Last year, both of us (Pat and Tricia, otherwise known as 2Patricias) decided to review our make-up.

Pat jumped in first, with these thoughts in mind:

I had worn the same products, applied in the same way, for too many years. When I compared the contents of my make-up bag with Tricia's, she asked what I did when I wanted to look different. I replied that I always looked the same. As I said this, it sounded as if I was getting stuck in a groove. It was time for a change.

My difficulty was that I have a very limited budget. I am not willing to go into debt, so I cannot spend money that I do not already have.

I could not pay for a professional make-up lesson;nor could I afford to replace all my make-up.

To take the first step to revise my make-up, I made an appointment for a make over with the sales consultant at my nearest Clinique counter.

When making the appointment, the sales consultant suggested coming in mid-August, when the autumn colours would be available. This was possibly a mistake, as my only negative comment on the experience was that the demonstration used only products from the autumn collection, rather than drawing from the full colour range.

Apart from that quibble, it was a good experience, and I did glean a few new ideas.

The consultant was not in the least bit pushy, and I did not end up with a huge suggested shopping list. The good part about being shown the latest collection was that I was given an illustrated card, with instructions for applying the eye make-up to achieve the desired look.

Here are the new ideas (at least new to me):

• Make up applied with a brush looks better than when applied with fingers.
• I had always been told to apply blusher to the ‘apples' of my cheeks - to smile, and apply the blusher to the bits of my cheeks that were rounded out. The consultant suggested being guided by the shape of my face, and cheekbones.
• Mascara should be brushed on the tops of your upper eyelashes, as well as below. (I have always applied mascara by looking down at a mirror, and sweeping the brush up.) Applying it to the top gives more body.

The consultant applied the eye make up to one eye, and then coached me while I tried to copy it, reminding me to layer up the colour, rather than try to apply it all in one heavy-handed brush stroke. I was impressed with how much easier it was to apply eye make up neatly using a long handled brush, rather than the little ones that come with the products.

The Clinque ‘Fall 2007' look was entitled ‘Play in the Darks' and my first impression of the overall effect on my face was that it made me look somewhat Gothic, but the lipstick was much darker than my usual colour; with time, I have become comfortable with the new shade.

Here is the list of products that Angie suggested for me, (prices shown were from August 2007) and how they compared with my existing make-up:

• Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio in Blushing Nude £17.00

(very similar to my current Dior Incognito 5 colour palette)

• Brush on Cream Liner in Deep Brown £12.00

(I currently have a Lancome liner that's a bit like a felt tip pen)

• Naturally Glossy Mascara in Jet Black £12.50

(I am a devotee of Lancome mascara - and usually choose brown)

• Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Smouldering Plum £18.50

(I currently use a Clinique cream blush in a rose colour and have made a note that Angie told me to avoid pink!)

• Almost Lipstick in Raspberry £12.50

(Mostly, I use Boots Paradise - a soft pink)

• Almost Makeup tinted moisturiser 03 Medium £17.50

(I already had the same product in my bag - but in 01 Fair, purchased in the winter, which illustrates the need to change foundation between winter and summer.)

If I had purchased everything, the total bill would have come to £90. My budget would not run to that - at least not all in one go. I decided the items I needed first were:

• The tinted moisturiser (because mine was almost used up, and was not really the right colour for my skin, at least at present.
• The cream eyeliner, because the look was very different from my current eyeliner - and mine was old and probably past its best.
• I was sufficiently impressed with the brushes that I spent £10 on a long-handled eye definer brush.

The total cost of my purchases was £39.50.

The consultant added a free sample of Repairwear Lift firming night cream.

I threw away my old Lancome eyeliner, and the almost empty tube of tinted moisturiser. I really don't think it's a good idea to keep old make-up - takes up space, and it's unhygienic.

I decided to try applying my Dior eye make up in the style that Angie demonstrated. A rummage in the drawers of my vanity unit produced a darker lipstick to try to compliment my new darker eyes.

I found that by updating only some of the contents of my make-up back, I was able to give myself a more fashionable face!

The morning after my professional make-up advice, I carefully applied my 'new look', trying to apply all the products as Angie had done the previous day. My initial attempt did not look quite so neat, but not so bad as to 'frighten the horses' (as the English say).

A few days after I had adopted the new style, I met Tricia by chance, and she said 'Like your eyeliner.' So I decided to persevere. Now I am very quick, applying to my right eye with my right hand, and left eye with left hand. This technique seems to diminish the chance of wobbly lines and smudges.

I am still using the original pot of brush on cream eyeliner, and think that it will last a few more months. I wipe the brush clean after I use it each morning, and once a week I carefully wash it with mild soap. It seems as good as new.

The Almost Make-up Tinted Moisturiser was used up after 6 months; I replaced it at an airport duty-free shop. Strangely, I have not been as happy with the latest purchase. The product seems to separate easily, and requires vigorous shaking before application. I wonder if I have allowed it to become too warm? I have sampled a few other tinted moisturisers, at various make-up counters, but I have not found one that I like as much as the Clinique product. It seems likely that when my current supply runs dry, I shall buy some more Almost Make-up Tinted Moisturiser.

I purchased a Clinique lipstick a few months after the consultation, but not in the colour that was recommended. I tend to purchase lipstick impulsively, in whatever shade I fancy at the moment. I suspect that this is a fairly common approach as it is an affordable way to buy something cheering.

I checked the prices of the recommended products on the Clinique UK website in mid-June 2008. The Almost Make-up was £1 more than last August, but all the other prices were the same. This was a pleasant surprise, as so many necessities (such as bread and fuel) have risen in price.

In the months since August 2007, Tricia and I have done more research into make-up. I think that Clinique prices compare well, and the quality of the products is good for the price.

I still use the products that I purchased (or their Clinique replacement) and I would happily purchase more items.

 You might like our Hub about Benefit Cosmetics.