I had a dilemma. I'd invested in the Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation before, I loved the coverage for more mature skin but I'd bought the wrong shade, too dark for my complexion, so I went to Tom Ford and bought their foundation Shade and Illuminance, at £130, I know it's a lot for a foundation, I got talked into it at the counter without trying it properly and again even though it was better than the last attempt it was still too dark for me. I could see the line between my face and neck which I didn't like.

So I was going on a weekend trip and I really needed to sort out this foundation issue and I needed a blusher. My colouring is Irish, porcelain skin and dark dark hair, hazel green eyes but skin has a real pale pink tone and the menopause flashes really show flush in my cheeks which I really wanted to tone down and cover completely when they happen.

I didn’t like the idea of facing the high pressure sales of the beauty counter after being made over but my friend talked me into going and I have to say this time it was a really good experience.

I went back to the Chanel counter and explained my issue and my two previous mistake purchases. Thank goodness for Tiffany, an ex make up artist and Chanel trainer who was visiting this particular store on this particular day to work with new recruits and as it turned out me as well.

She very quickly skin treated me to a cleanse and then deftly colour matched me using the Ultra Le Teint foundation, we settled on BR12 which was a very pale shade with a hint of rose, described as a light shade with a rosy undertone she told me.

It went on really well and left me feeling much more attractive but with no caked on make up feeling and I couldn’t see where the make up finished and my neck started, result.

She used a concealer and showed me exactly how to apply it, with a small round brush and then applied Rose Ardent powder cheek blush. She told me this would be longer wearing than a cream blush stick, I suggested. She finished off my natural look with a pinky nude lip gloss and then we were done.

My budget was £150 and my plan was to walk around in the make up and see how it wore if I still liked it later in the day, still a bit worried about my two previous investments, but Tiffany was so competent, listened to me and gave me a result I actually could see all my problem areas and issues had been  addressed I did feel comfortable to buy three products immediately, the ultra le teint foundation, the concealer and the rose ardent blush pallet. The total came to £135 and Tiffany was kind enough create a profile for me with the other products she’s suggested and to include a few free samples for me to try as a new customer.

It was a really good experience, much more care taken than previous make up counter experiences that had produced mistakes and made me reluctant to return and spend.

I think the key was Tiffany really listened to my needs, understood what kind of customer I was, and delivered a solution for me that worked, I wasn’t in her chair long, maybe 15, 20 minutes max but considering I was dreading it she made the whole experience smooth and gave me products and education I can easily execute myself to produce the same flawless look at home.

If anyone is in the same situation as me with a make up dilemma, my advice would be, take a knowledgeable friend along for moral support, be very clear with the make up artist helping you what you hope to achieve and tell them up front what your budget is so when it comes to the sales pitch at the end there’s no embarrassment or difficulty for either side.

And don’t be tempted to buy foundation without a proper colour match putting it on all over your face first and then getting out of the bright lights into the day light to snap a selfie before handing over your cash. Foundation cannot be returned.