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Salon, Spa and Style

For the past year, I've been the author of Budget Beauty Junkie. I have had the opportunity to try hundreds of products and reviewed my favorites, and gave Richmond.com readers a heads up on what to avoid. I'm going to mix it up for the next few months, and visit local salons, spas, and boutiques. Taking care of the body by eating right and working out is important, and so is caring for the hands, feet, skin, and hair.

In a few weeks, I'll be giving a big presentation to cap off my graduate work. I want to look poised and pretty. With this in mind, I visited Le Visage makeup studio and boutique in Richmond's Carytown to find out what they could do to help me get the look I want for my big day.

Lina Sogomonyan opened Le Visage eight months ago, and ever since then I've been trying to schedule some time for a visit. After sharing my concerns with Lina, she immediately had several follow-up questions and invited me to have a seat, where she would demonstrate her ideas. She is a professional makeup artist, so suffice it to say she had some great tips in store for me, as well as some fabulous products. The boutique carries several brands that are not available elsewhere in the Richmond area – including FACEatelier, Julie Hewett and Bodyography.

Before we started I got a quick rundown on the MD Formulations line of skincare. There are starter kits for different skin types. The products for oily skin contain glycolic acid to exfoliate and prevent blemishes. For the most oily skin (like mine is in summer) there is a gel formula for very lightweight moisture. The Moisture Defense Antioxidant formula contains ingredients like Sodium PCA and Hyaluronic Acid for oil-free moisturizing.

Since I have a tendency toward oily skin, the next step was Paula Dorf Perfect Primer for oily skin. It contains cotton powder to absorb extra oil and prevent shine. Julie Hewitt Ora Mineral Mix is a mineral foundation, and when applied with a kabuki, gives a very natural matte finish. I much preferred it to products like BareMinerals, which appear shiny on my skin.

The eyes are the highlight of this look. First, a shimmery light shade is applied from lashline to browbone, a medium brown shade applied on the lid only, and a deep chocolate shade applied to the crease. Lina showed me exactly how to hold the brush and where to apply the dark powder. I got several compliments on this look later in the day, so it must have really done something. The shadows used were from Paula Dorf and Cargo.

For some reason I find it easier to use liquid liner than pencil. Lina showed me how to "lead" the Paula Dorf chocolate eyeliner pencil. Instead of holding it as if you're about to write a letter, hold the pencil level, with the drawing end pointed toward the center of the face and the other end pointing toward the ears. She then smudged it using a small brush. You can fix any mistakes or skips during the smudging, and it looked like my lashes were very lush.

Julie Hewitt Rose-Scented Mascara looks very natural after the first coat, for more glamorous occasions multiple coats can build extra drama.

Heading into the home stretch, Lina applied Cargo Prague Blush to my cheeks. She demonstrated a technique for contouring the face and chin using Cargo Medium Matte bronzer. I've never been brave enough to contour, but I was able to replicate the results a few days later.

Cargo Purse Gloss is a more portable version of the popular lip tins. Simply squeeze a bit of gloss from the teardrop-shaped tube into the built-in lip brush and apply. I could have eaten these shades – they were so yummy!

And just like that, we were done. Unlike most makeover experiences I've had, there was absolutely no sales pitch and no pressure to buy anything. I was impressed by several products and running low on moisturizer, so there was no chance of me walking out empty handed.

After about 45 minutes of Lina's gifted brushwork and tutelage, I felt a renewed sense of confidence in my makeup skills. As I paid for my purchases, I learned of two more perks: a free gift with purchase of more than $50, and coupons for 10 percent off your next visit and 10 percent off for a friend.

While I was writing Budget Beauty Junkie it was easy to find some aspect of a product that I would like to see improved. My experience at Le Visage, however, left me with nothing but a positive impression of the business and the proprietor. I was especially impressed by the hygienic practices that often get overlooked at mall makeup counters that focus more on sales than service. Whether you're looking for a new routine, or just a few new tricks to add to your repertoire, a visit to Le Visage is going to leave you with a glow you won't forget.

Le Visage is located at 3007 West Cary St. For more information call 804-342-5867 or visit www.levisagestudio.com/home.html.

Amy George is an urban planner by day, a graduate student by night and a full-time devotee of all things beauty and perfume related. She also keeps a blog at www.thescentedlife.com.

w LAST TIME OUT: Sticking with one brand .