Do you ever wonder what the professional make-up artists in Hollywood could do for you? Where would Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, and the rest of our 50+ stars be without a team of pros working on them before their cover or movie shoots? What exactly can makeup alone do vs. a skilled plastic surgeon? Well, I am here to tell you that a great make-up artist can make you look like you’ve had a facelift. And, they can do it in a way that does not make you look overly made up!

Here’s how I found out…

One weekend, Michele Benza took me to see Kathy Thorpe, owner of Shades of Hue in San Francisco (http://www.ShadesofHue.com.) Michele looks “tres chic” as usual and uses our walk over to the studio as time for a lesson in posture…shoulders back and down, chest out, and “float” don’t beat the pavement like you’re marching (my words – not her’s…she is far more diplomatic.) This is the quickest way to feel more self confidence…simply standing up strait!

The sun is shining and I am excited about my very first session with a professional make-up artist. Kathy’s studio is flooded with natural light. While we wait the few minutes it takes Kathy to finish up with a client, Michele uses this as a lesson time too…in skin care. With the products provided she shows me how to carefully remove makeup…cleanse, tone and moisturize.

Kathy asks me a flood of questions about my lifestyle, time I am willing spend on makeup, etc. before we get started and she looks not only AT my eyes but INTO them to determine the range of colors in the iris. This helps her determine what colors she can use that will look the most natural on me.

Then she makes up one side of my face, explaining why she is using a particular product and how she is doing it. Michele collaborates and takes notes on a face template so that I have something to follow when I get home, try to apply myself, and of course forget all the fine points. Kathy uses a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation and a translucent mineral powder to add additional coverage; a contour stick, three different eye shadows, an eyeliner stick, mascara of course, cream blush (just on the apples of the cheek) and a bronzer at the hairline and temples to minimize my noble (read “high”) forehead.  One of the things I found surprising is the importance of eyebrows. Who knew?! I have dark eyebrows so I never thought they needed anything. But, she did some fill-in and what a difference it made!

This sounds like a LOT of make-up I know but the results were astonishing and natural looking. When I looked in the mirror, I swear it looked like I’d had a facelift but only on one side. It was amazing to see the results side-by-side since one-half of my face was made-up and the other half was not. The next step was up to me. With Kathy and Michele’s help I made up the other side. And, if I do say so myself, it matched pretty well!  I left with enough products to carry on the look.

When I arrived home my husband took one look and said “Wow!” Now if you’ve ever been married to an engineer or scientist, you know that this was really amazing.  He went on to say “You look…well…Fabulous! Let me take you to dinner and show you off!” After 20 years of marriage, that is pretty amazing!

The next morning with my reference card and my new makeup spread all over the counter, I take my first steps on my own. Like anything else, it will take practice (but I do wish I had a video of the session to remind me of the technique.) The great part is that Kathy is available by phone or email for any questions I may have.

I’ve just purchased a great organizer for my makeup…sort of like an artists paint box. In the top level, I have all the products I use every day; the second and third levels have the products that further enhance. If I’m running out to the library, grocery store, bank or a café to write, I don’t bother with sculpting or three different eye shadows. A bit of tinted moisturizer, blush, eyeliner and mascara and I’m good to go. Well, I do use the eyebrow cream because it makes a huge, but subtle difference.

So, for a very small investment I get the same effect as a facelift (national average is about $7,000)? Not bad!

I highly recommend treating yourself to the best make-up artist you can afford every now and then. Do it alone or with a girlfriend. It only takes a couple of hours and it is fun.  Of course your image consultant will be a great source to recommend an artist. But, if you are not working with an image consultant, any really good photographer will know an artist to recommend.

Look great. Have fun!