Real women, real beauty: Spring makeover magic at Cosmetics à la Carte

Scroll down for details of a special offer on the makeover services at this brilliant Chelsea make-up boutique – exclusive to Beauty Bible readers. Because isn’t it time for a Spring reset…?

When Sarah’s friends Virginia Beardshaw and Shirley Kramer – both ‘femmes d’un certain âge’, as the French would say - appealed for advice on where they should turn for inspiration – and, crucially, practical help on glam new make-up looks with a light touch – Sarah replied without a moment’s hesitation: ‘Cosmetics à la Carte.’ (CALC for short.)

This much loved brand, with its charming small salon just off Sloane Square in London, is the perfect go-to for everyone looking for personalised help – all ages, all skin tones. As founder Lynne Sanders says: ‘from the start we were never about the mass market. We believed and still do that make-up should be enhancing, rather than masking. It should look seamless and effortless…’

So a couple of weeks back, Sarah met Virginia and Shirley in pedestrianised Pavilion Road, Chelsea – a delightful discovery for the North Londoners– for a ‘Bespoke Beauty Lesson’ tailored to their upcoming celebratory occasions: Virginia’s golden wedding event in May and for Shirley, a friend’s significant birthday marked by three days of partying.

Important to say here that there’s a wide range of options to choose from at CALC. And we have Hot News here: just launched is the New Season Refresh experience, price £75 redeemable against product purchase. This express option is designed for clients who want a quick(-ish) fix to breathe fresh life into their colour products and to pick up useful tips and tricks. Clients are recommended to a make-up ‘look’ with a face chart showing the products and where they go, but it doesn't include individual practice in application at each stage. For other options, look here…

VIRGINIA

The first thing Virginia noticed was how friendly it was at CALC: ‘Everything is so beautifully designed and glamorous – the shop itself, the products and the packaging – but everyone was so welcoming and fun: no scary ladies in department stores… It was wonderful being in the hands of Marina, a really skilled make-up artist, who I could talk to frankly.’

Virginia confessed that her own efforts had dwindled to a bit of mascara and lipstick. ‘I told Marina how much I wished my lips weren’t so thin and how lippy never seemed to be the right colour. I had also come to dislike wearing foundation – too mask-like and cracky.’

Marina’s expertise proved a revelation for Virginia: ‘a really good lipstick colour – Marina has an inspired colour sense – and the specially mixed, bespoke foundation is light and a perfect match for my skin.’ Most surprising was the eye make-up: three brownish/bronz-y shades blended together: ‘I loved the effect, which had just a touch of shimmer. Just gorgeous!’

Products used (click on any of the product names to find online) – and remember, you’re under absolutely no obligation to buy all, or indeed any, of the products. (Though they are redeemable against the booking.)

VIRGINIA’S PRODUCTS

Complexion Enhancer (Nudekiss – as primer)/£49; Bespoke Foundation (in a skin tint formulation matched to her unique skin tone)/£70; Buffing Brush (to apply base)/£40; Eye Velvet (Cedar)/£34

Shimmer Eye Define (Bronze)/£25; Luminous Cream Shadow (Amour)/£36; Eyeliner Pencil (Sienna)/Blending Brush for eyes/£35; Brow Design (Blonde)/£36; Plump & Prime (for lips)/£35 (NB new formulation launching imminently); Lustre Lipstick (Venetia)/£35; Glow Bronzing Powder (Caramel)/£50; Blush Touch (Heather)/£50.

SHIRLEY

For Shirley, who had ‘been using the same products in the same way for decades’, the goal was an updated look, with new ideas and easy to use products. Make-up artist Emily was ‘fabulous: she explained everything that she was doing and why and how to apply the product. This was so useful especially for the eye shadow layers and the beautiful palate she chose. The charts we left with were a big bonus, showing us the products and where they went.’

Shirley was delighted with the results: ’it was a really significant though subtle difference – not too much and it looked softer and more natural. The layered eye shadow and more defined brow helped to widen and define my eyes.’

Again, the bespoke foundation was deemed a huge hit, with a special nod from Shirley to the concealer in the dark inner corners of her eyes – something she hadn’t used before.

SHIRLEY’S PRODUCTS (again, click on bold product name to find online)

The Bright Side Invisible SPF50 (as makeup primer and protection)/£0.00; Bespoke Foundation (in a skin tint formulation matched to her unique skin tone)/£70; Buffing Brush (to apply base)/£40; Secret Light Serum Concealer (Melba)/£38; Eye Define (Blonde, Donkey, Bronze and Guava)/£25 each, plus Blush Touch Rose /£50; Eye Velvet (Wide Awake)/£34; Angled Eyebrow Brush/£23; Gel Eyeliner Pencil (Mystic)/£30; Lustre Lipstick (Raspberry Ripple)/£35; Intense Volume Mascara/£32.

A happy day – and a lovely outing to enjoy with a friend, as these two show…

Celebrate the launch of the Cosmetics A La Carte New Season Refresh session with a gift with purchase exclusive to Beauty Bible readers. Quote code BeautyBible to your makeup artist to receive a gift of award-winning The Bright Side Invisible SPF50 worth £45 when you visit for a New Season Refresh or a Beauty Discovery Session between now and 30th June 2026.

AND A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU…

Celebrate the launch of the Cosmetics à la Carte New Season Refresh session with a gift with purchase exclusive to Beauty Bible readers. Quote code BeautyBible to your make=up artist to receive a gift of award-winning The Bright Side Invisible SPF50 worth £45 when you visit for a New Season Refresh, or a Beauty Discovery Session between now and 30th June 2026.

The New Season Refresh Session and the Beauty Discovery Session are each £75 redeemable against product purchase for 30-minute 1-1 senior makeup artist experience. The Bright Side Invisible SPF50 is a sunscreen, moisturiser and primer in 1 and protects against UVA, UVB and HEV blue light.

cosmeticsalacarte.com