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Makeup artist Aimee Stuit (left) and owner Tracy Ewell use a range of exclusive products to help women achieve their beauty potential at Tracy Ewell Cosmetics and Skincare boutique inside Mimi's on Magazine Street.
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It doesn't take a fortune's worth of products
or an hour in front of the makeup mirror every day to look your best. All it really
requires are a few well-chosen cosmetics and skin-care products and a couple of
tips from someone whose sole focus is to make women more beautiful.
Tracy Ewell, owner of Tracy Ewell Cosmetics and Skincare
(5500 Magazine St., 269- 8490; www.tracyewell.com),
offers both. With years of experience in high-end cosmetics retail and as a
makeup artist in cosmetics shops as well as for television and print productions,
Ewell has meticulously assembled a range of product lines that are exclusive
to her boutique and adds her own touch of magic to makeup application.
"I love what I do, because I re-establish
security in a woman," says Ewell, who has added experienced makeup artist Aimee
Stuit to her staff. "We're not about overkill. How we apply makeup depends on
the person, their personality and what they're doing at the time." Not everyone
has the freedom or luxury of time to go through an extended beauty regimen each
day but may want pointers or help with applying cosmetics for a special event.
Ewell and Stuit say they have tips for both circumstances.
"We try to find out from people what their
lifestyle is," says Stuit. "We can give you a five-minute routine or a 25-minute
routine, depending on what works for you."
Ewell, who opened her boutique inside Mimi's
clothing store in March, says she also likes to show customers how to use cosmetics
to add some drama or convey a different mood than usual. "That's the fun," she
says. "I've looked 100 different ways my whole life. I'm still reinventing myself."
In selecting products for her boutique, Ewell
says she looks for anti-aging and nutritive skin care products and cosmetics
developed by working makeup artists. One of her new lines is Caudalie Skincare,
French products formulated from the seeds of grapes grown in the Bordeaux region.
"It's the most powerful antioxidant, exceeding vitamins C and E," Ewell says
of the grape extract. "(Caudalie does) a full range of products, from body to
hair." Lorac, a backward spelling of developer and makeup artist Carol Shaw's
first name, cosmetics were developed to give natural-looking coverage without
harming or choking the skin. "I got the line because it has great color and
great foundation," Ewell says. "It's all fragrance-free and oil-free and has
won 'best oil-free foundation' in Allure magazine for 10 years." Other
brands include Sue Devitt Studio, Tarte and Linda Cantello, St. Tropez self
tanner and Jing-Jang ointment.
She carries a variety of lines, because a
person's skin and cosmetic needs are as individual as their face. "We want to
be able to cater to everyone," she says. "No one line is a one-all, be-all --
I know because I've worked with so many lines. We use these lines when we go
out to (apply makeup) for fashion shows, magazine covers, etc. I buy it and
I use it myself."
Part of what makes Ewell's business different
is its location inside the upscale Mimi's women's boutique, which also houses
a hair salon, making it possible for a customer to come in, buy an outfit, have
her hair styled and makeup applied and be ready to attend an event when she
walks out of the store.
"We love being in this environment because
there's fashion all around, and it's high fashion," Ewell says. "This is my
life and this is what I love. Sometimes all a person needs is a $15 lipstick
to make them feel better."
Jazz It Up
Windsor Court Hotel (300 Gravier St.,
523-6000) has added music to the elegant surroundings, drinks and light dining
fare at Le Salon in the hotel's lobby. Hot, local contemporary jazz musicians
take the stage at Le Salon nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight.
There's no cover charge for patrons who listen while enjoying food and drink.
Le Salon features informal dining but rich
choices such as brie and oyster terrine, smoked salmon and steak tartare. The
restaurant also is known for its signature champagne cocktails such as the Windsor
Rose, a mixture of champagne, cherry liqueur and rose water, and the Price William,
champagne spiced with Poire William, as well as a full range of wines, cordials
and premium liquors.
Jewels and Liquid Gold
Mary Viola Walker (834 Julia St., 558-9688)
plans to bring a bit of holiday cheer to customers at her self-named gallery
-- literally -- with champagne shopping for the holidays. The shop will offer
champagne, wine, light lunch and hors d'oeuvres to shoppers from 11 a.m. to
7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Nov. 20. The shop also will provide complimentary
gift wrap and drawings for coupons worth from 10 percent to 50 percent in discounts
during the special events.
Walker, a local artist and designer, offers
home decorating accessories, art and her own lines of pearl and semi-precious
stone jewelry at her gallery in the Warehouse District.
