Boots make up counters

[EarlofShrewsbury]

I don't wear make up, I own a tube of brown mascara and that's it.

I'm going on a bucket list holiday that involves dressing up (cruise) and I would like to make my face nice.

I'm 40 and I think I'll need some foundation and concealer as a minimum.

Are the counters at boots any good? I'll need a colour match and application advice.

Thanks

They wouldn't be my top choice.

Have you got time to try a few counters out and Space NK?

Don't buy anything until you've seen how it wears.

Are you thinking everyday make up or something special for the evening?

I don't know what your budget is, but if you're not a make up wearer I'd suggest booking an appointment at a Bobbi Brown counter somewhere near you. Also there's a make up artist on Instagram called Hannah Martin who used to work for them. She does lots of editorial work and has celebrity clients who don't want to look over made up. It would be worth you having a look for idea and tips. You don't need to use the same products.

I have a budget of around £60.

I only want something to even out my skin and give me a smoother complexion.

I can look a bit tired. I'll find a photo.

Bobbi Brown is not a cruelty-free make up brand. Try Charlotte Tilbury, Urban Decay or Fenty Beauty. All of them offer natural fuss-free make up which isn’t tested on animals. Urban Decay is available in some high street stores and Charlotte Tilbury has an excellent free, on line make up advice clinic. Their advisors will guide you as to which of their foundations would suit you.

As you can see, I have genetic xanthelasma around the eyes. This is my problem area.

If you go to a big branch of Boots the No 7 counter will colour match you and suggest base products. You should be able to get a foundation and concealer for your budget. A combined lip and cheek tint would also make you look more polished but still natural.

You look lovely. And probably only need a colour corrector and concealer for round the eyes to make a difference on the bit that bothers you.

Have you got a Body Shop, Space NK or department store with a beauty hall near you?

I feel that you always need a comparison, so try Boots and also something else.

Bobbi Brown is a good option.

I'm a similar age to you, and really like Boots Number 7 make up.

They're always happy to give lots of free samples so you can try before you buy.

Their makeup artists are always friendly and take their time with application and explain things as they go

If you do the No 7 colour match get a sample before you purchase. I had mine done instore without natural light. I have a cool skin tone and the samples I was given were very warm tone.

You look beautiful. Gorgeous hair and eye colour. Don’t worry too much about getting too glammed up on a cruise. You don’t need to be massively dolled up. Just a put a nice dress and a bit off tinted moisturiser on.

I was impressed recently in my nearest big Boots. I needed help choosing the right shade of some Fenty foundation (which is FABULOUS) and was given a large pot as a sample to try. Needed some practice applying it as it’s much thicker than what I’m used to, but it stays on all day and it’s evened out my skin tone nicely. I have to say through that you look lovely as you are x

I think I made the mistake of using a good photo!

I have dark spots on my cheeks that you can't really see in that photo. Plus under my eyes are very dark.

I'll head to No7 and go from there.

Thanks for all the replies.

I have very dark eyes, pale skin and a peach colour corrector works wonders, I use the Rimmel one that has peach, green and purple in the palette. It’s lighter feeling too than concealer

Boots are great they have loads of different concession stands, at least in the big one I went into recently

Try out No 7 Hydraluminous foundation I absolutely love it. But they have everything from Chanel, Clarins, Clinique, Lancôme to Kylie

You have a lovely face and hair so the No 7 foundation, powder to set, mascara, bit of eyeshadow maybe a palette so you play around with shades and a dot of shimmer in the middle. Clarins do this really nice sort of lip comfort oil but with colour. Boots sell a new lip gloss thing from MAC but they were all sold out

Kylie actually does really good lip colours which I think would suit your colouring

I really like the no7 stay perfect foundation stick. Lasts forever, easy to apply and blends really well, get a colour match done first. Not at all pricey either