Introducing Angelique! Makeup Artist Extraordinaire

October flew by here at Believe and we suffered our annual shock to see Christmas decorations going up at our local supermarket before the calendar had even changed from November. But ready or not, the holiday season is upon us all and, at Believe, we have a special announcement to help you shine at all the upcoming parties:

Believe welcomes Makeup Artist Extraordinaire: Angelique Massaline. Angelique is a freelance artist for the world-famous Mac line of cosmetics and has joined the Believe family for makeup makeovers or applications by appointment.

Here is a little about Angelique in her own words:

“I love makeup. It has the power to transform, giving you a chance to completely change your look from day-to-day. You can enhance or exaggerate your features; you can be soft and natural; or edgy or go for over-the top glamour. Makeup also allows you to camouflage imperfections or add better-than-what-Nature-gave-you bone structure using contouring and highlighting techniques without going under the knife. The best part is, all the changes just wash off.

I've been doing makeup pretty since I begged my mom to let me wear it (at about 14 and have been indulging my passion ever since. Older friends of mine in their ‘20's would ask me how I did my makeup and wanted tips and, once I realized I was good at what I did and had a natural talent, I went to BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) and took a Cosmetology course. Once there, I quickly realized that hair was not my passion, and, after some time working in the corporate world, I arranged my life so that I could pursue my dream of being a true artist of makeup full-time. I am thrilled to be able to do so at Believe.

I first became interested in doing makeup because I have big eyes and I wanted to learn how to play them up even more. The first eye shadows I owned were gold, silver and pink (it was the ‘80's) which are colors I still use, albeit in less frosty forms.

By finding and applying the right colors for people, I love seeing how someone can come out of their shell and maybe find an alter-ego or just a little more confident version of themselves.  All it takes is a little shimmer here and some shadow there. 

Personally, I love getting dolled up and really enjoy employing perhaps a bold red lip and some winged black liner to bring out the inner Marilyn or Audrey in a woman who didn’t know they were inside of them just waiting to come out and dazzle the world. I truly enjoy doing makeovers as well. I had the amazing experience recently of making up the ladies for the Discovery Store Fashion Show and am eager to show off some tips and tricks I learned for Believe’s wonderful customers. 

Oh, and I can’t neglect to mention that I particularly love brides and feel honored when I’m entrusted to do their makeup on their special day.  

So, I look forward to meeting you all and working with Lisa and her incredible staff at Believe. It is a special place with wonderful creative energy and I can’t wait to add my own talents to the brilliant team at Believe. Please call now (914) 747-0778 or book online to make your appointment (before the holiday rush starts in full force.)

Let’s create something truly special for the holidays.

Here’s to a more beautiful you,

Angelique”

We at are delighted to have Angelique and are accepting appointments for her now. Schedule a new look for the holidays or give a makeover as a gift or learn a new color palette for the changing season (or your changing skin) or get a makeup lesson to suit a new hairstyle.

(And while you are at Believe, ask about our new product to give you the longest lashes you’ve ever had –more on that in December—and stock up on a few early gifts to get a head start on your shopping. We have some terrific suggestions.)

Hoping to see you soon. We are thankful for all of you!

Brighten Up Your Eyes

• Whether your eyes are puffy, red, or surrounded by dark circles, Mother Nature has provided many a trick to help lighten, brighten, and give you that attractive look of wide-eyed wonder (and we at Believe add our own bit of makeup magic to complete the transformation. Read on...)
• (Hold your horses before trying any of these natural remedies. Be mindful of any allergies you may have and use accordingly...)
• Before bed, apply a spoonful of castor oil on the lids and around the eyes, with a slight massaging action. This keeps the skin lubricated.


Use two organic green tea bags to make a cup of tea. Let it brew and then put the bags in the refrigerator to cool. Lay the cooled bags over your eyes for 15 minutes to make your eyes less puffy. (Make sure the bags are cool--warm bags will increase blood flow to the eyes and make the situation worse.)
• Chilled cucumber slices laid on the eyes for 20 minutes reduce puffiness and feel very refreshing.
• Try wrapping grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to your eyes. Wait 15 minutes and wipe off, applying moisturizer right away.
• Rose water (if you want to use petals from your own garden to make a solution, be sure your roses have been grown pesticide-free) can be used on eyes to soften and brighten the skin. Wet cotton and apply the cotton balls to your eye sockets--wait 10 minutes.
• If your eyes are truly swollen (we hope you haven't been crying!) grab a bag of frozen peas and lay it over your eyes. The peas conform to the shape of your eye socket better than a regular ice pack.
• Drink water all day, keeping your insides (and outsides) hydrated. There's a reason it's called The Fountain of Youth.
• If you are past 40, the tear ducts around your eyes are likely to be clogged with years of sebum, eye makeup, drops, pollution, smoke and all the other crud our eyes are exposed to everyday. To open the clogged ducts and get your natural tears flowing again, rinse a clean washcloth in the hottest water you can stand, wring it out, and apply to your eyes for 15 minutes before bed. This treatment melts the oils and opens the ducts--making eyes moister and younger looking. (Every now and then, scrub near the lashes with a washcloth and our PCA cleansers.)
• Need we say it? Get enough sleep! It's good for your eyes, skin, and sanity.
• And...here at Believe we are delighted to announce that we have the product that renowned beauty Kim Kardashian swears by (to get those gorgeous eyes of hers). Created by her own makeup artist (and legend in his own right) Mario Dedivanovic, people are driving hours to get their hands on this product and Believe has got it--EYE M GLAM Highlighter!

