Wednesday, 02 September 2009
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Look What Sephora Did to My Face!
I strolled in Sephora the other day with no makeup on and asked for a makeover. As usual, I pretended that I didn’t know anything about makeup and said that I was overwhelmed with the store. Well—that’s half true! I had a gift certificate and I didn’t have anything in particular in mind to buy, so I was open to hear a good pitch.
Here’s my before & after:
Before
AfterOh look… I aged 10 years! I hated how my eyelids looked really fat and how the green eyeshadow went all the way up to my brow bone! This look actually makes my face look even FLATTER. Hi Pancake Face.
Another common problem with this look is that there is little/no eyeliner! Eyeliner is SO important for Asian eyes! Why would you go full out on eyeshadow and ZERO on eyeliner???
In the end… I looked like a geisha again. Of course I’m not terribly surprised—this is what typically happens when you sit down at a random counter.
I did hear the comments of all these other Sephora reps saying “WOW AMAZING JOB!” One rep said “That looks straight up RUNWAY!” Umm… Isn’t it obvious that I’m not trying to look like a runway model!? Why would I want to look that clownish everyday? I have no clue what makes them think that I wanted a “runway” look when I made it clear that I didn’t know anything about makeup. (Can you imagine if I really didn’t know anything about makeup and got this done to my face? I would be screaming and running out the door!)
I know that she did a good job of explaining each product and what they did. I can give her props of believing in what she did to me, but in the end I thought I felt ridiculous! I felt really embarrassed to walk around and I knew that people were staring at me! All the Sephora reps kept saying how much they LOVED my eyes. What did they love about it? Was it how I looked incredibly dramatic and drag queenish? It made me feel like I was the only sane person there.
THIS is what I would normally do: (I bought the same products and re-did this at home.
I make the eyes smokier around the bottom edges and only use lighter colors on top. I did love the eyeshadow Lorac palette, which is what I purchased. And o hello eyeliner!
My emotional rant about how I think other people view us Asian women:
Asians can be viewed as “accessories.” We are exotic beings and are not supposed to look like normal people. We can’t blend in because we stand out so much, no matter what we try to do. People stare because you have black hair and fair skin. They stare when you wear something hideous and they stare when you’re fashionable. Sometimes I swear they continue staring because they can’t figure out what they think about you. It’s a blessing and a curse. We can’t pull off the typical American looks we see on TV unless you somehow got really American features.
So when someone tells you that you look amazing in all that green and gold eyeshadow, it’s not them saying “you look very naturally enhanced.” It’s more like “you look great dolled up like an ornament, ready to strut your stuff at a disco party as somebody’s trophy.” Sometimes it’s great and it’s fun to stand out and be unique. But for the most part, I don’t think they realize that we don’t WANT to look like accessories. But I suppose that’s the battle of being an Asian woman in today’s world….
Have you had any problems with makeovers? What about with your race?
Guest blog submitted by JacBeauty
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- From: jacbeauty
- Name: jacbeauty
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Comments (181)
What you did makeup-wise to yourself was SO much better than anything they did! Great job!
=)
im confused...i think you looked gorgeous. but thats just me. *shrug*
My skin is pretty much crap so I've never received a makeover from a beauty counter or anything of the sort.
We as Asians may be different from the average white female but calling us "exotic" is what makes them see us in that light, in my opinion.
Hmmm.....I like both looks really. But the first one did make you look older, which isn't that awesome. I think your eyes need more color on them! But its apparent you like to be conservative with your make up.
you def look better doing ur own make up. Make-up places always over make ppl, so that they think they look good and buy more.
i didn't think it was that bad, but i like the way you do it a lot better!
