Bobbi Brown - what to buy/what to get elsewhere?

[TenuousGrip]

Recently had a bridal make up lesson at Bobbi Brown, loved the look but when I went on the website to look at prices all of it would cost over £400 - just can't afford it all! I've never used them before so I don't really know if any of their stuff has a reputation for being better than other brands and worth treating myself too or what stuff I can get a pretty good alternative elsewhere.

I'm thinking of getting the tinted moisturiser and bronzing powder but undecided about all the various concealers, correctors, eye shadows, lip colour etc!

I'm not a fan of Bobbi Brown, so I'd go somewhere else for everything. I've not been impressed with their products and I've not been pleased with their service (ignoring people looking for help in the store, locking the door during the day with only a few people in the store and other people trying to get in).
I've also come across them trying to oversell which I found annoying.

I like Laura Mercier for tinted moisturisers, concealer (secret camouflage) and cream eyeshadows (Caviar sticks).
For lipsticks, I like Mac, Guerlain, Estee Lauder (Pure Color range), Clinique (the new Pop range and Chubby sticks) and Laura Mercier (Creme Smooth range).
For bronzing powder, I like Guerlain Terracotta.
Mac do great powder and cream eye shadows, pressed powders and foundations (some light coverage, so similar to a tinted moisturiser).

ALL the brushes on ebay.

bronzing powder elsewhere.

I'm doing my sister's wedding make up and we went to bobbi brown for the bridal beauty session a few weeks ago. I was really impressed plus no hard sell. Anyway, she spent less than £100 and got the foundation, eye brightener, concealer and a cream blush that she'll also use on lips. Her priority was very much getting the base right, improving how her skin looked and hiding dark circles. The difference the eye brightener in particular made was noticeable. Other bits,mascara, eye shadow etc we have already. You really don't need everything they use in the demo session. Bought cheaper brushes from Boots (just saw today that my local TKMaxx have loads of decent looking make up brushes in). Remember not to wear spf!

Thanks for the answers - I had no complaints with the service - friendly, focussed and no pressure to buy (I have sensitive skin so always wait 24 hours before trying and buying).

Think I'll stick to moisturiser at Bobbi Brown as I'm fussy about what I have on my face and it felt lovely and light (me, just a bit polished!). I'll have a look at other brands mentioned but have a feeling they may be similar in prices? I already have a good brush set I got in the christmas sales so sorted in that respect.

Also lebkucken - why no spf? (Know nothing about make up!)

No SPF because of flashback in photos.

There are other products and ingredients to avoid as well, such as HD powders as they also cause flashback.

Low SPF is generally okay though.

This blog post has some photos and good advice: apracticalwedding.com/2014/08/spf-flashback/

Thanks Carpaccio - so much more to think about!

I love the skin foundation, mostly because it's the only one that matches my sallow/yellow complexion. I use the corrector too, but have never bought one from anywhere else.

I really like B B tinted moisturiser and concealer.

I've only ever used one Bobbi Brown product and that was a foundation, the longwear one I believe. I remember being relatively happy with it, but it broke my skin out and unfortunately my skin had some sort of reaction to it too, so steer clear if you have sensitive skin! My skin on my face isn't really over sensitive but the lavender in the ingredients didn't agree with it at all!
I wouldn't mind trying one of their lipsticks though

I like Bobbi Brown and have never found a hard sell, they do like to show you lots of products but generally no pressure to buy. Second the eye brightener and lipsticks. Am currently using a foundation (moisture rich??) and quite happy with it,had lots of compliments although I dont find it lasts very well, and the eyebrow mascara. They are good for doing makeovers and they give you suggestions on the best colours/ types of products that suit you..

Other products - Laura Mercier for primers and possibly foundation if it suits you, I like MAC BB cream, Clinique chubby lipsticks. I've never found the perfect mascara though, currently using a Benefit one which is quite good.

I really like the skin foundation stick. Use a buffing brush with it and you can make it as light it heavy as you want and it doubles up as a concealer too.

I'm sallow but her foundation always makes me yellower