What make up counter would you recommend I visit for a make-over

[glasjam]

Am pondering about putting myself in the hands of someone else as far as make-up is concerned because it has NEVER been my forte. When I wore make-up it would be a pale foundation, a dark-ish red lipstick (Chanel or YSL) a bit of mascara and perhaps a bit of powder. 20 years down the line this doesn't work for me and I hardly ever wear make-up beyond a bit of mascara if I can remember.

So I want to brave the make-up department of a big store and try a few things on my ahem more "mature" skin (am 40+). But how the hell do you know which one to go to? Are there make-up counters that have a better reputation for this kind of thing? I dread some fake-tanned teenager wincing at my skin and sending me away looking like a clown whilst laughing behind my back.

My main goal is to put something on my skin that evens things out, tones down the ruddyness (particularly in the cold) and that doesn't make my skin look like flaky, crazy-paving on closer inspection. I am also in the market for a very moisturising lipstick that doesn't tingle too much.
All help gratefully received

Where is Cod when you need her?

Bobbi Brown. It is really nice quality, good for 40+ and unlike some they will do a natural look and you won't feel forced into drastic dolly-bird make-up or (IME) be laughed at by teenagers. Not the cheapest of course but it doesn't sound as if you need to buy a lot of stuff, just a few classic basics, so it would be worth it.

I have only tried three:

Bobbie Brown - nice enough but I didn't buy anything.
Benefit - I loved the look she gave me: I just looked like me but pretty - but I didn't buy anything because it all scared me a bit tbh.
Mac - a bit too 'done' but I did buy the eyeshadow she used and have used it (and re-purchased) ever since.

I went to a Molten Brown counter for one once and they did a really good job.
Once tried an Esteee Lauder one and had to rush to the ladies as my face was orange with foundation and I was too much of a wuss to confront the woman about it!

Molten Brown gets my vote (they did a really nice "gunmetal" eyeliner too)

Oooh BENEFIT! Love it!

Just remembered I had a Clarins one too. That was lovely.

Thanks all. MAC and Benefit seem to be winning followed by Moulton Brown. I've used Clarins skincare before but not their make-up. DisplayUTN - your Estee Lauder story is the kind of experience I dread and I too would have probably been too much of a wuss to complain!

Clarins make-overs are lovely.

The Benefit one I had left me looking like an alien.

Oh and Bobbi Brown looks promising too (although a bit hard on the pocket?) Have just noticed that there are a few threads of this nature on this board at the moment - very useful stuff. Must be the time of year

Bobbi Brown and Space NK for Laura Mercier - both really good for contemporary but subtle (the comfort zone of the 40+ woman!) make-up.

SpaceNK will do you a free make-over, as will the John Lewis Bobbi Brown counter. But tbh, you'll (probably) feel a bit mean not buying anything. So be prepared to leave with at least a lipstick!

Laura Mercier are really, really big on achieving a flawless skin look, and will run a (possibly) bewildering number of products past you -- which you can ignore and come back to when you feel more confident.

I suspect that if you have been away from make-up counters for a long time, the biggest revelation will be foundation. LM and BB do brilliant foundations and that alone will revolutionise your look.

P. S. If you ask, LM will show you a "lipstick, flawless face, invisible eye-liner" technique which will amaze you. And will work with 40+ skin!

Message withdrawn

I recently had a Space NK make-over and it was great - at least an hour of pampering. But I did up spending £££ on Eve Lom, etc.

If you can be hard and just buy something smallish, it would be a bargain if you think that a facial can be £35 - £50!

I am almost 40, and I love Laura Mercier make overs at Space NK. They really listen to your needs and there's no hard sale at the end. I always leave with something though, as the products are so nice. I have tried Bobbi Brown as well, but prefer LM.

Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier definitely if you want some good quality products - I would rate LM over BB too. I like NARS too but they can be a bit hit and miss, whereas everything at LM seems to be good and easy to use.