Did you ever dream of becoming a model? Even if not as a serious career move, the majority of young girls (and older ones for that matter) fantasize about a glamorous life as a super model. Playing on that weakness, Chanel Make-up and Skincare launched their products last week at Beymen Center with an attractive gimmick. "Live the moment of celebrities says the invitation, which promises a transformation on the hands of beauty experts in preparation for a small professional photo shoot. I was hooked, so I called up a friend of mine and went down to the Four Seasons Nile Plaza's fancy department store to check it out. When we arrived it was packed with middle-aged women happily getting their make-up done by the experts - some flown in from abroad and other local make-up artists trained by Channel. Without an appointment, the organizers couldn't promise us a spot. Luckily, about an hour later, after we had tried on every pair of Jimmy Choo's they had, we were let into the Chanel Beauty Studio. Inside, stood three stools in a circle, each equipped with its own vanity dresser with the make-up artists busily at work, and quite stressed out. I got to go first. She cleansed my face first, moisturized it and then started to pile on the layers of foundation. For me, full make-up means concealer, eyeliner and lip gloss, so I most definitely felt like I was being 'transformed'. Coats of eye shadow later, using a pallet of browns, gold's and a bronze green, I could say I was starting to feel like a model as my eyes began to look wider and sexier. The inside part of my lids were lighter, and got darker towards the outer ends - a good tip for future reference. The artist used this set of colors because they complement my fair hair. My brunette companion, on the other hand, was treated with a purple pallet in addition to brown. The next step was the hair dresser, who was well equipped with a ceramic straitening iron and hairdryer. Before our photo shoots, we were individually asked some questions about our lifestyle, which were recorded on a computer program that selects a compatible type of moisturizer. Of course, these products as well as the make-up used on your face are for sale, and we were somewhat expected to buy them. The final and most fun part of the experience is the photo shoot. Set up on a small stage, with a Chanel logo in the background, surrounded with powerful lighting, a professional magazine photographer started snapping pictures right away. At first, we were asked to sit on a chair while he took some shots, and then we were encouraged to strike a pose or two. Ten minutes into it, I found myself sitting on the floor of Beymen trying hard not to break-out into hysterical cries of laughter as the eager photographer took the shots. This is not a typical day in my life. When it was my friend's turn, the photographer was on a role, asking her to try on lots of different hats as she posed cutely, leaning on a little pillar. I am now waiting in excitiment for a call from Beymen to go pick up our fabulous glamour shots. The five-day event was clearly immensely popular with women of all ages. Everybody deserves their 15 minutes of fame.
