How do you prepare for the holidays? Many cook, some run around doing last minute shopping for the kids, while others indulge in “me time”.

I’ve been going to Sydney Albert Salon Spa since they opened in 2004 and have previously written about my love for them. (Read previous article here.)

Since it was the holidays, Sydney Albert was kind enough to provide me with a makeup session/lesson, since that is one of the few treatments I had yet to have there. The salon manager Dan assured me that Michele was the best in town for a new look. Hey New Year, New You, right?

My family celebrates the 7 fishes on Christmas Eve, so what better than to get my makeup done and show it off to family and friends.

When I arrived, the staff greeted me with a warm welcome as always, took my coat and offered me a beverage. A woman who was dressed so cute for the holidays walked up from the back, I complimented her outfit, turns out it was Michele Sondej my makeup artist. I knew I was in good hands the second I laid eyes on her.

The makeup area at Sydney Albert is right when you first enter the salon. I’ve always admired their beautiful selection but had no idea that the line is Michele’s very own, Etre Joli, a mineral based makeup.

I brought along the products and brushes that I use at home so I would know what best to use when doing it myself. Among these items, was a bronzer that had definitely expired, but for whatever reason I hadn’t thrown out. Michele mentioned that it was too peachy for my skin tone and not the right bronzer for me. I said “let’s toss it”. She was a bit surprised. I don’t need a color that’s wrong for me, not to mention I should have thrown it out. Makeup does expire. Michele applied a face primer to my face, as well as an eye primer. Two separate primers ladies. The Etre Joli face primer has silicone and SPF in it, while the eye primer does not. I wanted to go with a smoky eye, tis the season. Michele used a quad eye shadow and applied a black to my lid, followed by light greys and white and blend blend blend. Blending is the secret to the perfect smoky eye. Michele used a really cool contraption to separate my lashes from my eyelids to prevent mascara from ending up on my lids. We’ve all been there! She used an adobe colored blush, along with bronzer and finished off with a pinkish lip color and silver lip gloss. Silver lip-gloss is the color of the season. Perfect for the holidays and an added festive look.

Once my look was complete, Michele looked through my makeup I brought with me, to show me what colors I should use based on her products. How great is that?

I was thrilled with my new look. Of course, I couldn’t leave without purchasing an Etre Jolie bronzer.

Celebrating the holidays is wonderful, but when was the last time you celebrated you?

Sydney Albert Salon Spa is the best salon in Mercer County, but you don’t have to take my word on it. Here’s what other people are saying:

“I start relaxing the minute I walk through the door at Sydney Albert! The staff is very friendly and their services are wonderful.” – Alice Seneres
“Tami is my go to girl at Sydney Albert. She always listens to me in terms of what I want and understands my fear of being too radical with my hair. Before meeting Tami I had never colored my hair or tried highlights and now she is the only person I will trust with this process — she brings out the best in my hair. If you need an up-do for a special occasion you can never go wrong with booking yourself an appointment with Fred. He has put my hair up on 3 occasions and it always looks fab.” – Janie Hermann

Sydney Albert Salon Spa is located in The Shops at Windsor Green, 3495 Route 1 South, Princeton, NJ 08540. To schedule an appointment call (609) 228-0300.