Makeup Lessons?

[TripleG]

Hi everyone, I had a question if you are aware of how to search for makeup artists or places that will teach you about how to apply makeup geared for your own face. I''m trying for new looks and when My best friend got married she had a makeup artist party at her bridal shower who did this and I thought that was such a neat idea I wanted to try it myself once again, but I cant find out anything local that offers these services. Do you know what I should be looking for or if these services exist?

Thanks.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Have you tried any of the makeup counters at Nordstrom (or similar high-end store). They should be able to teach you to apply makeup. Usually they charge and expect that you'll buy their brand of cosmetics. You could even call a counter and they may be able to refer you to an artist.

You may also have luck at Sephora (but personally, I think their testers are discusting and I never would put them on my face. . .but if you're not a germaphob. Just DO NOT use their mascara!)

Also, possibly the make up artist at the bridal shower can provide a rec. of a local person.

 

[roverchic]

The best place I have encountered is Neiman Marcus.

I was lucky enough to meet (randomly while picking up some eyeliner) the Product Specialist for their cosmetics and fragrance dept.
She scheduled a free appointment for me and we talked about my daily look / schedule and time I am willing to spend as far as skincare and makeup.
We tested a few essential items from about 7 different brands and after I found a few that I liked, we worked on a few evening looks.
I spent about two hours with her (which was super generous as far as this kind of service is concerned), was able to try on products and colors from the best / most luxurious lines, got a goodie bag of a bunch of different skin care products and now have a person I can email or call when I want to try a different look / product / change my hair color who knows my tastes and my type of skin. Plus, whenever I am in, she always has a little bag of samples for me to take home and play with!

This is the route I would reccomend if you want to try different products efficiently...otherwise, you have to go to individual counters where they can be at times pushy when trying to make a sale.

Oh yeah, after my consultation, I bought about $100 in product, not a lot considering the time she spent with me...but the samples she sent me home with has made her a few thousands in sales between me and the friends I refer. I usually buy $100-200 worth of product everytime Chanel, Dior or Giorgio Armani releases LE items!

 

[Haven]

I''ve always had great success with the ladies at the Mac Counter at Macy''s. They''re always very friendly, and most of them are really good at what they do. They''ve never charged me to put on makeup, I think they figure it is part of the sale to help the customer''s see whether the product is right for them.

 

[kenny]

Just curious.

Do they use the same applicators, brushes, pads on all customers or do hygiene concerns mean they use a new applicator on each customer?
Even then, every time they return the applicator to the make up container after it touches a client does that not "contaminate" the make up?

Or does nobody worry about that sort of thing?

I know places like hair dressers and nail salons are supposed to sanitize tools between customers.

 

[joelly]

Date: 9/5/2009 2:40:27 PM
Author: Haven
I''ve always had great success with the ladies at the Mac Counter at Macy''s. They''re always very friendly, and most of them are really good at what they do. They''ve never charged me to put on makeup, I think they figure it is part of the sale to help the customer''s see whether the product is right for them.

Ditto this!

I always asked for MAC sales rep for color advice. Esp when I am bored with one and want to change color. They are super helpful.

 

[tyty333]

Call your local spas. I know that they do makeup around here (FL).

 

[oddoneout]

I''m a little grossed out by the shared makeup thing too. I know of studies and true stories about the germs and what type of customers share the makeup so I''m not impressed. I go and just ask for colour advice so they don''t have to actually apply anything. I''m a bit of a germaphobe that way.

 

[jstarfireb]

I did one at Sephora (they call them "color consultations"). They used new disposable brushes/applicators for all products.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 9/5/2009 2:59:50 PM
Author: kenny
Just curious.

Do they use the same applicators, brushes, pads on all customers or do hygiene concerns mean they use a new applicator on each customer?
Even then, every time they return the applicator to the make up container after it touches a client does that not 'contaminate' the make up?

Or does nobody worry about that sort of thing?

I know places like hair dressers and nail salons are supposed to sanitize tools between customers.

I worry about germs. Usually, I will buy everything that catches my eyes, test the new stuff at home, and will return the stuff that doesn't work. I will NOT let a sales gal put a tester product anywhere near my face! Blech.

Also, once a sales gal told me when she worked at Ulta, she came into work late and didn't have time to put mascara on and so she used a tester and she contracted pink eye. When I go into Sephora, I see customers pulling mascara wands out of the testers ALL THE TIME and putting the mascara directly on their eye lashes. They do it before a sales gal has time to pull out the disposable wand. Germs EVERYWHERE!

It's just yuck.

 

[TripleG]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will call some spa''s or check out places like neiman marcus to get their suggestions. I dont know if I like the idea of the mac counter because I rather not be in a mall while doing this, somewhere more in a private setting. The lady that did do this for my friends bridal shower was in Canada so thats why I cant ask her for recommendations. I do like the idea of getting lots of free samples though so I''ll definitely check out those stores. I don''t mind paying the money if the quality is great and its products I will be more comfortable using.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 9/5/2009 5:49:48 PM
Author: TripleG
Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will call some spa''s or check out places like neiman marcus to get their suggestions. I dont know if I like the idea of the mac counter because I rather not be in a mall while doing this, somewhere more in a private setting. The lady that did do this for my friends bridal shower was in Canada so thats why I cant ask her for recommendations. I do like the idea of getting lots of free samples though so I''ll definitely check out those stores. I don''t mind paying the money if the quality is great and its products I will be more comfortable using.

Sephora gives out tons of samples! Once after discovering that SPF makes me breakout, I went into the store asking for skincare samples and left with over 15 different packets! They''re very generous.

 

[October2008bride]

I did this for a friend of mine for her bday - I booked her for a one hour ''lesson'' with Laura Mercier. It cost $75, but it was redeemable in product.

It was excellent!!

Another great place for lessons is Trish MacAvoy. They will do it on one side, and have you hold a mirror and watch so you can do the other side of your face. Didn''t cost anything (except I bought a bunch of stuff of course!!).

Originally I looked into proper makeup lessons, but you had to use your own products, or theirs, and only ended up with a ''specialized face mapping'' guide (basically a picture). I wanted to learn how to use the products I was buying so I find the department store counters the best.

 

[litebrite]

I went to a spa once and paid them to show me how to do it. It was very personalized and imo worthwhile. You can also go to a Sephora but they likely as not will just put it on and not teach. (Also I am kinda loathe to rec a makeup session at Sephora after I got hives from one of the products during a makeup session recently.)

At a high end department store they might be more willing to teach. Otherwise, you can also look for a local makeup artist on Weddingbee who might charge for a lesson. If you feel comfortable with this person, you can also use them to be your weddingday makeup artist (if you have yet to get married.)

Also, I agree, that sounds like an awesome bridal shower idea.

 

[TripleG]

HI,

So yeah I was able to find some makeup artists online through some of those websites that do makeup for weddings and will show you before hand some tips and tricks and so Im going to be getting in contact with some of them since they can do an at home visit. I also thought of doing this for a friend of mine as a gift for her for having twins so she can learn some new things since she''ll always be on the run now.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I want to echo Trish MacAvoy - but their products are expensive

Also, if you are interested in a book, Making Faces by Kevan Aucoin is a great book that shows some nice basic techniques. After some girls did a really cool look for me in college out of that book, I bought it and learned lots of great techniques.