Make up overhaul - where to go?!

[chalkyc2]

I last changed my make up about 15 years ago (I mean in terms of types of products I use - not that my current make up is 15 yrs old!). So Mac face and body foundation with powder over the top, bit of liquid eyeliner and some mascara for an everyday quick and easy look.

I need an overhaul. Where is best to go (live in London) for a just turned 50 something where they can sort me out an up to date everyday look and set of products?

Depends on the look you are going for, for example if you want all out glam, natural or something else and what your budget is.

Natural everyday look. Budget - whatever it takes!

Are you on instagram? Sometimes people like Sali Hughes and IsThisTooYoungForMe can give good product ideas and you can see what they look like. Shop around for someone who resembles you/your style. Erica Taylor is fun. I use it cosmetics, Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty. But I would take an instagram demo over someone in person selling me stuff, rightly or wrongly.

Also cheaper brands like nyx in boots do good neutral eyeshadow palettes.

Go to Space NK.
They're very good with advice and will give you sample pots too.

Space NK sounds a good shout. I'm so clueless and time short I basically need to go somewhere and for them to show me how to do and then sell me a set of make up. This is what I did at MAC 15 years ago but wonder if it's a bit young for me there now!

Someone on Mumsnet on another post suggested asking for a 'refresher'. I think this is the way to go if you go to a department store.

If you like your Mac products, I'd stick with that but go in and ask for a refresh in terms of what you're using. I think the days of Mac counters being staffed with fresh faced teens wearing too much make up are long gone and if you tell them what you are looking for I am sure they could sort you out.

I recently got some Trinny stuff I was a bit nervous on arrival to see a bunch of gorgeous young things, but I reminded myself I was turning up there because I quite like Trinny's overall approach as a slightly older woman. And sure enough, the woman who helped me was great and totally understood what I was asking for.

I've also had good experiences at Bobbi Brown counters.

Interesting. I love a bit of instagram/tiktok for ideas and general trends and follow these influencers as well. And I've learnt loads from them. But I like to go into an actual store (or, more usually, a counter at a department store) to really get the right products for my skin.

Having said that, Erica has totally introduced me to the concept of a better contour! Now to find the perfect shade for me....

OP, I think the trick is to understand what you don't like about your current look and then go get specialised advice. My skin tone has changed as I've entered perimenopause so for me, a big shift has been using different foundations and a bit of a shift in the colours I use. Some of those decisions I've taken by experimenting with stuff from Boots (usually recommended by someone on TikTok - I have a lot of ELF products now!) and some have come because I've gone in and got some advice from a specialist who can look at my skin and face.

No, you’re quite right, you need to go into a proper store and have a play. I think I’m not a fan of feeling pressured into buying something having had a conversation about it, but I’m better at saying I’ll have a think about it now and walking away.

Yes, and I think if you go in, you have to be very clear about what it is you want. I had someone at a Bobbi Brown counter once show me all kinds of bits that were genuinely fab, but at the end of the day, I'd gone in wanting to find the right eye shadow stick and so that's what I bought, because that's what I needed. I didn't need a new blusher, under eye cream etc etc.