Getting advice on foundation from the make up counters at dept stores/boots?

puddy

I need one of those appointments where someone goes through what foundation would be best for me.

I have pcos and so suffer from facial hair. Its very dark and coarse and having to resort to shaving it, means Ive got loads of dark spots and shadow. Im making a hash of covering it with the meagre make up Ive got as Im not really a make up person.

So not only do I have the embarrassment of asking for help with this, but want I dont want is some hard sell of only one type of brand. When you go in these stores, do you get someone who will make you over with various brands which will be the best for you, or do they just use their own products?

I also need to get someone who understands the problem.

Has anyone had a good experience of these things?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Clarins staff tend to be orange. So are already apparently colourblind.

Clinique staff seem to be more about the skincare.

The Mac staff seem to have a bit more training regarding different requirements - I've seen them help men requesting advice, people with some visible scarring, and they are very good at providing makeup that stays put under stage lighting. So I would probably see them.


However, shaving isn't the ideal solution, as it leaves a bluey shadow in the skin. People preparing for gender reassignment will often use a slightly orangey blusher colour over the area to try and act as a concealer/cancel out the blue underneath something like either a Mac foundation or, just as likely, a Max Factor Panstick. (still available in large Superdrug stores).


A far more satisfying result is to go for regular threading sessions. It can sting (don't go in the week before your period), especially around the lips and right near the ears - but the results are far superior to anything else short of laser treatment.


If you still come up this way for work, I can give you the details of the best salon I've used - run by a lovely Iranian lady - they seem to cause the least discomfort, it's very peaceful and not in your face like some Westernised salons are - and it's nowhere near as expensive, either.


In the meantime, moisturising and exfoliating is really important to keep the skin strong and supple whilst ensuring the hairs don't ingrow.

immie

I wouldn't advise shaving either, have you tried using an epilator? The ones marketted as 'bikini trimmer/ epilator/ 3 in 1's are great for the face, the results last at least 10 days. As long as you're careful around the eyebrow area :-)

Rummer

I had a very positive experience at the No7 counter where they talked through my needs and did the colour checking thing with their new gadget.

Unfortunately each makeup house will only recommend products from their own range however you can do some research online and maybe narrow your choices down to three and then go and speak to them, ask for samples and then make a decision.

respiratory23

JoJo is the Iranian lady in London, Could i have her details?

I used to use Vaniqa which worked for years, then i went abroad to a very hot country and after that Vaniqa stopped working. MY GP said i was lucky as it does not work for many people, but it may work for you.

After that i had laser hair removal, which has helped, however, i have not carried on with top up sessions after the course due to a change in financial circumstances which would have kept the problem manageable.

If i get my face threaded a lot of hair is back within two days, does not matter which salon i go to. My eyebrows last longer though, so i shave too! But i really don't want to.

sedment

Can vouch for the colour match foundation in boots as well, lady was fab!!
Maybe your best bet for finding a foundation would be to go to a independant beauty therapist? They might be able to help as they arent tied to selling a particular brand.

System

I think no matter what foundation you buy, if you have facial hair it does not sit nicely on the skin.

I think you need to approach this in two ways.

1. Hair removal. Regular and often.
2. Right type of foundation and colour to match the skin tone.

Ive found the right type/shade foundation but the hair removal is a pain in the backside. I might try regular threading. I'd prefer to manage it myself but i dont seem to be that successful at it.

Hughjass

I have some suggestions

Bare minerals - lots of men on tv use this as does my fav mua who is also male

MAC studio fix powder foundation, same as MAC full coverage that only the pros can buy, great colours and covers everything and can be used sheer or heavy, you may need a finishing/setting spray to normalise skin if you dont want a powdery or heavy look but still great coverage I recommend this one http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/ the bridal option is the best one imo.

Also take a look at the foundations on the above site, they are all highly pigmented so a little goes a long way and all pro products dont waste your money on high street (except for the two above) for fancy packaging and marketing, highly rated are Kett creme foundation (waterproof), Atelier Paris and Maqpro products.

moneylover

Is it not possble to have laser treatment on the NHS given that you have a medical problem, especially as its the only thing that really works.
On the subject of make up, it is a pain when you cant easily mix and match. I think Selfridges have beauty nights maybe go to one of those and ask for help generally
Also Mac in Covent Garden or a Space NK store they do Mac but other brands as well. You will get well trained girls at all of these.
Also have a read of this
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/jan/13/fashion.beauty
There are also face charities which are for people who have had accidents etc they may be able to offer advice etc even though your problem is obviously not so acute
One of them is called 'Changing Faces'
Keep asking, people have had some good ideas

teaandcakeordeath

There's a make up called Keromask that is a camouflage make-up. They do sample packs on their website for about a fiver I think that let you see what the correct shade is for you in your own surroundings and natural daylight (much better really- you always end up orange coming out of a department store because of the lighting...). I got myself a sample of the light foundations after suffering with redness and acne marks and you do not need a lot of product to get a good coverage- I'm sure this would work over your dark spots.

Can't you go to your doctor and request hair removal through the NHS if it's causing you distress? I hope you find something that helps though.

suki1964

If you have a pcos diagnosis then do push Gp into prescribing laser. The small course they will pay for will give you the space to save to pay for ongoing treatment

Don't shave.

Use threading or epilating..

And remember, we ate so used to scrutinising ourselves in bright light and high magnification mirrors that we see a lot mor then others see.. Most of what we see others can't

Oh and mineral foundation all the way