Undercover Holiday Makeovers: We Secretly Tried 6 Beauty Counters
Holiday makeovers at department store beauty counters. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
The department store beauty counter is a go-to source for all things makeup. It’s where you can find the perfect shade of foundation, try out new colors, learn current techniques, and test out different looks. Ideally, the experience goes something like this: You go with a brand whose style you love, connect with an amazing makeup artist, tell him or her what you’re going for, and walk out looking gorgeous. If you’re lucky, you score a handful of great products you will use again and again. But the truth is, the beauty counter makeover doesn’t always go that way. You can walk out looking like a totally different person (and not in a good way). Or the makeup can be beautiful but so complicated you could never re-create it yourself. There is also the awful regret of money spent on products you know you will never use.
Katherine and Devon before their undercover holiday makeover. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
Following the success of Yahoo Beauty’s first undercover beauty counter makeover, we decided to try it again, this time for holiday makeup. We sent two volunteers, Katherine and Devon, to six counters, both requesting the same thing: holiday party makeup. Same request, with wildly varying results — from seriously lined eyes with red shadow at MAC to a J.Lo inspired look at Armani. Ultimately, the biggest factor in your makeover, more important than the brand itself — is communicating what you want and connecting with a talented makeup artist. But see for yourself: We hit six popular beauty counters. Here’s what happened:
Katherine stopped by the NARS counter for a holiday makeover. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
NARS
The makeover: Skin care started it off with Multi-Action Hydrating Toner ($32), Aqua Gel Luminous Oil Free Moisturizer ($60), and Total Replenishing Eye Cream ($58). The makeup artist swatch-tested three different shades of foundation (the only artist to do so) with Sheer Glow Foundation in Ceylan ($45) and Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard ($29) as the perfect matches. For eyes, the artist chose the Dead of Summer Steven Klein Eyeshadow Palette ($49), applying soft pale gold shadow in the inner eye, silver lavender across the lid, and black orchard in the corner crease. Eyeliner in Abbey Road blue ($25) on top and Via Appia ($25) on the water line provided a pop of contrasting color. Laguna Bronzing Powder ($39) warmed up cheeks. The look was finished with Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned ($26).
Loved: “I really liked this look, I let the makeup artist take the lead. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to play with color and add the blue liner,” Katherine says.
Didn’t love: The NARS counter at Bloomingdales on Manhattan’s Upper East Side required a three-product minimum, and there was a hard sell to buy a lot of products.
The look for real life: “From the beginning, the makeup artist said, ‘I want to teach you how to do this, not just show you which products to use,’” says Katherine. “I really don’t know how to do my own makeup, and she was really helpful.” Even so, Katherine says, it would be a hard look to pull off with her current makeup skills, but she got a lot of detailed instruction if she does want to try.
Katherine’s holiday makeover from Chanel. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
CHANEL
The makeover: A lot of attention was given to teaching Katherine a customized skin care routine before her makeup application. Products included Lotion Douceur Toner ($45) all over, with Hydra Beauty Gel Crème ($87) layered on top. The makeup artist gently massaged Hydra Beauty Gel Yeux ($60) under her eyes to “decrease eye bags.” Next up, the artist applied Vitalumière Aqua SPF 15 Foundation in Beige ($47), which was a favorite for its great coverage but light texture. To cover up imperfections and hide under-eye darkness, the artist reached for Correcteur Perfection in 10 Beige Clair ($42) and finished with Poudre Universelle Libre 30 Naturel ($52). For eyes, he applied Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow palette in 204 Tisse Vendome ($61), with the orange as an all-over color and a dark brown shade in the crease. Eyes were lined with Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Noir ($29), with Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof Mascara ($32) in black to the top and bottom lashes. Lips were lined with Le Crayon Lèvres Precision Lip Definer in 05 Mordoré Nude ($31) and filled with Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in Mademoiselle ($36).
Loved: “I loved that the makeup artist went with orange for my eyes. It was an unexpected color that I wouldn’t have picked out on my own,” says Katherine. “The orange eye and the nude lip color really went together perfectly.” On top of that, Katherine says, the artist made the experience really fun and enjoyable, with no hard push to buy products at the end.
Didn’t love: “The only thing I was hesitant about was that he didn’t swatch-test the foundation,” says Katherine, who felt more confident about color matches at counters like Nars, which tested three different foundations to find the perfect shade.
The look for real life: “This is definitely a party look I’ll be wearing again. I could definitely do this at home,” says Katherine, who calls the Chanel look her favorite of the three.
