THE CONSUMER: “Lift, lift, lift”

And with more than two decades of experience perfecting complexions, creating "complementary color stories" and plumping lash and lip lines, Jimenez insists education is the key to flattering faces. "I'll give you a look you can do yourself," he assures. "That's what my consultations are about: making you look great and teaching you how to do it without me." Jimenez was on loan from San Francisco at the Venetian's Sephora mega-store for only two days last week, but he left useful advice.

Armed with every imaginable product, from mineral powder foundations, satin and sparkly bronzers to the full spectrum of eye shadows, glitter-infused eyeliners, lip glosses, stains and pencils, Jimenez waves away any notions of novice intimidation. "Our products are multi-purpose and easy to use," he says, demonstrating Urban Decay's pigment palettes, colors that can be used as blush, eye shadow and lip tint and applied on the go with only the fingertips.

As for seasonal tips or style trends, Jimenez is conscious of what's hot but careful to craft a custom look for his clients. "Everyone wants a look they saw in a magazine," Jimenez shakes his head in mock dismay. "Hair is easy to duplicate but make-up is about recreating a similar look to fit your features." And the glamour guru's favorite failsafe feature? The eyes. "Always play up the eyes, always." Though he warns against over doing it: "If you have dark circles, wrinkles, redness, don't use dark liner under the eye or cake on concealer; try to lift the eye by focusing on the top lid to lift your look—lift, lift, lift!"

And his advice for Sin City is three-fold:

Pick One: Jimenez says a good look has focus. Intensify the eyes, lips or cheeks, but choose one. "If you do it all, it's too much; you look scary."

Add On: "As the sun goes down, add black over brown." Turning your daytime eyes to night in just a few seconds.

Power Tools: Urban Decay's Potion eye-shadow primer. "This stuff will keep your eyes in place for 36 hours, perfect for you party girls and guys!"

Urban Decay
Where: Sephora inside the Venetian.
Info: 735-3896.