Even Mother Nature Needs a Little Help

photo by the consumerist

Even mother nature needs a little help. These words stay with me, from a moment in a high school lockerroom when a team mate, who was also a budding model, decided she wanted to make me over. This was even before the rash of pretty woman movies. I wondered then, what about me needed improvement? And I have wondered it ever since.

I have dabbled in the application of make up through my high school years and in college. I would wander into the local drug store and stare at the endless array of cosmetics…and just guess. I would head home and guess again about how to put it on. These days I can go to the internet and look for application advice…what shape my eyes are, or my face. Many newcomers to make up feel uncomfortable about the feeling of being made up. They have seen women with penciled in surprise eyebrows and plastic thick layers of foundation. There does not seem to be anything natural about it. My sister, who is also gay, stated she feels as if she would be giving in to some social pressure that she refuses to bend to.

I recently convinced her to join me and our younger sister at Nordstroms, a nicely appointed department store. The goal was to have her request a day look make up advice session from one of the cosmetic specialists. I was excited to see how it went! My sister rarely if ever wears make up, and is definitely not obsessed with fashion or her appearance. I was curious, how would this elite group of girly girl experts react to a plane faced non-fashionista? Would they blow her off? Would there be laughter and mockery?

I myself have never approached a make up counter either…for fear of ridicule. I was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge and uncertain how these things played out. As we approached the counter…the subtle and natural saleslady. I was surprised! I could detect nothing but an actual desire to be helpful to my sister and to sell her exactly what she was looking for and all in the right color palette. It was natural looking, easy to apply and included a full lesson in application…the representative did half of her face and my sister the other half to help her learn to do it at home. When she was done, my skeptical sister, bought every product recommended and was very pleased with how it looked. Her skin tone was even and much less blotchy, her eyes “popped” and her lips shone.

My other sister and I were so impressed, we each clamored over each other to have the next turn at this tutorial and sat down for our own consultations, and ended up buying some great products also. There was no embarrassment, there was an honest and friendly information sharing session. Make up had progressed a long way since my sister had used it, and working with these ladies can save a heck of a lot of time in product research and take the guess work out of what is right for you and your look. There is no obligation to buy…you can buy some or all or nothing. The information is free.

Walk in and check out the style of the cosmetic rep at the various counters. Does she have spiky multicolored hair, 8 inch heels and eyes so black she appears to have been in a fight? If that is the look you are going for, choose her.   When you approach a make up counter some brands are about natural subtle make up whereas others are bolder and more dramatic. Determine what style you are comfortable with, and you'll choose the right sales rep.  You just might enjoy the experience!