I’m gearing up to play Mrs. Claus this holiday.

It’s my ninth season. In a city known only for Santa Claus. You’ve probably never heard of a Mrs. Claus in Manhattan, aptly named, MANhattan.

It’s really hard to get these gigs.

The elves are big time, people with their own acts on cruise ships and nightclubs. Some work on Broadway. So instead of buying more stuff, more costumes and junky wigs, I opted for a makeup makeover to be on the same professional level as the elves.

I self-intervened.

No more red lipstick on my teeth.

No more Duane Readed (Walgreens) eyelashes flying all about my visage.

I contacted a beauty concierge at Nordstrom. She arranged a one-on-one tutorial on a day that happened to be Halloween, thus the Ouji board jumper in the photo.

I learned that my perimenopausal hormones have changed my once oily skin into the surface of a flaky croissant. How can I expect a smooth application if my “canvas” is like a handful of sand?

Note: I spent the money. I really wanted to learn and experiment, not just for the holidays but for dressing up and going out. Just know that. You can probably find much cheaper items at the drugstore. I also worked with a licensed esthetician, also a professional makeup artist.

Here are the products I used before adding concealer, foundation, blush, and powder:

1. The Crest strips and Laneige are mine. But my tutor explained that the skin prep takes a little time. Why not soften the lips and whiten the teeth while waiting for the Peptide & Ice patches to take effect?

2. We applied a lip mask. Dry lips are a leading cause of red-lipstick bleed off.

3. We put the Peptide & Ice patches on under my eyes. They immediately felt wonderful, cool and minty. These patches were already reducing my usual dark circles while protecting my skin from eyeshadow that would later fall onto the cheeks. (This is a good time to put in the Crest strips to whiten the teeth.)

4. I applied toner, then serum, then primer to my face and eyelids.

5. Eye shadow using brushes. We tried some red Pat McGrath sparkly stuff on the lid with a darker shade on the outer corners and lids. This is very expensive eye shadow, but check in for Black Friday deals.

6. We added mascara so that my light eyelashes wouldn’t shine through the dark eyelashes.

7. We used a brow brush backwards to darken my eyelashes from the outside to the inside.

8. We selected Mac baby doll eyelashes instead of the heavier ones. These baby dolls have more individual lashes, which really opened my eyes. We pretended to put the lashes on, to measure. Your false eyelashes should start at the outer corners and stop just where your normal upper lashes are the longest. To trim, my tutor put both eyelashes together and then trimmed. That way, they would be the same size.

9. We used a thin layer of clear adhesive, so that when it dried, it would be dark. We let the adhesive dry, to make it tacky. We wiggled the lashes back and forth to make them more flexible. Then we applied the lashes to the upper lid. My tutor instructed me to use my thumb and pointer finger to pinch the lashes into the lids.

10. I used my fingers to apply sparkly shadow to my inner eye corners, under the brow

11. We removed the patches under my eyes. After all that eye shadow, I was glad not to have shadow on my cheeks. I used toner, primer, and foundation under my eyes.

12. For blush, I smiled and patted the color down with my fingers, from the outer parts of my face to the inner.

13. For contours, we used darker powder near my eyes, upper cheekbones, and the jawline. I added power to my neckline, so I matched.

14. I added glimmer powders to my forehead, nose, cheeks, and neckline. Then I added skin-colored powder to my whole face to set the makeup longer.

15. To apply the Pat McGrath lipstick, I made a big jack-o-lantern mouth, with my lips stretched over my teeth. This way, I was applying to stretched skin, so the lipstick would be less likely to flake off later. I made an outline of my lips with the lipliner. Then I applied the lipstick to the stretched lips. I started to rub my lips together. No! That makes them flake.

16. The last step with a finishing spray to my face to keep my makeup in place. This product might be one of the best and most important, for me at least. I make so many mistakes when I have to touch up in a moving vehicle.

    Of all of these steps, I already see a huge difference in the quality of my skin, lipstick that stays put, and eyelashes that do not move.
    

