Dept store make up help please!

I’ve always had excellent service from Estee Lauder. Their Double Wear foundation is my favourite.

My daughter found Bare Minerals helpful.

I had make up done at a lancome counter once and I looked like aunt Sally from worzel gummidge. Big round red cheeks and rich ruby red lipstick . The only thing missing was blue eyeshadow.
I asked the woman who did it if she was taking the p***! She was mortified that I had the nerve to criticise her work.
She then proceeded to tell me what products I should buy. I wiped it all off using the products on the counter and left.
On the other hand I had a make up session on the benefit counter in debenham s and it was light and fresh and natural looking.

Nanabilly - this is my biggest fear!!
I had a similar experience with Benefit though, funnily enough!

I want someone who understands the needs of the ‘mature woman’ but doubt most of the young girls will be interested in the low key make up I need.

I have heard that EL doublewear is fab Spanielnanny.

This is all starting to stress me out! I don’t have an outfit yet and only have 12 weeks to go

I'm an Estee Lauder fan too but I'm wearing much less make up these days. I've actually been complimented on how much better I'm looking

Best tip is to look at the makeup of the person doing the demo? if they are pansticked with heavy foundation and very heavy eye make up give them a miss. Like you I am early 50’s with good skin my problem area is slight shadows under the eyes and I have noticed my mouth droops a bit more than it did 10 years ago? I had my make up done at The Body Shop for a recent event, the makeup is nicely understated and the girl did a fab job its what I wear usually anyway. If you are set on department store I like Benefit or MAC

I would love to have some makeup advice but the girls at the counters are all so young and heavily madeup. Mostly I am ignored anyway and if I do get assistance it is not very good, they can't be bothered with older women.

One exotic creature in a make up dept had an extremely dirty neck I noticed while staring at her thickly plastered bright orange face. I wouldn't take advice from her!
Basically, these people are there to sell stuff. Is there anywhere you could go for objective advice?

I have had make up done several times at Clinique counters. I always find them helpful and professional. You should buy the make up and take it with you to the wedding

Humbertbear, that’s what I was thinking. I’m willing to buy a couple of products to take.
I have had Clinique products before so might try there.
Jenpax, I think you are my twin! I have dark undereye shadows and a droopy mouth
I hadn’t thought of Body Shop! I’ll consider them too.
Thanks for all your comments!

Whilst we are here, any suggestions for Mof B outfits?!
I love the designer ones available in bridal shops - but seriously?! They almost cost as much as a bridal gown

I wear shift dresses most of the time. Can’t have anything that nips in at the waist as it accentuates my mummy tummy.

For your outfit go and book an appointment in debenhams with a personal shopper and let someone else do the work .

I went to the Clarins counter for help with my GDs wedding. The lady did me a lovely natural make up but persuaded me to make more of my eyes which I was very pleased with - I spent £100 and was given a lot of samples and a make up bag too.

Flaxseed try Monsoon for motb outfits I wore a lovely one from there for my eldest daughters wedding you are still young so don’t feel you have to go for the traditional look?

I have used and stocked Bareminerals . Cant recommend the product highly enough. The foundation is brilliant, looks very natural and is so easy to apply.
Don’t be put off by the lovely looking make up artists, they are usually as lovely as they look.
If you feel you would be pressurised into buying products that you don’t really want then pay for a make up in a salon then there should be less pressure.

Jenpax, after asking around and surfing the net I have the following shops on my list
Monsoon
Coast
Phase Eight
Jacques Vert

I might try the suggestion from Nanabilly and book a personal shopper but am worried I’ll feel obliged to buy something - because I’m daft like that!

Body Shop
Bareminerals
Clarins
Clinique
Charlotte Tilbury are on my ‘make up’
short list

Thanks for all of your suggestions

Flaxseed I had an appointment at Debenhams with a personal shopper on Wednesday for an outfit to attend a wedding. Wow she was very good brought things for me to try that I would never have looked at. Before we started she did say there was no pressure to buy and I didn't feel as though there was.
I did buy an outfit which I was very happy with and I think it hasn't taken me out of my comfort zone. It's trousers and floaty top ( I don't wear dresses) it has cost approx £80. I'm sure I will wear it again.
Sorry can't help with make up as my DD is doing mine.

Bobbi Brown in John Lewis listen to you and then help you to look like yourself on your best day. They teach you how to do it yourself and they really did help. I had lost a third of my body weight through illness in the weeks before my DD1’s wedding and in the photos I miraculously looked like my best version of me....and they don’t make you look like you’ve been tango’d. ?

I had make up done by MAC in John Lewis.

I was asked what sort of look I was aiming for. Nightime or daytime look, light or heavily made up etc.

It was a great success and I bought the make up.