Is there such a thing as an independent beauty adviser?

[minipie]

I'm late 30s and have largely ignored beauty products and makeup for years due to having bad acne. Just stuck to the same few basics. I am hopefully now getting on top of the acne, so can branch out a bit more, and at the same time my face needs a bit more help than it used to... so I'm up for quite a hefty beauty shop.

But I am a bit overwhelmed by all the squillions of products out there. I have money but no time to sift through hours of beauty blogs.

I really want to go to a person who lives and breathes beauty products, independent so not just tied to one brand, and have them tell me what would suit me and give the boosts I need. I would happily pay for this service and would prefer that rather than get "free" advice from someone who is incentivised to sell more stuff iyswim.

But do they exist? If so please let me have their details!!

Start with Caroline Hirons for skin care and Sali Hughes for make up.

Thanks - I know they have blogs and articles but can I actually go see them do you know?

I don't think you'll be able to have a private consultation with either of them but why don't you get a makeover by an editorial make up artist -
NOT someone who works on counters but who does the celeb work. You'll get the benefit of having your make up done for an occasion plus they'll be able to recommend products. Loads more are doing private work now for various reasons - make sure they don't have a contract with a brand, though. They know a lot about skincare, too, as they usually receive products and see what their celeb clients are using.

I think Caroline Hirons does do private consultations - always a waiting list though and it's only something she does occasionally I believe. Maybe check her website?

Dr Sam Bunting is a dermatologist who is also interested in makeup. She will sort out your skin (using prescription products, not the type "sold" in blogs) and also recommend makeup products to use.

(Obviously, as she is a doctor the medical side of things is very much the focus, but she will talk about makeup a bit too)

Tbh it does sound like you want a bit more of a pampering experience and to be told to buy XYZ in the shops, and I'm not sure where you can get that. Seeing Dr Sam worked for me because a) my skin was bad and b) I would rather buy a few things that I know work, than waste money trying out the latest serums and stuff. She is expensive, but it's probably cost me less on a month per month basis than some people who splash out on Sunday Riley etc.

But it does sound like you want more of a personal shopper for beauty and skincare and I don't know if that exists.

Thanks - I wish I could see them, exactly what I need but agree it seems unlikely! (Or would cost both kidneys). Will look into it though.

A celeb/editorial type make up artist sounds like the right sort of person, thanks. Any idea how I would find a good one? No idea where to start. I'm in London.

Cross posted Blair - yes personal beauty/skincare shopper is exactly right. I have a dermatologist already so medical side is sort of covered (although I may well look up Dr Bunting if my current derm's approach doesn't work), it's more the makeup and a bit of the more cosmetic side of skincare - anti ageing etc - I want help with.

I don't care about being pampered at all but do want someone who will spend a bit of time with me trying out various products

I would highly recommend Freyja Barker who works out of a studio on the top floor of Fenwick on Bond St - she has access to all the brands they sell and her cupboards are amazing! I've been a couple of times when I feel I'm in a makeup rut and she also did the makeup for my sister's wedding.

The consultation costs £50 but is redeemable against products - I think she does get pretty booked up so you might have to wait a while to get in.

How about spacenk? Advantage that they sell multiple brands. Might be worth calling in advance to book a make up specialist. Enjoy

bigfatfeet I've just done extensive googling of make up artists and came up with... Freyja Barker! Should have known MN would come up with the answer much quicker than my own googling . She sounds perfect, really helpful to hear from someone who has been to her. I don't mind waiting for a slot, still need to complete the acne treatment anyway.

Space NK was my other thought, but I'd prefer to go to a specific person, and also a private room ideally (still shy of taking off my concealer in public).

Did you get anywhere with this? I've just been added to Frey-ja's waiting list - apparently I'm on page 43 - June 2019, she reckons!! In the meantime I might have to go to Space NK. Selfridges used to offer a beauty personal shopper service with Rose Gallagher (it still comes up on Google), but she has left.

If you can be bothered, Alyson Walsh (who blogs as That's Not My Age) has used a freelance makeup artist in south London several times on shoots, whose work looks very nicely natural and fresh. I spent a half hour trying to find a credit, but failed and went off to look at other items. If this is helpful, I am thrilled.

Rose Gallagher who used to offer this at Selfridges has an Instagram - mixedgemsbeauty where she reviews products regularly and links to her blog with recommendations for products with all different skin types. I really rate her.

June 2019?! Clearly there is demand for more people to offer this service!

I think I'll get myself added on to the very long waiting list.

Freyja Barker’s predecessor was John Gustafson, who once had a regular slot on the Clothes Show. He provided this beauty personal shopper service at Dickens & Jones, a now-defunct department store, and I went to see him when I started my first proper job in the 1990s. I still use some of the never-bettered products he recommended, including Guerlain liquid eyeliner, Chanel eyeshadow quads, Bobbi Brown blusher, and Clinique Black Honey lipgloss. He was a huge fan of Prescriptives foundation and concealer, now inexplicably discontinued. (I use Mac nowadays, but it’s not a brand for the acne-prone). I think he trained a team at Fortnum’s and worked there until relatively recently, so perhaps try there, too?

Good God, I just Googled and he’s now a freelance make-up artist. Your luck may be in, Minipie! (I would love to know how much he charges, if not too spendy I’d be so tempted to return for a middle-aged follow up).

Olivia Falcon - the editor's list - editorslist.co.uk.

I would love to be a beauty advisor I love makeup and skin care stuff xD I'm just not rich or famous enough to get stuff for free to try xD

I was just thinking how I’d love to do this as a job (tbh I would happily do it for free!) as I love giving friends and family makeovers!

Well gonna & vandal it looks like you'd have a fair few customers to start you off!