Sifu Design Studio

Dollface Beauty School founder Jenny Patinkin on the beauty gadget to get for Grandma and why you should be buying drugstore-brand mascara. When Jenny Patinkin was starting out as a makeup artist, she had trouble finding good brushes. Instead of waiting for Santa to bring her better ones, she solved the problem by releasing her own line. The ultra-soft bristles mix synthetic fibers with natural ones—such as cruelty-free blue squirrel fur—to achieve the “bend and flex” she says is essential to properly blending makeup. “In my opinion, that’s what makes a really natural look,” Jenny says. “I don’t want to see where anything stops and starts.” During the holiday season, she also infuses her signature low-key looks with a little more glow. “Everybody’s skin takes a beating [in winter]. I tend to move more toward dewier textures, [which put] a little more luminosity in the skin.” Though Jenny describes her aesthetic as “lazy perfection,” this makeup artist is about as busy as it gets. She currently splits her time between her brush line, editorial and special-event makeup, and her Dollface Beauty School makeup lessons. This time of year, she adds a fourth job to that roster: holiday shopping. Below, she shares her tips on where to find chic makeup for even the toughest-to-shop-for demographics. Like goths. Where to Shop for... Skincare that can endure a Chicago winter: Kiehl’s (520 N. Michigan, 907 W. Armitage). “That’s what I use in my kit,” Jenny says. “[Their products are] good for all skin types, and they’re not irritating.” Inexpensive trend makeup: Jenny loves NYX (#1), a high-quality yet affordable line available at Ulta, which she says is perfect “if you’re looking to experiment with a trend, like a hot-pink eye shadow.” NYX’s other bold shadows include neon orange and cherry red (all $4.50). The best mascara: The drugstore. “A lot of the really big makeup companies own the designer brands,” Jenny says, noting that she sees no difference between the formulas they develop for department-store brands and drugstore brands. Makeup for locavores: Arch Apothecary (1359 N. Wells) is a beauty boutique that carries local brands such as By Terry, Eve Lom, and Jenny’s eponymous brush line. Another local treasure trove: space519 (900 N. Michigan), an upscale general store that stocks high-end makeup in its apothecary department. Eye shadows that have achieved cult-favorite status: Jenny raves about Urban Decay’s Naked palettes ($52), which get their name from 12 nude shadows in a spectrum of shades and finishes. “The original Naked palette is all bronzy nudes,” Jenny explains. “Naked2 is all taupe-y nudes, and Naked3 [#2] is all pinky, rosy nudes.” When Naked3 came out online, “I ordered three of them,” Jenny says. “I was so excited.” The palettes are available locally at Sephora and Ulta. What to Buy for... Someone with aging skin: Jenny suggests a Clarisonic facial brush (#3), which combats aging by “really deep [cleaning] your skin, so that your skincare products can work more effectively.” Try the Mia ($125), a single-speed starter brush, or the PLUS ($225), a three-speed model that works for face and body. The makeup minimalist: According to Jenny, a bare-bones kit consists of concealer, an eyelash curler (#4), and “anything shiny on your lips. [Even] Aquaphor.” The goth: Jenny recommends Illamasqua, a brand that “definitely has some edgier colors.” Its Paranormal collection includes goth essentials such as highly pigmented black gel eyeliner ($29.21) and lipstick in ESP ($26.77), a dramatic shade of dark purple. The glitter enthusiast: MAC’s Pigments ($21), ultra-fine shimmer powders so rich in color that “you need just a teeny tiny bit.” The product comes in more than 40 colors, from Pure White to Hi-Def Cyan, and can be used as eye shadow, face shimmer, or added to body lotion. Someone who loves curly hair but hates curling irons: The Beachwaver (#5) curling iron by Sarah Potempa ($199) has a rotating ceramic rod that “draws your hair into the curling iron for you, so you don’t have to actually curl it,” Jenny explains. Determined to buy the best holiday gifts of their lives, Groupon's Style & Beauty writers sought shopping advice from local experts. Click here for guides to buying presents for the fitness lover, foodie, or coffee addict in your life. Photo: courtesy of Jenny Patinkin

