My By Terry Makeup Fun

Two weeks ago, I had a wonderful By Terry makeup session at SPACE.NK at Bloomingdale's at Tysons Corner Center. Brian Bracero, National Trainer & Makeup Artist, was visiting for two days, and Camille Pellegrino, the manager there, made sure I got an appointment. I am so glad! I loved the look he created for me.

I was most impressed with the eye shadow colors he selected for me. He started with a base of Ombre Blackstar "Color-Fix" Cream Eyeshadow ($42.50-$43.00) in #3, Blond Opal, a great, gleaming base shade for me. I'd even wear it alone on the lid below the crease. Then he skillfully applied two shadow shades in Ombre Veloutee Powder Eye Shadow ($40). He used two golden, summery shades on me. Peach Loukoum is shown at left above, with Creme Brûlée shown to the right of it. Sorry, no accent marks in this feature! I will correct when my Internet comes back.

Here are some swatch photos, taken in full sun. I applied Blond Opal directly from the tube at the top of my arm, Peach Loukoum in the middle, and Creme Brûlée at the bottom. I applied the powders with a sponge-tipped applicator.

I really loved the eyeliner he selected, but I haven't purchased it yet. I've saved it for my next By Terry treat. Crayon Kohl Terrybly in Bronze Generation will be mine soon. It's very dark, but complements a golden, summery look perfectly.

Of course, he used By Terry foundation, blush, and lip colors on me. I purchased a "my lips but darker" lipstick I didn't have.

I'll show you that another day. I am really constrained with what I can do until I get my Internet service back. I am still using a neighbor's computer. I continue to have no Internet or wireless access, and Verizon is now denying to the local news that they a wireless problem. This situation has been very frustrating. I can't type on my friend's computer very well, so I'll apologize before publication for any typos.

Here I am with Brian. He is a superb artist. He was fast too. I've had makeup sessions that lasted twice as long. I gave him free rein to select colors - no restrictions. He chose colors I loved, and he applied them amazingly quickly. I hope he returns soon.

If you get a chance to schedule a session with Brian, do it! He's fun and has a great eye for color. Plus, he's using fabulous makeup. By Terry is available at SPACE.NK - in store and on their Web site.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

My Le Métier de Beauté Makeover by Erin Lockard

Beauty Week at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria kicked off a day early at the Le Métier de Beauté counter! I had called the store in the morning, and I learned that Erin Lockard, Le Métier de Beauté representative and makeup artist extraordinaire, was there. I had booked an appointment for September 8 (today), the first day of Beauty Week, but the idea of seeing Erin when the store would be a little less hectic was appealing. I was able to move up my appointment by a day, but I had little time to get over there. It was raining and nasty outside; I had on ultra-casual clothing and no makeup; and it was already a bad hair day (for me). Rainy weather makes my hair fall flat, no matter how much product I use. Nevertheless, I hopped in my car and zoomed over, hoping that Erin wouldn't think I was a total disaster. She may have, but she was extremely sweet and welcoming.

The photo above shows the gorgeous Le Métier de Beauté team: Lisa Corsino is at left. She's the Le Métier de Beauté representative at Neiman Marcus Tysons. Erin Lockard is in the center. Lisa Lingis, formerly with Le Métier de Beauté at Mazza Gallerie, but now our mid-Atlantic Le Métier de Beauté representative, is shown at the right. Have you ever seen a more gorgeous team - even with all those store shadows on their beautiful faces? They make me want to grow my hair long again. I'll never look as young again, so I'm faced with working with what I have.

Erin was ready to help me with that when I arrived, still sporting raindrops on my clothing. Since I had on no makeup, she asked me what kind of look I liked. I answered, "Natural." We started with the new skin care, discussing it and its benefits. Erin prepped my skin with a tonic and then applied the Revive Eye Concentrate and Revitalizing Anti-Aging Day Crème, applying them with a light, massaging motion. She had just started, and I was putty.

