When it comes to makeup, my regimen is so constant that I barely have to look in the mirror: moisturizer, primer, concealer, powder foundation, bronzer, blush, then Chapstick for day or a red lip for night, and done! The whole process takes about 5 minutes, if that, and I’m usually running out the door right after so there’s little room for creativity, though my lackluster skills wouldn’t allow for much more than the basics anyway (I struggle with basic mascara application). I’m secretly envious of beauty bloggers, who seem to have all the answers.
Every year, though, I have the same New Year’s resolution (in addition to that ridiculous ‘no more shoe purchases’ one I consistently fail at): focus more on hair, makeup and skincare. I figure I wear this face and these locks on my head every day of my life, so I should do more to take care of them and present them in the most flattering light. So this year, with the opening of the brand spanking new Sephora store at Toronto Eaton Centre just a few weeks ago, I thought I’d get a jumpstart on that New Year’s resolution.
I set up a private appointment with one of the store’s Personal Beauty Advisors (complimentary with a $125 purchase), who, over the course of an hour, made me look all fresh and pretty, and taught me easy-to-follow tips and tricks on how to achieve the look myself. From personalized product recommendations based on my unique features (short eyelashes, shiny T-zone, uneven skin tone) to step-by-step application lessons for every product he used on my face, my new best friend Adi taught me everything I ever wanted to know about skincare and makeup, and then some.
These were my key takeaways:
- Prep the skin! Don’t even bother putting foundation on before applying a great moisturizer and primer that the makeup can cling to. Also, a serum under your moisturizer will give a boost of hydration for the entire day.
- Liquid foundation for the win! Liquid foundation gives skin a cleaner, fresher and younger look. Use powder where required only, like on the t-zone, or all over only for extremely oily skin.
- Fix that makeup mistake like a pro! Accidentally coloured outside the lines? Don’t fret. Erase the error without removing your makeup base with a q-tip and some concealer or primer.
- Line those lips! A lip pencil holds your favourite gloss or lipstick in place and makes it last longer. After lining the lips, blend right into the lip, which will even out lip tones. Try using a q-tip for just the right amount of product.
- Have fun with it! Says Adi: “There are such beautiful colours coming out all the time, and if you stick to the same colours, you’ll never learn what suits you best. Whatever colour you fear the most is probably what looks best on you. Always have makeup remover beside you; if you don’t like what you did, then just erase and start over!”
Armed with my newfound knowledge and (possibly false sense of) confidence, I left Adi and the private Personal Beauty Advisor room feeling ready to conquer, well, the makeup counter. I took the opportunity to explore the rest of the new Sephora store at Toronto Eaton Centre and was blown away. It was an 8,941-square-foot wonderland of beauty products, complete with an incredible MAKE UP FOR EVER shop-in-shop, a colourful nail studio, a fun eyelash bar, and an intriguing Sensorium where shoppers can find new fragrances. The store has also expanded its brand selection, now stocking shu uemura and Giorgio Armani (part of my loot that day!) for the first time, among others.
Adi confessed, “I’ve been waiting to have a beautiful store like this for the Canadian consumer to come and get lost in this wonderful world of makeup.” Adi, it was such a pleasure getting lost in the wonderful world of Sephora Toronto Eaton Centre with you!
Interested in your own PBA session at Sephora? Stop by the new TEC location to book your appointment, and pick up some holiday gifts for the makeup-obsessed ladies in your life while you’re at it. And here’s one last tip for you: don’t forget to use TEC’s free gift wrapping service! Follow Toronto Eaton Centre on Facebook to find out more about the Centre’s holiday programs.
