I need to renew my whole make up bag. Which brand (available in John Lewis?)

[LaChienneDesFromages]

I’ve been given £200 of John Lewis vouchers. Hoping to spend it on renewing my scruffy hodge-podge of a day-to-day make up bag. Most of the items are almost run out, and it’s a mixture of No7, Clinique and one Chanel eyeliner that I love.

I don’t wear much make up, but do put on a little each day. I’d rather not spend the day cruising the counters (and DS12 would definitely rather be in Games Workshop!) Which reliable, quality brand would people in the know recommend for a basic overhaul? I’ll need:

Light coverage foundation
Mascara
Neutral eyeshadow
Eyebrow mascara (is that the name?!)
Concealer
Blusher
A nice lipstick to see me through Christmas do’s

Any ideas gratefully received.

I’d go for Clinique

Lancôme mascara. Chanel eyeliner. No7 hydroluminous foundation.

lipstick - no idea!

I'd go for Charlotte Tilbury - they do a lot of glam but I've been and had v natural make up done too if you tell them that you want something like that.

Clinique even better foundation
Clinique mascara
Clinique lipstick/lipgloss in either black or pink honey
Clinique chubby sticks are great for cheeks and highlight

In the old days I’d have recommended Bobbi Brown in a heartbeat but they’ve gone so downhill lately and are discontinuing a lot of great stuff.

It’s harder I think now to choose one counter for all (esp if John Lewis as No 7 would also be an option) but I’d echo the above of Clinique which may do it all. If you were up for some mix and match I’d opt for Clinique or nars for base and Charlotte Tilbury for lipstick. Benefit all the way for eyebrow and mascara.

I’d go with Clinique for base - I use their CC cream plus concealer (even better) and pressed powder foundation (stay matte) for a light and natural look. I also use Clinique mascara because I’ve got tons of freebies over the years but I do like it. A good primer is a must and I use the ordinary one which is also available in JL.

I’ve been struggling with getting what I want for eyes from the counters and a few weeks ago bought a really cheap Rimmel palette for £6 off Amazon which has been really good. I have the blush one. You could get one of the urban decay palettes though in JL if you were looking to spend.

i use a Clinique blush because that was also a freebie but I don’t love it. And I don’t do much with my lips.

Does your JL have a Beauty Bar? Like a personal shopper for makeup? They are great at bringing you things from different houses.

I’ve just bought two awesome products

Dior Backstage foundation and the Dior Forever Glow Veil - the combo is wow! I’m early 60s and it’s made a tremendous difference to my usual Clinique look.

Plus I bought the foundation brush to apply

Charlotte Tilbury for brows - can’t remember the name but their ‘eyebrow mascara’ is the best one.

Bobbi brown

In my 50s I love Clarins. I wouldn’t limit yourself to one counter tbh, not sure why you’d do that.

Depends where you are but some JL do a free 60 min makeup consultation.

Armani Luminous Silk foundation £45 is really good
By Terry or Chanel lipstick
Bobbi Brown pot rouge blush
Armani concealer
Charlotte Tilbury for brows £25
By Terry Ombré Blackstar stick £30 or their eye shadow palette £50
Bobbi Brown Nude Finish illuminating powder £48 or By Terry powder
Lancome or Chanel mascara - they have Lancôme sets with mascara, eye make up remover and eye cream sample for £31
Aspinal leather make up bag bought direct

If your JL has a MAC counter, their 24 hour Liquid Last eyeliner is my go to. Although I’m interested to hear Chanel is good, which one please- anyone know?

Love Laura Mercier secret camouflage concealer and YSL Faux Cils mascara.
Unless you need a tinted brow mascara, I buy a good pencil and use a clear mascara from Superdrug or Boots to fix them in place.

I like By Terry cc cream or Clinique foundation
Bobbi Brown concealer (Nars also good)
Clinique powder
Not set on a blusher or bronzer
Hourglass brow mascara or Bobbi Brown eyebrow pencil with brush
Laura Mercier stick eye shadow or Bobby Brown ( limited selection)
CT eyeshadow sets
I like Bobby Brown eye liner pencil; soft and it sticks
Clinique mascara
Clinique or Laura Mercier lipstick.
I love makeup but am quite old with poor eyesight and sensitive eyes so rarely wear it now.

Dior. All their makeup is lovely, I've never had a dud.

Agree with Dior

Please consider buying cruelty-free make up. In JL this includes Charlotte Tilbury, Liz Earle and Bare Minerals.

Sadly most of the luxury brands are not cruelty-free including Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Clarins, YSL, Estée Lauder and Dior.

This is due to these companies deciding to sell in China where all beauty and cosmetic products must by law be tested on animals. (Yes, bonkers and unnecessary but still the law.) These companies have put their profits above the suffering of animals.

To find out if any company you’re thinking of buying from tests on animals, go to www.crueltyfreekitty.com.

@Honeysuckle16 I believe that is actually no longer the case for China. I understand that the Chinese laws for testing cosmetics were changed in 2021, and animal testing is no longer required by law.

Following as I need to do the same

I think different brands do different things well!
Foundation - Georgio Armani Luminous Silk
Eyebrow mascara - Tilbury
Mascara - YSL or dior
Natural eyeshadows - Bobbi brown
Blush - I quite like Tilbury Glowgasm

Aprillady I believe that is actually no longer the case for China. I understand that the Chinese laws for testing cosmetics were changed in 2021, and animal testing is no longer required by law.

AprilLady, I wish this were true. China has exempted some long-standing and unchanged beauty products from compulsory animal testing. However, all new ingredients still require full testing, in addition to sunscreens, hair dyes and others. In a fast-innovating market, new ingredients are frequently added to beauty products. So far, only a handful of beauty companies have been restored to the cruelty-free list, none of which are the market leaders mentioned in previous posts.

So there’s still a lot of work to be done and meanwhile the only way to ensure a beauty product is cruelty-free is to check with www.crueltyfree kitty.com.

@Honeysuckle16 yes, I get it’s pretty complex and testing requirements in some parts of the world are still nowhere near where they should be. But I think the issue is not all black and white. The brands that are “cruelty free” are able to be so because they are not using any ingredients or products tested on animals now - but the safety of the ingredients they use may well have been established many years ago through animal testing by those who used them first. Alternatively, they are using techniques developed more recently for alternative ways to prove safety - such as those developed by the big multi-nationals like EL with the money and influence to do so. A small niche brand that is cruelty free is likely to be at least indirectly benefitting from all this in order to ensure its cruelty free products are also safe.