Christmas counter make-up makeovers

Just how good are department store makeovers? We trial five...

Ever had a bad time at a beauty counter? They can be intimidating places with overly made-up staff giving you a hard sell but, recently, they’ve had a makeover themselves, offering treatments alongside your purchases. best’s Helen Pike tried five big names to see what their services are really like.

Benefit

The service: 30-minute makeover Cost: £30, redeemable against products bought in-store. The store assistant was friendly, putting me at ease. She asked about my skin type and routine before we got started. Rather than taking charge, she let me make decisions on what went on my face, which was great to a point… While it gave me control, I also wanted advice from her in what shades worked with my skin tone. To balance my combination skin, I had a matte primer applied to my T-zone and a brightening one on my cheeks. Then I went for its Real Duo Shadow Blender in Sexy Smokin, £19.50, a shimmery metallic with a pale pink lip. The resulting look was subtle and understated. While I was happy in the store, outside I noticed a tell-tale foundation tide mark on my jawline. Uh-oh…

BEST TIP: Primer on a cotton bud removes extra under-eye make-up. RATED: ★★★ ★★

Clinique

The service: Total Transformation Cost: Free, no purchase necessary.

Kind and welcoming, the counter staff made me feel at home right away. She was excited to suggest different colours, and detailed what she would use beforehand. For my tired skin, she suggested its Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Make-up, £27 – and even gave me a free sample pot to take home! Plumping for something new, I was told that All About Shadow in Strawberry Fudge, £22.50, would bring out the green in my eyes, and when I explained that I experience smudging, she recommended Lash Powder Long-Wearing Mascara, £20, which doesn’t budge – and it really didn’t. Finished with Pop Lip Colour in Raspberry Pop, £16.50, I was sold. There was no pressure to buy anything, and I left feeling happy and confident.

BEST TIP: Apply blusher last to avoid overdoing the colour. RATED: ★★★★ ★

Bobbi Brown

The service: Glam It Up Cost: Free, no purchase necessary.

A common choice for brides, I was keen to see what party looks Bobbi Brown could offer. I asked for smoky eyes, and the consultant led the way, applying its Foundation

Stick, £31, and Creamy Concealer, £19.50, layered on top. While I was passed a mirror after my foundation was applied, I felt the consultant wasn’t fully engaged with me, and it was up to me to ask what she was applying at each stage. While making up my eyes, the consultant repeatedly touched up my concealer and, sure enough, it looked caked on. She painted 60s-style winged liner using a wet brush dipped in its Eye Shadow in

Charcoal, £18, which isn’t my idea of a smoky eye. However, I was under no obligation to buy and didn’t get a hard sell.

BEST TIP: Use a brush to apply your foundation to build coverage. RATED: ★★★★ ★

Charlotte Tilbury

The service: Looks Makeover

Cost: £35, redeemable against products bought in-store.

For total escapism, head to Charlotte Tilbury. Her makeover counter feels more like a glam boudoir, complete with flattering lighting and comfy seating. I was even offered a drink on arrival. There was a menu of 10 looks – each shown on a model, so I could see the final result – on display. I chose the ‘bombshell’, featuring a classic eye and bold red lip. Throughout the entire process, the adviser explained the steps, and had such a friendly tone that I felt like I’d spent an hour with an old mate. I bought its Hollywood Lips in Screen Siren, £24, and Liner in Crazy in Love, £16 – and she added free samples, too!

BEST TIP: A rounded foundation brush is better than a flat one. RATED: ★★★★★

Mac

The service: Full Make-up Cost: £40, redeemable against products bought in-store. MAC has staff offering advice on

the shop floor and, in some stores, you can book dedicated time. I was sat in front of big mirror so I could see the results every step of the way. The consultant was friendly, gently pushing me out of my comfort zone. She suggested MAC

Pigment in Copper, £16, to make my eyes pop, and I was pleasantly surprised. I have a tendency to flinch at eye make-up application, but she was patient, taking her time and letting me curl my own lashes. A mixture of Powder Blush

in Mocha, £19.50, and Harmony Matte, £19.50, was used to add warmth to my complexion, before finishing with Satin Lipstick in Faux, £16.50 – a dramatic result! As a treat, I bought its Studio Fix Foundation, £23.50, and the lippie.

BEST TIP: Look down when applying mascara to fully coat lashes. RATED: ★★★★ ★