Mario explains, "EYE M GLAM is a sheer highlighting powder that will give you the most gorgeous, golden glow. Using Giella mineral pigments, I custom blended EYE M GLAM while sitting on the floor in my apartment one evening, determined to come up with the best highlighter. I wanted a product that would give all my clients a consistently sheer and natural glow. Being able to use and test it on my celebrity clients for television, photo shoots, and on red carpets has helped me perfect EYE M GLAM into a universal shade that is flattering on all skin tones."

Here's what people are saying, "When I dusted this product EYE M GLAM , I found it to be light, airy, glossy and easy to pick up using my flat shadow brush, but I didn’t stop there, next I dabbed a little on my shoulders, decolletage. Honestly, this EYE M GLAM mineral highlighter is definitely one of my favorite buys of the year, it is ahhhh-mazzzing for all skin complexions. It doesn’t go ash, nor does it have big chunks of kid-like glitter. It is glamour in a jar. The color pays off. The glossy glow it gives had me hooked…"
and
"My skin illuminated with this product, not only did my eyes sparkle…I was ready to take on the world …"
Mario offers these tips for using EYE M GLAM:

• Use it on the inner corners of eyes to separate and brighten.
• Apply onto your brow bone to highlight and lift.
• For bulletproof eye makeup that won't move, use Magnetic Eye (another Giella product carried here at Believe) first, followed by EYE M GLAM.
• For more intensity, wet your brush with a bit of water. 
• Highlight your face with EYE M GLAM. Swipe down the bridge of nose, across cheek bones and on your cupid's bow.
• Dust EYE M GLAM along your collar bones and decolletage for a fabulous nighttime look. 
• Mix it with your tinted moisturizer or foundation for an all-over golden glow.

Come into Believe now to get your own EYE M GLAM (it is so popular, it is hard to keep in stock) and people will soon be calling you Bright Eyes.

Believe's New Year's Resolutions Suggestions For You

It's that time of year again when we all reflect on the year past and vow to make a few changes to make the new year upcoming better than the last. In that spirit, we at Believe, offer a few resolutions for you to ponder:

Volunteer: Give away your time, your money, your creativity. Go read at a nursing home; work at a soup kitchen; collect your neighbors cast-off clothes and drive them to the drop-off bin; take an elderly neighbor to a doctor's appointment; give some seeds from what you've grown to the community garden (and donate the extra food to a nearby homeless shelter); send money to Covenant House,The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee or the Remote Area Medical to get annual healthcare clinics to rural areas. By giving, you'll have more to give. Or keep your charity within our community. At Believe, we contribute to many local charities and we are better people for it. Check this blog throughout the year for the neighborhood benefits and causes to which we contribute--we'll be happy to pass your donation along.

Sing More: Out loud and not just in the shower. Serenade your baby or grandkid or just sing in your car. Don't know the lyrics? There's an app for that. Download SoundHound (for free)--then just point it at any radio, stereo, or Muzak and it will identify both the song and the lyrics. Dance, too (alone or with your dog). It will lift your spirits.

Get A Flu Shot: Year after year we keeping meaning to get a flu shot, but the season is over by the time we actually get to it. Change this tardy habit in 2011. Check with your doctor if it is safe to get one (most doctors say even pregnant women should) and then go...better still, drive an elderly neighbor or two.

Commit To A Skin Care Routine: Don't just slapon some moisturizer when you think of it, but exfoliate twice a week (three times if you've got oily skin), moisturize faithfully twice a day (all over your body, too) and schedule a facial twice a month. Your skin will thank you.

Age Gracefully, Not Fearfully: This year, try really accepting yourself. Change what you must (you're not still smoking now are you? Lip lines are the best thing you can expect from that!) and love the rest. Well-tended silver hair looks stunning on some women (try our clarifying shampoo to take out yellow tones); Cougars really do look a bit pathetic (you lived your life when you were younger, now live it even better now that your are older), and that little extra padding around your hips might actually help protect you during a fall. We can help you lessen lines and wrinkles, but be proud of every one you have. They are badges of honor for havingreally lived.

Stop Dyeing Your Own Hair: Visit a master colorist (like Believe's owner, Lisa) and get the shade that really suits you best (go lighter as you get older--the shades are less harsh.)

