Lancome Makeover

When we arrived at the Lancôme counter there were people everywhere checking out their promotion, which was 'Buy any two products to get a free travel pack'. Most of the counter staff were busy, however they managed to fit us in.

The staff were friendly and helpful, the counter was clean and hygienic. The makeover took around 20 minutes, as they were so busy, and the make-up was fantastic.

We were greeted by Maria, our make-up artist, who has been working for Lancôme for five years. She is trained in make-up artistry and also by Lancôme in house. She was very knowledgeable about make-up techniques and Lancôme products and was happy to pass as much information on to us as she could. All the make-up application is done in front of a well lit mirrored work station so you can see the make-up being applied step by step.


Consultation:
Since they were so busy Maria asked if it was ok to just do the basics and we agreed. She started by removing the models eye make-up with 'Bificil' which contains oil so there was no need to moisturise.



Make-up application (natural look):
Maria then proceeded with the makeover by applying a light layer of foundation by tipping it on to a pallet and using a clean brush to apply. Next she applied a compact powder to the models face by transferring it from the pot to a tissue. She then used a big clean brush to apply the powder to the face. This is good hygiene as it stops any germs being carried from one client to another. The powder was lightly applied just to freshen up the models remaining foundation.

Maria then started on the eyes she used a pallet with two colours in it called 'In the mood for Saint Germaine'. She applied the light green colour on the eye lid from the inside corner all the way to the outer corner and up to the brow bone. Next she applied the green colour under the eye from the inner corner near the bottom eye lashes to the outer corner.

She finished the eye by applying the darker green to the eye lids outer corner and blending it up in to the socket and out. Finally she put blusher on the apples of the cheeks using a brush and colour fever lip lacquer and gloss on the lips.


Make-up application (night wear)
Maria transformed the look by using a pallet of four colours called 'Intempore smoky' for the eyes. She applied white to the brow bone to highlight it. Then she blended the white down all over the eye, as a base to blend other colours. She then added grey over the eye lids under the brow bone. Next she applied black with a brush just above the eye lashes, dragged it out into a flick and smudged it up into the socket line. Then she applied black with a thin brush under the eye from the outer eye lashes right up to the inner eye lashes.

To give the eye more definition she used a Kohl black eye liner just above the eye lashes and pulled it out into a corner flick. She also applied it under the eye and blended it all.

Maria gave some great advice. She said after doing smoky or dark eyes, apply the foundation. This means that if you make a mistake you can just wipe it off without worrying about your applied base. So when she had finished the eyes, she cleaned the face and touched up the foundation.

Next she applied more rouge to the apples of the cheeks and finished the look by adding plain lipstick to compliment the strong eye make-up.

Products
Bi-Facil eye make-up remover £20.00
2 eye pallet In the mood for Saint Germaine (C01) £25.50
4 eye pallet Intemore Smoky (G10) £35.00
Foundation tint idol (03) £29.80
Compact powder Beige Albatre (01) £25.00
Rouge Pop N’cheeks (01) £32.00
Colour fever gloss (306) £18.50
Colour fever lacquer (100) £18.50
Kohl eye liner £15.00
Lipstick colour fever lacquer (320) £18.50

Lancome Promotional Days

I booked in for a make-over with Lancôme today in Debenhams in Oxford Street. They explained that they couldn’t do it there and then as they were fully booked also the wanted my model to buy two products afterwards.

When I explained that it was for an online blog, to compare their products to others, they said that they would do it on a promotional day. The reason for this is that on promotional days they traffic stop people to sell and promote their products. There are usually a lot of people working on the counter that are only too happy to do a makeover.

Promotional days at Lancôme are usually on Saturdays and they have great deals I advise you find out when and what the promotion is and check it out.

Answer The Makeover Poll

Benefit Makeover

Benefits makeover was not as good as I expected. Although the staff were energetic and friendly I felt a lack of hygiene and professionalism. The make-up artist did not give any kind of skin care consultation; neither did she remove any of the models make-up before starting the makeover. The makeover lasted around half an hour. The make-up artist did explain what she was doing using a mirror to show the model how to apply the make-up. What I did like about Benefit is that they provide catalogues with products and prices in them.

The make-up looked good although the model said it felt too thick perhaps this was because her old make-up was just built on. There was not much of a difference between the day and night looks either. Unfortunately we were not able to take photos in the store and so I had to use my Blackberry which may explain why they are not very clear.

The hygiene was not up to scratch, first the brushes contained remnants of old make-up meaning that they had not been cleaned thoroughly. The make-up was applied straight from pots when it should be put on to a tissue or pallet and then transferred on to the clients face. These are major problems as they can cause cross contamination in other words they can carry germs and diseases such as ring worm or conjunctivitis from one person to another. Another complaint although this may seem petty is that a wooden stick was used to apply lipstick and lip gloss; this feels rough and uncomfortable for the client, which is not good customer care.

