Need a makeup revamp

[BatCrapCrazy]

It seems I'm becoming quite the regular on the SandB threads :)

I'm 23, have acne prone skin (waiting for dermatologist referall) and the makeup I've been using does naff all for me.
DP has offered to pay for me to go and visit a makeup counter and buy me whatever I need.
Which makeup counter can you all recommend? I have a few acne scars so like to have fairly high coverage but nothing too "woah" if that makes any sense to you.

I have seen the MAC make up artists at work and am really impressed.
They keep a log of your purchases and seem really professional with what they do.
Hope this helps.

I'd suggest a lighter coverage foundation for all over and a good concealer/full coverage foundation for the bad bits. I find that full coverage foundation all over the face ages massively and in order to look really good, I think that blusher and loads of other products are needed.

I don't really think that one makeup brand does everything right.

I'd suggest:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundation.
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer - but I haven't used many concealers so I don't have a lot to compare with.
Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural or Select Sheer Pressed powder.
Mac Paint Pot cream eyeshadow - they are great on their own but also work well as a base - I use the colour Painterly as a base and it makes my eye shadows last all day, despite having oily eyelids. They are easy to apply with fingers or brush.
I like Mac powder blushers.
Most brands do decent lip products and mascaras.

For brushes, I recommend Real Techniques (Expert Face Brush is very good) and Mac.

Ask for a sample of the foundation before buying to make sure that it doesn't cause breakouts and that it's the right colour for you. It would be a pity to spend money on something that just isn't right.

To start I'd go to MAC they have loads of choice and were really nice to me last time - I haven't for the best skin and they were very kind about it and I didn't have the hard sell. I think they charge something like £25 for a full make over as opposed to just trying a product but I believe you get it back on purchases. I would call and make an appointment as they get incredibly busy.

I'd second Mac counter..even if you don't buy everything from them you can still pick up some tips...or maybe Benefit?

I had one at Benefit earlier in the year (also don't have great skin which they were lovely about) no hard sell and a few samples of products I was interested in. Prefer Urban Decay for eyeliner and Max Factor for mascara though.