Weather aside, I love living in the Philadelphia area. We are just a hop, skip, and a jump from NYC, where a lot of bloggy action takes place. And Philadelphia’s bloggy action is nothing to sneeze at either. Take for example, last night — the second ever Mom’s Night In, the brain child of the fabulous Beth Feldman of Role Mommy and BeyondPr; hosted by Colleen of Classy Mommy; and sponsored by Bio-Medical Research, Makers of Slendertone.
Ladies, THIS is how you throw a party. We were treated to manicures, makeovers, massages, and of course great swag — to say nothing of great company. Oh, and did I mention the food and the wine? HELLO.
When I arrived a fashionably 10 minutes late, there were already cars lining the curb. This was clearly a party not to miss! It was great fun catching up with some of the Philly mom bloggers I’ve met on past occasions and getting to know new ones. After grabbing a glass of wine (first things first, you know!) I made a bee-line to the corner of the room with the makeup artist where I was informed that for 36 years, I have been mistaken about the color of my eyes, I have been applying blush in the wrong way, and I should never wear white pants with a dark top. Mmmm’kay. Now I’ll back up and give you the scoop from beginning to end.
When I approached, he asked me what area I wanted to focus on. Immediately I said, “My eyes!” Although I’ve gotten better in the past year because of the slew of beauty books I’ve been sent to review for Chic Critique, I’ve NEVER mastered the art of eye shadow application. His next question: “What colors do you normally wear?” I closed my eyes for a sec. “Neutrals. And at the moment I’m wearing blue eye liner because I read somewhere that blue looks good on brown eyes. But I’m not sure I like it. Whenever I see pictures of myself, all I see is blue, not my eyes.”
“Well,” he responded. “Your first problem is, you don’t have brown eyes.”
HOW could I not know this?
“What color eyes do I have?” What am I, six?
“They’re hazel.”
“Well, THAT certainly changes things.” I’ve read enough books to know that blue is NOT recommended for hazel eyes.
I told him that I run a beauty and fashion blog and that I’ve read tons of books on this stuff. I feel like a complete and utter failure. “They’re too general,” he breezily replied.
He sat me down in the chair and started swirling his makeup brush in shades of lavender. He talked to me about how to apply it, and informed me that I have a very unusual eye shape, which is why I’ve had a hard time figuring out how to apply makeup to them. Of course I’ve been applying eye liner all wrong too. After he finished, he drew me a picture so I can practice at home.
Then he said, “There’s one other thing I want to change — your cheeks.”
“Ooooookay. What am I doing wrong there?”
“Your color is good. It’s your application.”
“Lay it on me.” No pun intended. SNORT.
“The reason you haven’t read this advice in your books,” he explains, “is because you have the opposite problem of most women. Your face is long and thin. Would you wear a white top and black pants?”
“Um, no, too waistressy.”
“But would you wear a light top with dark bottoms?” he persisted.
“Yeah, sure.”
“And would you wear a black top and white pants?”
“YES!”
“Noooooooooooo… not even YOU are thin enough to pull that off.”
Well, then. I guess my plan to purchase white jeans this summer is out.
He went on to explain that light colors expand an area and dark colors contract. I know, duh. But evidently this applies to blush as well. “We’re going to make your cheeks look fuller by applying the blush just UNDER the cheekbones.” He proceeded to apply the blush.
Then he grabbed another brush and swished it around in a face powder. “This is called China Doll. When we were creating the colors, I wanted to call it Pasty White Chick, but they wouldn’t let me.”
I literally snorted. “Now THAT I would buy just for the name alone,” I chortled.
“I KNOW!” he exclaimed. “I thought it was hilarious. But they wouldn’t let me.”
I like this guy. We have the same sense of humor.
“One more thing, your lips. This is a lip ENHANCER, not a lip plumper. It’s not going to put you in the hospital.” He went on to explain that lip plumpers are toxic. NICE.
We chatted for a few more minutes. I could have talked to him all day, but I didn’t want to hog the makeover table and besides, my wine glass was empty. Sarah and I are totally planning to visit his salon, Calista Grand Salon and Day Spa in West Chester, to get a full consultation.
After mingling a bit, Melissa and I decided it was time for a massage. We went together because haven’t you heard? Ladies always go to the massage room in pairs. The masseuse was all set up with one of those chairs like the ones you see in the mall, and we made small talk while we took turns getting our shoulders massaged. Melissa went first, and I went second, and about ten minutes into my massage, so right about the time that I was reaching full relaxation, the presentation began in the main room. After a few minutes the masseuse said, “Do you want me to wrap this up?”
HA! Yeah, I’ll give you 30 minutes to cut that out.
“Nonononono… Take your time.”
He finished up in time for me to catch the tail end of the presentation by Bio-Medical Research about their Slendertone products. AND I got to take home the Slendertone Revive AND the Slendertone System-Ads. I’m a bit skeptical, but I’ll be sure to let you know after I get a chance to try them out.
After that it was more mixing and mingling until it was time to return to real life. What? You don’t have masseuses and manicurists and makeup artists hanging out at your house on a daily basis? The only thing I didn’t get to do that I was looking forward to was having my nails done, but in the swag bag from Calista was a G.C. to get a free manicure with a paid pedicure. I am SURE I will be making good use of THAT.