Erin has a keen eye for color, and she mixes and blends shades with the mastery of a fine artist. First, she used Champagne Dualistic Eye Pencil on my lower waterline to take out the red that's always there. For my eyeshadow, Erin used multiple shades of True Color Eye Shadow on my eyes, including JoJo, Peachy Keen (interestingly in the crease), Nutmeg, and Refresh Eye Brightening and Setting Powder (something everyone should own). She even threw a little bit of Sun Kissed Bronzer into the mix. It was gorgeous!

Erin lined my eyes with Noir Precision Liquid Eyeliner. Eyeliner is always a makeup artist test for me. If they draw a thin, precise line - the type that looks best on me - I know they have a great eye and remarkable skills. Erin passed the test and then some. Apparently, my eyes were green yesterday - they do change from blue to green, depending on the surroundings - so she used Anamorphic Lash Mascara in Aubergine to bring out the green.

The products and shades Erin selected for my face were Classic Flawless Finish Foundation in #4, Visage de Soie Finishing Powder in #1, Classic Flawless Finish Concealer (sorry, I missed the shade, but it was probably #1), and Crème Fresh Tint in Poppy. Erin applied the foundation to her palm and then used the Kabuki brush to apply it. That allowed her to give me an airbrushed look with the foundation, one I really liked. My skin always looks a tiny bit darker in department stores than it is in natural light, and I'm not yet convinced that #4 is my shade. It looked absolutely fabulous, but I need to see the difference with the lighter shades before I use it. Since I purchased it, I don't want to "damage" it, trying it out here, and then return it. I would like to be totally confident it will work for me through the winter months. It sure looked great in the store and in my rear-view mirror when I left!

She decided that since I had a natural look for my eyes, my lips should pop with color. After experimenting on her hand, creating new shades as she blended colors, she selected Red My Lips from Ken's Bordeaux Collection, topped with Vanilla Rose Lip Crème. It was stunning!
Here we are, right after Erin finished. I had tucked my disastrous hair behind my ear; there was no style salvageable at that point in the day. Sorry - no close-ups - so you won't see her masterful work very well. You'll have to trust that the compliments I got yesterday were proof of her amazing work.

Erin is such a remarkable pro (and she's got a joyful personality). Her own makeup was flawless. I could tell she's a perfectionist, which I really appreciate (since I'm a Virgo). OK, she's "model gorgeous" too. She has a great eye for color. I loved the way she created new shades, using the large palette of Le Métier de Beauté shades available to her, but working to select just the right balance of warm and cool shades for me. She also uses simple, but sophisticated techniques that set her apart from the majority of artists you may have encountered during makeover sessions at department stores. Erin is someone you'll want to know.

If you are local to the DC area, Erin will still be working at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria today, September 8. Call Kathy Shoreman or the counter to see if you can still get an appointment with her. Even if you can't, stop by to meet her and watch. Normally, she's based in Southern California, so we East Coasters don't get to see her as often as others. If you ever have a chance to sit in her chair, definitely sign up! I promise, it will be an unforgettable experience. She's the perfect ambassador for our luxury favorite Le Métier de Beauté.

Update: Erin will be at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie this Friday and Saturday. You can contact Michael for an appointment at 202-966-9700.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie Le Métier de Beauté Holiday Event

Congratulations, Gabriela! You won the $400 gift basket at Neiman Marcus!

We had fun last night at the Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie Holiday Beauty Soiree, and there's more fun yet to come! The photo above shows the adorable Best Things in Beauty reader Gabriela alongside Dustin Lujan, Le Métier de Beauté national makeup artist extraordinaire. I had so much fun hanging out at the Le Métier de Beauté counter last night, chatting with Lisa Lingis, who touched up my concealer for me, Dustin, and all my Neiman Marcus Mazza friends.