Katherine’s holiday makeover from Yves Saint Laurent. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
YSL
The makeover: It all started with the pricey Forever Y-Shape Cream moisturizer ($250) under the Touche éclat Blur Primer ($52) to plump skin. Next up, the makeup artist applied Youth Liberator Foundation ($69), a lightweight foundation with a foundation brush, with Touche éclat under eyes. After applying a translucent powder, she applied Les Sahariennes ($55) bronzing balm for a natural glow. Couture Eye Primer ($30) underneath the eyeshadows made the colors last all night. For shadow, the artist chose Marceau, a soft pale shimmer, layered with deep purple Caftan all over, and finished with Modele, a light charcoal, in the crease ($40 each). Lips were lined with the No. 6 Pencil Lip Liner ($30) and finished with lip stain Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres 104 Fuchsia Tomboy ($36). 6 Passionnée Blush Volupté ($47) added a pretty sweep of color to the face.
Loved: “I did like that the makeup artist stepped away from the typical shades for hazel eyes, like browns and greens, by choosing purple,” says Katherine.
Didn’t love: “This look was definitely the closest to a daytime look,” explains Katherine. “But I was hoping for something to make the look really pop, like a bold liner or lip color,” she says. So while Katherine thought the look was pretty, it wasn’t something she would do for a party, which had been the initial request.
The look for real life: There wasn’t a lot of explanation for this look, so Katherine felt that it wouldn’t be easy to re-create. Plus the artist used a lot of products, which would also make it hard to do.
A holiday makeover from the Armani beauty counter. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
Giorgio Armani
The makeover: No skin care, just straight to makeup with Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 in Ivory ($62) and High Precision Retouch concealer in Ivory ($39). No powder, but a full contour on cheeks with Sun Fabric bronzer in 200 ($54). Eyeshadows were kept in bronzy shades using the brand’s Eye Tint ($38), with 11 Rose Ashes and a copper brown from the fall-winter runway ($42). Eye Tint shade 13 Zenith ($38) was applied as liner. Subtle brows were filled in with Medium Blonde Eye & Brow Maestro ($34).
Loved: “I thought having a contour was fun to try, and I loved the gold tones for a party,” says Devon.
Didn’t love: After Devon told the makeup artist that she wanted a party-ready look, the artist asked if she wanted to look more like Kim K. or J. Lo. Her instant response was “Neither!” — but feeling pressure to choose, copped to Jennifer Lopez. It wasn’t what she had in mind, but once the makeover started, she couldn’t turn it around. “I don’t think using a celebrity as inspiration is a good way to do a makeover,” says Devon. “I wanted something that would work for me.”
The look in real life: “I would not want to re-create this look in real life, and if I did want to, I couldn’t. Throughout the makeover, the makeup artist was talking to other people, so there was no explanation,” Devon says.
Devon’s makeover from the MAC Cosmetics counter. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
MAC
The makeover: This look started with eyes, with reddish-toned shadows on the lid. Honeylust ($16) was applied all over the upper lid, Bamboo ($16) in the crease, and Folie ($16) in the inner corner. Eyes were lined with Black Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner ($16.50) on both top and bottom. Brows were filled in with Charcoal Brown Matte Eyeshadow ($16). No moisturizer, just primer and a very light NW15 Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation ($33), with NC20 Pro Longwear Concealer ($21). Half Red Lip Pencil ($16.50) paired with MAC Viva Glam in Lustre ($17) for lips, with Melba Powder Blush ($22) to finish.
Loved: While there was a $60 minimum purchase for her makeover, the artist was relaxed and let Devon buy just a lipstick. There wasn’t a high-pressure sell, and the artist was friendly and made the experience fun.
Didn’t love: “I didn’t really like the look. The eyes were really intense and not really true to me,” says Devon. “There was a strong contrast with the lipliner and lips, which wasn’t my favorite.”
The look in real life: While Devon would never wear this look in real life, the artist gave her enough information that she could try. However, with four different eye colors, it wouldn’t be easy. “The makeup artist was really nice, explaining everything he was doing. He was the only artist who gave me a very specific color chart, with all the color names,” says Devon.
Devon’s Estée Lauder holiday makeover. (Photo: Bailey Rebecca Roberts)
Estée Lauder
The makeover: A detailed customized skin consultation started the makeover off. The artist recommended and applied several skin care products, including Soft Clean Silky Hydrating Lotion ($32), Advanced Night Repair face ($62) and eye serums ($65), and DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($52). She tested three different foundations, deciding on Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup ($38) and concealer ($24) both in 02. For eyes, she went with purple tones to enhance Devon’s green eyes, with Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5-Color Palette in Envious Orchid ($50). Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Burgundy Suede ($23) was paired with brown mascara for a soft look. Lips were painted a soft coral with Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Eccentric ($30).
Loved: “There was actually a free hand massage while the makeover was happening. They had a masseuse going around and giving massages,” says Devon. Another perk was the artist’s skilled take on brows: “She stayed true to my natural shape, defining them with powder and a pencil and a gel,” she explains.
Didn’t love: “There was nothing I didn’t like,” admits Devon. One of the reasons for the home run may be that the artist asked Devon a lot of questions before applying makeup. Did she want to look natural or glamorous? Did she prefer brown or black mascara? And so on.
The look for real life: This was Devon’s favorite look because it reflects her style and was something she could pull off easily on her own.
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