Steven Merrill Make-Up Artist

Three of us got a Living Social deal for a facial plus makeup lesson. (I added a chemical peel.) One of the three of us is engaged and she wanted to see what he’d recommend but we all wanted to freshen up our makeup colors. Getting a hand and foot treatment was a nice surprise as well (maybe it was on the deal but we didn’t see it if it was). I have to say from start to finish that everything was absolutely wonderful. Steven and Amber were professional but made us feel like friends. Amber set space aside for the wine and a charcuterie trays we had brought with us. She even provided forks and napkins when we realized we had forgotten them.
We had an amazing time but we also learned a lot of things about makeup and makeup techniques that we didn’t know. We all left with a sheet listing all of our colors and how to apply the makeup to each part of our face. Steven explains every step clearly and concisely. None of us are makeup girls so when he dispelled a lot of common makeup myths for us that was really valuable. He sells most of what he uses but we didn’t feel pressured to purchase or like we were getting a sales pitch at all. He even told us which products had double purposes and which were unnecessary.
We all loved this experience and the bride even booked her makeup for the day of the wedding!
Tip: You can park on the street. You enter by going to the back of the house and the salon is in a small building in the back. You enter the salon by going through the black gate.

I bought a facial and makeup lesson for my friend for her birthday and decided to treat myself as well. The facial was great and the makeup lesson was informative. He explained each step an I learned some extremely useful tips on concealing under eye bags and applying a smoky eye look. Steven was really nice and has a good sense of humor. His assistant was super friendly as well. I would recommend him.

I love it! This was my best groupon ever! The facial + massage was very nice and relaxing. The make up class was very informative and helpful. The service in general was also 5 stars

Getting married? Special event? This is the place to go… I first went with a groupon for facial and makeover… was I ever impressed! Usually a «tomboy» sort, I was very pleased with the finished, natural and beautiful makeover. Next time I have a special event, and don’t want to leave anything to chance, I’m calling Steven!

I had my first visit with Steven Merrill yesterday and loved it! His studio is comfortable, his assistant, Amber, was helpful, and I felt welcome. I have had many facials, but this was among the best. It also included massaging and softening hands and feet and then letting the product work into the skin via heated gloves. He was very conscious of my comfort and asked often if anything was uncomfortable for me. This was my first make-​up by a professional. Both were wonderful.
Steven is knowledgable, cordial, and shares his knowledge with his clients. He answered all of my questions, and we got along very well. I left feeling that he did an excellent job and that I could repeat the make-​up that he did (OK, maybe with some practice). I showed him some of the makeup that I currently use, and he advised that some items were good colors for me and others not so much. I trust his judgment and will no longer use the lipsticks he did not recommend. He has so many products, both for skin and make-​up, as well as utensils (brushes, etc.), and all are available to his clients; I could purchase any of the products, including make-​up, that he used on my face.
I recommend Steven for a wonderful facial and an excellent make-​over. He is definitely a pro.

A friend and I visited Steve last week for facials and makeup application lesson. I have had facials in the past and Steve is absolutely the best, He caters to your special skin needs and it feels like you have a new face when he’s finished! An added treat: you get a great little foot massage with little booties so your feet get a «facial» as well! The makeup is such good quality; he has the latest colors and a skin care line as well. This little place is relaxing and assistant Amber is there to help you. GO!

my boyfriend surprised me with a groupon for a facial, organic peel and makeover… he paid $ 69 for the deal, which retails for about $ 180
from the first phone call with amber (steven’s assistant) to my appointment with steven, they took good care of me. I can’t wait to go back!
amber was very helpful with scheduling my appointment, even offering to put me on a wait list for any Saturday openings
parking is on the street or anywhere around the block. the salon is in the back of the house through the back gate
my appointment was a dream… I loved the music playing and the charm of the salon. for my facial and peel, steven explained everything beforehand and made me feel super comfortable… I love the products he used, especially the microdermabrasion cream (it really exfoliates!)
the makeover was fun. steven showed me so many new ways to apply makeup. I especially loved the contouring lesson
steven creates a customized look for you and puts it all together for you on paper (colors used, brushes, etc), so you can refer back to it anytime… there’s no pressure to buy anything… but how can u not? everything is top notch and looks great on you!

With a Groupon coupon for an organic peel and make-​over, I scheduled a back-​to-​back appointment for my daughter and myself. What a treat! Relaxing and enjoyable, Steven is low-​key, has a great sense of humor, and a natural teaching instinct. During the facial cleansing, he explained the types of creams and cleansers he was using and why it would suit my particular skin type (oily with a tendency toward blackheads). The make-​up session was done jointly with my daughter and me watching each other while Steven applied the make-​up and explained how and why at each step. With the goal that we should be able to apply our make up at home with a degree of confidence, Steven provided each of us with a Makeover Chart, complete with the colors he used for eyes, face and lips. What I appreciated most was that he offers all of the make-​up and cleansing creams for puchase (at a Groupon discount) but there’s no pressure to buy. In fact, he was emphatic that we should only consider buying those products that we would definitely use.
I typically wear very little make up, but Steven showed me how, with a little effort, makeup can actually light up my face and make me look more energetic (i.e., eyes more defined, less sagging appearance under the eyes) and he offered some good tips to avoid that «mask» look. For my daughter and me, we had a wonderful day sharing a unique and enjoyable experience together.

