I’m rubbish at lipstick. Where can I go for help?

[KatamariDamacy]

As it says. I’ve never really worn lipstick - it always seems to be an odd colour on me and makes me look like a clown. As I’m getting older though, I feel like it might brighten me up a bit. Strewth, I sound like my mother.

Which shops are actually good at make-up advice? I’m in a good size city so most are possible, but would rather not spend a squilluon pounds on one.

I'm similar - hate my lips and always felt like a clown wearing lipstick! I went to the MAC counter and they suggested the lustre lipstick closest to my natural lip colour. I absolutely love it and it's really moisturising in this weather too!

I agree with Mac. Their most famous low key “your lips but better” is velvet teddy but it looks utter shite on me. I have Faux from Mac for that simple look and love it. My point is that they have something for everyone.

I hate wearing lipstick - I can really feel it on my lips and end up sucking it off.
So I wear lip liners all over my lips and use a lip balm over the top .

Clarins do a really lovely range of neutral lipstick colours as do Bobbi Brown. A few dots patted in with your finger with a bit of balm on top is a good way to start.

Feeling like a clown or a little girl playing dress up is a really common reason why lots of women avoid lipstick but you are right in thinking it can perk the face up a bit.

I really like the no7 lipsticks from boots. I find the assistants very helpful. From your skin tone they'll match you with a selection of colours best suited to your skin.

Mac all the way!°Plus some of them leave a nice stain on your lips even if you have been licking your lippy off!

I’ve always found the staff at Mac really lovely and helpful so might be worth visiting and asking if they can try a few different shades on you.

Bobbi brown do little pots of lip and cheek tint in a few shades which I swear by, this could be a great ‘intro’ to lipstick for you- you just pop a few dots on and rub in so the colour is quite natural and subtle but still brightens your face

If you just want to spend some time with someone as they try loads on you, I'd just go to a makeup counter you rate when it's quiet and ask.

I really like Chanel lipstick, but was wanting something a bit out of my comfort zone, so I just went to the counter and said I wanted to try loads on to get some inspiration. As it was quiet, she spent almost an hour with me looking at different colours and talking about how to use them. Was great! I'd guess you'd be looking at Jan before that's possible now though. And make sure that you're wearing the level of makeup you want to use the lipstick for. I've if you'd usually wear foundation, make sure you don't go bare faced: it makes a difference!

MAC are also good and you can book makeup lessons online. Don't worry too much about the content description, go off the time allowed and pick how long you want. I've always found the artists are happy to go along with what you want to do for the time they have (ie I have booked a "do my makeup"-style session and the artist has been more than happy to give me diy tips as he went, rather than me having to book a longer tutorial session).