I need a complete make up overhaul. But where?

[loveulotslikejellytots]

I need to completely overhaul my make up. I currently use cheap (badly applied) make up. I've never really made the effort with make up, and have never learnt what suits me or how it should be applied. But now I want to learn. I want to go to one of the department store type things and say "Show me what I need and how to put it on!" but which one?

Can anyone reccomend a particular brand or store? Are some better for some things and others for other things? It's more the base layer I need help with. My foundation is always patchy by the end of the day and it's not helped by still having 'teenage' skin (even though I'm in my 20's).

Sorry if i've not given enough info, i'm happy to answer questions if it will help.

Benefit, MAC, Clinque and Dior counters are good. None of them are especially cheap though. I'd personally go to a few different counters and try out lots of products as you might find certain brands suit you for some products but not all. A larger department store will generally have a number of beauty counters for you to try out. Make sure you ask for samples as well, especially of foundations,they can look great under store lighting but not so great in natural light. You want to be able to try at least the foundations out for a couple of days before you take the plunge and purchase any full sizes.

It really depends on your budget. If you are happy to spend £200-300+ for an overhaul go to MAC.

I went to estee lauder for my wedding as was very impressed.

wedding make up of course. not for my actual wedding

I think it depends what type of look you're after, Bobbi Brown is good for the natural but groomed look, MAC is a bit more dramatic with brighter colours. I like Lancome at the moment but I think a lot of it could be down to who you actually get on the day.

Oh god, £200-£300!!! I wasn't intending to spend that much! Will definately try a few though, thanks for the tips. Will look out for Bobbi brown, I want the natural but groomed look, I tend to look a bit like a drag queen at the moment.

Body shop used to do them and Their make-up is reasonable. I use boots no7 and it is good. They may do them. Go on a weekday if you when they are quieter.

I did this about 6 months ago, and can recommend a much cheaper and more effective way:

1. You're right - your base is the most important thing. For your first "proper" foundation and concealer, I would go to a good counter and get matched up - you can probably find something cheaper that's as good when you know what you're aiming for, but it's best to start with something that's right. Based on what you've said about you skin, I'd recommend Lancome (my top choice) or Clarins/Estee Lauder (slightly cheaper) for foundation, and either Mac Studio Finish or Benefit Boi-ing concealer for blemishes (both are excellent for longevity, but not so good for shade range). No7 translucent powder is really good to set it.
2. Application technique is more important than the products themselves. I strongly recommend getting decent brushes for foundation, blush and powder - Real Techniques's Expert Face Brush (absolutely fool-proof) and Powder Brush are excellent and will make any foundation look better IME, and Boots does a bronzer brush for £4 that's great for blush. To learn to use them: Lisa Eldridge's video on how to use a foundation brush is very helpful and her video on dealing with "teenage skin" is also fantastic, really focus on what she says about making the most of the 80% of your skin that's good rather than smothering 100% of your face in make-up to hide the 20% of it that's blemished.
3. You can skimp on blush, mascara, liner and lipstick - find some shades that you like at a department store make-up counter, and then look at Bourjois, No7, L'oreal etc to find "dupes". My favourite mascara is No7 Lash Adapt (really easy to apply, looks great and easy to remove); my favourite lipsticks are currently the Revlon Lip Butters; my favourite eyeliner is L'oreal's liquid Superliner (so easy to apply, lasts all day without smudging); and my favourite blushes are No7 pink and coral colours. Again, Lisa Eldridge's site has videos showing you how to apply.

Have fun!

Oh and, if I were you, I'd start with a very natural look and then get more adventurous if you really want to - just foundation, concealer, a bit of powder where you need it, blush, mascara, and a sheer lipstick/tinted lip balm should be enough to begin with.

I recently overhauled and, after visiting several instore counters in Debenhams, went for the Clinique range as it's hype-allergenic. The assistant colour matched me for a foundation and happily gave me a little sample pot, five days worth, to try at home. It's their Even Better range and is totally brilliant, stays on all day and gives great coverage. I also bought an eyeshadow pallet set for £16 and a mascara and, because I spent over £50 in total, I got a gorgeous tin of free goodies.

The following week I went into Boots who were also doing a special offer - buy two products and get a free makeup bag with loads of goodies - so treated myself to an eyeliner and the foundation.

The eye makeup stays put in this cold weather when my eyes tend to water like mad if I'm outside for more than 10 minutes.

I think I've spent about £100 in total but it's money well spent as the products will last for a long time.

I'm slowly overhauling mine. Went to an Illamasqua counter at Debenhams and got a beautiful new foundation - much more than I'd usually spend (£25) but it's amazing. I have rubbish skin (think I have rosacea - v red, small bumps on cheeks etc) and this covers the lot. Bought a new primer as well - Revlon I think - and a couple of new brushes and a new nail polish from Boots. Will get there slowly! This is all in the lead up to my wedding so that I look half decent...

I asked a similar question a while back and I ended up going to see Freyja at Fenwicks in London. She wasn't tied to one brand so she just chose the best one for my skin and how I would use it. We probably used about 10 different brands. I think it cost £50 for a whole morning with her, deductable from any purchases. You could easily spend £1000+ but I just bought a few items but left knowing how to apply make up properly.