Welcome back to Mall Makeovers where we send readers to, you guessed it, the mall for, you guessed it, a makeover. If you’d like to volunteer for an upcoming installment, send us an email.
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
Name: Katrina
Beauty Routine: First I begin with Clinique moisturizer; after my lotion has dried, I use Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation in my trouble/discolored spots – mostly my under-eyes and t-zone area. Then I usually use a darker brown eye shadow on my lids and a gold shadow under my brows. I then cap it off with mascara, a Clinique “chubby stick” for my lips, usually in a neutral tone, and a “fatty stick” for my cheeks. If I am feeling extra foxy, I might put some eyeliner on. I top that off with some Clinique “Sun-Kissed” bronzer, and I’m ready for the day. My man-dude calls this my “war paint”- usually because I have all chubby sticks streaked on to my face at the same time. In my dreams, I would like to look like a rockabilly Kate Hudson meets Dita Von Teese, but hitting snooze on a Tuesday morning somehow always wins.
Jersey Trends: I did some observations in the natural setting of the high school where I work (“What are the cool kids doing these days, y’all?”) and also asked this question to my awesome makeover artist, Clarissa. Here is what the consensus appears to be: 1) the Kylie Jenner lip; 2) contouring; 3) bold eyebrows; 4) fake/long eyelashes; 5) being mysteriously tan and bronzed in the harsh, unforgiving Jersey sun; 6) glitter, Lip Smackers and butterfly clips (oh wait, those were my high school trends).
Process: For my makeover, I went to my three-generations strong staple: Clinique. Unlike my beautiful partners in crime, this isn’t my first makeover rodeo. Getting your makeup done was all the rage in Ohio circa 2001 before slipping on that princess dress and grinding to Sisqo with a guy probably named Matt. However, it was my first time asking for a makeover for a women’s blog. Clarissa was so unbelievably relaxed and fun, and when I left I felt like we were just two Jersey girls, conquering the world together. Clarissa had a similar skin tone and hair color to my own, so her tips and tricks were particularly helpful. It felt so good to be pampered and just girl talk for a few minutes on a rainy Tuesday. Clarissa had some incredible guru-like moments; sharing that every woman wants something they don’t have (“Make my lips bigger”; “Make my eyes look bluer”) and doesn’t want something they do have (“Hide my freckles”; “I hate my mole”). Working with high school women, I could easily agree with her, as many of my girls in my psychologist’s chair feel the same way. It starts as young as then, when they are at the age all of us wish our skin and hair could go back to – minus the butterfly clips.
Clarissa shared how she tries to make every woman feel beautiful, as many who arrive in her chair are feeling particularly vulnerable as a stranger stares at your skin in bright white light and microscope mirrors.
For my makeover, she used a color palette that I had not really experimented with — I usually stick to browns and neutral tones, so it was fun to play with purples and violets. Clarissa would become so cutely excited, and didn’t let me see the final product until the end, waiting for the “She’s All That big reveal” moment. I love how light Clinique feels, never layered or caked, which is my worst makeup nightmare. I ended up purchasing the mascara and yet another chubby stick in a cool purple shade I would have never picked for myself. I learned some new tips like where my cheeks actually are and how to attempt to take a selfie. All in all, a really great day appreciating the beautiful women that are my friends and colleagues, watching them transform, and examining the true artists at work that are killing it at our local makeup counters!
Outcome: I loved it! I felt like the most beautiful and stylish woman at the Charley’s Steakery and Subs line. I had had the longest day at work ever, so getting to put my feet up, putting on an extra coat of mascara, eating a teriyaki sub and watching those haggard housewives verbally abuse each other in Beverly Hills was pretty much my perfect night. I did notice just how damn used to browns I am — I felt very purpley in public — and kept thinking, “Do I have a lot of makeup on right now?” as I walked through the mall to my car, but when I caught my reflection in the storefront windows I still looked somewhat natural and human.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