Dustin was just finishing a gal's makeup when I arrived. I was struck by how naturally beautiful she looked. Not artificial or "made up," simply pretty. I was thrilled when Gabriela arrived because I wanted to watch him beautify someone from start to finish. He had a gorgeous model! They already knew each other. Gabriela had visited with him at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

Before he got started, Victoria Hamilton from Sisley cleansed and treated Gabriela's face, leaving her glowing (although she felt "naked"). Then Dustin worked his magic. Store lighting washes out any nuance of color, so I can't show you a close-up of Gabriela's eyes, which were stunning in lavender hues. I hope she and her husband had planned dinner out so that others could appreciate Dustin's handiwork.

You can too! He's there today and will be every day through Saturday. If you live in the DC area, you really need to make an appointment for a Le Métier de Beauté consultation or makeup session. I learned something from watching Dustin and talking with him, and you will too. Besides that, he's a lot of fun. On Saturday, they will have a professional photographer taking pictures after makeovers. Need a Twitter photo? What a great way to look your best!

Through Saturday, November 13, with every Le Métier de Beauté purchase of $150 or more, you will receive a $25 Neiman Marcus gift card. On Saturday, the counter will also have stylists available to help you pull together your holiday look, whether you need shoes, accessories, or clothing. You'll even have an opportunity to let the experts help you select a MARCHESA gown for your own red-carpet event.

To make an appointment, call (202) 966-9700, extension 2241. No excuses! If you go, you'll have fun. If you don't live nearby, check with Le Métier de Beauté at Bergdorf Goodman for Dustin's travel schedule. He's on the go often.

Bobbi Brown Makeover to Celebrate the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event

The Bobbi Brown team had an event Friday to celebrate the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event, and Mazza Gallerie was hopping! Before I tell you about my makeover, I want you to see Bobbi's gorgeous Mazza team - always ready to help you. From left to right are Rachel Lagman, Sunny Choi Noble, and Natasha Stephens. Are they gorgeous, or what? What's hilarious is that tall Michele Shakeshaft, Bobbi's fabulous Market Coordinator for our region, is ducking down behind Rachel. She heard me say I was waiting to snap the photo because someone was moving - a customer walking behind these three beauties. I would love for Michele to have been in the photo (even her back)!

I started my "time" at Neiman Marcus Friday by taking a colleague over at lunch. A friend with very dark skin wanted some new makeup for fall. I suggested Black Velvet and off we went on our lunch hour. Danielle loved her Black Velvet eyes and lips. She's so sweet, she even picked up a lipstick for her mom.

I went back after work for my own appointment. I gave Sarah Lavache, Regional Makeup Artist with Bobbi Brown, complete artistic freedom to do whatever she wanted to my face. Was I impressed with her choices! As she worked, Ricki Gurtman, Artistry guru for Bobbi, came by and suggested some lip shades (she chose them in a split second - I was impressed), and Michele wandered over a few times to see the progression from natural gal to glam gal. I think Sarah spent an hour giving me my dramatic look, and she used the new Eye Couture Palette. I know one of you asked to see the jewel-toned, shimmering shadows on me - this is it! I'm going to be brave again and put up photos of myself, something I hate doing.

There I am at right, with my completed look washed out a bit by the flash that had to be used to show the beauty of the colors Sarah selected for me. Sarah took some photos of me in the store, using my old Sony camera. When I got home, I rejected those photos. The lighting in the store wasn't perfect to show her majestic work, so I started holding my camera out as far as my arms would reach and snapping my own pictures. Someday, someone is going to see me doing this and have me committed.

Sarah is a perfectionist - my kind of person (I'm a Virgo, after all). Here is how Sarah made me look good.

Sarah started my reinvention by removing the Armani foundation and blush I had on and then layered some hydrating skin care on my face to prepare my "blank canvas." She used the new Hydrating Face Tonic, which I think I have to break down and buy, Intensive Skin Supplement, and Eye Repair Cream. Then she used a product I loved - Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm in Light Tint. As a rule, I don't get enough coverage from tinted moisturizers, but I was really impressed with Bobbi's moisture-laden coverage. I wanted the look it created (and, of course, bought it). Sarah used Foundation Stick in 3.25, Cool Beige, a new color that I had not used yet, to touch up the areas of my face that needed more coverage (my nose always needs more coverage). I normally wear Warm Ivory, but the new shade worked beautifully. She also used Porcelain Peach Corrector and some powder to set it.