A highlight of the evening was chatting with Beth Feldman. I could have talked with her all night, and I believe me, I tried. Finally she started inching her way towards the door, after explaining that she was planning to ride back to New York last night. Poor lady, I just wouldn’t take the hint. After she detangled herself from my greedy tentacles, I said my good-byes, passed out a few business cards so I could be sure to keep in touch with the other fabulous ladies who were there, and headed home.
I just want to give a mega shout-out to our fabulous hostess, Colleen, and of course Beth Feldman, for creating such a festive evening out, or “in,” rather.
For more recaps of the evening (and videos and photos), visit:
Role Mommy
Mommies With Style
girlymama
Genesis Moments
If I find more recaps, I’ll add the links to this list.
I want to move back home just so I can attend parties like this with you. Anyone in the Philly area hiring software engineers?
Hey, the UPS lady came by nice and early yesterday and delivered a great hard drive package!! Thanks you so much for hostessing the giveaway. It’s funny but my hubby picked it up a few times and said “so cool you won this”
I enjoyed reading about your eye makeup consultation. I have hazel eyes, too, and have just gotten back into doing the eye makeup thing. I wasn’t sure what color is good for me. I always use neutral tones. I just happened to purchase a lavender eyeshadow last week. I also started using a brown eyeliner. Is brown okay for us hazel-eyed girls?
Also… how does one go about finding other bloggers in their area? Is there a particular site to search for them?
That sounds like so much fun! I’ll look into whether or not my city has one. Because I haven’t gotten my makeup critiqued by a man… ever. Who knows what I’m doing wrong!
I’ve been going to Calista for a few years now… That place is fabulous (albeit a bit pricy). Sounds like a great night!
I’m not even going to sugar coat this: I am sooo jealous of your pampering night! What a fun party!!
Oh and when you get your mani/pedi at Calista – go to Veronica. She is awesome and took great care of my tootsies while I was prego…
What a totally fun evening.
And I agree — make-up called Pasty White Chick would be a huge seller. Corporations are too conservative about that sort of thing.
Okay, lip plumpers are toxic? Seriously?
And I’m trying to apply the artist’s tips to my fat face. If one has ‘fuller’ cheeks, should you keep the dark color on the apple instead of underneath?
This sounds like the most awesome blogger party ever. We just get together and eat Mexican food.
)
Sounds like sooo much fun! I read girlymama’s post on this,too. I’d love to get a consultation but I fear what they’d say when I walked in the door. I think its probably more like an overhaul I need as opposed to a consultation.
Sounds like a GREAT evening! Sounds like the make up artist was awesome!
Seriously? There are no such parties in Safety Harbor, Florida. Dang.
Love the make-up tips.
Oh, I wish I could’ve been there! It sounds like a great time. I thought that leaving two vomiting children home with the hubby wouldn’t be too nice, though. Hopefully I can make the next event!
Amy
WHY did you not talk me into doing THIS???? And where are the pics of your lavender hugged hazel eyes and enhanced cheeks and lips? Hmmmmm?
Sound FAbulous!!!!! Wish I lived closer to a big city so I could go to some of these fun get togethers. I don’t suppose these fancy busy people want to come to the swamp? Ha.
Please tell me you have photos of the new colors ON YOUR ACTUAL FACE. I’m dying to see! Colleen told me about planning this party when we were at Blissdom. FUN.
I would SOOO buy something called Pasty White Chick!!
How lucky are you?! I want a night in like that! I too have heard about blue eyeliner looking great on brown eyes, but I have yet to try it. I actually use a sage green, because I have flecks of green in my brown eyes.
And you should have taken a picture of your face! I’m interested to see the difference. One pic of how you used to do your makeup, and one pic with your new makeup tricks. Maybe for a future post?
How wonderful! I wish we had stuff like that around here, but at least now I am digging up all the MN bloggers I can find!
Where’s your vlog post of applying your new makeup techniques?
Sounds like a lot of fun! I went to a similar party a while back – but they were selling their products – but was a nice night of pampering!
I’m going for a massage on Monday! can’t wait – I don’t go as often as I used to.
Oh and Pasty White Chick……..LOL sounds like a name LUSH would use! LOL
Off to check out the other links!!
~TidyMom
Your conversation with the makeup artist was fascinating!
You are so lucky to have all this fun! Have a great weekend!
Sounds like a fantastic event!
And I would buy Pasty White Chick makeup too–since I am one!
Just finally got around to recapping it! Here’s my post:
http://www.genesismoments.com/awritersjourney/2009/02/moms-night-in-pampered-parties.html
I watched some of the video! It looks like everyone had a wonderful evening:) Wishing I could attend something like that!
HELLO – girlfriend – where are the pictures of your NEW eyes. We all want to see them.
I have hazel eyes and can’t remember the last time I wore anything blue on them. I used to wear navy mascara – every day and navy eyeliner. The make-up consultant at Bobbi Brown told me years ago not to do that.
Now one did tell me to wear a deep purple eyeliner sometimes – good contrast to hazel.
I wonder what Shari B would have to say about the white pants/black top thing? I guess it depends on your body type.
Sounds like a very fun night!
the evening was a blast, but I am bummed I did not get to speak with you. definitely next time
now I have to get around to posting my recap. I am so behind…