Help me revamp my make-up?

[AgentCooper]

I'm currently on mat leave with 8 month old DS and going back to work in 3 and a bit months. Since DS was born, I have worn make-up approx 4 times, and 2 of those were weddings. I used to wear it every day for work but have never felt particularly good at it, or that I really knew how to use it to get the best results. I'm 32 with good, if spot prone, skin and prefer a natural-but-on-a-very-good-day look, as opposed to full on contouring etc.

My question is, can I go to a make up counter and just ask for advice? Are there any brands/shops which are trustworthy and will actually help you work out what really suits you? I'm still a bit traumatised by the orange face and heavy powder treatment I used to come out with if I ever had a department store 'makeover' when I was a lot younger. I've been feeling quite low (DS is not a good sleeper, lovely though he is, and I miss the companionship of work) and I think this would give me a wee boost, but maternity pay being what it is am not keen to drop loads of money on stuff that doesn't suit me. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[SwedishEdith]

I remember this article from a few years ago. It might help to point you in a particular direction?

www.buzzfeed.com/ionayeti/a-natural-look-7m51?utm_term=.rkkPZdzYGd#.kyJQ6EpBWE

[LapsedHumanist]

I’ve often found SpaceNK pretty helpful with this kind of thing. There are several different make-up in the shop. The assistants aren’t tied to only recommending the brand on their own particular counter iyswim.

[winterwonderly]

I'd recommend bare minerals. They've always been really helpful any time I've visited their counter and I like their products, very natural look but hides all my spots and uneven skin tone! Just say that you want to see what they'd recommend and if you're not sure about it get them to write down what they tried on you and just say you'll have a think about it and maybe call back later.

[AtreidesFreeWoman]

I'd start with the Bobbi Brown counter.

Took DD there to get her first make up basics after she was plastering on foundation in the wrong colour and generally (through inexperience) making herself look worse not better.

They were booked up when we went but said to come back in an hour.

Honestly, they were great. Not at all pushy and sales focussed. Just asked what we wanted and recommended some good basic products and showed DD how to apply them.

It's not a cheap brand but it's good quality imho and we left with foundation, concealer, 2 lipsticks, eyeliner and a really pretty pallete with 4 eyeshadows and a blusher.

I balked at the cost of the brushes though and bought some from boots.

They were really good about explaining what/how to apply and how the products could be applied differently to give different looks. So a daytime eye and more intense eye look for evening with the same eyeshadows and then using the richer coloured lipstick rather than the nude one.

It's meant DD has a really good capsule make up collection.

To be clear I'm not affiliated with BB in any capacity! I've simply used them myself and liked the products (I also have quite a bit of Nars and Charlotte Tilbury).

[NevermindMyMind]

I find it depends on the makeup artists in store, not the brand as a whole. It really seems to differ store to store which is what I find with MAC. That being said, I'd say Bobbi Brown as a first choice for products with advice too.

For a natural look you're probably looking for something cream and not powder finish. I'd work on skin cleansing, moisturising and you can even mix foundation and moisturiser for a less caked on, more natural, healthy look. BB cream is great alternatively, or just something lightweight that you can layer for more coverage if need be.

I swear by The Ordinary but not sure if they have makeup counters for makeovers although I think they're in store at either Debenhams or House of Fraser for a chat. The reason I love them is their skincare range and the foundation doesn't feel too heavy.

For cheeks I put a cream blush on again, so it's more natural and soft (only apply on the apple of the cheek).

[violetbunny]

Another rec for the Bobbi Brown counter, they would be perfect for this.
I would either book an appointment or else go at a time that will be quiet.

[vinegarqueen]

I had a wonderful time with MAC, but I'd reiterate what other people have said about it being dependent on the individual counter. I have found Bobbi Brown in Selfridges and Oxford really great and helpful, but in other counters not so much. Benefit are also quite nice. I'd recommend looking round some counters and making a list of what you definitely want and your budget before booking in for a couple of demos. They all try to sell you primer, but there are some lovely budget ones available in superdrug.


Make a day of it and wear clothes/accessories that make you feel really confident! And take a girlfriend if possible.

[WildBill1]

The makeovers provided by counters are designed to sell you products, as many as they can. I'd suggest just going and getting advice on one product at a time, a lipstick first, then a mascara, then an eyeliner. Stop adding to the jigsaw when you have the look you want.

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

I was about to suggest a Bobbi Brown counter, but then I remembered that recently I had the strangest time with them.

I was after a foundation, and the MA was really helpful, in the way that she took a lot of time, except she put on a thick layer of foundation all over and them, when I tried to blend it myself, she stopped me, asked me to wait and then put in another layer of powder on top. She said it was supposed to even it out and let it. It didn't.

