Mission Achieve the Impossible: Operation Arch Apothecary

Goal: Get makeup onto makeup-phobic DailyCandy Chicago editor’s face without causing shock.

Site stats: Sleek new Old Town boutique (by way of Rockford) stocks curated European cosmetics normally relegated to department store counters (By Terry, Natura Bisse, Le Metier de Beaute, Deborah Lippmann polish). Services include waxing (brows are a specialty), 30-minute facials, hairstyling, makeup application, and more.

Method: Editor enters unassumingly. Is immediately approached by porcelain-faced owners/aestheticians Lindey Goodrich and Betsy Branca. Editor is shocked at kindness and lack of pretension. After learning about Amsterdam-based line Ellis Faas, editor is putty in Goodrich’s hands.

Outcome: Editor ogles lipsticks, glosses, and concealers with a zest ordinarily reserved for unavailable men. After Goodrich applies magical concealer and milky lipstick, editor vogues, swoons, faints. Is revived with Rosy Rings sea salt candle. Sniffs Oregon Soap Shoppe watermelon bar for good measure.

At the register: Cha-ching.

Mission: Accomplished.

Arch Apothecary, 1359 North Wells Street, at Schiller Street (312-291-9750 or archapothecary.com).

Photo: Emily Fiffer for DailyCandy