Cosmetics counter makeovers - cheers and jeers

[Queenoftheharpies]

Anyone been for one of those free makeup sessions at a cosmetics counter? Were they any good?

I've been to two, body shop and bobby brown.

Body shop was really good - nice products, nice colours, lady didn't do anything too elaborate but i did learn that I can wear blusher without looking like a clown. Came out of the shop looking like me, but nicer.

Bobby Brown - nice lip and eye colours but she didn't listen when I said that scented moisturizer made my skin go blotchy "It's OK, this is 100% natural, so you won't be allergic to it..." . Couldn't find a good foundation colour / texture and did some wierd thing with putting eyeliner along half of my lower lid, which just looked a bit odd. Love the gel ink eyeliner though (just not applied in that way).

I'm taking the day off soon to buy maternity clothes (gah) so might cheer myself up with some makeup - any other recommendations?

[Tortington]

what do you do - ..like...walk up sit down and pronounce "DO ME"

i always wanted a go at that - i suppose you have to buy sommat - whats the avg. that people spend on make-up after?

it would be rude to just buy mascara wouldn't it.

[CHOOGIRL]

MAC v good and range of colours - esp for me with dark skin. Didn't end up looking like a clown afterwards. No commitment to purchase - but you will!

[Queenoftheharpies]

Custardo - some places you have to book, most of them you can rock up and ask to be "done", so long as it's not a saturday afternoon or other busy time.

Usually there's no obligation to buy and if you're reasonably strong when it comes to sales pitches you can walk away with nothing but a few ideas and some free samples :-)

[OhBling]

I went to Benefit once and was vrey disappointed - to be fair, the woman was new and there'd been a scheduling error.

I'd have thought Mac or Bobbi Brown would be best. Might be worth checking out Presciptives too as they're one of those that do the personalised foundation...?

[Tortington]

REALLY! oooh we live in a small town, where would 'do me'?

[womblingalong]

Mac were brilliant, when I went 14 years ago in London, before my wedding. I still have the eyeshadows!

They have been great to consult for lipstick/etc shades since too

Bobbi Brown, hated the foundation, and felt I had just as good an application technique as the consultant.

Try any beauty counter where you are Custardo, I fancy trying out Chanel or Dior

[superdenki]

i have been to quite a few, once you've done it once you will lose the fear, i promise! i actually liked all the bobbi brown stuff although the eyeshadow is a bit too 'powdery' for me. i had a MAC makeover at harvey nicks which cost 25 quid but that was redeemable against products, so of course i spent about another 30 on top! the girl was lovely and i've been back several times to buy extra stuff.
space nk is good too if theres one near you.
the only bad experience was with a total bitch-hag on the benefit counter in Boots in Leeds who when I asked about make up lessons/makeovers snapped "well you would have to buy something first!" So I didn't bother.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Mac very good.

I've also had a good makeover with Benefit and bought the foundation but was disappointed with it at home - didn't look the same at all. Must be me doing it wrong though. I did discover Dandelion powder through that makeover though so still worth it.

[MerlinsBeard]

i have only ever had one once, it was a benefit one. I don't wear much make up and felt PLASTERED in it - horrible shade of pink eyeshadow, wonky brown lip liner with light pink lipstick, orange stripes across my face that i guess was blusher/bronzer and when i got home i realised no mascara and the foundation was not only ornage but had obvious tram lines

never had one since (but have bought benefit products)

[janeite]

Only had two - one Bobby Brown and one Benefit. I liked the Benefit one better but have never bought any of their products. All the Bobby Brown stuff felt quite sticky and uncomfortable.

[Podrick]

I have done Benefit (several times) - always good

Bobbi Brown once - awful

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

bare escentuals at Selfridges - great products and super makeover and lesson from the girl

I see that they do this range at Debenhams now - yippee

[cornsilk]

I've has a clinique one. Was okay and I ended up buying stuff. Have often had mascara and various creams thrown on me whilst browsing the counters. Space NK are great.

[bluebump]

I had a clinique one and the colours were awful - purple eye shadow, I swear I saw someone walk past and laugh when they were putting it on! The rest was ok though and I buy a lot of clinique anyway.

I had a Benefit one, and bought some products on the strength of it. They did layer on the foundation loads though, I scraped it off with my nails!