If you were pretty inexperienced in this area and had £150 to spend on cosmetics

[BR44]

...what would you go for?

I am 33 and have never really used much except Nivea moisturiser, concealer, and eye make up. I'm starting to look in need of , well, a little more maintenance.

I have some birthday money to spend and thought I'd buy a few good quality bits to improve the overall look of my skin and inject some life in to my make up routine as its starting to look quite dated.

I'm thinking along the lines of a good tinted moisturiser, some sort of magical skin reviver and some good quality make up essentials.

So, experienced ladies, what would you recommend? I really don't want to waste the money on crap that will languish on the bathroom shelf...

I'd go to the bobbi brown counter. Neutral colours and they will help you get the right stuff for you.

If you want to buy online you could try the new liz Earle range

I'd try bobbi brown but, definitely, go to the counter and tell them you're a " newbie".

Clarins beauty flash balm, YSL touche eclat and rather than a tinted moisturiser either Guerlain vitalumier aqua foundation (lovely natural, moisturising finish, not at all heavy like normal foundation, but better coverage than a tinted moist) or bare minerals powder foundation. Also a foundation brush whether liquid or powder foundation, Bare mins brushes are best for powder, I like chanel foundation brushes for liquid. Finish with a cream blusher on the apples of your cheecks (YSL do nice ones, though max factors aren't bad for a bit more cheap and cheerful ) or if you don't like the idea of blusher a sweep across brow and cheeks with a shimmer block (apply with a loose powder brush, make sure it's a shimmer block NOT a bronzer, you'll look tangod otherwise...) God re-reading that looks like a list and a half! All bloody good though and promise won't take very long in the morning! Deff under 5 mins to do!

Go to bobbi brown.

Don't do touché éclat. Looks freaky.

The reason I say go to the counter is......I have bought online from BB only to find that the product arrives, and is a much altered shade to those one shown on the website.

Also, they will listen to what you want and try products/textures on you.

Would definitely go to Bobbi Brown. Phone the counter in advance and book an appointment, that way they can generally sit down with you and go through everything step by step.

Thanks for your suggestions so far! Beauty flash balm I have heard excellent things about before, so that's going on the list. Anyone know how much it costs? And I will start having a look at the Bobbi Brown range in anticipation of visiting the counter next time I'm in town. Thank you!

Space NK is great -lots of very different brands like Kiehls, Eve Lom, Nars,Laura Mercia, Chantecille(sp?) (sp?)Etc. I have found the staff extremely patient and helpful and the customer saervice second to none. I bought the wrong moisturiser ( I wanted one with spf) and had used it a couple of times and they were happy to exchange it with me paying the difference in price.

Make up wise I'd buy:

Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette (about 30 pounds)
Benetint (about 25 pounds)
A Lancome Definicils mascara (about twenty pounds)
and a Clinique Almost Lipstick (erm - about 17 pounds, I think)
plus a Bare Minerals foundation (but get a smaple first because some people love it and some hate it).

BFB is about 25 pounds but tbh (although I love it) it's not something I'd put on a 'Beginner's' list, as it takes some getting used to and you need to be sure of your foundation first.

I love benefit. They will show you how to apply make up, and let you have a shot too.

If you like Benefit you can get kits with a few products in and Glamour have a choice of three mini Benefit products on the cover on the thirty fidt of this month.

Ooh, yes. I have been given benefit stuff as gifts and it's lovely stuff. Will definitely pay them a visit. Thank you all!

Biotherm is good for skin care.

I would go to both Bobbi Brown and Space NK get their recommendations and then decide. BB do excellent tinted moisturiser as do Laura Mercier Chantecaille and By Terry all at Space NK.Try them all and see which you like.

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to remuslupin for the Clinique Almost Lipstick recommendation - it is BRILLIANT and I will be saving up for a few more!