Photo by Tim Darwish

During the holidays, I’m an independent Mrs. Claus who works alone or with a few different Santas. Party planners often turn to me and Santa for advice on how to organize a visit. 

First, thank you for asking! It’s not too late to hire many of us in the Claus family. If you’ve already hired one or both of us for a scheduled event, you can always finesse. Santas and Mrs. Clauses around the globe should be happy to strategize with you based on your audience.

Second, think of your celebration as a sandwich. The two slices of bread are the Clauses’ departure and arrival. What’s in between are the delicious layers. 

Here are 5 party planner pointers when you hire a Mr. and Mrs. C:

Memorable visits are short, from 30 to 60 minutes. Longer than that and we become an awkward member of the family. Everyone knows that Santa’s busy, so guests understand his exit, especially if the time slot is accurately marketed. On your flyers and social media posts, advertise a brief schedule, such as:

• 6 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the plaza

• 6:15 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus light the tree and pose for photos

• 7 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus wave goodbye

In these communications, commit to two or three highlights and when they happen. Stick to these times, so that you don’t have guests waiting for hours to see Santa. Remember you are dealing with overscheduled adults and sleepy children.

Plan backward in regard to your ideal time slot. How do you want your North Pole guests to leave your party — as a final walk-through or maybe a group photo? Leaving is just as important as arriving, especially for children who might be upset if the Big Guy suddenly disappears. As a group, sing one or two verses of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The song is a classic, a perfect segue.

Consider the type of sandwich. Photographs are usually the main “protein” of a holiday event involving St. Nick. Wonderful! Considering that most people have smartphone cameras, talk through a traffic flow pattern before the party. Set out a comfortable chair by the tree, out of the way of wait staff and caterers. Offer a stool for people who don’t want to sit in Santa’s lap, an increasing trend.

• Have an elf, staff person, or Mrs. Claus direct the photo line with clear entry and exit points for the excited youngsters.

• Designate someone to take photos for families, so Mom and Dad don’t have to be excluded.

• Offer a place to hide coats.

• Ask parents to unbuckle children from strollers and pull them out of snow suits before they get to the front of the line.

• Be sure to include vertical pictures, which look best on Instagram, and remind guests to tag your establishment.

Other activities could include a horse and buggy ride, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the presentation of awards, or an ugly sweater contest with the Clauses as judges.

For tree lightings, invite us to preside near the tree. Do a countdown from 10 to 1 before you flip the switch. It’s such a simple piece of drama, but adults weep over this. So test the lights beforehand. Have some jokes handy in case there’s a glitch. Guests empathize with Charlie Brown moments, especially when you maintain merriness.

Warmup by building community. Successful events magnify all the resources around you. If the Girl Scouts want to sing carols, welcome them with a three-song limit. Invite elected officials to say a few words. They love being photographed with happy constituents doing good things for others. Allow leaders in your establishment to trumpet the year’s accomplishments and explain how to donate a toy for the annual Toy Drive. Maybe do a trivia contest or provide face painting for the kids. Offer a working mic to amplify quiet voices in large rooms. You are building anticipation and a network of positive change, not just for today but the year to come. Be bold. Be generous with your spirit, free of charge.

Grand entrances must spark joy. Now here we are at the top of our sandwich, the part that makes you want to take a bite. Coordinate, coordinate, coordinate. You know how dog owners talk to their pets before a walk? Are your ready for Santa? Huh? Huh? Who's a good boy?

Do that.

Make sure the Clauses are just around the corner, ready to enter away from their parked and hidden cars. (Note: We are costume characters who may also be wearing gloves while navigating umbrellas on rainy nights. We can’t answer every nervous text or call. We are aware.) 

We love walking into a party with our arms up, reveling in all of the joy of the season. Let us be your king and queen and consider the most beautiful spaces in your room. Maybe you have a balcony, a red carpet, or French doors. Allow us to linger near these places. Your guests will love the theater. Never underestimate the power of memory.

I am a Mrs. Claus during the holidays. I have performed for the Clinton family, guests at major department stores, and many, many families. My website is mrsclausnyc.com. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @mrsclausnyc.

