Tia Provici is a lot like that fairy godmother/sassy best friend character in movies that you fantasize about going shopping with, but never expect to actually meet. 

When I arrived at Provici Cosmetics/Paperdoll Clothing, a boutique she co-owns in the Exchange District (located at 214 McDermot Ave.), she was cheerily buzzing around, answering phone calls and organizing her packed schedule – but she never made me feel neglected or unimportant. 

Provici warmly acknowledges everyone in her company, pausing our interview to make sure a co-worker was wearing gloves before she went outside. 

“I’ve just always been like that” she says. “I am everyone’s mother, wait, big sister.”

Such an attitude is really nice to see, especially from someone as powerful as Provici. She has a way of balancing her friendly demeanor with an attitude that’s all business. She knows exactly what she wants, what image she wants to project and how to get there. 

“Provici/Paperdoll is for the person who appreciates trend, who’s looking for something a little more special than the mall experience.” 

Provici Cosmetics have been sold in the Exchange for seven years, the past two with Paperdoll Clothing, and Tia says it’s important for her brand to “be at the centre of heritage and culture with glamour.”

“ Having your physical image match your charisma builds trust in the people around you. It is a privilege to wear make-up.

Tia Provici, owner of Provici Cosmetics

Provici has many exciting projects and collaborations on the agenda, including a book that she has co-authored with other female entrepreneurs, titled The Female CEO: Pearls, Power, and Passion. It’s set to be released in April 2014.

“The woman who chooses to wear makeup in the workplace is not a floozy,” she says, her enthusiasm for this subject becoming very evident as she speaks.

“Make-up can be worn to create a look that is polished and refined, so that a woman can exude confidence. Having your physical image match your charisma builds trust in the people around you. It is a privilege to wear make-up.”

While some makeup artists prefer to keep certain tricks to themselves, the Provici brand is all about sharing information and empowering its clients with the tools they need to pull together the appearance they want to project.

From October 29–30, Provici will host an eyebrow workshop at Provici Cosmetics. 

“I look at the questions I’m being asked regularly and I build workshops around them,” she says. “The eyebrow makes such a dramatic difference to the face, but most people don’t know what shape is right for them or how to achieve it.”

The workshop runs in half hour time slots from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and appointments can be made through provici.com. Provici’s team will show you how to “frame your face with confidence.” 

“We don’t actually do the look for you in workshops. We consult and coach you through it so that you’re always in control.” 

There’s a $35 purchase commitment, but you wouldn’t want to leave without the tools necessary to create your new look.

Published in Volume 68, Number 8 of The Uniter (October 23, 2013)