Chyea. Straight up runway. I like it. :D
just hate the eyeshadow though. that's is though. otherwise you look gorgeous. btw, many women where that type of makeup on everyday. it doesn't look clownish if you are use to it. trustt me. many, MANY asian women too. its common and normal.i have only heard of asian women being exotic. where i live, asians are the majority, and thus the stereotype is that all asians are nerds that can't dress properly or hold up a conversation without looking awkward, or saying something awkward. my bff is asian by the way. she's awesomely beautiful with or without makeup. <3
We are all exotic. There is no such thing as an "average white female" or an "exotic asian woman". every race is different. I don't agree with saying that asian women are seen as accessories, its just they aren't sure how to do make up that works with your ethnicity.
I've took my caucasian friend go into an asian make up store and she had a similar experience as yours. It's just different styles, that's it.I really like how you do your make up, however I didn't think the job Sephora did was that bad either.
I like the more natural look. So yeah I prefer your style. :P
The people in Sephora will say just about anything to sell the products, I love Sephora but it's the truth they always come by tell me things I KNOW that look absolutely horrible on me look so good, or I get "that's such a good color on you" when its clearly not...maybe there sales tactics would work on someone more nieve and just starting out with makeup but I know what works for me and no matter how nice there being and how many compliments they deal I'm not going to buy something that dosn't flatter me.
I agree with the majority, I dont think what they did was bad, but what you did was better. Usually with makeovers, you tell people what you would like & they help you create the look. I wouldnt just give someone free reign over my face, I'd fear the result.
I actually went to Sephora last Friday & had a good mini makeover! I wanted some red lipstick but the one I liked was $18 & I wanted a $12 (I'm NOT cheap, just one a budget), so the lady took the Kat Von D lipstick & color matched it to the Sephora brand lipstick & showed me how to apply with with a lip brush & to use translucent powder to help it stay on longer. She gave me a BE foundation sample to use for it, which was awesome. I like sales reps who actually help you & not just push products for commission or goals. I dont blame the store, just the people working in it.
when i do friends' makeup i have to ask them what their limits are. because i can get REALLY dramatic or tone it down. maybe she didnt know & wanted to show you the full showcase on what she can do or something lol. but yeah she def missed a few pts for no eyeliner. its def a must.
I went to Sephora like 2 months ago asking about eyeshadow, and they did the same thing for me too! I didn't like it all. And I totally agree about the eye liner for Asians!!! Good job on your own make-up :)
You did amazing...cuz you know your own face!!! AND you looked more comfortable so that always helps :) :)
They did a very nice job, just not what makes you comfortable...and yeah it did age you :) lol
I didn't like the eyeshadow job too much but I really liked the look they gave your lips. i think that with your way of doing your eyes would look magnificent together. Either way, you do your own make up just fine!
@ikissedtheboy@xanga - i agree too!
usually when i go to the makeup stands, they always tend to put too much makeup on me and make it too fierce, when i like it just soft because i already have the olive skin and dark features already.
The make up they did would be good if you going to a big event I suppose. I like the makeup you do yourself too :3
that shade of green eyeshadow did NOTHING for you T_T
most people don't want to look too runway/edgy, they want to look enhanced & prettier!!! sheesh sephora, know your customers...
that's why i never get my makeup done at sephora or mac, they always make me look drag queen-ish. Except this one time i went to mac with my friend, and got a mini-makeover done by a caucasian makeup artist who understood asian eyes! The look was subtle and tasteful, and made my eyes pop! I couldn't even replicate it at home :(
Sorry, Americans just CAN'T do Asian makeup...
i hate how no one ever knows how to do asian makeup!! the only thing i like about your makeover is that the SA contoured your nose really well. i need to learn how to do that.
your own makeup job is sooo much better and more natural
do you have to pay for them to make you over? i want to try :D good or bad
the look she gave you was too dramatic - for day to day wear
for special occasions it would've been better
Both the looks are really nice, but they are for two differnt types of occasions. The look Sephora gave you seems like it would be for a night out; a fancy night out. The look you did yourself is casual, clean, and yet can still be a look for going out to dinner or a party with friends...