Wear Sunscreen Every Day: Winter and summer. Nothing protects your skin from cancer better and Believe has the best moisturizers (organic goat's milk Zum Lotion), shea butter organic lip protection and makeup, Giella Custom-Blended Mineral Makeup for keeping safe and beautiful.

Clean out your makeup drawer: No more lipsticks over three months old and mascara, eye shadow, and eye liner should be pitched every month--they are breeding grounds for bacteria and change shades on your when they are old. Make an appointment with our artist, Sam, who will custom blend makeup (and whip up the perfect color lipstick) just for you.

Schedule A Skin Cancer Screening: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and, according to the American Cancer Society(ACS), it makes up more than half of all diagnosed cases each year. Early detection can save lives, but most of us don't know our risk level, and too few of us have had a head-to-toe skin check check. Visit your dermatologist and book appointments for the next two years to make sure you'll be around for many more new years.

Change Your Hairstyle: Even your head can get bored with the same look day after day. Get your hair cut shorter; try the new asymmetrical cuts; or see how you'd look with a longer do by trying our SoCap 100% human hair extensions (we even do fun colored extensions just for the heck of it.) As the French have taught us, interesting women are always a bit unexpected.

Try A New Exercise Regime: Include Zumba or some dance class (how about pole dancing?) to keep things fresh and interesting. Or join a gym with a pool and learn different swim techniques (and include scuba certification to make that next trip to the Caribbean truly special.)

Vow To Treat Yourself Better: (Ditto for everyone around you, too.) Take a breath and count to 10 before you say anything when you are angry (or, as Thomas Jefferson said, if you are really mad, count to 100). Tell the people you love that you love them (they really aren't mind readers.) Walk a mile in someone else's shoes and be kind (especially to the elderly--you'll be there soon enough.) De-stress with a massage at least once a month (more if you've the time and money.) Smile as often as you can--even to people you don't get along with (they'll either wonder what you've got up your sleeve or smile back, improving the atmosphere for all.)

Be More Positive: Times have been tough the last year for many in our country, but keep your spirits up and try and have faith. Rid your life of negativity--root it out of your language (substitute "I can" for "I can't"), get rid of the negative people around you (gossipy, nasty people may sound interesting, but they really only spread poison), resign from situations that bring you down (that book club you hate, that commitment you made that now feels like a prison, or that job you dread every day.) Make a decision that 2011 will be a much better year and watch--it really will be a better year...one we hope is full of blessings and joy for all of you.

We'll be open Christmas Eve and work as late as possible on New Year's Eve--but call soon for your pre-party appointment. Our open slots are filling fast.) And please make it one of your resolutions to come see us-often-in the New Year.

Here's to many blessings for us all in 2011.

Believe's Last-Minute Gift Round-Up

If you are still singing "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" you'd better check your calendar...Christmas is 10 days away! Are you ready? All your gifts bought? (I won't ask about wrapped...I'm know not to rub salt in a wound...) If they aren't and you are running behind, Believe is ready to help. 

We will make checking all the names off your list as easy as one-stop shopping at our salon...We are extending the offers we have made all month to you only (the readers of our blog). Just mention you saw the gifts here and we will honor these special discounts and sales...think of this as Believe's Gift Round-Up.

Gift 1: When you purchase one 8 ounce Zum Body Lotion, receive a 4 ounce purse-size lotion for free. This makes a perfect stocking stuffer or a great little gift for your office staff.

Gift 2: MD Skincare is now 30% off and everyone's skin can use some extra help in the winter. (Sorry, this offer does not include Alpha Beta Daily Pads.)

Gift 3: Talk about a personal gift! Get a custom blended lipstick 50% off with a purchase of any Giella makeup product. 

Gift 4: Help the folks on your list stay kissable this winter--get a free ZKISS organic shea butter lip treat in your choice of flavors when you spend $50 in products at our salon.

Gift 5: How about this for your sister, mom, or daughter? Make an appointment with Sam, our makeup artist, for a new look for the new year and get a complimentary lipstick. ($28 value.)

Gift 6: Buy $100 in products and receive a free ZUM organic goat's milk soap in your choice of fragrance. Goat's milk is hypoallergenic and helps even the driest skin.

Gift 7: Bring in your best friends for a complimentary skin consultation with our aesthetician, Jackie. Make a lunch date after--and pick up the tab.

Gift 8: And don't forget to treat yourself. When you buy a $100 gift card, receive a $20 gift card for yourself. Buy $50 gift card, receive a $10 for yourself. 

If you don't see what you need here, come on in. You sit with a hot cup of herbal tea or espresso (for that little added zip you need about now), and let us help pick out the perfect gifts for everyone on your list... We promise, we won't tell anyone you waited till the last minute. Our lips are sealed.

Oh and don't forget to make your appointment for your New Year's hair and makeup. We will be open on New Year's Eve from 10 am to whenever we are done "dolling" everyone up, but slots are filling fast, so call today--(914) 747-0778.