This past August, my whole family left our home state of Massachusetts for a four-day, three night, vacation to visit NYC. While we take a lot of day trips, this was the first vacation for us in quite a while.

In addition to taking in cultural activities, e.g. a trip to MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art), and the American Museum of Natural History, we all got to choose another place we wanted to go. One of those days, I chose to go do something that was even longer overdue than our vacation…a makeover at the Bare Escentuals’ Boutique!

Yes, of course, I could have had this at any time, at any of the locations in MA, but, hey, it’s NYC, people. I booked an appointment ahead of my scheduled trip, and presented my “unfashionably” clothed self at the Third Avenue location. (Yes, the clothes will have to be another makeover in the next few years….)

After introducing myself to the lovely Bare Escentuals’ Boutique Manager, Melissa Colón, who would be my makeover-makeup artist, I also met Jewel Bruce, BE Advisor, and Chrissy Sanders, the Assistant Manager. They didn’t recognize me from peeking in the window earlier in the day (to figure out how to get to the BE location without my family as tour guides!)–however, they did remember my young children and my dogs in front of the windows!! Ha! Yes, seriously.

Full disclosure: I was *not* paid, asked to write about the visit, *nor* given any form of compensation. I’m a fan of Bare Escentuals products and I chose the company for my makeover. What was the best part of the Bare Escentuals experience? The staff.

Hence the comment on the card that everyone is given:

While Leslie Blodgett’s Company, Bare Escentuals, is excellent, and I wanted only Bare Escentuals for my makeover…I could not answer the “Can’t-live-without product” question. The truth of the matter is this. What makes me want to go back to Bare Escentuals (in person, or to re-order, on the internet) is your knowledgeable and welcoming staff.  I had genuine conversations while I was having my makeover. I talked to Melissa about, of course, Bare Escentuals, (the whole line, what it was like working at BE, about NYC! you name it.) I also gabbed with Jewel and Chrissy.They really did make me feel like I was having a conversation with a girlfriend! The bonus was the fact that after the makeover I did look “well rested” and 100% percent better than when I walked in the store.The Staff made sure that I had all my questions answered, that I was enjoying the Bare Escentuals visit, and that, of course, I liked the makeover.

Yes, I got to take plenty of pictures (if you’ve read my posts, you know I have a little obsession with makeup brushes.) So, feast your eyes on these:

Did I take the display case, with all the brushes back, home with me? Unfortunately, not. Bummer. Don’t laugh, more than once I told the ladies that I wanted the whole case. Trust me, by the end of my visit, they believed me!

In addition to needing the under-the-eye product, Well-Rested, (SPF 20 Eye Brightener) it was recommended that I purchased the Redness Remedy Kit.

Do not let the display picture make you believe that you have to look like the model in the picture. As a matter of fact, my redness is not on my nose at all. It’s on my cheeks, so it looks like

1. I’ve gone overboard with my blush or

2. like I have a mild case of rosacea (which I do!)

Melissa applied this to my face and “poof” all the redness disappeared. Yes, the kit includes the double-ended brush. If anyone would like more of an explanation/review of this product, please let me know in the comments section.

Also purchased at the Boutique: Big & Bright Eyeliner Kit. That day, I, along with every other customer who met the minimum purchase price requirement, received the following free items:  Magnifique and Crème de la Crème Eyecolor. Plus, I received a black coffee eyeliner! I have included a scan of my sales slip so that you can see what I purchased and the ones that were included for free.

(clicking on the slip will enlarge it) 

To close, I just want to thank everyone at the Boutique for reinforcing my love of Bare Escentuals, and making my visit memorable and fun!

Disclosure: I have nothing to disclose. While the makeover at Bare Escentuals is “free” to any customer, as it is polite and the “right thing to do,” I gave Melissa a tip.

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