Help! Which beauty counter?

[Nateismine]

Hi. I’m 52 and I have never really understood or worn much make up- always felt better without. I think the time has come to try some out😬. I’ll book an appointment at a John Lewis. Which is the best beauty counter/brand for my age? Any other advice gladly received.

I’d say Bobbi Brown.

Hi OP, could you clarify why you want to try it now if you've always felt better without it? Is it because you feel now you 'need' it (for whatever reason)?

I've always worn something, as my skin was never great, textured etc but I didn't learn to do it properly (eye shadow, say) til I was in my 30s - I learnt from youtube. But playing around with brushes/ textures and colours was an enjoyable part of my day.

I personally would be nervous going to a counter if I had no experience, plus you might get the 'hard sell' - do you have any specific concerns/ skin type?

I’m 55 and have a lot of make up from several different ranges but I use Charlotte Tilbury above most others daily.

I use their cream foundation and cream blusher in the stick form and their cream eye shadows in pots, I find the cream products blend really easily and don’t sit in any lines etc. They are also easy to put on and you can build up coverage.

Their mascara is also very good but if you haven’t worn mascara at all previously have you considered having your eyelashes tinted and lifted, it gives a lovely natural effect and lasts about 8 weeks.

Good luck and remember you don't have to buy anything on the day of your appointment but if you do want to purchase anything ask to go outside to see any make up they apply in daylight first, I find that the bright lights in the store make it look slightly lighter and if you haven’t worn make up previously you might find it looks heavier in the daylight than in the store.

Do you have a Sephora or space nk locally? The people who worked there aren’t employed by individual concessions and they might recommend different products from different brands which works best for you.

I was like you and for me Boots No7 has been an excellent option. I tried Bobbi Brown and it all felt really heavy.

What sort of price range are you thinking ? As that will depend on where you look.

My immediate thought was Chanel or Christian Dior.

My JL store offers a beauty session but they listen to you and use a range of products. I ended up with stuff from Nars, Bobbi Brown, urban decay etc. See if they do that.

Absolutely Bobbi Brown.

I wouldn’t want to stick to one brand, but in the first instance I’d suggest:

Estée Lauder to try out their Futurist foundation and under eye stuff

Nars to try their tinted moisturiser and liquid blusher

Chanel for one perfect every day lipstick

I recommend a JL beauty consultation- I had one last year and was very happy with the products I purchased. I didn’t feel I was pressured into buying anything & bought about 5 items in the end.

If your local JL doesn’t offer the consultations then I second Bobbi Brown.

Oh my lord - I had a great experience at Boots in Nottingham last week. I'm quite happy that I have an opportunity to share it 😂

I was looking at some Huda beauty and other foundations of various kinds and had batted off a couple of assistants then a man suggested I try it on my face.

He used different products from Mac, Huda, Lancôme, Nars and I was so pleased with his knowledge and with the products he chose. It has made so much difference to my make up look.

I don't know how I would find him again though.

So it's hard to know what counter. I was v pleased with him compared to CT in Harvey Nichols or Chanel in JL

I would also suggest Bobbi Brown.

Bobbi Brown

Maybe changing up your skincare would mean you'd still feel better without makeup?

See, I don’t do any skin care apart from washing my face in the shower and sun protection on holiday😬I couldn’t tell you my skin type- just looks a bit old😂

Bobbi Brown would be my first choice but if you are on a budget the assistants on the Boots No 7 counter are also excellent and can give you skincare advice too.

In that case OP, I’d recommend booking in for a decent facial instead - I have one every 4 weeks with an amazing lady who uses Dermalogica products and that has made such a difference to my skin.
Don’t feel obligated to cover up your skin, give it some TLC instead
I also have my lashes tinted & lifted which makes a massive difference.

What’s so great about Bobbi Brown ?

I didn’t get on with any of the foundations

what’s their best one have they brought out any really good ones recently?