Bobbi Brown is a brand I've always wanted to try. I always hear great reviews about the products, especially that they last for so long. So, I figured even though I'm a poor little student, it makes sense to buy good quality products which last longer for a higher price, instead of buying cheaper products that run out alot faster and in general just aren't that great.
I recently went into the beauty hall at Fenwick in Newcastle a week before a ball I was attending at uni. I was inquiring about a makeover I could have beforehand with it being a special occasion. In the past, I've always used Mac for makeovers, as the makeover voucher is redeemable on products (starting from £30), so it's as though the makeover is completely free. But I wanted to try a new brand, as I like to experiment. I asked at the Bobbi Brown counter if they offer a similar service, with me needing to book a makeover for the ball I had coming up. I was served by the lovely Maxine that works on the counter, who explained to me that they do a slightly different kind of makeover service to Mac. Instead of one of the make up artists just simply doing the make up for you, and then you choosing which products you would like to purchase, you have a 'Bobbi's Makeup Lesson' instead which they say is 'Our Treat'. The lessons are free, which is great if you really want to learn how to actually apply a product and also choose one which is suited to you. The artist shows you how to use the product, and then allows you to have a go yourself.
Georgina Pelosi (more commonly known as George) has worked for Bobbi Brown for 12 years and is an incredibly knowledgeable Senior Beauty Team Artist. She has not only been trained by Bobbi herself and worked alongside her at New York and London Fashion Weeks, but she has also shown her skills by doing the make up for celebrities, recently doing Jessica Ennis' wedding make up. She had come in to the Newcastle store to hold one off classes for the day, and I felt extremely lucky to be able to get an appointment with her. I told her what I was mainly wanting was a foundation that I could wear for events in the day and night, so ideally something I could build on. You could tell she knew exactly what she was talking about, knowing all the products off by heart and knowing what suited certain people. Here is what she did and some of the tips and advice she gave me:
- She told me how every face is different. Customize make up to your own skin as not one product will be the same for every person.
- For years I thought I had oily skin, only to be told by her that actually my cheeks and forehead were dry, it was just my nose that was oily and that I had to cater for this. She advised me to avoid moisturising my nose, and also ideally not use foundation on this area and to stick with just applying powder with a sponge. She told me that no one will ever really get rid of the oil completely on their face, as it has to come out somewhere. Just like the other skin types, it is just the way you are, and to block all the oil is not natural and will only lead to blockages and breakouts.
- She swore by the skin care range Bobbi Brown offer, and said the key secret behind good make up is great skin. The Hydrating Face Tonic she used after the cleanser smelt amazing, and will definitely be going on my birthday list. George said that the skin care range they used on me would get rid of the scarring I have around my chin, so I will have to give them a try.
- I also explained to her how I have always had problem skin since I was young, so she then asked what products I use. It appeared I've nearly always opted for foundations or BB creams which contain a SPF, and that perhaps this is why I get these breakouts. She figured out that not wearing SPF on her face resulted in her completely clearing up. This would not be the same for everyone as obviously every skin is different and it is very important to wear SPF to protect the face, but she told me to give it a try as mine could be sensitive to this ingredient.
- She used the 'Luminous Moisturizing Foundation' on most of my face, avoiding the nose, as I explained I wanted more of a dewy look on my cheeks. Then she used the concealer touch up stick on my cheeks as she said this is what Bobbi Brown always does at shows, as it is a quick way to apply coverage and colour. She applied powder on my nose but left the rest of my face as it looked good enough with just the foundation.
- The way she applied my bronzer was by putting the bronzer onto the brush but then dusting the brush into the palm of her hand, as she explained this makes the product settle into the brush rather than all be on the top of it which would result in too much on the face. She focused on areas which hit the sun, such as the forehead, and nose, and then contoured my cheeks by dabbing the brush underneath my cheekbone and up towards my temple. I had to purse my lips while she slightly dabbed the bronzer around my mouth to avoid having a white 'halo'.
- George then used the cream blush on my cheeks as well as my lips. It's great that it doubles up as two products in one and was a gorgeous colour in between coral and pink. She blended the product well so that there was no gap between the eye and the cheek. Maxine told me to always smile when applying blusher so the cheeks are defined. She finished off my lips by applying the whitening lip gloss, which is apparently one of Bobbi's favourite products.
- Even though my appointment was mainly for the foundation, I asked if they could show me how to use the gel liner which is a Bobbi Brown product I have always wanted to purchase. George said always apply before mascara, and never pull the skin as this affects the line. She advised me to always use a mirror under the chin and look down into it to draw the perfect line.
and she is also on the QVC channel on TV on Monday.
Lengthy post I know, but I wanted to share all the tips and advice I was given and tell you about how great the Bobbi Brown make-up lessons are!
What other Bobbi Brown products do you use and recommend?
Lots of love,
Olivia Dee xx
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