If you wanted make up help at Macys...

qfbrenda

...which brand would you go for? Or are the associates not brand specific? Educate me please! I'm a drug store cosmetics shopper but with my hair going gray, I really want some make up help. So I thought I would take myself to Macy's and ask someone to help me with make up colors and such. I have no clue what direction to go and have no higher end make up brand knowledge, let alone preferences.

I don't like a heavily made-up look, if that helps at all.

And does one make an appointment for this sort of thing, or just show up? The last time I did this sort of thing I was in high school 20+ years ago.

12 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

Nicole in OC

Active Member

I dont know if Macy's associates are brand specific but it seems to me that they do tend to stay in their little cubicles so to speak. I would recommend going to a Sephora or such (if one is near you) they have the upscale brands and their associates can run your through all of them and give recommendations as well as apply the products.

For me make up (like style) is a trial and error process, you just have to find what works for you. Good luck!

12 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

Bobbi Brown! After 30 year plus experience in being a make up punter, I seem to get consistent results with this brand. The lippies last on your lips, the gel eyeliner stays, the foundation is easy to use and matches up pretty well...

12 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

We have a Sephora in our mall, so that could work. Thanks for the suggestion!

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Brenda if you can make over to a Nordstrom I would go there. I can see you in Laura Mercier. Natural but better, not too fussy. Also Bobbi Brown is good. If you really want a full blown system then Trish McEvoy.

12 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

I've heard good things about Bobbie Brown.

JCPenney's is available to me as well, for what that's worth.

One trick will be deciding what to spend money on, because I'm going to remain a drugstore shopper for the most part. I plan to just buy a couple of things to make it worth their time to help me. I know that isn't required but it would make me feel better... like I'm not taking advantage of them.

12 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

Sorry, meant to answer your question properly Brenda. I seem to be able to just get an appointment but if they do the full makeup the deal is that you would spend $100 on makeup which if you do 3 or 4 products you seem to make. Can I just say, enjoy being in the USA and being able to do this. Makeup is SOOO expensive in Australia and I so envy my american neighbour's opportunity to be able to do this! I would say our prices are around 2 -3 times more expensive than the US and high end brands often similar price to our drug store brands. Oh and the Bobbi Brown consultants seem to train in people moving through all age groups and hair greying and other episodes. If you get a chance, Bobbi Brown actually has books where she shows how she deals with all manner of evolving/getting wiser challenges!

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I always went to Clinique and Shiseido. My mum and grandma always went to Clinique as well. Ok. Everybody in my world went to Clinique. I remember when I was a teenager it was a little treat for your mum to bring you a Clinique semi-lipstick.

But where me, my mum and grandma are concerned - a big component of going for Clinique (and Shiseido) was the smell of the make-up. Dept. store make up can be very perfumey.

The associates are brand specific. I've always just showed up and only rarely had an appointment.

If I were going to buy Clinique, I'd buy an eyeliner pencil, a semi-lipstick, a blush, and some pore refining cream (instead of foundation). Maybe a chubby lip pencil stick. You can get a nice, natural but polished look from those products.

12 years ago

hedgiehog

Veteran

I think the suggestion of Sephora is a good one. When you go to Macy's, the consultants in their cubicles can only really discuss their products. So if another counter has something better for you, you're not going to find out. The Sephora consultants can recommend anything and Sephora carries so many different lines, there's so much choice. If I were going to spend money on
"department store makeup" I'd definitely go for foundation and eye shadows. Just let the consultant know if you're looking for sheer, medium or full coverage and what your skin type is.
Best of luck.....looking forward to seeing what you buy.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Anna said.

12 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

I wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations of Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy and Laura Mercier. They are great places to find natural and flattering makeup. I like Trish most of all right now because the line keeps it honed to fewer, but totally brilliant items.

The gals at the counters deal just with their lines, typically. I would go to the counters and see if there is anyone there whose makeup you really like and then see if you can get in a seat with them. Usually they'll have same day appointment times (or may even be open right away) if you go during the week. If you go on the weekends, you may have to wait a while.

One suggestion that I have is to not get bogged down with the products. Say no (at this point) to all skin care and foundation prep. At the end of the consultation, tell the gal that you can only pick up a few items. As her which three she thinks are absolute necessities, other than mascara. Mascara you can stick with drug store until you are ready for an advanced class. Then personal message me. I promise you, I am a mascara wiz. (((rubbing hands together with glee)))

12 years ago

Category