Clinique

I’m pretty good at following the rule of dressing for the position you want. However, when it comes to hair and make-up I tend towards the low maintenance end of the spectrum. For several years I’ve been meaning to get a consult for make-up. I wanted to get someone who was good and gelled with my style. And honestly I just needed some basic instructions. What goes where when. I’ve learned some from my girlfriend Andrea - we’d ‘play’ make-up and she would teach me some techniques.

Monday I made the plunge. It was the only night this week that I didn’t have something in the evening, so after work, I made my way to the Clinique counter at Macy’s downtown. They were having a promo, which it turns out I just missed but in reality didn’t miss much. But it was just the thing to get me over the hump and make the plunge. And I’m happy to report it was a huge success! The lady who helped me was young and energetic and passionate and really liked teaching me stuff. And she wasn’t trying to do the sell. Which meant I ended up buying more.

I did a little gulp at the cash register as my make-up is generally free. I’m a Clinique girl. I still remember when my mom took me to the Clinique counter in this little store on Church Street in Burlington, VT. I was just entering my teen years and we got liquid and powder foundations, blush, lipstick and more. I just threw the foundation out last year - crazy. The thing is with Clinique they have these bonus deals so that you get all this free make-up with a purchase. So that’s where my collection of lipstick is from. And my eyeshadows. And I was realizing that the latest blush I was using made me look like that make-up doll you’d play with when you were a kid - it wasn’t pretty. And that’s the thing, free make-up is great, but it’s not always the best for you specifically. I really just need a few key, good items - just like the wardrobe.

On a completely side note, I’m on the Acela heading down to NYC for the day and something seems off. I just realized it was the seatbelt - or the lack of one. I’m so used to one from planes to cars to taxis. It feels really strange. I’m sure I’ll adjust.

What I wanted was a start-to-end instruction and a complete kit. And that’s what I got. It’s Wednesday now and I’m happy to report it seems to work. Although I just remembered I forgot to put mascara on, so I’m getting there.

What I liked about Monday night was the laid back setting - it was evening and not too busy and I was in no rush to go anywhere. So we took our time and I could ask endless questions. And I understand why much better. I’ve embraced the process now. If I would have told my earlier self that I would be following a six step process that just got me to foundation application I would have thought I was crazy. Serums and lotions and moisturizers and toners. I’ve been wanting to do it all but didn’t understand the order or how. I’ve been using the Clinique yellow lotion all over my face for decades and that’s not what you’re supposed to do - who knew? And the thing was I had most of the products already. I wanted to use them but just didn’t know how to properly use them.
And I walked away not only learning new simple techniques but also got a few of the secret products everyone always knows about. Like the… ok, I don’t the names yet so bear with me. I have a product I apply to my eyelids as a prep to the eyeshadow. I think it’s more for evening out tone and moisturizing but it makes a world of difference on how the shadow goes on - looks so much better. And I got this lip prep moisturizer too. Again world of difference on how the lipstick looks. My lips aren’t drying out as much and apparently the lips get plumper as you’re hydrating around the lips too and loosening up things. My favorite is the chubby pencil for the lips. I think it falls between the glosses and the lipsticks on the spectrum of lip stuff.

The best thing is everything goes. I have stuff now that works so well with my complexion and coloring. And together it feels so cohesive. I’m no longer one shade off and looking like I’m almost there but missed completely. The sad news is the lady who helped me is just finishing up her position at the Macy’s counter. She’s done well, setting my on my way though.