Sarah gave my cheeks some color by using Natural Bronzing Powder and Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Mauve. She explained that since she had dramatic eyes planned for me, she was keeping the rest of my face somewhat low key. The colors she used looked fabulous. On my lips, Sarah used the shades Ricki had selected, Baby Peach Metallic Lip Color and Rose Gold Shimmer Lip Gloss. The combination was stunning. It always interests me that makeup artists select peach tones for me (they are trying to warm me up). Tia had used a Sheer Coral Cheek Tint on my cheeks. Ricki and Sarah chose peach lips. It was "all good." I loved the look.

Last (the Bobbi Brown way), Sarah started on my eyes. She used the new Eye Couture Palette, exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. She primed my eyelids with Long-Wear Cream Shadow and then went to work with Eye Couture. She started with her favorite shade, Star Sparkle Eye Shadow. With a neutral Long-Wear Cream Shadow underneath, Star left my lids with an icy look that had a touch of blue. I became a Star convert on the spot. Sarah decided she wanted a green look, so she started to artfully apply Emerald Sparkle Eye Shadow (from middle row). The combination was stunning, giving me a gorgeous green look that blended with the icy blue undertones to bring out both colors in my eyes, but emphasize the green. She used Topaz Metallic Eye Shadow (middle row right) on top of her handiwork to tone down the color - just a bit - and she finished the shadows with a neutral matte accent above the crease on the outer half of my lids.

Sarah selected the new Kohl Eyeliner in Black and had me blink after she nudged it into the base of my lashes. Blinking transferred just a little to my lower waterline, and she softened that with a brush, leaving a touch of liner for emphasis. She finished my eyes with Everything Mascara and Natural Brow Shaper in Clear to give my brows a finished look.

Do those shadows shimmer? Absolutely! Too bad the only people who saw my glam look were at the Neiman Marcus party. I should have planned a night out on the town. Instead, I fed the furry kids when I got home and then collapsed. Makeup shopping can be exhausting! Saturday, I saw Sarah back at work at Neiman Marcus, this time at Tysons Galleria. She's a bundle of energy. I don't know how she does it!

Bobbi Brown makeovers are so much fun because I always learn something new, whether it's a technique or a color that I might not have tried. If you have the opportunity at a Bobbi counter near you, take it! Fun people, fun times, and fabulous beauty products!

Photos by BTiB

My Sisley Makeover by Alex Colaianni at Neiman Marcus

Alex Colaianni is one of two Sisley International Makeup Artists. He visited Neiman Marcus at the Tysons Galleria on Sunday and spent six hours doing makeovers - mine included.

I got there early to watch the goings-on. As I waited for Alex, my Sisley friends pampered me with a hot wax hand treatment and touched up my skin with the always-luxurious Sisley skin-care products (thank you Simone Noorestani!). They also plied me with macaroons! During that time, I watched Alex do gorgeous makeup applications on two pretty women with red hair. I tried to get good photos of them, but the light in the store was less than ideal for makeup photographs. You will have to trust me that Joi and Amy looked fabulous.

When my turn came, Alex looked at me for a split second and said, "What kind of look do you like...natural?" He was spot on - natural! The most fun moments of my session with Alex were the new tricks he taught me and the beautiful remembrance he drew when he finished. Alex is an artist in every sense of the word. He graduated with a degree in fine arts from Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Now, he uses his artistic skills not only to make women look beautiful, but also to show them on paper how he did it. Starting with a blank sheet of paper, he drew a stylized portrait of each of us, selecting our own eye colors and the outline of our features, and presented us with a lasting memory of our time together. Magical!

