With a swipe of a brush, they add color to the canvas. The makeup artists at the Herberger’s cosmetic counter in Albert Lea apply makeup to hundreds of women a year. With white coats and bright smiles, the girls at the Clinique, Lancome, Elizabeth Arden and Estee Lauder counters are pros at the makeup game.

During a Thursday morning lull, Emily Troe of the Estee Lauder counter applies makeup to Breanna Himmerch. Troe has a year and a half of experience.

She took foundation and warmed it on her hand, a step she said helps the color apply evenly. Troe carefully applied a warm shade of pink to Himmerch’s lips. She chooses colors based on instinct.

Amber Koziolek has been working at the Clinique makeup counter for a year and a half. Their jobs involve more than just makeup application. They work to meet sales goals and to make sure the counter runs smoothly.

“I love it,” Koziolek said. “It is fun helping people look their best.” She has been working at Herberger’s for three years but switched over to the makeup counter because of her love of makeup.

 

Koziolek shares her top makeup tips for looking fresh and flawless in any weather. 

• Always moisturize. A great skin care routine is important to set the tone for any look. During winter, dry air can cause makeup to stick to patches of dry skin. Start your routine off right by smoothing on some moisturizer with built-in sunscreen before you apply foundation.

•Don’t skimp on primer, either. Koziolek said many women think they can skip this step. “Primer smooths your skin and gets it ready for foundation,” Koziolek said. “It is worth the extra money.” Choose a primer targeted toward your skin type for added benefit.

• Invest in a good foundation brush. A brush can help prevent streaks and provides an even finish. “We often see people with streaks on their face from applying their makeup with their hands. A good brush can help smooth the look.” Using a brush also prevents the transfer of oils from the hands to the face, too.

• Find your perfect match. During winter, we lose some of our glow, Koziolek said. That often leads to makeup being too dark. Adjust your foundation to match your skin tone. The counter at Herberger’s provides free consultations to help match you with your perfect color. They also can help customize a beauty regimen for any skin type.

• Curl your lashes before applying mascara. Waiting until after the mascara has set can cause lashes to break. Only applying mascara to the tips of the lashes is another common mistake and can make eye lashes look smaller.

• Think of your eye color. While you may enjoy neon eye shadows, they don’t always look the best with your eye color.

• Blue is a naturally cool tone, so warmer shades tend to set this iris color ablaze. Colors like gray-brown, slate, or even silvery blues go well with this eye color.

• Women with brown eyes have the widest range of options when choosing shadow. Brown is a neutral, and it doesn’t tend to compete with colors in the same way that other eye hues do. Koziolek recommended blue to make eyes pop.

• Green eyes look good with purple, Koziolek said. Browns with a red undertone also highlight but with a more subtle look.

• Hazel eyes contain a range of tones because of their innate spectrum of colors allowing a lot of flexibility. Want to pick up the green flecks in hazel eyes? Shades of purple can play up the green tone.

• Finish the look with some powder over the top to ensure the look stays fresh for hours.

• Find a trusty makeup routine but don’t be afraid to try new things. Pastels are big this spring and can add some fun after months of dreary weather.

• Invest in quality products. Koziolek said cosmetics like Clinique are easier on skin because they are made from quality ingredients. Cheap products may seem like a good idea but can be harder to match to skin.

• Don’t be afraid to mix and match different brands. According to Koziolek, brands Clinique, Estee Lauder and Elizabeth Arden really emphasize skin care but Lancome offers more colors. “I have seen people get something at every counter,” she said. “It is really all in what you like.”

• If you don’t know how to apply makeup, don’t be afraid to ask. Mistakes like over-plucked eyebrows, streaky eyeliner, orange foundation and mismatched color are often the result of lack of knowledge. Makeup artists are at the store, ready to inform.