Trading Faces

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it’s really in the hands of whoever’s wielding the lip brush. Rachel Baker asks four top makeup artists to interpret an “evening wedding” look.

By Rachel Baker· 6/18/2009, 1:02 a.m.

evening wedding look

Photograph by Jackson Stakeman

The creator of her own lip-color line, Cosmoholic, Ipswich-based Jody Cohen specializes in glamour. After she coats them with a bright, party-ready red that has the perfect amount of sheen, my lips definitely do the talking—and stay just as scarlet for more than an hour. Cohen amps up my eyes by adding partial lash extensions in the outer corners, but doesn’t overdose on shadow and liner. The look feels fresh and complete, and the subsequent photographs are arguably the best of the bunch. 978-356-2308, cosmoholiconline.com.

BEFORE

evening wedding look

Photograph by Jackson Stakeman

AFTER

evening wedding look

Photograph by Jackson Stakeman

Dani Wagener, resident makeup guru at Boston’s Shu Uemura store, spends the majority of her time blending foundation and concealer on my skin, her long ponytail swinging as she works. The result is an impeccably even, velvety complexion. Wagener augments my lashes with vampy, feathery fakes, and adds dark, Hollywood-inspired definition at my lash line. Lips get a touch of liner and gloss. I feel glam yet not overdone—and look a little like her, which is a good thing. 781-389-6520, daniwagener.com.

evening wedding look

Photograph by Jackson Stakeman

An old-school pro, Katrina Hess arrives with a giant light and trunks full of bottles, palettes, and brushes. As she layers on products, we chat about her experience—she’s been doing this almost as long as I’ve been alive—and about the best mascaras. (She likes Advanced Volume by Shiseido.) Hess’s work is classically pretty, but heavier than what I’m used to wearing. In person, it looks best from a distance (good for the congregation, bad for the groom). The upside? It’s beautiful on film. 105 Newbury St., Boston, 781-710-6865, katrinahess.com.

evening wedding look

Photograph by Jackson Stakeman

Lauren Genatossio, petite blond owner of the makeup studio Sarra, has a knack for putting clients at ease. Before reaching for the makeup, she tackles my brows, explaining their face-framing relevance (between questions about my dating life and guilty TV pleasures). Next she creates dewy skin; for lids, she goes softly smoky, using mauve shadows instead of the usual grays. She deems fake lashes unnecessary on my “enormous” eyes. A peachy blend of lipstick and gloss finishes the look. When I glance in the mirror, I see myself—only enhanced. 840 Summer St., Boston, 617-269-8999, sarraboston.com.

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