Retail therapy: Benefit Cosmetics @ Bloomingdales
Divorce sucks. This whole starting over thing can be pretty tough. Sure, things will eventually calm down and I’ll get back to a normal life. In the meantime, I have to make many sacrifices, most of which are tolerable. I learned to live without reliable internet access, fudgsicles (the local Pavilions grocery store doesn’t stock ‘em!), and a working A/C in my car (I live in the Valley, ladies. Its really friggin’ hot here!). But some things are just non-negotiable; like shopping. There’s only so much sacrifice a girl can take!
After much internal bickering, I finally gave into my baser needs and walked into Bloomingdales’ Sherman Oaks location last Wednesday.
I was immediately flagged down by a make-up counter gal. She lead me to the Benefit Cosmetics area and got straight down to business. In a bright, sunny voice she asked, “Would you be interested in a cosmetic demonstration today?†I have tons of free time on my hands these days, so I said sure, lay it on me, Sista. Actually, I said, sure, that’d be great.
Her name is Lisa, and she has a great look. Think a modern Louise Brookes; flawless skin, straight hair with soft edges to her bob; a natural shape of her lips, but covered in a striking red lip stick; subtle tattoos peeking out from under her shirt sleeves. On her, it works.
She worked her magic for about a minute before asking what I’m looking for.
Flo: Well, I’ll be honest with you, Lisa: I’m in a middle of a bitter divorce and I’m looking for a little pampering. What would you recommend?
Lisa: Ohhhhhhhhh, I’m sorry.
Flo: Thanks.
She continued dabbing makeup to my cheeks for another minute before saying, “We have a lot of luxurious body products. I’ll show them to you when we’re done.†As she leaned in closer to me, her voice lowered as she said, “Yeah, marriage is hard. I’m married, and sometimes, it can tough.â€
Between the sales pitches (“This is a great blush, with a pretty pink color that will look fantastic on your cheeks.†) we talked about my impending divorce and marriage in general. It was a private conversation between two married gals, so I won’t publish the details here. I’ll just say Lisa was kind, sincere, and shared enough to really help put things in perspective.
After all of that, I only bought a new foundation. But here is a list of products Lisa used and recommended during my little make-over:
Primer: ‘dr. feelgood,’ $24
Playsticks foundation: ‘hopscotch,’ $30
Blush: ‘catch me if you can,’ $15
Brow: ‘brow zings (medium),’ $26
Shadows: ‘me, myself and I,’ ‘groundhog day,’ and ‘lazy boy,’ $14 each
Lipgloss: (forgot the name, sorry!) $14
Makeup total: $151
Potions and lotions:
Pineapple facial polish, $24
‘Dear John’ facial cream, $28
Bathina ‘Touch me then try to leave’ cream, $26
Bathina ‘Body so fine,’ $26
Bathina ‘Sandal scandal’ $34
Potions and lotions total $138
Grand total: $289
Beauty may be expensive at Bloomingdales, but the advice @ Benefit is free and priceless. When you stop by Lisa’s booth, say hi for me.
I feel pretty,
Flo
Add comment June 24th, 2005