Photo by Chad Kraus Photography

During the holidays, I’m an independent Mrs. Claus who works alone or with a few different Santas. Party planners often turn to me and Santa for advice on how to organize visits. 

First, thank you for asking! September through November is prime time to hire members of the Claus family. If you’ve already hired one or both of us for a scheduled event, you can always finesse. Even if it’s mid-December, many Santas and Mrs. Clauses might be happy to strategize with you.

Second, think of your celebration as a sandwich. The two slices of bread are the Clauses’ departure and arrival. What’s in between are the delicious layers. 

Here are 5 party planner pointers when you hire a Mr. and Mrs. C:

Memorable visits are short, from 30 to 60 minutes. Longer than that and we become an awkward member of the family. Everyone knows that Santa’s busy, so guests understand his exit, especially if the time slot is accurately marketed. On your flyers and social media posts, advertise a brief schedule, such as:

• 6 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the plaza

• 6:15 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus light the tree and pose for photos

• 7 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus wave goodbye

In these communications, commit to two or three highlights and when they happen. Stick to these times, so that you don’t have guests waiting for hours to see Santa. Remember you are dealing with overscheduled adults and overly stimulated children.

Plan backward in regard to your ideal time slot. How do you want your North Pole guests to leave your party — as a final walk-through or maybe a group photo? Leaving is just as important as arriving, especially for children who might be upset if the Big Guy suddenly disappears. As a group, sing one or two verses of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The song is a classic, a perfect segue.

Consider the type of sandwich. Photographs are usually the main “protein” of a holiday event involving St. Nick. Wonderful! Considering that most people have smartphone cameras, talk through a traffic flow pattern before the party. Set out a comfortable chair by the tree, out of the way of wait staff and caterers. Offer a stool for people who don’t want to sit in Santa’s lap, an increasing trend. Have an elf, staff person, or Mrs. Claus direct the photo line with clear entry and exit points for the excited youngsters. Designate someone to take photos for families, so Mom and Dad don’t have to be excluded. Offer a place to hide coats. Be sure to include vertical pictures, which look best on Instagram, and remind guests to tag your establishment.

Other activities could include a horse and buggy ride, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the presentation of awards, or an ugly sweater contest with the Clauses as judges.

For tree lightings, invite us to preside near the tree. Do a countdown from 10 to 1 before you flip the switch. It’s such a simple piece of drama, but adults weep over this. So test the lights beforehand. Have some jokes handy in case there’s a glitch. Guests empathize with Charlie Brown moments, especially when you maintain merriness.

Warmup by building community. Successful events magnify all the resources around you. If the Girl Scouts want to sing carols, welcome them with a three-song limit. Invite elected officials to say a few words. They love being photographed with happy constituents doing good things for others. Allow leaders in your establishment to trumpet the year’s accomplishments and explain how to donate a toy for the annual Toy Drive. Maybe do a trivia contest or provide face painting for the kids. Offer a working mic to amplify quiet voices in large rooms. You are building anticipation and a network of positive change, not just for today but the year to come. Be bold. Be generous with your spirit, free of charge.

Grand entrances must spark joy. Now here we are at the top of our sandwich, the part that makes you want to take a bite. Coordinate, coordinate, coordinate. You know how dog owners talk to their pets before a walk? Are your ready for Santa? Huh? Huh? Who's a good boy?

Do that.

Make sure the Clauses are just around the corner, ready to enter away from their parked and hidden cars. (Note: We are costume characters who may also be wearing gloves while navigating umbrellas on rainy nights. We can’t answer every nervous text or call. We are aware.) 

We love walking into a party with our arms up, reveling in all of the joy of the season. Let us be your king and queen and consider the most beautiful spaces in your room. Maybe you have a balcony, a red carpet, or French doors. Allow us to linger near these places. Your guests will love the theater. Never underestimate the power of memory.

I am a Mrs. Claus during the holidays. I have performed for the Clinton family, guests at major department stores, and many, many families. My website is mrsclausnyc.com. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @mrsclausnyc.