Sometimes all it takes is a little beauty treat to lift our spirits and make us feel pampered. And lifted spirits and pampering are good things. Taking time to treat ourselves, or someone we love, or even better, treating ourselves and someone we love together, is an important part of feeding our souls. It can be grand and luxurious, or it can be taking a moment in the day to look after yourself or someone you care about. Spa days, the right lipstick, a mani pedi, or a hot bath and glass of tea wine after a long day – just taking a moment so you don’t kill anyone to restore sanity to our crazy lives.

One thing that is free and wonderful is a department store beauty floor makeover. You know this already right? It feels lovely and healing to have someone gently touching your face. Closing your eyes and feeling the soft feathery makeup brushes tickling your skin is a wonderful sensation. Just sit back and let it go, and even go outside your comfort zone. Let the make up artist go crazy. They call them “artists” for a reason! When my eldest daughter Emilie was little, she would ask me to “tickle” her face with my makeup brushes while she was falling asleep. Who doesn’t love that?

It doesn’t have to be for a wedding, or some fancy occasion. How about because it’s Friday afternoon and you survived the week! Mother’s Day, a birthday, someone stopped biting their nails – whatever! Go with your friend, your daughter or your mom and use the opportunity to have a brilliant photo shoot after your makeovers! Seriously – you will take your best selfies ever. My daughter’s friends have been known to take photos with them (Kim K makeup goals, obvies) and ask to have the look recreated. Now, we are talking about teenage girls without deep pockets, and no plans to purchase any makeup at that time.

A good makeup artist and retailer will not force product on you while this is happening. What should happen is you form a relationship with someone you trust, and they treat you like royalty while you are in their chair. A good retailer knows that if you leave happy, even if you don’t buy at that moment, when you do want something, you will come back. For example, my daughter’s friend who wanted Kim K’s cheekbones went to Nordstrom, a US retailer that is blessedly now in Canada. She didn’t buy anything after her makeover, but when she decides she wants that killer highlighter or mascara or lip liner or whatever they used, there is a very good chance she will go to counter where she felt welcome to make her purchase. A good retailer understands brand loyalty and what it means to make a customer feel wanted. Nordstrom’s beauty floor is welcoming and luxurious, and basically my second home.

My younger daughter and I had a free Thursday night and decided to hit up the beauty department of our city’s brand new Nordstroms. We had SO MUCH FUN! We had facials and makeup applications, and the sales professionals and makeup artists treated us like old friends. We had a super photo session and felt gorgeous. No, not because we were coated in makeup. Not because we were coerced into buying makeup. Because we chatted, laughed, and said “OK…” to the teal liner on my waterline….or the shimmery vanilla highlighter powder and orange lipstick. Like I said – outside your comfort zone! Switch it up, baby, and live a little!

A good makeup artist doesn’t do that. A good makeup artist says “Did you know your eyes are incredible? I’d love to try something new…”. And then they hand you a mirror and you think WOW! I had no idea I looked like that! It’s so fun, and like ultimate adult dress up party. It’s a fun bonding thing, and you quickly feel like you are surrounded by friends. These people love what they do. They learn about new trends and techniques as part of their profession, and they want to share them! I always say – ask for samples. If you are trying something new, chances are you aren’t sure you want to go home with it. If it’s new, they likely have samples. Hey – if you don’t ask, you’ll never know, right? That is just an added bonus to what would have already been a great time, in my opinion.

What are some little ways you like to pamper yourself and someone you care about?