen took this photo of us. He said that with his Texas tan and my fair skin, we looked like 2/3 of an Oreo - or that he appeared to have a different ethnicity. He's hilarious - entertaining as he effortlessly applies anyone's makeup. I know why so many of you adore him and quickly take any opportunity to spend time in his chair.

What products did he use on me? Starting with Météorites Perfecting Pearls Base and Parure de Lumiere Sheer Foundation SPF 25 that one of his helpers applied, Marcus began his work with my eyes. He started with an eye primer, which was a creamy powder base shade with some green in it to take the redness out of my lids. Then he used single eye shadow shades (Ecrin 1 Couleurs) in Hey Nude (just as its name suggests); Brownie & Clyde, a spring 2015 shade that's a nice, light brown (on both lash lines - upper and lower); and Blue's Brothers, a true blue. He used the latter near the lash line to take the allergy-suffering redness out of my eyes.

He used The Eye Pencil in #02, Jackie Brown, to line my eyes at the base of the upper lashes, and he also used a liquid liner. My recorder did not write down the liquid shade, but I suspect it was black. He applied a very thin line that, despite my use of eye scrubs, is still with me, making my lashes look nice and full. To finish off my eyes, he applied Maxilash Volumizing and Curling Waterproof Mascara in Noir. He is the only makeup artist, bar none, who has managed to apply mascara the way I do: no clumps, no weird angles, nothing unnatural, just amplified lashes. He also used Precious Light Illuminator and Concealer in #00 to highlight the areas over and under my eyes, on my nose, and above my lip line.

He noticed that my nose has enlarged pores at its tip (it happens as we age), and he recommended a wonderful Guerlain Tenue de Perfection Long-Lasting Liquid Foundation product for my nose. He used color #01 Beige Pale. It was perfect! I tried to buy it, thought I had, and got home to find that it wasn't in my bag (and I was not charged for it). I'll buy it the next time I go to Neiman Marcus. It added a great finishing touch to my nose, which can lose my makeup over the day to persistent use of Kleenex.

Marcus showed me an amazing use of Guerlain Météorites Pearls in Carousel. He took one of the rich pink pearls and crushed it to make a blush. He applied it to my cheeks. Then he poured the leftover powder back into the tin. It looked fabulous. I've been working too hard to use Carousel as a blush, adding layer after layer of the blended pearls to achieve the right shade of blush. He did it in one crush of one pearl. Genius!

We talked about the new Terracotta shades. Double zero (#00) is definitely new. It is more pink than the original #00. The display is shown below. On the display, you can clearly see that #00 has more pink in it than the original. In fact, the display labels the shades cool and warm to help us select the perfect bronzing color for our complexions.

How can you be sure at the store that you are getting the new shade, not back stock of #00? Ask to see the box. It says right on it "New Shade, Light Blondes."

I took a swatch photo of the new #00 in full sun, and I applied it lightly with a sponge-tipped applicator. I've placed the swatch immediately below.

While it doesn't appear pink on my skin, it's a lot friendlier to my face than the original #00 was. Marcus used it on me, applying it with "3's" on each side of my face: across the temples, on the cheekbones, and down across my jawline. You know the technique by now. Marcus finished my look with a light dusting of Carousel over most of my face. I am sure Carousel was made for me.

For my lips, he chose KissKiss Creamy Shaping Lip Colour in #371, Darling Baby. It was a perfect pink for me. The last time he selected a lip color for me, I looked at the tube and thought the shade was too light for me. Nope; it was gorgeous. This time, I had no doubts. I told Marcus I don't wear lip liner, so he skipped it.

The photo immediately above is Darling Baby. I swatched it on my arm to show you. I applied it directly from the tube and took my swatch photo, which is shown immediately below, in full mid-day sun. I think the pink color is gorgeous - not too blue, not too warm - just perfect for me.

What he showed me, though, on his own face, was a miracle: Abeille Royale Honey Smile Lift, which I purchased after his quick demo. Royale Honey Smile Lift is applied as directed over and under your lips first and then on the lips, immediately plumping them. He said the plumping effect lasts a few hours. It was a miracle how the product made his own lips look immediately more plump. Anyone whose lips have thinned with age should give it a try.

I might have missed something, but my I believe I've touched on the major products he used. I watched him work with the next customer, who told us that ever since he applied her makeup the first time, she has continued to use his colors and techniques and has received countless comments on how great her makeup looks. With permission I took their picture as he applied her beautiful makeup. I even bought the lip gloss he used on her and will tell you about it on another day. It's a fabulous sparkling rose.

While Marcus was applying my makeup, he told me about some fabulous new products. Already at the counter, you can purchase the new Super Tips 2016 Collection, travel or tryout sizes of Midnight Secret, SOS Crème, Super Lips, and Radiance in a Flash. What a fabulous idea! Allow us to try a product in a generous size for about $29.00. There's enough product for your trip abroad or a long island vacation. Or you can purchase one to try one of Guerlain's skin-care marvels without breaking the bank with a full-sized purchase.

This fall, there will be new eye shadow palettes. They are discontinuing the current palettes (if you are attached to one, buy a back-up now) with five-shade palettes. The shades within each palette are intended to be used together - no rogue colors thrown in for inspiration. I can't wait to see them.

I have so much more I could tell you, but this feature is long. I wanted to share enough of my session with Marcus so that you could experience it with me. I want you to see the videos he has made, showing makeup applications from natural to artsy. Just find him on Facebook or Instagram, where they are posted.

I can't wait for Marcus to return next fall. I know Karen Somers will keep me in mind for his Tysons Galleria Neiman Marcus appointment list. She's a sweetie.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Guerlain Rouge G Exceptional Complete Lip Color in #60 Gabrielle

When Marcus Monson was here at Neiman Marcus, he choose Guerlain Rouge G Exceptional Complete Lip Color in #60 Gabrielle ($54) for me. I had told him to "do whatever he wanted" in our session. Ordinarily, when I look at a lipstick that looks light in the tube, I worry that it might might make me look like a would-be teen. I shouldn't have worried. His choice was perfect - absolutely beautiful on my lips.

This lipstick is reinvented in an exceptional jewel with Rouge G, a subtle balance of intense color and the comforting pleasure of a creamy lip balm. Behind this magical creation is an astounding formula: the unique combination of ruby powder for spectacular radiance, hyaluronic acid spheres for perfectly smoothed lips, and wild mango butter for lasting hydration. It leaves lips beautifully colored, perfectly smoothed, moisturized, and with a plumped look from the shine.

A truly exceptional palette, lip glamour comes in 20 colorful shades as luxurious as they are radiant. Tucked in a compact that marries beauty with high design, with one click, you will have a luminous lipstick and mirror at your fingertips. Designed by Lorenz Bäumer, the most talented jeweler from the Place Vendôme in Paris, it is the ultimate accessory of mystery and seduction.

The sun came out today just long enough for me to get a swatch photo. This color is semi-sheer and absolutely gorgeous. It's a warm pink on my arm and lips. I was thrilled with his choice, however, I hesitated because Rouge G Lipsticks are so heavy in my handbag. He had the perfect solution. He asked Moon to get a clear plastic, new tester top. It fit my lipstick perfectly so that I could carry it in my makeup bag. He is clearly a master!

I am thrilled with this color. When I started to write this feature, I saw that this shade is available at Guerlain counters, Sephora, but also at overstock.com and other interesting sources. I wonder if that means it is on its way to discontinuation.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; swatch photo by Best Things in Beauty