HAPPY BIRTHDAY! THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL…
I recently had a birthday.
My birthday to me has never been a big deal, half of the time it falls on Mother’s Day and the older I get the more people that I know personally that share my birthday. I enjoy throwing everyone else parties and usually only succumb to having a party for my own birthday if I get bugged enough about it. Despite having grown up having the typical big birthday parties as a child, the part I dreaded was the attention as I’ve never been a big fan of having the spotlight on myself. I always enjoy the social aspect of parties and catching up with everyone and am appreciative when my friends make time to get together for my birthday– but I hate the “Happy Birthday” song and blow out the candles part.
Anyhow, as is typical with birthdays I was flooded with birthday cards, phone calls, text messages, balloons, flowers, and of course Facebook wall posts from friends, family, and colleagues/co-workers. I also received the standard birthday cards from my accountant. hair stylists, and a couple of different boutiques I frequent.
The one thing I wasn’t expecting, however, was personal attention from bigger corporations. I was somewhat startled to find voicemails from managers at places like The Body Shop, Sephora, a clothing store, a bookstore, and from Guest Relations at a mall in another city that I never even frequent (nor did I know I was on their mailing list) to let me know that I either had a free gift, store credit, or a gift card waiting for me. I also received e-mail reminders from some of them as well. The e-mail birthday greetings from corporations are more typical and I received many of those as well offering discounts on purchases or free shipping.
This seems to be a sign of the times as it’s no secret that most businesses (big or small) have been affected by our economic situation and are really stepping up their game on the customer service/relations side to ensure that their clientele sees them in a positive light. I know I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the messages, who wouldn’t want a free gift card to a place they frequent? Even if it is just a $10 token of their appreciation of your past, present, and future business.
What is $10 to a business most of the time anyhow? Chances are most people will not even retrieve it (like myself and that mall gift card) –this would be a case of it’s the thought that counts — and if they do they will probably spend a lot more than $10 in your store. Even if they only spend the $10, you are still getting them into your store or online site where they may discover a product you specialize in that they love or have such a positive shopping experience that they’ll be back soon.
Never in my lifetime, nor in most of yours, has it seemed like we’re living in such a consumer’s world. (more…)
What’s In My Make-Up Bag – Featured Make-Up Artist Laurene Alvarado
This month’s featured Make-Up Artist Laurene Alvarado shares some of her favorite products, product lines, and where to shop for them.
TRAffIK: What are some of your favorite staple products that you use?
LAURENE: SMASHBOX PHOTO OP UNDER EYE BRIGHTENER- This is by far one of my favorite products. Not only can it be used under the eyes, but I love using it lightly over the ‘t-zone’ to give the false illusion that light is coming thru the skin.
HiP High Intensity Pigments Jelly Balm by Loreal. It gives off great translucent color and it feels so soft, not sticky on the lips.
TRAffIK: What would your advice be for someone who has never worn make-up but wants to start?
LAURENE: Try a tinted moisturizer. Like ELIZABETH ARDEN SHEER LIGHTS ILLUMINATING TINTED MOISTURIZER SPF 15- I use this product on myself as well as others all the time. It gives just the right amount of coverage without feeling ‘makeupy’. It works great as a foundation alone too.
TRAffIK: What is your going out make-up process (either daily morning getting ready or nighttime)?
(more…)
Beauty How to – Vanessa Comar – Trend Watch – Re-Creating the Look
The March Featured Make-up Pro-Artist Vanessa Comar is back one final time and this time is teaching us how to get one of the latest Trend looks direct from the Runways…
Click on Photos to enlarge to see end result of Beauty How To
all photos by Jessy Plume
Tools of the Trade – For this look Pro Artist Vanessa used:
Lips:mixed with three parts Peach Lip Glaze by Stila
Kajol Pencil in Topaz
Face:
Perfecting Concealer in shade AA by Stila
Eyes:
Eye Shadow mix for Trend color in Mint:Sephora Color Duo # 3 combo
Gold/Green base color was Stila shade Fandango mixed w/
Chubby Pencil by Pop Beauty in Galaxy
To read a Q & A with Vanessa click here
To Check out more of Vanessa’s Favorite Products click here
Check back next week for Tips from April’s featured Make-Up Artist Candace Garcia
What are they wearing?
On Vanessa: Dress by InSight naile by Naja of Extremedy’s 2012
Model: Sasha
To contact Vanessa or see more of Vanessa’s work visit her site here
Tried and True: From Our Make-Up Bags to Yours – Stila Pro Artist Vanessa Comar
Vanessa Comar, our March Featured Make-up Artist shares her list of favorite products
Top 5 Brands I Use:
1. Stila
2. Nars
3. Make-up Forever
4. Kevin Aucoin
5. Cargo
Honestly almost every product line at Sephora makes at least one or two phenomenal products, it’s familiarity with formulations and combinations to get the right result.
First things First: Good Brushes = Perfect Application.
- Sephora Brush Set – $69
- Stila Smudge Pot – $18
Cream Blushes
- Stila Convertible Color (for lips and cheeks) – $25
Lip Venom by DuWop
- DuWop’s Lip Venom – $16
Dior Show mascara for the very dramatic lash
- Dior Show – $24