Cosmetics counter spy Phyl Clarke has a makeover in Bobbi Brown, Grafton Street
To be honest, I am not taking any chances. It's my big party tonight, and as I am going to put my face on the line, it has to be with a brand that I know. Bobbi Brown is the queen of the understated "I haven't tried too hard, I'm just this naturally polished person" look. So I head to the Bobbi Brown counter at Brown Thomas.
I have booked a 3pm Saturday appointment. I arrive on time to find not the credit card-waving, post-lunch ladies Brown Thomas stampede, but a relatively quiet and calm cosmetics floor, with the comforting background hum of women making important decisions about eye shadow colour.
Trevor greets me and tucks my stool (with backrest) out of the main traffic flow, so we can discuss my needs for this evening. I have brought along my vintage olive/gold earrings to give an idea of the colour I will be wearing. After getting a detailed description of my glamorous dress, Trevor suggests that we go full-on with the make-up, but reassures me that I can check and make decisions along the way.
After cleansing, my skin is anointed with a serum which feels divinely soothing. I tell Trevor that I'm a Creme de la Mer girl through and through. He replies that the serum would work wonders for my skin. I buy it.
Next, he spends a lot of time working on my under-eye area, and applies stick foundation on selected areas of my face. I tell him I use the Warm Ivory shade, but he suggests that Warm Sand is more flattering to my skin tone in summer. I check in the mirror. He is right. I buy it.
A sweep of bronzer lifts and adds life to my skin. Blusher and highlighter follow. I feel that I have a ton of product on, but when I am asked to check if I'm happy with the work in progress, I am surprised at just how light, polished and subtle the effect is so far. I like the fact that the blusher was applied before the eye colour, and not the other way around, as I usually do it. Top tip.
The perfect eye shade to complement my dress needs to be blended from two or three colours, and Trevor does this while keeping me informed all the way. An inky black liquid gel eyeliner is applied to finish the look, and I'm told it will make my eyelashes look long and sexy when I look down. Couldn't knock that back, now could I? There is a bit of to-ing and fro-ing before the Garnet shade is selected for my lips. It's perfect. I buy it.
I receive a chart detailing all the products used today, plus a little goodie bag as it's my birthday. I glide out on to Grafton Street, feeling like a movie star and pitying the mere mortals who have not been Bobbi Browned.
WHAT I BOUGHT
Intensive Skin supplement, €58; Foundation stick, €35; Lip Shimmer, €22
Bobbi Brown is available at Brown Thomas, Dublin and Cork, and House of Fraser, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14