When we first arrived at Benefit in House of Frasier in Oxford Street we were greeted politely by our make-up artist Lola. We were given stools to sit on and the girls were welcoming and friendly. Lola had been working for Benefit for a year and two months. She was not make-up trained but got the job by auditioning and was in house trained by Benefit.


Make up application (natural look):
Lola started by applying 'Some Kind of Gorgeous' foundation which comes in one colour suiting everyone, she applied it with a foundation brush, starting from the middle of the face.

Next she started on the eyes using a 'Big Beautiful' eye pallet which comes with three colours. She applied the middle colour all over the eyelid from eyelashes up to the brow line using a blending brush. Using the lighter colour in the pallet she highlighted the brow bone, and then she applied the darkest colour to the outer corner and blended it in to the socket line.

For the cheeks and lips Lola used a 'Posy Tint'. She applied the liquid to the apples of the cheeks using her finger rubbing it until it looked natural. Next she applied the same tint to the lips using a cotton bud.

Finally she applied the 'Bad Girl Mascara' using a clean wand to the eyelashes.


Make-up application (night wear)
Lola started transforming the look by applying 'Hello Flawless' face powder all over the models face with a big brush, including under the chin to avoid lines and shade difference between the neck and face.

Next she applies sparkly eye shadow 'Lustre Duster' under the eyebrow to highlight the eyebrow bone. To give the model a darker shade she applied 'Rose Gold Bronzer' all over the models face and neck. For the cheeks Lola applied Sugar Bomb to the apples.

She finished by applying 'Bad Girl Plump Mascara' to the tips of the eyelashes and adding a new product 'Brow zings' to the eyebrows to define them. Finally she applied 'Kiss You Love Your Look Gloss' with a stick to the client’s lips.

Products:
Some Kind of Gorgeous £21.50
Big Beautiful Eyes £23.50
Posy Tint £23.50
Bad girl Mascara £15.50
Hello Flawless shade Champaign £24.50
Lustre Duster shade Snow Bunny £13.50
Rose Gold Bronzer £23.50
Sugar Bomb £23.50
Bad Girl Plump Mascara £15.50
Brow zings £22.50
Kiss You Love You Look Gloss £14.00

Benefit Counter Search

Today I went for another look for other make-up counters down Oxford Street I wanted to get a makeover by Benefit as I like their make-up. I went to the Benefit counters in Selfridges, and Boots and both charged. However the counter in House of Frasier didn’t, so I booked in. It just shows if you look around and ask, you can always get what you want. I will keep you up dated on how the makeover goes.

How To Get Testers

If you don’t ask you don’t get guys. People have asked me where to get testers and the trick is to go to a big department store and ask for them. For example I know for a fact that lots of big counters do have testers to give out. Usually you have to buy a product and then say you have been thinking about getting a new foundation, perfume or even mascara and do they have a tester. Some counters will have little samples left lying around from promotional gifts that they are happy to give away.

However do not make the mistake of going to lots of counters in the same shop as the assistants will catch on quite fast and will simply refuse to serve you. So ask but not for too much.

If you don’t feel comfortable doing this then there are websites online that will send you samples through the post. Some are new products that companies need feedback on, or other companies will ask you to fill in surveys and send you a free product in the post.

However be warned that you may need to put in personal information like name, number, address and e-mail and you will probably have your details passed on to other companies. Also there is no guarantee that you will receive your goods.

A Fooling Virtual Daily Makeover

As I was googeling makeover sites I came across another virtual makeover site called Daily make-over its like Taaz.com. So I tried it out.

Firstly I had to register which is standard with many of these kinds of things. There were no terms and conditions to click, and it claims to be free. However before I had even fully registered I was quite sneakily transferred to put my details on another database that belonged to their sponsor offering a health newsletter. Luckily I realised this and clicked on skip.

When I finally got on I uploaded a picture and outlined it, as with Taaz, and got started. I put on a blonde wig, the graphics looked better than Taaz and it looked more realistic. Then I tried some make-up and was told I couldn’t use my chosen brand I was then transferred on to a page to enter my credit card details. When I didn’t I was booted off.

I tried to log in thinking this may be a simple mistake as I joined up for a free service. But it wouldn’t let me back on apparently I had ‘dropped out of our registration process’. Obviously to use their website I should share my personal details along with debit and credit card information with every Tom Dick and Harry.

Well I’m not that desperate; they can keep their expensive virtual make-up.