Impartial makeup advice

[ThatisNotMyName]

Hello

I've been using chanel vitalumier or however it's spelt. But I don't think it's a great colour for me, I look a but yellow

So if I go to a department store each makeup adviser is selling one make, how do I get someone to try a whole lot of different brands on me to find the best one, or do I just have to visit each brands salesperson separately and decide fir myself which is best?

Yeah, you're not going to get impartial advice in the dept store.

What is you skin tone?

Often different brands will be particularly good for different tones.

Are you pale? Often a problem with Chanel foundation.

If you are pale/rosy get thee to Bobbi Brown.

I really don't know what I am. I am fair-ish so yes quite pale. Where would I get bobbi brown?

john lewis for BB.

lancome teint miracle has pale shades that are definitely pinkier.

the chanel aqua lumiere has pale shades too but not as yellow as vitalumiere. different consistency, not as dewy.

thanks Morag you are a makeup oracle

i'll try these, it's just really hard to see if you look the right colour in artifical light with a saleperson leaning over you isn;t it?

Try looking for a freelance make-up artist in your area, her kit will be full of different products from resonable to pricey and she won't try to sell you anything plus you'll get a lesson on application.

I wouldn't bother with BB if you find Chanel too yellowy. Bobbi Brown is the queen of "everyone is yellow and nobody should be wearing anything else"

Lancome do a mixture of yellow and pink tones. In their paler colours, the 01 colour is more yellowish and the 02, is not darker, just pinker.

MAC do a range of different foundations and have a yellow based line (NC or C) and a pink based line (NW or N). Their pro longwear foundation is really nice for a matte natural look, and as the name suggests, it stays on very well. The Studio Sculpt is nice if you want a lot of coverage or the Face & Body is lovely for a sheer dewy look.

Dior do a few different foundations which are nice and come in both yellow and pink based tones.

If you like something really natural but absolutely lovely, Armani foundations are lush.

I am a freelance make up artist and those are my top picks!

I have managed to get some small samples before from both Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder. They decanted them into mini bottles. It was very useful.

You could just trawl around the makeup counters and ask them for a colour consultation and then when they've selected the one they think is best, you could ask for a small sample to try at home. Or bring your own pot with you? Just a thought.

As a few others have said, the best make up I've ever had done was with a makeup artist (Stephen Glass at Face Facts). He had a vast counter with every colour from every brand and lots of natural light. In fact I think might book another appointment with him.

Don't one of the big London dept stores do something similar? I'm sure there was some publicity about it a few years ago. A bit like a personal shopper but for makeup. Selfridges or Fenwicks?

Take a handheld mirror with you and go outside and check the foundation in natural light.

Some brands are fab about giving you samples, especially if you produce a little bottle! But it does vary from salesperson to salesperson.