Have you ever wondered what it's like to be *behind* the cosmetic counter? This week, I am pleased to share with you my experience as a freelance makeup artist working a Philosophy cosmetics makeup event. Enjoy!

As many of you read in last week's special report, the experience I had as an artist with Bobbi Brown Essentials is considered among both women in the industry and consumers as fairly typical - it's all about selling the products. From the corporation itself all the way down to the artists and counter managers, it's all about getting that product out the door. Although I was hardly surprised, I was admittedly disappointed and disillusioned.

When I was approached by the counter manager of Philosophy cosmetics to work their first ever event in Portland, I naturally expected the "sell, sell, sell" theme to be the same. Thankfully, it couldn't have been further from the truth.

From the moment I stepped up to the counter and said hello to Jana, the counter manager, I knew I was in for some fun. All the appointments for the afternoon were facials first, then color. Jana introduced me to the facialist, then brought me to the elaborate setup she had created for the event - a collection of tables with all the supplies I would need, including the "Coloring Book" full of the colors and brushes I'd be using. She handed me a list of the clients we'd be seeing, describing each one that she knew already and what each person liked from the line. Was she ever organized!

Since facials were the first half hour of every one hour appointment, the pace for me doing each woman's makeup was very relaxed and casual. I was actually encouraged to take my time, chat with the customers, and make sure they got the makeup look they wanted. Talk about a breath of fresh air! I had a great time talking about makeup and skin care, giving recommendations on products and techniques, and just chatting. When each session was over, if the customer liked any of the products and wanted to purchase something, great, and if not, that was okay, too. Jana understood that just because these women signed up for the event didn't mean they were going to, or were required to, buy anything. We all agreed that the personal attention we gave would leave a positive impression about Philosophy, and that was enough.

I felt really good about working with Philosophy on their first Portland event, good enough to take my mother to the counter when she visited recently to introduce her to Jana and Philosophy's products. I appreciate Philosophy's straightforward and honest attitude that I've seen at my local counter, and the refreshing absence of the flood of ridiculous claims that many other lines have. I don't love every product Philosophy makes, but the friendly and comfortable experience I had with them did leave a very positive impression on me.

For more information about Philosophy, check out their web site at http://www.philosophy.com, or give them a call at 1-888-2-new-age. For those of you interested in the Coloring Book, it is a collection of ten eyeshadows, four blushes, five lipsticks, an eye pencil, a lip pencil, and a set of seven makeup brushes for blush, shadow, liner, brows, and lipstick all packaged in a ready-to-go case. It retails at Philosophy counters for US$160.