In my line of work, I deal with a ton of clients and to my lovely surprise, this month’s InStyle features a small little bit about how to work the counter .. and I wanted to share it with all of you as well add in my own lil tidbits!

Go when it’s slow
InStyle says: “You’ll typically get the most time and attention if you go from Monday to Thursday. (Make-up counters are busiest on Fridays and Saturdays.)” I completely agree! Everyone wants specialized attention when they go to the beauty counter; so if you’re going when its busy, whether it falls underneath those days or not, be patient. Your patience is super appreciated, trust me!

State your case
InStyle says: “Being up-front about what you’re there for (i.e., free services) can help you avoid the sales push. It also helps to meet your needs quickly and efficiently.” Again, another great point! Don’t feel guilty about coming to the counter for free services; that’s exactly why the brands offer them. Don’t be resistant however to education and product suggestions because that’s why the artist are required to do during these free services. Also, if it is super busy and you let the advisor know that you only need a quick service or sample, she might be able to assist you earlier.

Come clean
InStyle says: “Don’t feel like you need to say you use items only from that brand. Tell consultants the treatments you use so they’ll make better recommendations.” I’ve personally never had any issues with this, but I totally agree; never feel the need to lie to the advisor and say that you use their brand. They won’t judge you! Every artist has a kit with a myriad of different brands and everyone has a fave drugstore secret, or two or three!

Also, come clean is an awesome header for another crucial tip, come with a clean face! It’s a super pain to have clients that insist on coming with a full-face of make-up, yet don’t want to remove it or worse want a foundation/concealer match to whatever they have on already. A clean face and canvas makes the artist set up for optimal success with whatever she’s trying on you and puts your skin under less stress. Don’t be shy, we’ve seen it all.

Finally, Just Ask,
InStyle says: “Like a product? Then ask for a sample! If you like the product, 99 percent of cases will come back and buy it! Agreed. Be up front and say that you’re there for samples; but don’t abuse the program (whether it’s one sample per person or three) and don’t make the advisor tell you every single detail of every product when you’re more in the trying phase than the purchasing phase!

Any other beauty counter tips? Tweet me!
SHAN

Since I’m usually the last person on earth to be done Christmas shopping, it’s only fitting that my gift guide comes in just in time for all of you late shoppers.

1.Something I’d love that won’t break the bank – AKA under $50.00:

KIVA!  As some of you may know, for my wedding instead of gifts I asked for Kiva donations.  In just over a year I have received all of my initial investments back, twice over!  Kiva is an amazing micro-loaning site that hooks up entrepreneurs who are looking for tiny loans to help fund and further their operations.  With as little as $25.00 you can help someone grow their business and create more opportunities for their communities.  Plus, it’s a loan, so you get the money back (with the option to reinvest in someone new) How cool?!

Here’s a little video that explains the process way better than I just did.

How Kiva Works from Kiva on Vimeo.

2. My Beauty Must Have:

Ruby Woo

You would think I work for Mac or was the actual creator of Ruby Woo, I talk about it so much!  I’m obsessed, and am yet to see it look horrid on anyone.

3. In My Dreams, This Would Be Under The Tree:

While I was at NYU in the summer I stayed in an area packed with galleries.  I loved popping in and out of them and learning about the artists.  It really brought me back to my painting days and had me lusting over something new and something old.  A piece by Ana Teresa Fernandez and  Jean Michel Basquiat’s  Academic Study of the Male Figure.

Now those are some big dreams…

4. My Go-Go Gadget Wish:

La Sardinia Camera in Quadrat  

I think it would be cool to get all retro and see what it’s like to get excited about developing pictures again.  With digital cameras, little is left as a surprise – you can see your image right away – so I think this camera from Lomography would be so fun.  Plus the case is insanely cool!  Meant to look like a suped up sardine can.

5. The Perfect Gift To Give:

A Teenie by Jane Hollinger

I’ve been an arm party reveller for awhile now, but something about the excess has gotten to me lately.  That, and the fact that my left arm needs a break!   I stumbled upon this stunningly simple bracelet (while I was supposed to be shopping for others) at Gaspard and couldn’t leave without it.  If I hadn’t already bought gifts for my besties, this would be it.  Simple, sweet and the perfect way to remind your friends how much you love them!

xo,

coco

MAC – one of my fav make-up brands, will launch a limited edition Spring collab with the one and only Wonder Woman! MAC has been very successful in terms of their pop culture launches (think Hello Kitty, Barbie, Fafi and most recent Venomous Villains) which has grossed millions of dollars for the company.

I know Lowe did a post about red lips before, but because it is such a hot trend for fall I thought I would do another and let you in on a few little red lipstick secrets I use.

Coco’s tips for super saucy red lips!

1.If you tend to have dry lips make sure to exfoliate before wearing matte lipstick.  Matte lips are supposed to look dry but dry with cracking peeling lips is so not cute!

lip scuff from The Body Shop

2. Make sure you prime your lips with your face primer

Make Up For Ever Primer

3. Line and fill in your entire lip with liner.  I’m in love with ‘Cherry’ from Mac.  The reason I fill in my whole lip with the liner is that it insures the matte look and makes your lipstick stay on alllllll night (even till the next day).

PLS NOTE: This tip makes it quite tough to take off your lippy after you’re over it with just soap and water… But If you use just a little make up remover you’re golden!

4. Go over your lips with your matte red lipstick.  Ruby Woo is my all time fave! Iit’s the only red lippy that I’ve tried that gives you that wicked 1940′s super glam matte pout.

5. Sharpen your liner and go around the edges of your lips one more time to ensure a sharp rim and to try to prevent bleeding.

As an option (if you can find the right shade) I like to line the outer rim of my lips with Make Up Forever’s concealer pencil.  It helps to stop your lipstick from bleeding but if you can’t find the right shade it’s totally not a must, just an added bonus.

6. Don’t forget to pack your lipstick and liner in your clutch for the evening because after a few bevvies it will start to rub off on the inside of your lips and look like this:

outer lip matte, inner lip not so much. time to reapply!

And that’s it!  Don’t be afraid of red lips!  It took me an entire year from the time I first purchased Ruby Woo to the time I first wore it because I was all freaked out about the boldness of the colour.  Now I can’t stop wearing it!  The best thing about red lips is that you have to wear little to no other make up and you look totally put together!

xoxo,

coco

I always feel so dressed up whenever I wear coloured lipstick. I’m a weirdo though. My go-to colour for all day everyday is Mac’s C-Thru Lip Glass. It cancels out my lips, matches my skin tone and stays on forever! I think I’ve gone through well over 1000 bottles! My obsession with nude lips stems from my love of the smokey eye and the cat eye but red lipstick is so sexy!! You could leave the house with pj’s on, frizzy hair, a pair of shades and red lips and still look sexy, just like MK:

Some of our Spring Miss contestants were chosen because of their trendy use of red lipstick:

Casual, daytime, partytime!

On many different occasions, Coco has pulled it off so well! 

I decided it was time to commit to red lips and wore it out to Tuesday night’s festivities at Atelier. I can now say I have fully embraced the coloured lip!

Lowe & Lola

I discovered with red lips that you can leave your mark!!

There are many types of red tones for lipstick so make sure to try a few to see which one matches your skin tone the best. I suggest getting a good lip liner, lipstick and a gloss to put on after. Many lipsticks get dry after a couple of hours so the gloss finish helps keep it moist.

My faves are Mac’s Redd pencil, Lady Danger lipstick and the Lip Gelee

Check out our party pics from Tuesday at Atelier here:

SLIDESHOW

Lowe