Part of me was apprehensive to go to Steven, since I am not a big believer in spending too much time on aesthetics (read: I am a make-​up novice and was out of my league). Steven was lovely; not judgmental or dismissive, very personable and pleasant, and he put me at ease immediately. He is very informative and I really felt like I would be able to follow his plan once I got home. His assistant was also very pleasant and helpful. Excellent customer service and a great experience.

Steven and Amber were a delight from the first phone call to set up the appointment. Steven is very good at what he does, takes the time to explain what he is doing and why (during the makeover) so that you can easily duplicate at home. The colors that he picked out for me were spot on. Looking forward to sending my friends to see him and for my return visit!

I really enjoyed having a massage, peeling and make up session at Steven’s studio!
I have planned my visit few weeks ahead and I knew that I would spend there a couple of hours. So, I have chosen a day with no plans for the first half, making sure that I will not be disturbed.
I arrived on time, was greeted by Amber, his receptionist, and was invited to have my peeling and massage. While doing these procedures Steven gave me advices of how to take care of my skin and what products to use. After that Steven did a make up for me and I loved it! At first, he asked about my preferences of colors in make up and clothing. I explained that I like everything to look natural. He suggested to add warmer colors to my make up palette and gave me a chart with the colors and products that will be used during the session. I believe, his choices were correct and the results were unexpectedly good. The make up on my face looked very delicate and fresh with some deeper accent on my eyes. I believe, I needed a professional advice of how to make my features look better and his work and advices were priceless!
Thank you very much, Steven!
Irina

Bought a Groupon and made an appointment with Amber, Steve’s receptionist. Amber is very delightful, friendly, and does a great job. Steve runs his business behind his home in a separate studio space. He cuts, styles, and colors hair in addition to makeup and facials, but I think makeup is his passion. He has been in business for many years and even worked in Paris doing makeup for runway models. I purchased a facial and makeup lesson. Personally, I didn’t care for his facial because he was a little vigorous on my face, but the foot and leg massage was great!
Next was my makeup lesson and I think this is where Steve really shines! I learned some new techniques on how to apply my makeup and I looked beautiful afterwards! He is very talented and picks out just the right colors. If you have a special event to attend and need a makeup person, he is definitely the one you want to go to!
On another note, Steve is a funny, friendly, witty, and knowledgable guy. I had a great time talking and laughing with him. He is a one person show and when you are there, you are the only one he is working with. Keeping that in mind, you should arrive on time. When you don’t show or when you are late (Karen, previous reviewer), it hurts Steve’s business. He books clients one appointment right after another and doesn’t juggle several at one time. Another thing I really appreciated about Steve is that he doesn’t try to sell you a lot of useless products. He is honest and straightforward and I plan on returning again soon!

From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt welcome & comfortable, and I cannot put into words how wonderful & spoilt I felt when I left.
My facial & peel were just awesome, and I not only felt on top of the world, but EVERYONE commented on how gorgeous my makeup looked when I went out later that evening.
I feel that I have been stuck in a rut with my skincare & makeup for a while, and Steven’s patience & knowledge was greatly appreciated, his advice is honest & caring, and I can certainly understand why he has survived for so long in the industry !
I really feel like a new woman & cannot wait for my next pampering !

From the moment you are called to confirm your appointment
and speak to Amber to your greeting when you walk in The Studio you feel pampered. When I arrived I was explained everything and made to feel comfortable and it has a feeling of such peace and serenity. Steve is smart, funny, professional and his leg massages were amazing. We previously discussed what kind of look I was looking for and he knew his stuff for sure. His instruction was done slowly and everything was explained and I was given step by step instructions to help me replicate the look at home as well. The products were gentle and didn’t leave my skin feeling like a mask. A wonderful homey establishment that is really a hidden jewel in the Upper Kirby District.

I bought a Bloomspot coupon for a 60 minute makeup lesson which was $ 35 for $ 81. I definitely did not enjoy this experience, and I greatly regret purchasing this Bloomspot deal. Steven was very rude and I did not enjoy coming here.
I made an appointment for Friday. I was in a meeting that ran over on Friday and had to call last minute to tell him that I would be late. When I got out of the meeting, I called him from my car before I left to tell him that I would be running late. He yelled at me over the phone, said he would not reschedule my appointment and that I could either go there late and receive half the time I paid for or get nothing. He said the Bloomspot deal was heavily discounted and rescheduling last minute was not an option. I opted for rushing to the salon and getting half the time. I was in the energy corridor and drove as fast as I could to get to the salon off of Kirby. When I arrived, I was very upset, crying and didn’t even feel like getting a makeup lesson. He decided he would reschedule my appointment for another day. I would advise that you arrive early or cancel 24 hours in advance because he is very unforgiving when in comes to rescheduling last minute.
I went back again today for my appointment and he was finishing up with a customer. I was on my phone while I waited and to catch my attention to fill out a paper information form, he sounded annoyed and asked «hey you, texting, can you fill this out?» After I filled out the form, he did my makeup. I told him I wore neutrals and he seemed impatient when I was trying to think of colors in my closet other than white, black, and blue. He applied foundation, navy blue eyeshadow, liner, filled in my eyebrows, lined my lips, and applied gloss. The makeup was very different from what I’m used to. He asked if I liked it and I said although I like a red lip, the shade of red was a little darker than I was used to. My favorite shade right now is Loreal Infallable Le Gloss in Red Fatale which is a very bright and vibrant red. I also told him that I’m used to more natural eye colors like brown and he seemed offended and said brown was boring. I had my eyes done at MAC with a brown eyeshadow for my formal and it was free and much better than the service I received here. I would not recommend this place.