Make up brands - what do you recommend?

[Gnomi]

So for the first time in about 4 years I have some money to spend on myself, and I really need to replace a lot of my make-up. The last time I 'invested' was 2009, and I've only made replacements of mascara and foundation since.

I used to read a lot of beauty magazines and keep on top of new products but I haven't done this for a while, so I'm a bit out of the loop.

What brands would you recommend? What would you avoid? Where would you go for a make over? Is it worth investing in a make up lesson?

To give you a bit more background, I'm 32, white with blonde (highlighted) hair and very pale, very dry skin. I'd only wear a fairly natural look.

Bobbi Brown are always great if you are prepared to spend.

Aveda
Laura mercier

If you are pale, Bobbi Brown, MAC, possibly Clinique but they have phased out a lot of their pale foundations lately. Dior is nice but £££.

Out of all of them I'd say B Brown for the look you want. The only advice I'd give is not to buy on the day until you have looked at the colours in daylight- I've made some expensive mistakes being seduced into buying things just in the shop lighting.

I like BB but find the sales assistants can be intimidating and the lighting horrendous in the department stores. I think it also depends on your complexion's undertone because some brands, like BB, are good for yellow based skints whilst others, like Clinique are stronger on neutral and pinkish undertones.
MAC have always been helpful when I've gone in, although they get stupidly busy and noisy unless you get there right when they open. My favourite place to try out stuff is SpaceNK and they do beauty nights at my local one in London where you're invited to play around with everything with no pressure to buy there and then. They're not great with samples, however in my experience.
My favourite make up brand is By Terry who makes amazing formulations (at least for my skin). Her foundations, blushers and lipsticks have blown everything else I've owned out of the water but these things are really personal, and she isn't cheap!
Make-Up lessons are okay as far as they go, but I find watching You Tube videos just as informative and best of all you can play along at your own speed with no one watching!!! If you decide to go for a makeover in store, though, have a good look at the assistant's own make-up regime (yes, even the male ones) and judge accordingly or be very specific about the sort of look you are wanting for yourself and the sort of time you can give over to it once you're back in the real world. Finally, drop by makeupalley.com for impartial reviews on everything beauty-wise. It's slanted towards the US market but as we share a lot of brands with them you should be able to find lots of reviews across the age-ranges for things that you're interested in. Have fun!

I don't like to feel like I'm wearing make up so only used to use a tinted moisturiser but for the past 8 months or so have been using bare minerals stuff and am a convert now

By Terry

Eyewateringly expensive but you can't get better than the sheer expert foundation and terrybly nude lipstck.

It depends what you're looking for. Having tried out loads of stuff my current favs our:

YSL touché éclat foundation
Mac strobe primer
Clarins under eye highlighter (much prefer it to YSL, Charlotte tilbury or By Terry)
Chanel Loose Powder
Collection 2000 concealer
Bobbi Brown blusher and gel eyeliners
YSL Matte Radiant Pressed Powder
Hourglass highlighting powder
Max Factor mascara ( the fat yellow one, can't remember what it's called)
Naked 2 Basics eyeshadows
Tom Ford lipsticks

Oh and for a make-over at a counter I'd avoid Benefit. Bobbi Brown is probably best for an all round make-over. Estée Lauder are a bit meh and MAC made me look very overdone. Or you could try Space NK who could use a variety of brands on you incl By Terry, Laura Mercier and Nars.

I get lots of brands to try at work. All the expensive ones.
I love Laura mercier. All top notch quality. Don't be rushed. Ask for samples.
Bobbi brown foundation is ok. Not at all keen on any other item.
Mac is mediocre but if it suits your budget and you have time, then it's fab. Overwhelming as to which foundation best suits you so do take your time. But their blusters and eyeshadow are very heavy on colour and I think too strong for you.

Smashbox White powder (finishing?? But doesn't come out white) is beyond amazing now in boots.

Mascara love Laura mercier or Eyeko and I swear I've tried them all.

And Chanel eyeshadowsre are still amazing. Use the sponge applicator.

Invest in a foundation brush, a powder brush and a blusher brush. I have Clinique ones as they are about the cheapest quality brushes.

Enjoy your splurge.

Was going to suggest Bobbi Brown but glad that someone has already caveated it based on skin tone. I have indian heritage so 'yellow based' skin and it suits me to a tee but I have friends with pinkier tones who can't get on with it.

I love MAC Plushlash mascara - used to use YSL false lash but it made my lashes all clumpy.

I like Nars lipsticks

I have very pale, very dry skin, and have struggled for ages to find a foundation pale enough that wasn't yellow toned. The absolute best one I've found was an Armani one - it was about £50, but one pot lasts me ages. I also like Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser - if you're very pale, don't let them push the second lightest one on you, which they've tried to do to me a couple of times - go for the palest.

I'm a drugstore beauty junkie, but if I wanted to spend £££ on makeup, I'd also have a look at some beauty blogs. I like I Covet Thee and Buy Now Blog Later as both buy, use and impartially review a lot of beauty products. Also, I like Sali Hughes Guardian column, and reading the comments, as often there are alternative and additional products mentioned.

I find Laura Mercier shades a bit weird- the palest is actually too pale for me- amazing! But the next shade up is very pink. I loved the powder blusher but have problems finding the right shade now , but it was good quality.

I "invested" in the Naked Palettes by Urban Decay. Wouldn't bother getting all three if I were you unless you are really into your neutral eye shadows. I also love the brands Kiko, Laura Mercier, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Bare Minerals. Good Luck on your investments!!!

am addicted to nars lovely strong colours that last.

i found bobbi brown eyeshadow crap

I adore Clarins for foundation and the everlasting foundation looks flawless when on.

Urban decay Naked pallets are a great investment as they last years and years and you can wear them loads of different ways.

I also love Clarins beauty flash balm-makes you look less tired and more glowing, plus it makes your skin like silk to touch - what's not to love?

Shu uemura under base mousse is also incredible. I ask for some for every birthday and Christmas. If you are going somewhere nice, and you want to look flawless and you need your make up to last all day, then you simply must buy this.

Bobbi brown or Mac for foundation. My by Terry foundation was lovely and I splurged as it was £76 bu has lasted. For lipsticks/glosses etc I have a mix from Clarins, Chanel , No 7 and Bobbi Brown.

Haven't found my best mascara yet but recently had my eyelashes tinted and lifted as a treat and loved it. Really made a diffeence

I love urban decays eye shadows gorgeous!

I also use benefit foundation, tinted moisturiser, they're real mascara and liner and their lip balms. I also love their skincare range