Frame Le Garcon jeans
T by Alexander Wang shirt
Inhabit wool cardigan
Shopbop Bop Basics cashmere scarf | SOOO old, gift from Shopbop
Everlane Loafers | gift from Everlane, took my normal size 8, they’ve finally broken in PERFECTLY
Jerome Dreyfuss Florent backpack | 30% off at Forzieri with code BAGPROMO this weekend
I get press releases ALL THE TIME, and most often, I ignore them, because they’re irrelevant and not interesting, but a few days ago, I got an email from a PR firm that Charlotte Tilbury was launching at Nordstrom in Dallas this weekend. Hello.
I wouldn’t call myself a fan girl, but I know some of her story, and I’ve been pretty intrigued by her makeup/skincare at Net-a-Porter, so I thought it would be interesting to go and get my makeup done by one of her two MUAs and check out the line in person. I usually avoid getting my makeup down at a counter at a department store LIKE THE PLAGUE because I don’t like the pressure (real or perceived) to buy, but I decided to take a chance this time, and stick to my guns NOT to buy anything. Or at least not to buy too much…
The way her makeup works generally is that she’s created 10 different “iconic” looks, you choose one, and buy the kit to create that look. Honestly, since I don’t wear a lot of makeup, it was hard to choose one, but I went with Dolce Vita, which was the closest to a “natural” look I could get. And the MUA (Kelly) agreed not to go too heavy on the eyes.
(Whoa…closeup. Wait, are those jowls??)
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Basically, all the makeup she used on me is in the Dolce Vita kit, except she swapped out the feline flick eyeliner for the regular eyeliner since I didn’t want to go too dramatic. She also used the multi-miracle glow cleanser/balm to remove what I had on (have you noticed everyone is doing that now? using creams to remove makeup and then rinsing, or not?), applied the magic cream afterwards, then the wonderglow (luminizer, basically), foundation, then concealer. Whew. So much product.
I loved the feel of everything, I never felt like I had a lot of makeup on; nothing was heavy or cakey at all. The foundation/concealer gave AMAZING coverage on my redness-prone skin, but most of all, I was in love with my eyes. I never do much with my eyes, mostly because I’m not comfortable with how to apply multiple shades of eye shadow to achieve a smokey look, or even a layered look (I have the Naked palette, but of course I only use one or two shades!). I also HATE removing eye makeup at the end of the day, and yesterday it was a BITCH, let me tell you; my usual coconut oil did nothing for that mascara!!
On my lips she used the colors in the kit: pencil in Pillow Talk, lipstick in Penelope Pink, and gloss in Seduction. I loved my lips too, and it’s always hard for me to find a good “nude” that doesn’t wash me out, but I need more lip stuff like I need a hole in my head. Again, it all felt good on, not VERY moisturizing, but also not drying at all, either.
I won’t lie, if I could have, I probably would have bought the kit, because everything in it really suited me, and even though I wouldn’t use it all every day, it would be nice to have. For what, I don’t really know. But still. I did buy the eyeliner in black, because I loved how easy it glided on, and I do like to wear eyeliner right at my top lashes most of the time. I also got the concealer because I’m always wanting just a teeny bit more coverage on my red spots and under my eyes. I haven’t used either one myself.
Have you tried any of the Charlotte Tilbury range? What did you think?
Happy Friday!!!
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Wow – you look beautiful – just a little extra something. Really suits you.
thank you so much, i really loved the experience…wish i felt comfortable doing my eyes like that all the time!!
Haven’t even heard of it, sorry, but it looks great on you. I’m currently debating dialing down my make-up application even further, in deference to age, Like you, I’m not at all keen on the make-up counter makeovers precisely because of the (perceived, at least) pressure. Impressed you resisted as well as you did!
I saw the first picture and I thought something looked off. Sorry to me it ages you /simply looks weird and you looks beautiful without Dolce Vita. Not a fan.
Thanks for sharing this positive experience – MUAs scare me, and I never do anything new with makeup that would involve using them. I like this look – still natural, but with a little more polish. Of course, I’m a native Texas gal who wouldn’t even go for a three mile run without some mascara and lipgloss, so perhaps mine is not the most objective opinion!
Gorgeous and polished! The natural look is always the hardest to achieve, right? You’ve nailed it. I am intrigued by Charlotte Tilbury and plan to try…unfortunately I’ll have to order online as we don’t have a Nordstrom. I shy away from having my makeup done, though I’ve had a few great experiences. I just find it’s like getting my hair done–I can never recreate!
You simply GLOW! I think this look enhances your naturally beautiful features in a very special way. OK, so not everyday, but maybe on a special occasion? Love it!!
As a former MUA, I have to ask, “Why not?” I worked for Bobbi Brown, and I would never have sent anyone away from a “makeover” (I hate that word…it implies that there is something wrong with the “before”!) looking scary, feeling unhappy or pressuring them to purchase. That’s BB’s philosophy.
I always suggest to women, before you go to get your makeup done, find an artist whose makeup look you like, and go to her/him. And find a cosmetic line whose philosophy of makeup and its purpose suit you. Be honest with the artist about what you’re looking for,even if the answer is “Nothing, I just want to try it.” And don’t buy what you don’t want. (Grechen’s approach was perfect!) That way, you’ll leave happy!
I would cheerfully arm-wrestle you for that cardigan – you look great in it, and it would be so much better here in Chicago, with a 3 degree windchill… (just kidding, kind of…)
hugs,
Janice
haha! definitely not warm enough for that, but it’s a wonderful cardigan 🙂