Modern Day Beauty from Luxe Apothecary

If you live in Raleigh, NC and you're a fan of fabulous beauty products, chances are you're a regular at Luxe Apothecary in the Lassiter at North Hills. Part beauty workshop and part boutique, Luxe Apothecary carries some of the best known lines in the business, as well as a few names you may not have heard about but, once you discover them, wonder what you did without them!

Specializing in the lines BECCA Cosmetics, Keihls', Paula Dorf, Susan Posnick and MD Skincare, Luxe Apothecary offers much more than just a shopping experience. Owner, Fiquet Bailey, is talented makeup artist and makes it her goal to see that her clients are educated in how to use their products, as well as using the right products for them. She hosts a "beauty boot camp" a few times a year to help women get their makeup bags in shape.

We caught up with Fiquet to get her tips on making the most of our own makeup bags.

OCM: What do you think the most essential products in a woman's makeup bag are and why?

FB: Good foundation or tinted moisturizer depending on how much coverage you need. I like M.D.Skincare All in One Tinted Moisturizer. It gives good coverage with an Spf 15 and has a matte finish so you don't have to set it with powder.

• Concealer
• Lash curler
• Mascara
• Blush
• Clear lip gloss. Clear gloss goes with everything and enhances your natural lip color.
• Brow powder. Full brows give a youthful appearance and serve as a frame for the face. I suggest brow powder over pencil and think that Paula Dorf 2+1 for Brows is the best out there. Each container comes with two shades so that you can blend the perfect color as well as a brow wax that adds bulk to fill in gaps and provide a little hold.

OCM: If a busy mom has just five minutes to get ready before heading out for the day, what would you recommend she not leave the house without?

FB: Tinted moisturizer, cream blush and mascara. If you are pressed for time stick to the basics. Even out skin tone with tinted moisturizer then open the eyes with mascara. Cream blush can be applied to both cheeks and lips for a touch of color.

OCM: What spring makeup trends do you see that translate well for moms?

FB: Soft smoky eyes. This is a really easy eye to create. Powder lids with translucent or flesh toned powder (you can use the same powder you use for your face...no need to buy a bone colored shadow if you already have face powder). Using a sheer crease brush, apply a taupe shadow to crease in a back & forth motion. Next, use a smudge brush or soft angled brush to sweep the same color you used in crease under lower lash line. Finish by curling lashes & applying black mascara. Trade the taupe for gold or bronze for a more dramatic evening look.

OCM: Any tips or tricks you'd like to share?

FB: Make eyes appear larger by applying a white or flesh toned pencil to inner rim. This trick is also great if you haven't had enough sleep (attention all new moms!) This makes eyes look more open and also counteracts redness.

Editor's note: We recommend that women get out to the makeup counter at the start of each season to see what colors are popular. This is an easy way to update your look without getting an entire overhaul. Stop by Luxe Apothecary for a quick beauty update that will bring your look up to the minute.

We teamed up with Fiquet to help our Carolina Parent makeover winner get a great new look and can't wait to see the final results. Stay tuned!