Alex started my session by selecting a foundation. Many makeup artists try to use a foundation on me that is a shade too dark. Not Alex! He has a superb eye for color. He looked at my skin, tested two shades on his hand, and instinctively selected a very light foundation that matched my skin perfectly and covered the redness around my nose. It was Photo Teinte Eclat Oil Free Foundation in #1. I was impressed. He even used the foundation as a concealer under and over my eyes. Then he used Phyto-Poudre Compacte Pressed Powder ($109) in #0 on my face (to set my foundation) and on my neck.

He taught me a few tricks with Sisley's Sun Glow Duo Brush ($40) and the Sun Glow Pressed Powder in Golden Peach ($105). The Sun Glow duo of fine powders gives your skin a sun-kissed, radiant glow with the look of a natural, velvety tan. He dabbed the flat top of the brush on both shades and used it to contour my cheekbones, extending the subtle color down the far edge of my face down to my jaw on either side. Then he used the side of the brush to show me how to do a quick eye-enhancing look without shadow. He applied the Sun Glow and lightly swept it on a diagonal line (using short strokes) from right above my eye to the corner of my brow. Amazing! It was very flattering. You can see how he drew it in the photo above. I have never seen an artist do that with a bronzer.

Alex did not do the traditional three-shade eye shadow application. That was refreshing. On my eyes he used Phyto-Ombre Eclat Eyeshadow ($46) in Graphite near the lashes and showed me how to glam up for evening with Vanilla under my brows and in the inner corner of my eyelid. He selected Kohl Perfect Eyeliner ($53) in Brown and only applied it on my upper lash line, smudging after he drew a medium-width line. He finished my eyes with a full coating of Phyto-Mascara Ultra Facil mascara ($62) on my lashes. No liner, shadow, or mascara under my eyes. That was interesting too. I like to use mascara on my lower lashes. They are totally blond and disappear without a little help. I have to admit, though, that I looked just fine without it Sunday.

He selected the beautiful Phyto Blush ($85) in pink tones and applied it lightly to the high points of my cheekbones, bringing the color up around to my temples. To finish the look, he expertly applied a pretty nude lip, using Phyto-Levre Perfect Lipliner ($55) in Beige Natural over the entire lip and my favorite Sisley lip formula, Phyto-Lip Shine ($50) in #3, Rose (a peachy-pink).

I was finished and very happy with the look Alex created. It was "me." Alex left me with a memorable saying, "Sisley skin care will change your skin; Sisley makeup will change your life." Spoken in that adorable French accent, he was as charming as talented.

Alex travels almost constantly. If you get a chance to sign up for one of his sessions, do it! You'll have fun and love the lasting artwork he will create for you.

I purchased my Sisley makeup Sunday at Neiman Marcus. Sisley is also available at Saks.

Product photo courtesy of Saks

A Glowing Bobbi Brown Makeover at Nordstrom

How's this for gorgeous? Yesterday, at the invitation of Diron Carr, Manager of the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstrom at Tysons Corner Center, I took this darling young lady, Alexandra, in for a Pretty Powerful makeover. We wanted to show you how you can achieve the same results with a little help from the experts at Bobbi's counters nationwide. I also wanted to show some items from Bobbi Brown's new Beach Club collection "in action."

I asked Alexandra to arrive without makeup so that Diron would have a clean slate to start. OK, so I'll acknowledge that she doesn't need makeup (that comes with her age and looking this good), but what a difference Bobbi's makeup made! Alexandra went from pretty to polished!

Here's some background. Alexandra's senior prom is this weekend, so she had been using self-tanner (all the rage to be tan when you're young, I guess). Diron had to experiment to find shades that worked with her "altered" coloring, while still leaving her with makeup that she can use every day. Before I get started on the products he used, I want you to know that he is an absolute delight - in addition to being a pro. I can see why customers enjoy sitting in his chair while he works. Of course, we attracted an audience, as passersby stopped to watch the glamorous transformation. Not sure, but I think we might have even sold a Beach Club Cream Shadow!

Here are the products that took Alexandra from pretty to polished.

