Make Up help please

[cheerup]

I currently use a BB cream and a lipstick. Every day, every occasion. I have some very old cosmetics of an eye make up variety but have never really known what to do with them and they are probably off by now anyway.

I am going out for dinner with Dh next week (a rare treat), have the day off work and to myself beforehand and would like to glam up a bit. I was thinking of getting a 'make over' at one of the counters in Boots/Debenhams/Body Shop but not sure how these work. Do you just turn up? Are you expected to buy all of the products? If not, how little can you buy without looking like a complete tightwad? Where is best to go?

Erm.. anything else to consider?

[swooosh]

Afaik MAC will do you a makeover for £50 (you need to book) but you can get £50 of products to take home.

I've learnt all my basics from youtube tutorials with regards to eyeliner, contouring etc.

[valiumredhead]

You just turn up and tell them you need advice - they will be delighted to help you! They will write down all the cosmetics they have used for reference but you aren't obliged to buy any of them.

Estee Lauder and Bare Minerals are good ime in Debenhams.

[valiumredhead]

I have never paid £50 at MAC - they give you advise for free ime.

[swooosh]

Yes they'll give advice for free but you can get a full makeover and £50 worth of products if you prefer to do it that way

[valiumredhead]

Oh that's a bit of a con, every other counter has done it for free for me!

[cheerup]

Thanks for the info - I'd rather not spend £50 if I can help it. Am I being unrealistic in hoping to get a makeover but not spend more than £20 on product? Also, is there a MAC counter in every Debenhams? Are any of them younger/funkier than the others or should I just choose by the 'look' of the person on the counter?

ps I am neither particularly young or particularly funky but I am slightly scared of coming out looking like a cross between Barbara Cartland and Jackie Collins

[ellangirl]

I like bobbi brown for natural looking makeover. Might want to book if it's a Saturday. No obligation to buy, but I always have bought something.

[swooosh]

I will do it now and again if I need to get something or two in particular and if I'm going for a night out

[carbondated]

DD had one done at Benefit counter. They tried to flog her everything but she just got the foundation as I remember. She was very pleased with the look though she said.

[JackieTheFart]

Go during the week if you can, else you will need to book. Bobbi Brown does it free, I know Mac and others will charge for a full makeover.

They do try and flog you absolutely everything on the counter, so steel yourself for saying no!

I had a wonderful makeover done by the Bobbi Brown lady in Debenhams in Liverpool, I was trying to get a good concealer for my wedding but my card was declined and it was more than I wanted to spend really. She spent ages (her and the manager of the beauty dept) getting all sorts of samples for me. I go back all the time

[cazza40]

Bobbi Brown is really good and I never found them at all pushy. Have also tried Mac but she put so much make up on me I looked terrible - I couldnt wait to get home to wash it off !