It’s not often that a store has to close because its merchandise is too popular. But that was the case with Renegade Craft Fair’s brick-and-mortar shop in Wicker Park, which shuttered its doors in January 2012 so that the owners could devote more time to their wildly popular craft fairs. (Since debuting in Chicago 10 years ago, the festival has expanded to six cities, including London.) Case in point: this past weekend’s summer event drew scores of attendees, who ogled everything from soft and squishy stuffed Shawnimals to handmade jewelry from Mineralogy. Indeed, though the West Division corridor has changed quite a bit in recent years—organic pizza restaurant Crust has given way to a Pizano’s and the storefront of beloved shoe boutique Pump still stands vacant since it closed in 2011—the neighborhood has held its own as one of the city’s best destinations to shop local and, as a result, run into plenty of fashionable passersby. Matthew, 31, scarf maker and owner of Late Sunday Afternoon What’s in your pouch? Crystals What’s the bear on your shirt? It’s a spirit bear. I saw it on a medicine journey. On Matthew: Levi’s jeans, Raparo italian boots, vintage hat and vest, Willow LA pouch Britt, 25, writer Favorite local boutique: Kokorokoko Your style in a nutshell: Vintage maximalism Buy anything today? Lotion from Etta & Billie, earrings from Lily Dawson Designs On Britt: Chain by Ready to Stare by Alysse Dalessandro, vintage jacket and skirt Sarah, 27, sales associate at Madewell, and Kyle, 26, owner of Creative Commonwealth Favorite Chicago boutique: Sarah’s vote goes to Eskell, but Kyle loves Haberdash Favorite Renegade booth: Dethrose Vintage stood out for Sarah. On Sarah: Madewell T-shirt, vintage skirt and belt, Urban Outfitters shoes, Forever 21 tote On Kyle: Garrett Leigh sunglasses, Gap shirt and shorts, Vans shoes Allan, 53, horticulturist, co-owner of Acorn Markets Favorite local boutique: I hate shopping. Favorite rare plant: It changes. Last year it was the Australian pitcher plant. Right now, it’s conophytum (living stones). On Allan: Dooney & Bourke shoes, pants from Marshalls Lindsay, 23, photographer Your style in a nutshell: I like to try to create "little moments" in my wardrobe, like a belt with a fun clasp or a fun collar. Buy anything today? Scissors from Oh, Hello Friend On Lindsay: Hat of her own design (she sells them on Etsy as The Lovely Red Fox) Mary, 58, nanny and artist, and Atticus, 1, french bulldog Your style in a nutshell: Color, patterns on patterns—I don’t like to represent fear. On Mary: Glasses made in France from Eye Want, dress from Village Discount Outlet, boots from Buffalo Exchange Photo: © Andrew Nawrocki, Groupon

Though it’s a reputed haven for hipsters (whatever that means anymore), Wicker Park’s Six Corners actually teems with disparate, mingling fashions. This diversity stems in part from the broad spectrum of shops in the area: well-known brands such as Urban Outfitters and Free People, vintage stores such as Ragstock and Crossroads Trading Co., and independent boutiques such as Una Mae’s and Eskell. When you’re surrounded by young people and some of the city’s best shopping, it’s hard to swing a Reckless Records bag without bumping into a stylish passerby. Katie, advertising Favorite local clothing shop: Aritzia Your style in a nutshell: Easy, laidback, monotone On Katie: AJ Morgan sunglasses from Stitch, American Apparel tank, Zara jeans Ennis, sales associate at Brooklyn Industries, painter, dancer, b-boy Favorite local clothing shop: Brooklyn Industries, of course Your style in a nutshell: Urban, kind of sporty, a slim look On Ennis: Hat, tank, and jeans from Brooklyn Industries, Converse shoes, Lenscrafters glasses Michelle, art dealer and gallery owner in Los Angeles Favorite clothing shop: Creatures of Comfort Your style in a nutshell: Comfortable, super comfortable, über comfortable On Michelle: Sunglasses from a 99-cent store, NativeLA shirt, 1980s vintage hat, Opening Ceremony bag, $7 shoes from a store she has since forgotten the name of Buki (left), artist, and Ezra (right), illustrator Favorite clothing shop: Buki loves online shopping, particularly Nasty Gal, and Ezra loves Belmont Army Your style in a nutshell: Buki says her style is “urban, vintage,” and Ezra says, “I used to say I was ‘apocalyptic businessman,’ but I think I’m lighter now than I was then.” On Buki: Nasty Gal shoes, Urban Eyecare sunglasses, Topshop bag, dress from a frock swap with friends On Ezra: Shirt unknown, Paul Frank sunglasses (tucked into his shirt), Topshop pants, his dad’s favorite hat Rachel, manager at Brooklyn Industries, punk-rock musician Favorite local clothing shop (other than Brooklyn Industries): Pitaya Your style in a nutshell: Maybe not today, but I’m usually pretty punk-rock chic...I was also once described as a funky airline stewardess. On Rachel: Brooklyn Industries dress, Ross shoes (a boutique in New Mexico), Target sunglasses, earrings gifted from her sister Aamna, MBA student at Indiana University Favorite places to shop: Zara or Sephora Your style in a nutshell: Sophisticated, hip, urban On Aamna: Zara dress, Aerosoles shoes, Michael Kors bag, gifted necklace, bracelets from Pakistan Photo: © Michelle Klosinski, Groupon