A mayjah event + a group of girlfriends + one bathroom mirror=sharp elbows.

Avoid the drama and book your girlfriends in for a session at Rouge Make-up Lounge. The sophisticated space has seven stations and carries primo products (like Becca and Paul & Joe Beauté) that in-house make-up artists will expertly apply to your specifications.

Smoky eyes and red lips? That’s drama we can live with.

From $45 per person, Rouge Make-up Lounge, 1038 Hamilton St., Vancouver, 604-681-1118, www.rougemakeuplounge.com

From photo shoots to bridal parties to big nights on the town, sometimes a gal needs a make-up artist's brush of genius. Herewith, our favourites from around the country:

Vancouver
We tested the new Best Face Forward mineral make-up service prior to a high school reunion and never felt more polished and confident. Now if only we’d felt that way back in Grade 12… $38, BFF at Blo Four Seasons Hotel,  604-685-6404.

Vancouver
When Vitamin Daily’s editors go on live air, we get our faces freshened by Karen Shoji of Mika Olivia, who pays attention to every dewy detail. Lights, camera, action! $50, Mika Olivia at The Studio, 248 E. 10th Ave., Vancouver, 604-269-0408, www.mikaolivia.com

Vancouver
Movie industry make-up artist Tana Lynn created her own line of mineral makeup after seeing so many actors break out from conventional cosmetics. Her swift hand and deft technique create an ultra-natural look in minutes. $75, 604-880-1163, www.tlcminerals.com

Calgary
Our Calgary ambassadors got photo-shoot ready with the help of the gorgeous and talented Teslin Ward (also a Vitamin Daily ambassador herself), who also does makeup for magazine editorials. $75, www.teslinward.com

Calgary
Allison Cullen of MakeMe by Alli keeps fierce and focused under tight timelines—she gave Calgary editor Malwina Gudowska a gorgeous natural glow for her summer wedding.  From $85 for brides, www.makeme.ca

Toronto
For our Toronto launch party, make-up artist Erin Guenter to the rescue! With a kit stocked with hard-to-find products, she’s a whiz at creating that bronzy, healthy, starlet-y party look we love. $100, 416-804-9122, eringuenter@yahoo.ca

Toronto
Stila, Laura Mercier, Make Up For Ever: Noelle Banting made our Toronto subscribers look like supermodels for our ambassador shoot. $100, includes false lashes if desired, www.noellebanting.com

Montreal
Lisa Sim is Montreal’s own MacGyver of makeup. Using what’s in your own kit, she’ll teach you how to take your look from day to night (in under ten minutes), or choose something from her all-natural Sim Minerals line  and let her go to town. From $60, 514-998-5540, www.simminerals.com

Who's the fairest of them all? You will be after a visit to BeautyInk.

We took an instructional lesson ($75/hr) at the BeautyInk Gallery where professional make-up artist Shauna Magrath—who’s got an Emmy to her name and stars like Charlize Theron and Jessica Alba on her CV—took us step-by-step through a new spring look. With no allegiance to a beauty counter, she gave us the scoop sans sale pressure on what high-end products are worth it and what discount drugstore buys are better.

We walked away with peepers that popped, the know-how to replicate it at home, and  the dish on who’s a doll to work with (that would be Meg Ryan).

BeautyInk Gallery, 101-1529 W. Sixth Ave., Vancouver, 604-639-3609, www.beautyink.ca
See some more photos of Joy's makeover photos on today's Editors' Diary.

Getting prepped for an evening out can be stressful enough, but throw in the prospect of Valentine’s Day/first date/high school reunion/charity gala, and you may end up too deep in the “getting ready” cocktails.

So do what the socialites do, and hire help—for your make up.

 For $85, make-up artist and jewellery designer Shelley Hilliard (clients include Trevor Linden’s stunning wife Cristina) will travel to your central Vancouver home, kit in tow, and revamp your look for a big night out.

We requested “fresh and dewy” for our own trial, and Hilliard delivered, with a little smoky eye thrown in for punch.

So now all you have to worry about is witty repartee on topics other than real estate, not wrecking your heels, and finding a cab…well, at least one thing was easy.

Shelley Hilliard, 778-891-8159, www.hilliarddesign.com