Maria Duah recently joined the M&S publications team on work experience. We asked Maria to take a look around our new beauty department and share her thoughts on the products and services available. Read on for her review of the new beauty department in our London Marble Arch store:

“It was only the second day since M&S beauty had launched at the Marble Arch store and it was extremely busy.  As I meandered around browsing the make-up section; make-up artist Gemma caught my eye with her striking pink lipstick. I asked Gemma if she could help me as I hadn’t a clue what I was looking for.

Gemma was very attentive to my needs and offered to give me a mini make over. I said that I wanted a natural look, where I could pick the kids up from school without them realising that I had make-up on; as they would only blurt out “why have you got make-up on? Are you going out?” then all eyes would be on me.

I advised Gemma that I didn’t want to cover up my freckles and needed a foundation that matched my skin tone which I find quite difficult being of mixed-heritage; she said not to worry as the Pür Minerals® range was great and used the 4-in-1 Medium Dark Pressed Mineral Make Up Compact (which is a primer, foundation, concealer and SPF15 moisturizer all in one).  We decided to keep my look very light and minimal using the Limited Collection dusky rose blusher which I thought was very well priced at £4.

For under my eyes she used the Pür Minerals® 4-in-1 Concealer; all the time making sure that I was ok with the choices that she was making for me as well as showing me how to apply my make up using brushes. Gemma suggested using diego dalla palma Prima Visione Mascara which did what it said it would – lengthen my lashes. From my experience there are many companies who say that their mascara will volumise and/or lengthen your lashes but rarely live up to their claims, however diego dalla palma Prima Visione Mascara did. To finish my look I went for a soft-kohl eyeliner by Autograph and rose pink lip gloss rather than a lipstick, again by diego dalla palma.

How would I rate my experience at M&S – 8/10; for me to give them 10/10 they would need to stock a wider range of foundations and concealers that can be used on various skin tones, being of mixed-heritage I still find this to be a real issue, having to mix and match or be content with using a shade lighter or darker than I am; other than that I was pleased with my mini-makeover and was given a card with a list of all the products used.

Would I shop there again?  Why not! The staff were pleasant and happy to help; there is plenty to choose from that differs from what is already on the market, and, best of all, I had a pleasant experience on a wet Friday afternoon. The diego dalla palma Prima Visione Mascara is a must for any handbag and I would also check out the Limited Collection nail varnishes, which can be bought separately or as a gift set, plus, the set of make-up brushes by Autograph.”

If you can’t get into one of our new beauty halls, we’ve also got some handy tools for you to use online:

Try the Virtual Makeover Counter

Try Your Skincare Expert

Have you ever been given a makeover in store before? What beauty questions or queries would you ask our experts? Let us know by leaving a comment below.