counter intelligence.

Counter Intelligence

Shy people get the worst makeovers.

Shy people get the worst makeovers. Being self-centered, not solicitous, is the key to success at the counter. Most makeup artists are trained to ask questions about your favorite facial feature and how much time you usually have to apply makeup in the morning. But if they don't, speak up: Tell them about your job, your wardrobe, your makeup history, what you like, and especially what you loathe. Makeup artist Marsia Alex-ander of the Chanel counter at New York City's Saks Fifth Avenue also prefers customers to come in wearing makeup so she can get a sense of their everyday style. Estee Lauder makeup artist Dawn Hilarczyk even recommends bringing your makeup bag with you.

The wrong words spell disaster.

The wrong words spell disaster. If you ask for "dramatic," you can blame only yourself when you end up resembling a Vegas showgirl. "For a makeup artist, that word can mean false lashes, tons of makeup, a very theatrical look," says Wilson. Matin, a former Laura Mercier makeup artist, wishes he could ban the word "contouring" (think racing stripes along the cheekbones) from the English language. "It just doesn't work in real light," he says. Neither does lining outside the natural mouth -- which can result from requests for "full lips." Other terms, like "smoky eyes," have become so commonplace that no one knows exactly what they mean anymore. Instead, describe what you have in mind using the most specific language possible (for example, "charcoal gray eye shadow that's smudged along the upper and lower lashes"). Lauder makeup artist Dawn Hilarczyk even recommends bringing your makeup bag with you.

BEFORE after

The good: "I loved the look. The makeup artist taught me how to use a gel eyeliner and how to achieve smoky eyes ...