It’s the time of year when we have the chance to show off a bit. And that means makeup. During party season, even the most slap-averse is drawn towards a slash of crimson lipstick, a dark flick on the eyelids, or at least a more polished look. If you’re going to be buying cosmetics anyway — and in these straitened times we all need cheering up — it makes sense to combine it with a proper makeup, by a pro.
Scared of liquid eyeliner? (Me too!) Get a makeup artist to do it for you before your party. Most beauty brands these days offer makeup services at their counters or in stand-alone stores with the cost — quite hefty in some cases — redeemable against purchase.
Many consultants are happy just to give you a ten minute refresher for eyes and cheeks, say, without charging, but for a proper session of 30 minutes to an hour, it’s worth booking in to get the job done properly, and offsetting the cost against products.
Just make sure you specify what you’re after and don’t miss the chance to try out the limited edition ranges while you’re at it. The counters at big department stores like Harrods are terrific but you’ll probably get a bigger range of products at standalone stores; the hubs are Covent Garden and now, Carnaby Street.
Top tip: the lovely Dolce & Gabbana store at Covent garden doesn’t charge for a makeup, but you’ll want to buy a lip gloss anyway.
Here are some of the best:
CHARLOTTE TILBURY, CARNABY STREET & COVENT GARDEN
Where? Carnaby Street, but there are umpteen in-store counters and a nagnificent Covent Garden flagship.
The USP: Charlotte Tilbury is catnip for teenage girls but the sheer joy and theatricality of the whole thing — all pink and gold and mirrors for the full Hollywood vibe — is fun for any age.
The service: The impossibly glamorous Sofia at Carnaby Street sent me out for a party looking as near as I’ll ever get to the fairy on the top of the tree. In a good way.
Hero products: The iconic Magic Cream, (£54), Pillow Talk Lip Kits, (£21) and Lip Mask, (£28, all at charlottetilbury.com)
The cost: From £75 at Carnaby Street or £70 in Covent Garden. BOOK HERE
NARS AT HARRODS, HARVEY NICHOLS & COVENT GARDEN
Where? Harrods in-store counter, Harvey Nichols and the flagship store in Covent Garden.
The USP: NARS was always a trendsetter. The cult product is probably the cream blush christened Orgasm, which makes the Harrods counter the place where ten customers a day say “I’d like an Orgasm please”. The featherlight tinted moisturiser is also fabulous.
The service: This counter allows you to play with some of the innovative and reliable products that NARS produces. My makeup artist Lucy sent me out looking like a better, not different, version of myself.
Hero Products: The Multiple - This cream stick comes in a vast spectrum of shades, is portable and brilliantly versatile. (£33, narscosmetics.co.uk)
The cost: £50 for The Event by NARS service for 60minutes, or for The Refresh by NARS service, £30 for 40 minutes. BOOK HERE
CHANEL, COVENT GARDEN
Where? Chanel shop, Covent Garden Plaza.
The USP: There are, of course, lots of Chanel counters out there, but this is just the prettiest space, with an inviting open counter for make-up play. Chanel means elegance and that’s exactly the look you emerge with.
The service: I surprised the excellent Sofia by demanding an unexpected makeup session and you know what? In 20 minutes she transformed me from glum (just off the Tube) to glam. But for a proper makeup with the resident artist, book ahead.
The hero product: Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch - A seamless, thoroughly modern base that delivers a your-skin-but-better finish. (£55, chanel.com)
The cost: A quick refresher is free, or £60 for a 60-minute makeup session. BOOK HERE
TRINNY LONDON, CHELSEA
Where? 31 King’s Road
The USP: You perhaps don’t expect a range that’s aimed at more mature skin — it’s usually intended for women aged 35 and over — to be so cheerful, but this store, practically opposite Peter Jones, is fun and vibrant. The place looks like a playground, with the makeup area a hall of mirrors.
The service: Trinny, as in Woodall, is best known for excellent skincare but the makeup is top quality too. Eye, lip and cheek colours come in stackable, travel-friendly pots. Much of the makeup is skincare-infused like the excellent BFF range.
The hero product: Trinny London BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum - A beautiful skin tint with skincare benefits. (£41, trinnylondon.com)
The cost: The King’s Road Ritual is £100 and 1 hour 20 minutes long. A one hour session is £60, and a half hour session, £30 BOOK HERE
WESTMAN ATELIER AT HARRODS
Where? Harrods
The USP This is a relatively new arrival in London, intended to bridge the divide between luxury makeup and the clean, ethical sort. So this makeup is not just appealing to look at – it’s actively good for the skin. And so the packaging is luxurious and the products are infused with good things like hyaluronic acid and organic jojoba oil. The motto here is skincare that behaves like makeup. Or maybe the other way round.
The service: This is a good-for-you range which works brilliantly. And the makeup is subtly transformative. Founder and New York makeup artist extraordinaire Gucci Westman certainly knows her stuff. You look like yourself when it’s done, only better.
The hero product: The Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Petal has earned icon status amongst makeup artists and beauty editors. (£44, cultbeaty.co.uk)
The cost: Free for a brief 10-30 minutes session; longer appointments based on product purchases, for instance, three products for a special occasion makeup, 45 minutes; or four products for a hour’s makeup lesson. The brand also offers live video concierge sessions too. BOOK HERE
TOM FORD, COVENT GARDEN
Where: Covent Garden Plaza
The USP: This was the first ever Tom Ford beauty store; there are now two others, in Paris and New York. And you know what Tom Ford means? Glamour...
The service: The Tom Ford makeup collection includes bold, brave pigments, so it helps to have Marco, the makeup artist, apply products that might be intimidating at first glance, but turn out to be beautifully flattering. This is perhaps not a range for the shrinking violet, but for the effortlessly glamorous. And so, girls, va-va-voom, you’re off!
The hero product: The Soleil Lip Blush - An exquisite-to-look-at, shade-shifting lip balm infused with gold flakes. (£49, tomfordbeauty.co.uk)
The cost: £70 for a one-to-one makeup session, redeemable against purchase. Call 03701925902 to book.
MAC COSMETICS, KINGS CROSS
Where: St Pancras Station.
USP: One of the brilliant aspects of this MAC outlet is that it’s bang in the middle of St Pancras station, so ideal for travellers returning from a gruelling Eurostar trip. Or heading off on one. That said, makeup appointments start from 10am, so are not designed for the early morning train for Paris.
The service: MAC was originally born out of frustration at makeup products that didn’t work under studio lights — and there remain few better products for photography, television and catwalks — but it’s extended way beyond that remit. Sabina, the makeup artist I met, declares that the philosophy is that the makeup artists are the hands of the client. Her motto is “co-creation”, which is to say, what you want, goes.
The hero product: The Mineralise Skinfinish Natural Powder - For naturally polished, poreless-looking skin. (£34, maccosmetics.co.uk)
The cost: £30 for 30 minutes; £60 for 60 minutes BOOK HERE
