Make up counters?

[FlyingUnicorn1]

I have really dry but oily skin and I'm always struggling with foundation which is making me self conscious.

I would like to try a make up counter but not sure if they help with skin like this? Please can anyone point me in the right direction so I can treat myself to something that actually makes me look good!

I don't like makeup counters because they end up pushing you products you might not need or look good in, but they want to sell you something from their brand. I prefer something like space nk, where you can try multiple brands, or googling reviews and spending time at boots trying things yourself

Forgive me if I'm being a bit thick. Sometimes it's not noticeable immediately whether my skin looks even worse. I've tried numerous different foundations over the years and found none I'm completely happy with. Are there people at space NK who can help with this?

I always ask for a sample of foundation to try before committing to buying; as it's good to be able to try it yourself at home.
I haven't always had great success in Space NK,think maybe it's difficult for the staff to really know about all the brands they stock.

Anyone else got some advise please?

I have worked at many beauty counters in DFS. All brands train staff in skincare. All brands make good products if you know what to pick.

Most everyone working in cosmetics wants to help. That’s why we go into these jobs. Sadly we do have a lot of pressure to sell, sell, sell, so a good place to start might be asserting what your budget is and asking the person to work within it.

I personally don’t think you should start with just foundation. Ask for a tailored skincare regimen and this will make any foundation work better. Brands are stingy with skincare samples now, but almost all of us have foundation samples so you can take your time finding foundation and work on balancing out your skin in the meantime.

Find someone nice who you can trust and talk openly with. I wouldn’t worry too much about which line you choose. I’ve worked for many lines and whoever I work for, that’s what I use and I haven’t got any real complaints.

I honesty believe a decent, consistent routine of properly cleansing and hydrating skin is the key. Cleanse, tone, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen. Skipping any of these is not advisable, though some people use an oil in place of serum or moisturizer.

@PuertoVallarta thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Im a bit confused what you mean by DFS and lines? I agree my skin care regime is probably more the issue and is something I need to sort out. If at all possible could you recommend me somewhere to try that may be able to help? I am totally clueless with all of this

You need to go to a skin clinic/dermatologist to get your skin sorted. Then have monthly facials, use the recommended skin products and only then will you find that your mske-up looks great. You cant plaster make up on shit skin!

I have the dreaded dry/oily skin too - its a nightmare.

@Unobtainable thank you for the advise. Have been looking up skin clinics/dermatologists online. Is there anything specific I need to be looking for from them please?

Go to Clinique. Find a shop with "bonus time" promo on.

Just looked for Clinique and there's one no where near me 😫

Also fwiw I was advised that the oily/flaky/bad foundation combo is to do with dead skin cells clogging up the surface. Could this be it?

And although the expensive skincare was great since I ran out I've also had good success with neutrogena visibly clear 2in1 wash/mask plus an oil free moisturiser.

Sorry that didn't answer your foundation Q. Is there no Debenhams or big boots near you? I like "superbalanced"

@fringegrin45 that could be the problem. What is the oil free moisturiser you use?

Yes we do have a big Debenhams but from the Clinique website store locater it's not showing as having one in any of the ones near me.

Hi it's also neutrogena visibly clear (got at Tesco). Cheap as chips. I wasn't spotty btw. But the skin counter lady said my foundation was sliding around on top of dead skin cells (mmm) so it's presumably the gentle exfoliation that helped.

Garnier also do an oil free bb cream

Sorry for the confusion, Unicorn. Not sure why I don’t talk like a normal person.

DFS is Duty Free Shops. We sell department store brands at the airport. Line is another word for brand.

Liz Earle hot clothe cleanser for your skin, along with a good exfoliater I use Clarins, my skin was the same but I did this for 2 weeks and it's improved majorly.
So every night, put the cleanser on dry skin, massage for 2 mins, wash off with the clothe make sure it's clean, then a toner (I use liz earles) then a serum (again liz earle for me) then moisturizer, any good one, such as Origins.

I agree with everyone else that starting a skin care regime to address these problems is your first port of call.

You dont need to look for anything specific from them no, just do as they suggest. It sounds like youve not been tsking care of your skin and to start doing so will be time consuming and expensive but so worth it.

To PP who mentioned Clinique. I was in my local department store today and there was one there. They did say they don't show up online but I have booked an appointment for next week so fingers crossed I get somewhere with that.

Thank you for all your advise so far.

Great hope is useful!

Personally I don't get on with Clinique at all. Most of Their products give me a rash. So I would suggest to ask if you can bring them back if something goes really wrong. It's easy to spend too much money in products which do little for you.

I love Ellemis and Lancome

So I saw my beauty therapist yesterday and she does facials etc and also does skin care. She gave me some eve taylor balancing samples to try which has made my skin feel much better since yesterday.

I've booked in for a full facial and think I will give this eve Taylor set up a go and not bother with the Clinique

Well that's good Unicorn. Anyway, Clinique can be quite 'strong' so might have dried your skin up. You do have to pick and choose.