After Alexandra described her skin type as "not oily," Diron prepped her skin with Soothing Face Tonic, an alcohol-free toner that softens, tones, and refines skin gently and without tightening or irritation. It's infused with cucumber extract and natural lavender to instantly soothe and calm. Alexandra thought it smelled great. He then applied Protective Face Lotion SPF 15 and a little Hydrating Eye Cream.

To prep the canvas, so to speak, Diron used the following products and shades on Alexandra's face and around her eyes.

Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 in Honey (#5)
Corrector in Bisque
Creamy Concealer Kit in Warm Natural under the eyes and to even her skin tone in a few spots

The Creamy Concealer Kit was perfect for Alexandra, with its concealer on top and Sheer Finish Loose Powder on the bottom level to set not only the Corrector, but also the Creamy Concealer.

Then we moved on to color! Diron was a perfectionist, holding up testers to Alexandra's face to select the colors he used.

Bronzing Powder in Golden Light
Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Pink
Creamy Lip Color in Pink Ballet
Lip Liner in Cocoa
Lip Gloss in Bright Pink
A top-off at the end of the session with Crystal Lip Gloss

The next step? Alexandra's beautiful blue eyes.

Powder Eye Shadow in Cement to fill in her eyebrows (he added some Flint so she would look camera-ready)
Powder Eye Shadow in Ivory under the brows
Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow in Sandy Gold as a base color on her eyelids
The gorgeous Beach Club shade Moonstone Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow on her eyelids (shown at right)
Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Cobalt Ink to line her upper lids (both over and under the top lashes) - this dark blue really worked beautifully with the Moonstone shadow - and her eyes
Extreme Party Mascara (black, of course)

It was after he had applied Moonstone that we finally gave Alexandra a mirror. She was looking so gorgeous, we had to let her see. She was stopping traffic anyhow.

The finishing touch? A light application of the new Beach Shimmer Brick on all the highlights of her face. Did she need it? No, she already looked polished, but I have to admit it was just the right finishing touch.

We had so much fun! After all, what teenager doesn't love makeup? Alexandra's mom and I had a blast too. Diron was the perfect host and artist. He was assisted by Sarah Lavache, a Bobbi Brown representative who started by watching, but jumped in to help with color selection and the now-famous technique of applying eyeliner from underneath the lashes.

Here's a photo of Diron and Alexandra after our session. I'd say she looked Pretty Powerful!

Whether you want a five-minute makeover or a full makeup lesson, the Bobbi Brown counters are ready to help you! You can always stop by, but it helps to make an appointment so they can make sure someone is available to spend some quality time with you.

My thanks to our model Alexandra, who is about to graduate and head off to college. You'll see her on television someday when her dream of being a television anchor is fulfilled!

A very special thanks to Diron Carr, Bobbi Brown Manager at Nordstrom Tysons Corner. Friends, if you live anywhere around Washington, D.C., you have to go meet this charming and talented man!

Product photos courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Giveaways for DC-Area Gals

Northern Virginia Magazine has great features on Health and Beauty! Check out their Beautiful Any Time of Year feature online.

They also have some great giveaway contests. I hope one of you can win! Here's the scoop.

Tell them about your winter skin saviors - the products, services, and habits you rely on to save your skin from the damaging effects of cold weather - and you could win a $100 gift card to Bleu Totale Salon and Spa in Burke, Virginia. You can enter the Sensational Winter Skin Contest at this link.

Every month in 2010, the magazine is also giving away free hairstyle makeovers to three women who enter their drawing. Send a photo of yourself, showing Northern Virginia your tired coif, and you could be one of three readers to win a free hair style makeover, courtesy of Debbie Blood, master stylist at Four Seasons Salon and Spa in the Dulles Town Center. The winners will receive a free hair makeover (color, highlights, cut and style, treatments, and Brazilian Kertain treatments - up to $500 - and a free makeup application). Check out this link to find out how you can enter.

Just when you thought we were living through punishment by snow, Northern Virginia Magazine has come along to save us!

Photo courtesy of Northern Virginia