I heartily dislike the department-store makeup counters too. The only ones I approached are a couple in Nordstrom, with varying degrees of success. Some of the SAs are very helpful, but others will drop you like a hot potato if you don't look willing to spend lots of money on things other than what you actually came in for. I feel like the SAs in general are like a bunch of hawks waiting to swoop in on their next prey.

I have a lot of skin sensitivities and so generally don't do the makeup counter anyway. I did have a consult at a natural-makeup spa in my area, and that was really helpful. I got a makeup lesson and a list of products that worked for me (they carried several lines of makeup). The products didn't cause me problems, and although expensive, they lasted a long time and did what I wanted them to do. Now I am a little healthier and don't have as many sensitivites, so I occasionally buy conventional makeup--but I generally do it one item at a time and tend to go to Ulta to test things out a few times before I buy.

If you want a makeup consult, maybe check out a spa in your area that carries multiple lines of makeup. That might be a little less stressful than the department store.

I also find makeup counters incredibly intimidating and not very effective. The salesperson's makeup style often doesn't match my taste, and it feels a bit dated (except MAC - I would like the MAC counter except I am sensitive to ~everything they make).

Sephora changed everything for me. They really don't mind you going in and browsing and trying everything. No hard sell. So I decided to figure out makeup in my mid thirties. I found the Sephora salespeople who seemed to have low-key taste and asked for help with one element at a time.

The other spectacular thing is Sephora's return policy and the ease of getting samples. Like Gigi, I have a lot of sensitivities. So I will never buy something the day I first try it. I go to Sephora, try the product, wear it all day, and come back the next day to buy it if it didn't cause any discomfort. Revolutionary. And if it doesn't work out, I can always return it.

Thinking about it, I'm guessing Sephora staff don't work on commission?

I know Sephora is mostly found in big cities and fancy malls. The one I go to is really busy, which probably helps - the salespeople can't hover over me if there are a thousand teenagers swarming the store. Ulta has more locations I think, so maybe that's a good alternative for people without Sephora nearby?

Makeup counters intimidate me, too. I've become very minimalist in my makeup routine, and don't feel like having some peachy-faced young girl trying to low-key shame me into a complex routine. I also have allergies/sensitivities, so I have a perfect out LOL

I use a lot of drugstore makeup too, because I can leisurely browse and read ingredient labels.

Interesting side note: know how they used to come running at you, spraying fragrance at you when you walked by? And they don't do that anymore? They had to stop because people like me saw them coming and said stuff like "I have allergies and attorneys" in a very assertive tone

I love Bloomingdale's makeup counter. I load up on samples and take them home to try on my own. I also love Sephora, but they do not carry everything. Sephora, however, is always my go to store to find the right shades and, of course, I take samples home to try on my own. I have rarely not used anything I have bought after testing out my samples at home.

I have nothing to add that people haven't already said.

Column hit the nail on the head, and Suz as well.

I went to one once, bought a bunch of stuff after a make-over, only to find after the third wearing my skin had a nasty reaction. I had to give away or throw away hundreds of dollars in products.

My mother-in-law always says I'm lucky I don't need make-up because my skin looks good without it. But a part of me wonders if my skin looks good without it because I never used it.

My dermatologist has told me repeatedly that there is no need to use anything other than the products I buy at Target. She maintains the $50 bottle offers nothing more than $10 bottle, and I can get the $10 bottle in dye free and scent free, which makes my skin happy.

I don't go to makeup counters much. What makeup I do wear comes from the drugstore or Sephora, where I almost always say I don't need help. However, I do have the same problem when I go have a facial once or twice a year or so. The esthetician usually yells at me about not using some product or other, and then does a hard sell. (I go back because they do extractions, which heaven knows I won't do on myself.)

With skin sensitivities and allergies I try new brands when I know that nothing important is coming up in case I react.
I normally use drug stores for my purchases but I love the Dior and Mac make up but generally prefer Shiseido consultants at the department stores. They seem to wear minimal make up and listen to you more than the others especially when working with you on a Dior counter.
Since I retired I don't wear nearly as much make up but go the extra distance for a Shiseido consultant for something special like our son's wedding.
I had my face done half one way and half another and wore it all day. The products were different formulations, like for foundation, or just colours. My skin reacts underneath the make up and it changes after a couple of hours.
Going in I say I'm not going to buy but testing for sensitivities and don't get the hard sell. She also told me what I could do without or
could use a product I was buying for instead. I thought I needed all new brushes and found out the small ones in the Dior line were better than most you can buy at the store.
It really depends on the consultants though. You really have to find one you like.

Hi Ms CL --

Have you ever considered seeing an independent pro when you're in the City?

It was o happy day when I went to an eco beauty professional for a facial in my preferred line. She's also a professional makeup artist who can do it all but loves giving women "natural looks with natural products" and quick routines. Sort of the eco Bobbi Brown.

I'd been looking for a new foundation and blusher and done several trips to the shops and what she suggested was miles better. I've sent others her way and same story.

I'm a makeup minimalist whose pretty good to go with my skin nowadays, so I don't see her frequently -- but when I do I get great ideas for products and colors with high odds of suiting MY skin and coloring.

However, I know she has clients who come in for seasonal reviews of their products / new products. I'm sure there's someone like that for you...or you need to come up North for a session!

ps for anyone searching, googling for "bridal makeup artist" + your region may get you some options.

These days most have instagram etc portfolios so you can get a feel for their overall style...then you can dig deeper into seeing if they do "normal" vs photo-centric makeup sessions and lessons.

My experience is very different than so many fabbers here. I quite love Sephora, and don't find the SA's to be pushy at all. In fact, I love to engage them and find them to be very knowledgeable about the products they sell, from skin care to make up to brushes. That said, I've never done a make over, but like many here go in just for the items I'm looking to refresh or try. I did drag my sister to Sephora recently, and honestly the SA was amazing, spot on nailed the products and colors that were perfect for my sister, from foundation and primer to a wonderful eye shadow palette. I kept wanting to convince dear sister to try the products I love, but the SA ever so diplomatically steered her to products that really were much better for her. I love that I can try products out. And odd woman out here, it seems like I can't find and SA when I do have questions! I do look at some make up tutorials, I like Hot and Flashy (I'm over 50, too, and looking for products designed and engineered for my special ... erm... needs.) She recommended the Urban Decay 24/7 eye liner I've raved about a time or two here (and will again, now, it glides on, stays on, great more subdued colors than the Marc Jacobs like I'd been using for a couple of years). but I agree with others: don't go in for the full on make over, but do use SA's expertise as needed.