HAVING A COMPLETE STRANGER assail your face with pointy objects and brightly colored paint sounds like a scene from "Saw XX: The Makeover," which may explain why many women feel so intimidated when the cosmetic-trons at the mall offer to slap a few products on their mugs. But whether you're interested in spiffing up your look for an event or want to finally master the elusive "smoky eye," spending a little time in the chair might teach you to apply lipstick as well as Marilyn Monroe or put on eyeliner without looking like Marilyn Manson.

To help others combat makeup artist phobia, we sent Kirsten Ehrenspeck, 28, an Olney teacher, cosmetics novice and bride-to-be with a May wedding, to four Montgomery Mall cosmetics counters. At appointments, she asked for a natural look that photographed well and that she could reproduce on the big day. There was no winner in our makeup marathon, but Ehrenspeck came away with great products and advice for future fix-my-face forays.

» Lancome
Products used: 15-20
Price range: $23.50-$68
Brand Loyalty: Flexible. Our artist recommended home remedies (oatmeal instead of exfoliant!) as well as products from other labels.
Pros: The cosmetics gal set aside all of the products she had used for us to pore over plus a list. A colored-in paper face showed exactly where shades were applied.
Cons: The consultant was a tad contradictory — a few moments after recommending all matte products, she applied quite a bit of glitter. And our tester's features didn't pop in photos they way they did with other lines.
Best Products: Color Ideal Foundation ($37.50), Primordiale skin care line ($48-$68).

Continue Reading "Trying out Four Makeup Counters: Mall Order" »

ARE WE BITTER THAT, as soon as we threw our superdelegate support behind a certain perfect, thin, liquid Shishedo eyeliner, the company discontinued the darn thing? Yes, but that won't stop us from campaigning for Hourglass' new Calligraphy's Liquid Liner ($32, Sephora.com).

Like our late, great peeper prettifier, this dark and lovely stuff comes in sleek pen form. It slides on like a graceful little Sharpie, leaving a skinny smudge that's more Lauren Bacall than late-era Bette Davis. We expect to keep it in our bag through the election season, especially since it'd be easy to apply in the back of cab speeding us to some glamorous inaugural ball.

RUBBING MOISTURIZING goop on hair before going to sleep begets hideous acne nightmares. These fears were assuaged by John Frieda Frizz-Ease Creme Serum Night ($10, drugstores), which one applies to dry hair before bed.

It didn't leave pools of grease on the pillow (it didn't even leave a scent), and once hair was washed and dried, it was smoother.

WE'RE ALL ABOUT metallics, so we were hot to try the I Spa at the Willard's new dusting of real 24K gold powder ($30, 202-942-2700). Applied with a brush the size of a small orange, it can be added to any facial, body treatment or massage. The Jane Iredale powder is made of superfine mica, 24K gold leaf and iron oxides.

Spa Director Annie Gaye thinks it is best on the decolletage, but you can go for broke (at no extra charge) and have it applied to the face (our idea, but looked weird) and legs. It's subtly sparkly and doesn't get all over your clothes. Hello, sunny afternoon or romantic dinner!

Written by Express contributor Stephanie Jones

FINDING A NEW perfume can be intimidating at best and nauseating at worst. But Sephora's new Scentsa Fragrance Finder (Tysons Corner Center and Georgetown stores) makes it that much easier to avoid sensory overload.

Its new touch-pad screens provide easily accessible information on anything you could ever imagine about perfume.

Written by Express contributor Danielle Parnass

LET'S BE HONEST. You already own mascara. Sure, you always want more, but you want new mascara if it does something spectacular to your lashes. Physicians Formula Plump Potion ($9, drugstores) claims to have a "7x plumping effect." Never mind that lashes actually cannot be "plumped."

The bottle resembles a test tube, but don't let that fool you into thinking that you'll get your regular lashes, multiplied by exactly seven. You'll get thicker Pat Benatar-like lashes, yes, exactly like every other mascara. This one is rather clump-free, but the brush is bulky and awkward. Life is full of trade-offs. Don't forget that.

WITH ITS PRETTY PINK shade, Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief ($34 for 1.7 ounces, department stores) screams "girly product." But when you can convince a manly-man husband to smear the soothing goo on his sunburned face, you know there has to be some substance behind the style.

Like the original Moisture Surge, it's an excellent extreme moisturizer for combination skin — leaving dry patches smooth and plump with nary an oil slick in sight. Just tell the guys it's like Gatorade for your face.

Written by Express contributor Erin Clements Rushing

IN D.C., A LAND sans waterfalls, where can one go to smell the natural wonder? No need to stick your nose in a thousand tons of rushing water just yet. Try a perfume that encompasses fragrant falls. L'Eau D'Issey by Issey Miyake ($60, Sephora.com) has a truly aquatic appeal. It's light enough to wear at work or at home. Floral scents — including lotus, freesia, carnations and white lilies — add to Issey's feminine bouquet.

It's the perfect accompaniment to the upcoming summer dress season. L'Eau D'Issey isn't all innocence though. Like waterfalls, there's a hint of danger. Woody and musky undertones give this perfume a sexy tone that pairs well with sexy stilettos.

Written by Express contributor Robyn Mincher

YOU REMEMBER THAT oh-so-popular saying, "bronze as a baby's bottom"? No? Never heard of it? Well, that might have something to do with the fact that most people don't usually associate being tan with bare naked infants. Yet ... Enter Lancome. New for this season is their Star Bronzer in Sun Cherub ($50, Lancome-usa.com), a "sensual" (seriously, their words) bronzing powder emblazoned with an exposed baby Cupid and his chubby hind quarters.

Oddly chosen imagery aside, it's a decent bronzer, and it comes in a giant pan. So, if the baby derriere doesn't freak you out, feel free to enjoy and get your glamorous glow on.

Written by Express contributor Erin Clements Rushing

AS SUMMER IN D.C. approaches, everyone with even slightly frizz-prone hair (which is everyone) looks for a way to smooth things out. Dove is no exception, with its Frizz Control Therapy Shampoo ($4, drugstores). And, like everything else in the universe, it doesn't work out the way you planned — but it works out OK anyway.

First, the bad news: Frizz is here to stay. This shampoo barely smooths out the hair at all after the first few minutes. The good news: It does leave your hair incredibly soft and clean-feeling. So, despite your frizz, you might be happy in the end.