Which department store makeup counter ladies are the friendliest?

[wildflowersplease]

Help! I never wear makeup beyond a tiny bit of mascara, but have a big occasion in a few weeks where I just want to look a bit 'brighter', shinier and less tired! I've honestly no idea what to buy and need to throw myself on the mercy of one of these counter people and tell them to please just sort me out and bill me for the damage🤣.

Which one would you go to? I'm scared🤣! I'd prefer one that's run by women of a certain age like myself (52).

Clinique.

Clarins or Bobby Brown.

Bobbi Brown.

Isn't that going to depend on individual counters in individual stores? The staff aren't cloned to display 'Clinique' levels of friendliness versus 'Lancome' levels of friendliness!

I'd factor in what exactly you want, OP, what age you are, what kind of look you want. Agreed that if you want to look as natural as possible then Bobbi Brown might be a good shout.

I know, @ChanceMet , I guess I'm just looking for anecdotes from people who have been made to feel at ease by one or other counter to try and make me feel less nervous about it! But even this 'Bobbi Brown' tip is good - I would have had no idea that this is a more natural-looking brand, so I may sidle up to them when I go in the hope that one of the staff will rescue me! 🤣Thanks for the tips so far, all.

Can you give an indication of your location @wildflowersplease ? Then maybe we can suggest somewhere specific.

If you’re in/near London, I’d suggest Selfridges. You can book an appt with their Beauty Concierge (a make-up artist) and they’ll recommend things across different brands that suit you and the cost is full redeemable against whatever you buy. You probably wouldn’t get a 50-something “lady” though but you will get excellent advice and suggestions.

I'm in Glasgow, @HundredMilesAnHour . I think there may be a Selfridge's in Edinburgh, though. Or is it a Harvey Nicks? Off to google now!🤣

I second Selfridges! Or a John Lewis. I’ve done this twice, and both times I basically walked around until someone friendly made eye contact and then we got chatting 😂 I think I ended up with Chanel and Charlotte Tilbury. Make your intentions to spend money evident and they’ll sort you out with a longer slot to talk over techniques etc.

I’m from Edinburgh and always use Clinique in the Boots at The Gyle, they’ve always been excellent and don’t hard sell any products.

We don’t have Selfridges but yes to Harvey Nicks.

Good luck!!

I think Harvey Nicks is also a good idea. 👍

I’m very impressed with Armani make-up (and their eye serum is incredible!). Very natural and very good quality but you don’t really hear about them these days as they don’t seem to be marketing in the UK for whatever reason. But a beauty concierge will be able to introduce you to the ‘best of the best’ that suits your skin / colouring and preferences regardless of brand so hopefully that is exactly what you’re looking for.

I used Dior in Frasers Buchanan Street in Glasgow recently and they were lovely. Theres a HN in Edinburgh which is great but you are defo spoiled for choice. Theres also the beauty hall in the St James Quarter in Edinburgh which is lovely.

I really don't think you can generalise.

It depends who's working on the day!

I'd avoid brands that are possibly aimed at younger women.

I've always judged assistants by buying the occasional item, like a lipstick perhaps, to see how they treat me.

I've had different experiences in different stores.

I had an odd experience with Clinique in a large Boots where she was obviously talking from a script- "what brings you to Clinique today?" FGS!

I've had brilliant and average help from Bobbi Brown, (one went out of her way to test foundation shades on me and steered me away from one that was too pale.)

I even found Dior helpful - not pushy.

I find Nars a bit snooty as I'm older and not into really loud colours.

it helps if you know what you want and can tell them.

Bobbi Brown
Clinique
Lancome
Laura Mercier
Clarins

If I was in your shoes, I would just go to Boots or similar and choose my own stuff from the more affordable brands. Do some online research first.
Makeup has gotten really expensive over the last few years. If you don’t wear it often and you’re unsure about it, I would not be looking at the more expensive brands.

I had a lovely makeover at Bobbi Brown (store not counter) and bought some, not all products. The makeup artist was 20 odd years younger than me but didn’t push me to buy more than I wanted.

Trinny London. I went for a makeover which was free and the makeup artist /SA couldn’t have been nicer and there was no pressure to buy.

I always find I get the best help in Space NK. Smaller collection of brands I appreciate but I have had some wonderful help. I have access to a John Lewis and a Harvey Nicks here and the Harvey Nicks feels unhelpful and chilly. John Lewis I have to navigate around the brands myself. I love the idea of the beauty concierge though.