Best make up counters?

[MeIAm]

Have a couple of days to myself next week and would like to book in at a make up counter for a bit of an overhaul.

Am 37, like a natural but done look and have no clue about contouring etc, I struggle with eyeshadow!

Had a smash box lady sell me a miracle serum and foundation but to be honest I've had a better match and smoother results using super drug stuff! Would like to try and limit more expensive mistakes if possible as I need everything new!

Anywhere anyone would recommend? I'm close to big city with lots of choice.

[Sunbeam18]

Is there a Space Nk near you? I had best makeover ever there

[polyhymnia]

Definitely Space NK. Or in ordinary department stores Bobbi Brown.

[OliveBranchCollins]

Bobbi Brown

[cloudysun]

Agree Bobbi Brown but they don't believe in contour.

[Maverick66]

As you are 37 personally I would be thinking quality over quantity. I like Dior or Bobbi Brown

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Agree Bobbi Brown but they don't believe in contour

And that's exactly why you should go

[MeIAm]

Thank you for your replies.

Have both Bobbi Brown and Dior close by, Space NK is quite a way away.

I think if I get a base that I'm happy with I will be delighted! Contouring is optional but I know I'll never do it day to day so I'll probably leave that bit out. I need something I can apply just as well as the make up artist can (well, get a good result from it at least).

I know Mac do a thing where you pay for the application and it can be redeemed against the product, only problem with that is if it's not what I want I'd have lost that money really. Is Bobbi Brown like this?

[Jmangel]

Bobbi Brown is free iirc.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

They're all free ime.

[emsyj]

I've never been disappointed at Chanel. I have makeup artist discount at Bobbi Brown and never buy anything there although their blush is nice. Nars have lovely products but never used their counters. Try Chanel.

[Whatthequack]

Personally I find it depends on what you're after. I go to Chanel for foundation, NARS for blush and bronzers, MAC for concealer, Bobbi brown for gel liner and shimmer bricks, illumasqua for lipstick and nude eyeliner for the inner eye, urban decay for eyeshadow, Anastasia for eyebrow gel/pencil. I'm still on the hunt for a good mascara.

[emsyj]

I got a little sample of Smashbox mascara with an eyeshadow palette recently and I love it. I will buy a full size one when it's done.
i agree with those product recs actually - that's pretty much my kit except I use Face Atelier Ultra foundation and mostly Mac lipsticks.

[emsyj]

This one: www.smashbox.co.uk/product/6030/18515/Eyes/Mascara/FULL-EXPOSURE-MASCARA/index.tmpl

[Whatthequack]

Oh I'll check out the mascara. I've never heard of Face Atelier Ultra. I do have ALOT of MAC lipsticks, I do use Velvet Teddy and Brave sometimes, however they don't seem to last as long as illumasqua ones. Maybe they just require more maintenance. I also use MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ to freshen my makeup during the day.

[emsyj]

I love Face Atelier - I use it on almost everyone and everybody asks what it is so they can buy it. It's a silicone based formula and fairly high coverage but very skin-like. Sort of similar to Vitalumiere but less heavy.

[MeIAm]

I've never even heard of Face Atelier Have found a website where I can order samples but it's American, is there a UK website that does them?

Am using Smashbox photo ready or something at the moment and it looks great in photos but a bit flat and meh in real life.

[Whatthequack]

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll have to look into that as well. Vitalumiere is what I currently use.

[ToadsJustFellFromTheSky]

Is that the full exposure one emsyj? I have that one and it's now my favourite mascara.

It's very pricey though for a mascara £19.50 iirc ouch! But it's worth it imo.

[ToadsJustFellFromTheSky]

Has anybody recommended Urban Decay yet? I always find the staff there really knowledgeable, approachable and friendly.

[Cakescakescakes]

I second urban decay

[burnishedsilver]

MAC made me up to look like a drag queen with swollen lips. I wouldn't recommend them.

[emsyj]

Yes that's the one Toads. I really love it.
OP Face Atelier is a Canadian brand and not made it big here yet but they recently started stocking it on I think either BeautyBay or Feelunique - can't recall which. I get it direct from Canada as I get pro discount but with shipping and customs duty I only buy in bulk. You can buy samples on ebay for colour matching I think.