Where should I go for a make up consultation?

[Kuriusoranj]

The next stage in my quest for a groomed new me is to start wearing make up again. Can you help point me to the right consultation option?

Background: I'm 48 near enough, haven't worn make up more than 1-2 times a year for 20 years. Mid brown hair with lots of grey. Professional job. I can't abide heavy make up on my skin. I will pay premium prices if it's worth it but I resent feeling ripped off. I will have/make time to do make up in the morning. I'm in Australia so about to head to autumn/winter but generally will need some spf.

I've researched options at our local department store and I can book a full consultation with: Lancome, MAC (expensive though!), Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford, Napoleon Perdis, Laura Mercier or Dior.

I'm leaning towards Dior or Lancome as I've had their stuff in the past. MAC has put me off because they don't appear to net the booking fee off against purchases as all the others promise. Mostly though, I'm clueless. Who should I go with?

[Charliecatpaws]

I did a Clinique one years ago, I think I paid about £20 and you can use that to purchase products after the session and we had freebies too. There were about 6 of us in the session and we were taken to a private room not on shop floor

[opinionatedfreak]

I just had one from an independent make up cosmetic personal shopper in a high end dept store. It was ace.

I've recently changed my hair colour dramatically (brown to silver) and was really struggling with colours as none of my old stuff was any good.

I've got products from about 6 different brands but nothing much more expensive than my usual price point (Bobbi brown, lancome). I've had loads of positive feedback as I've started wearing make up everyday.

Have you got anything similar available to you?

If not I've previously had good experiences with Mac and the Dior counter on a quiet day.

[opinionatedfreak]

Mac in the U.K. Is cheaper than Dior/Lancôme. Might be different in Aus.
Most of my old (now wrong colour) make up was Mac. I like it but find service can be a bit hit and miss in store now as they tend to tout for a younger crowd.

[BigFatBloomers]

I had a great experience with Bobbi Brown. The woman really listened to what I wanted, showed me what she was doing - it was almost like a make up lesson. She wrote down what she’d used but didn’t try to talk me into getting everything.

I like the natural look that BB go for
too.

[lborgia]

I'm not sure if you're near a major city but I have one name for you! Mecca! Mecca Maxima have terrific staff, they stock modem brands and love their work from what I've seen.

I go in there and a saggy baggy almost 48 year old and don't feel patronised or too old, despite the average customer being about 20.
Makeovers / doing your make up is their main purpose. Go and have fun!

[joangray38]

I went to several Clinique makeup lessons in a group a few years ago . I think it cost £20 and I got a goodie bag. The £20 was redeemable against purchased . I think it depends what sort of look you want - look a the people behind the counter and how can hey wear their makeup . Mac SAs seem to trowel it on.

[CircleSquareCircleSquare]

Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier.

[noenergy]

@opinionatedfreak where was that, that sounds ideal as u go use what suits from various brands.

[peonylover22]

I think you’ll have a good time at Bobbi Brown. My mother is pretty low maintenance on the makeup front but I booked her a lesson in the run up to my wedding as she wanted to look a bit more groomed that day. We went together and she absolutely loved it, bought several products, several more on Christmas present lists, still using them all / replacements 4 years on. Have fun!

[LadyLapsang]

I have had consistently good experiences with Bobbi Brown in London (Covent Garden, Selfridges and House of Fraser). I now book in a few times a year and always come away with some useable tips / skills. If you know you need a few products it makes sense as you get the booking fee (where there is one - they don't charge for some services) refunded.

[opinionatedfreak]

noenergy I went to Fenwicks, Bond Street but apparently Selfridges in B'ham offer a similar service.

Google suggests Harvey Nichols Beayty Bazaar used to do it but their own website doesn't list personal shopping as an instore service.

[Undercoverbanana]

I am extremely low maintenance but a couple of years ago (I think I was 47), I decided to invent a “new me” and went for a make over.

The outcome was that I hated make up, looked a twat, nothing suited me anyway so I gave up trying, saved a fortune and jogged on regardless. It was very life-affirming but not in the way I intended. It motivated me to stop colouring my hair and stop buying clothes too.

I hope the experience is positive, however it goes for you OP.

[Kuriusoranj]

I love that banana. It may even end up that way for me, but I'd like to give it a shot.

lborgia they came up in my Google search and I had exactly the reaction you seem to be warning me against! I may give them a go based on your review.

Looks like Bobbi Brown is getting the most votes from the others. Thanks all.

[CMOTDibbler]

I had a makeover in Bobbi Brown a few weeks ago, and the woman (in her late 50's) did a brilliant job of making me look like me but better iykwim. A really nice look which was in no way caked on.
I'm 46, and used to stick with MAC, but it's not quite me now - though I can't fault their face and body foundation for staying power when I have a full on makeup kind of day

[lborgia]

My handy old lady tip would be first thing in the morning.. the teenagers at that time either aren't up and about, or so obsessed with make up they're not looking at anyone else

[AnnaMagnani]

Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier.

If you haven't worn make up at all Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is a great place to start.

[LizzieSiddal]

I’d say Bobbi Brown too. I wear very minimal makeup and their season was fab. They also have little videos on their website which are really helpful.

[ggirl]

Can you get IT Cosmetics in Oz ? They do a fabulous cc cream that has sf 50 in it , also Chanel CC cream is amazing and SPf 50 as well.

Do agree that Bobbi Brown do a great natural look , especially the eyes , unfortunately the stuff doesn't last on my skin and disappears in a couple of hours.I would recommend getting made up then seeing how long it lasts on your face before splurging lots of cash on it.

[CalendulaFlower]

Bobbi Brown can help you achieve a ‘best version of me’ look and they have products which are very light and natural-looking, eg serum foundations with an SPF. You don’t need many products to give you a lift. Also have a look at Sali Hughes’ website and blog, and if you look on YouTube for make up tutorials some of them have good tips (I watched one for women over 50 last week in a bored 5 minutes and learned a couple of things). Also Laura Mercier have good quality, highly pigmented products in lovely subtle colours.

[Kuriusoranj]

Update if anyone is interested: I went to Bobbi Brown today and it was a lovely experience. I learned so much and came away with a far too big bag of tricks. I was amazed at how I looked at the end and it all looked simple enough for me to reproduce.

That coupled with a haircut I really like and the perfect pair of patent loafers and I'm all set to start my brand new job tomorrow. It's been a good day!

Thanks for all the recommendations.

[HeyMacWey]

What a lovely outcome!

I was just about to recommend Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier.

Good luck on your new job!

[CircleSquareCircleSquare]

What a lovely update. Best of luck in your new job.

[Fullfatlatte]

Another vote here for BB. Wonderful to read your post 😀 I have so many favourite products from BB, I wish I’d discovered their products years ago!
Good luck with your new job 😀

[SleepFreeZone]

Brilliant OP. I need to do exactly the same.

[LizzieSiddal]

That’s great.

Good luck with the new job!