Birthday coming up, would like to invest in some posh make up - need advice!

[Lottapianos]

I will be 35 in 2 months. I feel really good about it. I have been really depressed for my last 2 birthdays and didn't want to do a thing (not like me at all) for them so I'm looking forward to being excited this year.

I have dry/dehydrated skin (under control though), fair/rosy colouring, dark hair, blue/grey eyes. I usually go for a fairly dewy natural look but also enjoy a red or fuchsia lipstick and a bit of black eyeliner sometimes.

I would like to invest in some good quality make up, specifically foundation, concealer, maybe bronzer, powder, lipsticks, mascara. I'm happy with my Rimmel/Bourjois type eyeshadows and I'm happy with my Stila cream blushers so that's fine. A liquid/gel eyeliner for a totally cack handed novice would be good too.

Which brand would you recommend? I may go to a department store counter to have my make up done and then buy a couple of products so which would you recommend? I have heard great things about Dior foundations and Bobbi Brown everything, but I want all make up to be wearable in the day, so nothing that gives a mask-like effect.

Budget will be about 150

Thanks all

GOSH products are as good as many higher priced brands; Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and Clinique are my top recommendations. Benefit waterproof black eyeliner is by far the best and most budge proof pencil eyeliner, though their gel pen eyeliner may be better (not tried yet!)

My favourites are Bobbi Brown, By Terry, Laura Mercier, and Chantecaille . Also some Nars. All except BB available in Space NK which is great for a browse. My other major favourite is Becca - lovely and natural - but this is only available now in a very few Space NKs and online from them ( not the same thing at all).

As per other suggestions.. Are you near xx a space NK. I think Laura Mercier foundations and tinted moisturiser are good and rate chantecaille (especially their lippies). I currently use clinique cc cream and really like it's dewiness... You could spend some of your dosh on good skincare too eg serum?

Hello, I would try and go to a space nk. I use the new oil free foundation by Laura mercier and her concealer. I also use the brow pencil in espresso from Laura Mercier too. I use a fantastic gel pencil eyeliner by chatecaille which is very easy to use like a pencil with staying power like a gel. (All space nk) Although I also am a big fan of Benefit. I use the benetint on my cheeks and lips and the lemonaide on my eyes, both of which are pretty universal and suit most skin types. In terms of a bronzer Nars do a lovely one (space nk) but I have a feeling you're younger than me and think you'd love Hoola by Benefit, who also do a fabulous push up liner which is really easy to use. In terms of red flimstar lips it has to be Estée Lauder. Mascara is Dior with the Lancôme lash primer underneath. Theese are pricey but will last the best part of a year. I'm a little envious I'd LOVE to be making my make up discoveries again

My colouring is the same as yours and I love

Illamasqua skin base foundation
Mac mineralise bronzer (pale shade, obvs)
Chanel lipsticks (malicious is a very flattering red)
Chanel blushers are lovely too, but I like to use the mac bronzer as a base blush and then a tiny bit of bb peony to add depth

Nars Laguna bronzer
Diorshow mascara
Mac paint pot in painterly
Nars lip in Carthage
Estée Lauder double wear eyeliners and stila eyeliners
Becca illuminator
Stila eyeshadow in kitten (so far above and beyond your drug store e/s).