First, you have to identify your "usual" self and usual purchasing habits. I probably have 20 of the same tone of lipgloss from different makers and brands. I LOVE nude/sparkle/shine glosses, and in my head, the next is ALWAYS different than the one I have at home....yet a *family photo* showed that they were all pretty interchangeable - MAC, Bobbi Brown, Stila, Nars...all the same. Do you know what my go-to lip color is now? It's Bobbi Brown clear lip balm. My natural lip is the color I've been trying to BUY for years. An update for me is anything bold, because I don't have those.
The same with Blush. I love the look of bright blush, but always came home with blushes that could be bronzers. Now, I go for the bright colors and I ALWAYS let the makeup artist show me how it's supposed to go on, because once at home with something new, you will tend to under-do it if you are on the fence about a new look. I can compare that fresh from the counter look with my at home look and adjust.
Know yourself, and then kick it up a notch. Eyes are always a good one because we tend to stick in a rut of our go-to colors. I have been purple shadow and purple liner forever - not brown, not black...The last time I went to the makeup counter, the artist suggested OLIVE as a new neutral on me, and I loved it. Never ever would have picked it myself (because I was busy studying the latest purple!). An update doesn't mean you're coming out of the house like a makeup model wearing ALL the things...it can just be one area you want to boost.
