|
Allison is a make-up artist in Albuquerque. |
We all have insecurities about how we look from time to time. And seeking advice on how to care for or disguise a zit, a rash, or dark circles can be a very humbling and embarrassing experience. It shouldn't be. As Allison Holmes, a makeup artist at Foley's department store in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will tell you, an open and honest discussion with your make-up artist can yield stunning results. The courage to explain your problems and concerns gives the artist valuable information in order to build a look that is attainable, realistic, and most importantly, suited to your needs. Once you've got your look under control, your confidence, charm and wit (the most important beauty secrets!) will take over. Allison sees all kinds of people, and her excellent advice, infectious laugh and kind heart are what keep them coming back... |
|
Jolique: Hey, Allison, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for our readers. Today, rather than talking about the how-tos of applying make-up, I think I'd like to talk about the kinds of people you see. But first, could you tell us a little about yourself? Allison: Well, I've been a makeup artist since 1989, and I've worked in Texas, Seattle, and now New Mexico. I've worked for a variety of cosmetic lines, including Clinique, Guerlain and Estée Lauder (whom I currently work for), and I've also done some theatre make-up. J: Well it sure sounds like you've got the experience. Tell me, what's the profile of your average customer? A: There really isn't one. People do tend to gravitate toward certain lines of products, however. For example, Clinique is popular with the young crowd, whereas Guerlain and Christian Dior tend to draw customers who are older and wealthier. Estée is kind of in the middle. |
|
|
'Men aren't as shy or as embarrassed as they used to be. It's not a social stigma[.] ...It's no longer unmanly to be interested in [make-up and grooming].' |
J: Do you get many teenagers? A: Yes, they love to come in have makeovers. [And] I love working with them because they're into anything...it's really fun. J: I assume most of your customers are women? A: Well, over the past few years, I've been seeing more and more men. They're coming for [help with] dark circles under their eyes, or a scar they want to conceal. So that's kind of interesting, and I've always seen transvestites and men that are into make-up. |
|
J: Are most of the men that visit you transvestites? A: No, not really. Maybe at first, but now, more and more men are into grooming, self-tanning, concealing things, hair products, yeah, so it's actually a small percentage...but it seems to be increasing. Men aren't as shy or as embarrassed as they used to be. It's not a social stigma[.] It's harder for men to come to a department store counter and to want to spend that much money on cosmetics, whereas I guess women are used to it...[T]hose lines of distinction are really fading. It's no longer unmanly to be interested in [makeup and grooming]. [However], once a man came to see me in drag in Texas. It was very quiet night, close to closing time and he walked up and down the counter and I knew he was a man but you could tell he was very nervous. He was maybe in his late 20s. I tried to help him, but he said he didn't need help and was very shy and quiet, and then he left. The next night he came back in dressed as a man, and asked if I recognized him, and I said I did, and I think he was just afraid and was trying to feel me out, to find out what I thought [about his image and lifestyle]. He [eventually] became a loyal customer because he could trust me and felt very comfortable with me. He was testing the waters and coming out. It could've been a very traumatic experience for him [...] and probably was. He didn't know much about make-up, so I helped with everything. Men in drag are your best customers because they are so excited about everything and interested in everything you show them, learning about [cosmetics]. [T]hey trust you and they buy everything. |
|