It was truly bizarre, I haven't been to a BB counter after that.

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

Also, there was a lot of hard sell.

[BabyItsAWildWorld]

I'd suggest spending some time looking at YouTube make up tutorials and recommendations, and then shopping for some products and asking to try them in the shop.
I think this is much more productive than one session at a make up counter. Where you will end up only buying their products and only the ones they recommend.

Also ask specific questions on here and read makeup alley recommendations and you'll begin to work out what you want to try depending on your skin type, colouring and look you want.

Make up can become a pleasantly distracting hobby this route though!

[AgentCooper]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions

WildBill1, getting all sorts of stuff I don't need pushed at me was my main worry so I may well take your approach. I'm pretty time-poor at the moment with DS but I'll see what I can do!

I've been wearing Clinique CC cream for a few years now but am just not sure it's the one for me (it may just be that I'm not blending it right but I find it sometimes looks too 'visible' and a bit streaky, IYSWIM). I've heard great things about Estee Lauder Double Wear Light, has anyone tried that for a natural, dewy type look?

I wear a bit of red lipstick most of the time too, usually with just mascara and a bit of blusher, but I'd like to find 'my' red.

[Isleepinahedgefund]

I think when you go to a makeup counter it’s important to have a good idea as to what you want to look like. The MA will usually do what they do to themselves, so if for instance you want natural and the MA has an Instagram worthy face load on, say something like “I love how you’ve done your make up! It would be great for a night out. However today I’d like to find something really natural for daytime.” Know in advance if you want full or light coverage, what your skin type is (and tell them this in advance!). Say how much time you have to do your makeup (when my DD was 8 months old I think I had about had about ten mins!) Get samples if possible - all the higher end makeup counters will give out samples. Don’t purchase foundation without looking at it in natural light - walk over to the window with a mirror. Say if you usually use brushes or not, and don’t be sold a brush if you’ve every intention of using your fingers to apply. Oh and shop for makeup with nothing on your face.


Also decide how much you want to spend - it’s lovely going to, say, Bobbi Brown and getting a face full but that can easily run to £200 in no time flat. Personally I like to spend on complexion products (foundation, concealer, powder if you want it but it’s not necessary) and then save on mascara (lots of really good ones in the drugstore and you’re meant to throw it out every three months so why spend £££ on it), blush, bronzer, eyeshadow as there are really good ones in boots/Superdrug/kiko for much less £. Brushes definitely stick to the drugstore as there are some really good ones there, better than high end I’ve found.

I think MAC would be a good place to go and they have lots of different foundation and concealer formulas and a huge shade range, and their prices aren’t bad for higher end makeup.

Have fun! I love shopping for makeup.

[Isleepinahedgefund]

Ooh on the red lipstick front, you might need to grab some cheap ones and try different ones to find which kind of red you like, and then buy a more expensive one if you want to. Primark does good lipsticks for about £1, they’re passable enough to try out the colour.

Also - I’d take your DS with you when you’re shopping - really helps get the point across to the MA that you have no time for anything complicated!

[AgentCooper]

Thanks isleepinahedgefund, I'm feeling quite excited! And yes, about 10 mins to do make-up sounds about right. To be honest, I doubt I could take DS with me as he's at the stage where he wants my attention constantly (can't even look away from him when he's in his Jumperoo or he goes nuts) unless the MA gave him a lipstick to chew on or something

I know what you mean about natural light too. I always wonder how they can say something suits you under strip lights!

[carriemumsnet]

A vote here for Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser illuminating - I was never a make up person and def never worn foundation but whenever I wear this people say I look 'well' (not being paid for this promotion I promise, just can't be bothered to name change) . I call it 8 hours sleep in a tube and it has an SPA of 20 so ticks that box. Not cheap but lasts me ages.

[WellTidy]

Another good thing carrie about the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is that the tube is 50ml (most are 30ml) and so it lasts ages. I really like it too. I buy it in Space NK, which I agree is good because they have a fair few brands so you can mix and match. I do think that Garnier BB cream rivals Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser though, and its a steal.

I think Benefit is a good brand for young people though, but that may be because of their marketing! I just think it is a fun brand and I do like some of their things. My go to mascara is their They're Real (comes off with micellar water, don't be tricked into buying their own branded special eye make up remover for it).

I've bought bits and pieces from every make-up counter over the years. I still love Estee Lauder as they were my first love. But I think Bobbi Brown's range of products I brilliant and if I were starting from scratch, that's where I would go. As things stand, I am just replacing and so I tend to replace like with like.