I need a make-up overhaul! Which sales assistants are the least scary??

[basementbear]

I've been using the same ranges of make-up since I started wearing the stuff at about 14 years old! I am now 39 and the cheap stuff - Rimmel etc is just not doing it for me anymore. I need an upgrade but I'm scared of the department store beauticians - can anyone recommend which reps are the friendliest/least likely to laugh at me for being such a makeup dunce?? I just want quick easy makeup for everyday, I don't want to look like I've been tangoed

MAC are good, and all are proper make-up artists, not Orange-Faced Saleswomen

I got some advice from the Bobbi Brown counter a few weeks ago, and the girl was lovely - natural-looking make-up too.

Go to Bobbi Brown - natural colours...good quality. They are in most major dept stores and again don't tend to have Paris Hilton wanabes working for them.....

Another vote for Bobbi Brown. I went for a make up overhaul there for my birthday - dh gave me a budget.

Sales assistant was lovely and I love the make up and colours.

Thanks, I have to just pluck up the courage and go for it! I have visions of those sales assistants who've slapped it on with a trowel, leaping out at you, trying to spray you with something as soon as you enter the shop! I hate being pressured into buying stuff - I am a terrible procrastinator.

I think the MAC ones are good too. I actually like how they get me to look

I had a makeover at Bobbi Brown and bought £££ worth of stuff.Nearly fainted at the cost but it has b een well worth it. Can really understand the difference good make up makes now. The face base alone was a revelation.

I use Chanel, eyewatering expensive but at the time only the ladies behind that counter looked 'naturel' the other resembled Barbie.

Glad I bought it as it has been very good

Totally agree, MAC and Bobbi Brown every time.

benefit people are good too

I have changed to Lancome and the girl in Boots was lovely and helped on the colour for foundation etc. She also said the best way to apply foundation was by brush (I normally use a sponge) and when I asked how much the brush was she said £24. I sort of squeaked that there was no way I was going to pay that especially as the foundation was £26.

Anyhooo, she gave me the brush, a bronzing powder and brush and a makeup brush for free, this was on top of the free gifts that were on offer if you bought two products.

I have always found that Benefit are really lovely and don't try to force products on you but will recomend a couple. I will recommend their Highbeam and Dr feelgood - AMAZING!!!

I second Bobbi Brown.

MAC for me too.

I'm a make up artist and i'd definately recommend MAC, they know what they're doing, and the products are the best i've used.

I too was very scared, but took the plunge and talked to the Bobbi Brown lady the other day. She was lovely, I confessed all my makeup uselessness and she sorted me out.

She also didn't try to sell me loads of stuff I didn't need. Told me my skin was good enough not to need foundation or concealer! See thread on Oil Cleansing Method!

I had a Clinique one once - I looked truly terrible and couldn't wait to get to the loo to scrub it all off

My Auntie is one at Bluewater and she is lovely - although shouldn't name her on here!

MAC - went to Bobbi Brown people and came out looking, um, a bit brown... Natural colors are great, but I need more than nature has to offer, I guess!

All the brands mentioned here have different strengths, so I wouldn't recommend buying everything in one place, no matter how helpful the assistant.

When shopping for makeup I always go with as bare a face as I can, and take a reasonable sized mirror so I can stand outside and see how things look in natural light. I would never buy something like foundation without seeing how it settles into my skin. Good assistants will be happy to write you a list of what they've used - if it looks good and wears well you'll be back.