We’ve all done it. You know – gone into a department store or Sephora to do our make-up for that unexpected happy hour or last minute date. It’s fun to play with make-up but when it comes to getting a look that suits our needs, it can be stressful and cumbersome, especially when trying to awkwardly navigate through the crowd of on-lookers and pushy sales people. Keep calm and Pucker up! Internationally acclaimed (and one of FAVORITES) make-up artist, Julio Sandino has teamed up with busy mom Hiyam McKelvey to create Pucker, a make-up services only studio and sanctuary located in Soho. Pucker offers make-up applications by professionals in the industry that cater to your look without any hassle. And get this, it’s only $35-$50! The experience is all about primping and pampering you for your big night out. There are even dressing rooms, hair tools and showers if you need to pull a Clark Kent and change from work to play clothes. Plus lockers to store the excess baggage for pick-up the next day (at no extra charge!). 
The man behind the make-up Julio Sandino is an industry veteran getting the start of his career in the 1990s assisting legendary artist Francois Nars. Putting 15 years under his belt as part of the NARS artistry and training team, he also refined his skills backstage at high-profile runway shows, on editorial photo shoots, and for international advertising campaigns. Julio’s talents have graced the pages of such publications as Italian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Nylon, British Marie Claire and Bolero, and can tout working with designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Vivienne Westwood and Thakoon, to name a few. I’m also lucky enough to call this man a friend!
After a relaxing session with Julio that ended with feeling of pure glamour and beauty, Hiyam decided that amazing, easy make-up application needed to be made accessible for everyone. She was pregnant at the time and dealing with a department store was so unappealing that when a friend gave her Julio’s number and the rest is history. At roughly the cost of a Chanel lipstick, you can get a Pucker Quickie ($35) – approximately a 25 minute application – totally accessible and very worth it. For a full on make-up session (45 min), the cost is a phenomenally reasonable cost of $50. At home and additional services are also offered.
Pucker is located at 129 Grand Street, NYC. Learn more at pucker.co