Best brand to go for a make-up consultation

[mypingpongbat]

Hi, I'm early 50s and completely useless with makeup, but want to get some simple products to look less tired. Probs some kind of foundation to even my skin tone, plus some lovely eyeshadows, maybe a lipstick. I'd like to book a make up consultation (am in London so plenty of options). What's the best brand? I was thinking Clinique, but then started looking at Charlotte Tilbury and Bobbi Brown. I don't have ££££ but willing to pay maybe £150-£200 for a few key products.

Trinny London? Their products are aimed at older women. I haven't used any but have browsed their counter recently. They have various make over sessions you can book with the money refundable against products.

Rather than a brand, I'd go to a beauty concierge at Selfridges or the like.

Tbh I would go to a couple of the well known brands as you’re unlikely to get the perfect collection f everything from just one brand. Have fun with it and get a few makeovers done then at the end of each one take a selfie and note the pros and cons of each product inc price and then use that to make your final product decisions! Also important point is make sure you look at your foundation properly in the natural daylight as with all due respect the artist doesn’t always get the shade selection right and also ensure it doesn’t oxidise as the day goes on either as no one wants to be an accidental Oompa Loompa!

Thing is you do need to pick a brand as the make up counters at the likes of Selfridges have certain assistants for each brand. Perhaps you can get a more independent view at Sephora?

This is not correct, you can book a Selfridges consultation which will cover multiple brands. This would be called 'beauty tour' or 'beauty bag recovery', at least in the London location

I’m early 50s and have just changed my foundation to Dior Skin Glow and use the Dior Star Filter underneath or alone when working from home.

Before this, I used By Terry Hydra Hyaluronic foundation, but they seem to be discontinuing this as I could no longer get my shade.

The Dior Skin Glow was much better on me than the Armani alternative and lasts all day without settling into pores or fine lines.

Boots have 20% off currently Dior.

I agree with the recommendations to go to Selfridges.

Years ago I used to go to Clinique in Harrods (I worked nearby) but I somehow ended up trying Armani Beauty in Selfridges and have always had the best experience there.

I had a Selfridges concierge consultation a couple of years ago and found it disappointing. The colours she used on me were all wrong (I’m in my 50s and I think it scrambled her brain), the (extremely extensive) eyeshadow she put on me was all over the place by the time I’d eaten lunch (no primer), and the one thing I liked, they didn’t have in stock. And it wasn’t cheap. I’ve given up on department stores for this sort of thing. I’d rather look for an independent beautician and pay twice as much for better advice.

Bobbi Brown

I found MAC really good for a make up session and also love Hourglass. You can book through Selfridges or in a standalone store. Love Sephora too and the staff are great for recommending products from a range of brands.

But if you are looking tired look at your skincare first. Whether it's a decent Vitamin C serum or a Skin and Me subscription it'll make the world of difference if you don't already have that covered.

Bobbi brown. I rate their foundation. Creamy eyeshadow sticks, good eyeliner. I think their products are kind to older skin.

Thanks this is v useful. I was kind of hoping for one appointment to fix it all, but maybe that’s not realistic. I take the point in skincare too… all I use is Olay moisturizer.

Bobbi Brown sounds like it might be worth a try. Any views on Charlotte Tilbury? - website looks good but it’s pretty expensive, worth it?

I agree with Bobbi Brown, you’d get a good all round consultation at Space NK too.

I’ve recently switched to BB intensive serum foundation after a consultation, similar age, I love it.

I like Laura Mercier too, their powder is excellent. I can’t remember which one, £45 ish from memory.

My friend and I did Charlotte Tilbury and it was great -spent a fortune.

That’s a very valid point about skincare if you’re only using Olay. As a minimum, get a decent eye cream too! And have a look at Dermatica / Skin & Me as you will get the most bang for your buck investing in one of them.

The best make-up around these days is Victoria Beckham. I could say many things about VB, good and bad, but my God she knows her make-up!! Her eyeliners are incredible. Outstanding quality! I’m also very impressed with her skincare (made for her by Augustine’s Bader).

I’m not aware of anywhere that does VB consultations though??

Sort your skincare out first. If choice is bewildering and you want an off-the-peg regime, go for a chat somewhere like Clarins - other brands have more innovative products but they are a safe pair of hands, and it'll be a definite step up from Olay.

But if you can be bothered to invest the time, though, go to an affluent suburban branch of Space NK at a quietish time, weekday if poss, find a helpful and knowledgeable looking staff member, and tell them your concerns are ageing and tiredness. Say you want skincare basics and a couple of natural-looking and easy to wear makeup products that'll make you look a bit more polished and less tired, but aren't full glam. Look to get a cleanser and a moisturiser to start for skincare, and for makeup, something like tinted moisturiser and a lip product that's your lips but better. If you're not sure about something ask for a sample or a trial size.

For makeup brands, Rare Beauty is Selena Gomez' new line but it's pretty grown up and easy to wear, Glossier is very natural if you're not used to make up at all, or Laura Mercier is a good safe "everyone likes it" brand. Hourglass is posher, more polished. Space NK have all of those.

This is really useful, thanks. There’s a suburban Space NK right near me, but I’ve always been too intimidated to go in!! I’ll give it a try, and see what they suggest. Makes sense to sort my skin out before figuring what to put on top of it.

Just a thought on Bobbi Brown, their foundation always seems to lean to yellow. I’m very fair with rosy undertones and it does nothing for me, I look ill.

Watching this with interest @mypingpongbat I was going to try Trinny but then saw £80 booking fee! But then I would rather pay and get the items I want rather than being upsold lots of things I don’t. :)

I went to Bobbi Brown and was absolutely amazed at how brilliant it was. When she turned the mirror to show the foundation I was expecting to do the usual polite thank you but it looked brilliant. I would definitely go there again if I wanted more. Currently stocked up on Charlotte Tilbury for everything else but will look at BB consultation before debuting.

*rebuying

In fact, my CT consultation was pretty rubbish (lips) and I've never used the liner and lipstick.

I did the same at Bobbi Brown. Recommended by a friend similar age to me.

I booked a consultation in John Lewis. They used lots of different brands and it was excellent.