MAC or Bobbi Brown?? Can't decide!

[Karen03]

Going shopping tomorrow with my oldest daughter who's 18. We both need new make-up. Both of us really like MAC stuff & we've had the £25 'makeovers' with them before, where they apply full face make-up & anything you buy is redeemable from the £25. Daughter wants to book in for another MAC session, but I need new foundation & heard good things about Bobbi Brown ones. I'm 39 if that makes any difference?! Do BB do a similar £25 thing where they will apply full make-up if you go in bare faced?! Anyone got any opinions? Thank you

I'd probably suggest Bobbi Brown for you and Mac for your daughter.

I'm certainly a major Bobbi Brown fan .I'm older than you, but would think they have something for all ages.Bobbi Brown do free makeovers which is a bonus.

Thanks for replying. Do you use a Bobbi Brown foundation? What other BB stuff do you like? I'm after new blusher & eyeshadows/liners as well! Could be an expensive day! Do you know if you need to book an appt or can you just turn up make up free & be transformed? Haha Thanks again.

Anyone else use Bobbi Brown stuff?

Tis question is right up my street. Up until this summer i was (still am) a huge Mac fan. Have been wearing their foundation for years. However i started to feel the colours were starting to look wrong, either too pink or too yellow. Also as i get older it is starting to look a bit cakey. Bobbi brown better on older skin imo. Softer, more flattering and the colours are more forgiving.

DW used to swear by MAC, now a BB convert. For reasons I don't understand, stuff about coverage and looking more natural or some such witchcraft.

BB is fabulous ime, colours are hard to get wrong whereas MAC is much more theatrical and yes, probably youthful and right for your DD.

BB blushers (powder) are amazing well pigmented and last all day, ditto their eyeshadows. The long wear cream eyeshadow is incredible, great finish and doesnt budge. I also love the lippy, full of pigment and not too drying. Havent tried their foundation so cant comment. Im 38 and have just started using Clinique repairwear anti-ageing foundation which seems great for my changing skin

RE appointment, depends if the counter is busy or not, Ive turned up unannounced and had plenty of time spent on me but if its busy they might struggle. If you want to be certain, Id book

Thanks for the comments everyone, very helpful. Does anyone know if the BB counter girls are trained make-up artists like MAC are? Thanks again

Not sure if they are make up artists per se but they are well trained and very knowledgeable in my experience. And to be honest its almost impossible to go wrong with their stuff its just all so flattering. Good luck and enjoy

Just went to a Bobbi Brown make-up counter and it was fantastic. The foundation is magical. The make-up counter woman was very good and professional and didn't sell hard.

I have never paid for being made up by an 'orange lady!' It's always been done as part of the service in Debenhams when I go.

Parasauro that sounds fab! Which foundation did you get? Did you buy anything else? I'm just being nosey! I've now booked myself in at a BB counter tomorrow morning & daughter going to MAC, oooh we're excited at thought of lovely new make-up

Once again, thanks for replies

Could have written this thread myself this morning as I was putting on my studio fix (mac) and wondering if it worked for me anymore. Think it was great when I was a few years younger and prob had slightly oilier skin but now it just seems to show up the lines & bumps. always went with Mac due to the massive range of skin tones and managed to find one for my yellow toned mixed race skin.

Hope not not thread hijack but for those in the know, does BB do a good colour range? Ta

lizard they have a great range. All Bobbis foundations are yellow toned as she believes they are the most flattering to the skin. Also her bronzers are fabulous, the best i have ever tried.

Personally have found Bobbi Brown staff to be more approachable than mac, BB foundation is easier to match yourself and goes on like a dream, no powdery chalky finish.

be careful if you're buying the gel liners though as some BB colours are exactly the same as MAC e.g. Violet Ink and Macroviolet... figures as it's the same company.

Lovely, thanks.

I second MAC for your daughter, BB for you.

I used to be the biggest MAC fan in the entire world, but now I am older I find BB more flattering. She aims for a 'pretty' look, which takes years off you.

Parasaurolophus may I ask which foundation you use?

I have just started using BB and am totally hooked, the products are beautiful and really make a difference to my knackered old skin. They are not cheap (but then neither is MAC) but to me completely worth it, I am trying to replace one item a month with a BB product and have a large wishlist to point friends and family in the direction of this Christmas! I also found the girls on the counter really helpful and knowledgeable without being pushy which is rare.

I use BB foundation, bronzer (brill) gel eyeliner, lippy (rose) gorge colour. Blusher, for under eye concealer and loose and or pressed powder. Eyeshadows and lip pencil. The colours are very flattering and soft, nothing looks cakey.

BB has great range of colours. Much better than MAC if you are a little older and with non-oily skin. Tried various MAC things recently in shops and not at allimpressed, but expect I'd have liked them when younger.

PS Do try the great BB cream eyeshadows.

agree with Mac for DD, BB for you. The colours are more soft and natural and give you a nice natural look. More flattering to those of us on the other side of 30!

I used to love Mac but not only use Bare Essentuals. Their powder foundation give great coverage and you can use it on blemished as well. The blush colours are fab as well.