Shoppers who book onto the £65 sessions get £45 back to spend on products – not only do you get to try out a selection of premium products, but you’ll learn so much about how best to apply them for your face shape and skin type

I had never had my makeup done professionally until earlier this year. While for some girls, getting glammed up by an MUA is an essential for nights out and big events, it was something I had always been a little nervous about, particularly because I’m a ‘know what I like, like what I know’ kind of girl when it comes to my face.

But back in March, I had my makeup done by an expert for my brother’s wedding, and I was floored at the results and how well my makeup lasted throughout the day. Not only did the MUA use a range of premium and drugstore products, but I think there’s much that can be said for someone who can, armed with professional knowledge, objectively scan your face and proceed to enhance it in ways you’d never dreamed of.

Previously, whenever my makeup bag needed a top up, I would head to the high street and test products on the back of my hand. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start, but following my first MUA experience, I decided that every few months I would book in with a makeup specialist.

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A few weeks ago, I made an appointment at Selfridges’ Beauty Concierge as I was on the hunt for a new foundation. Not only would this session allow me to see how the products look and feel on my skin, but how they wear throughout the day, allowing me to make much more informed and considered purchases, especially when opting for one a little higher end than usual.

The one hour sessions cost £65 , but this gets you a glass of champagne, and £45 to spend on products, too, making it feel like a real pampering session. And seeing as I was scheduled to go to an event the same night, really, getting my makeup done by a professional in this setting technically cost less than £20, if you deduct the beauty credit and glass of fizz – a bargain, if you ask me.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by makeup artist Hannah, who took time to understand my preferences, skin type, and desired look, before taking me around the beauty department to different brand stands, working alongside me to pick out a selection of products and shades to use.

One of the standout products used during my session was the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base . This hydrating primer has a huge cult-following and is a celebrity favourite, and it’s easy to see why. The multitasking wonder is infused with shea butter and vitamins B, C, and E, providing a smooth canvas for the rest of my makeup, hydrating without adding too much shine.

A 15ml pot of the product will set you back £19 at Selfridges , or you can get a set containing it alongside a Mini Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum for the same price here.

I’ve never really been married to a foundation. While some people have used the same for 20+ years, I’ve spent the last decade trying out different brands from different price points in a bid to find some I can rely on. At Selfridges, Hannah recommended the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint and I was blown away by the finish. As someone who is quite pale and prefers a light, natural finish, this skin tint struck the perfect balance between coverage and breathability. Shade three seemed to be a perfect match, blending seamlessly while leaving my skin with a radiant, barely-there glow that felt really fresh, but also flawless.

Seeing as the foundation is usually £49 , it’s not something I would have just gone out to buy. But the Selfridges session allowed me to try it out on my entire face so I could see how it sat on my skin, and how it looked with a full face of makeup. Then, at the end of my appointment, I was able to buy it for £4, thanks to the £45 credit. And actually, now it’s my go-to base, I’d be more than happy to repurchase it at full price, though it is currently on offer at Cult Beauty for £39.20 .

As well as introducing me to new beauty favourites, the session also left me with a deeper understanding of how to elevate my makeup game. For example, Hannah talked me through how to execute a subtle smokey eye using a brown eyeliner to really define the area – something I’d never thought to do previously. She also showed me the best blush and contour placements for my face, so I could go away and recreate it at home.

As for the finishing touches, we opted for a nude lip. I typically wear MAC’s Velvet Teddy, so we went for Thanks, It’s MAC – one of the brand’s bestsellers. This pinky-nude shade added just the right amount of colour to my lips, complementing the overall look without overpowering it. The creamy formula felt comfortable to wear and stayed put through the day, though I never expected anything less from my favourite lippy formulas.

Overall, the Beauty Concierge at Selfridges was a lovely experience that gave me a much needed confidence boost when it came to makeup application. The session is perfect for anyone looking to refresh their routine or discover new products, and the added credit towards beauty purchases is a fantastic incentive, making the £65 price tag feel like a worthwhile investment for both the experience and the products you walk away with. And if you can time it in line with an event, then it really is a double whammy. If you fancy booking yourself in, you can do so via the Selfridges website here.

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