I'M quite fond of my brown eyeshadow. I've been wearing it now for at least ten years - a quick sweep over the lower lid, deeper into the corners then a bit of brown eyeliner over the top.

It's fine on a day-to-day basis, takes two minutes. The trouble is I'm getting married in September and I don't want to look like I do every day. Nor do I want to look like an extra from Starlight Express.

One of the best ways to update a look is to take advantage of a makeover by a counter specialist in one of the region's department stores. Many are free of charge or charge a fee which is redeemable against the products on offer.

Alice Ward, Clinique's counter manager at Barkers department store in Northallerton, gives makeover sessions to those in need - from brides and middle-aged mums to young girls wanting their first make-up lessons.

"I get some girls who don't wear make-up at all but feel because they're getting married, say, they want to try some. Then it's more about definition," she says. "But then I've had customers who wear full make-up and the worst thing I could do is send them out wearing natural make-up. So we work with people to get the look they want."

Alice begins a make-up session by assessing what tone and type of skin the client has. Then foundations are linked to the skincare results - mid-tone for me - with a range of formulas and finishes.

Using the information gleaned from skin tone, eye colour, etc; Alice uses the tried and tested Clinique colour system which assesses which colours would be best to use around the eyes and on the lips.

"The colour system has been devised so that it gives us all this information and no mistakes are made," she says.

Alice then seals the look with loose powder. By the end of the session, I've been prised away from neutral browns to coppers and greens.

Alice has given lots of handy tips for applying make-up along the way and has created a personalised make-over sheet, detailing all the make-up she's used.

Here are Alice's top five tips to get the best out of your make-up:

1. Make-up only looks as good as the skin underneath so make sure you have a good skincare routine.

2. When applying eyeshadow, sweep it up at the outer edges of the eye to prevent giving the impression of a droopy eye.

3. When using blusher, place the darker shade in the hollows of the cheek first. Then smile, and put a rosy or peachy tone on the apples of your cheeks. This will give a more defined and lifted look.

4. To create the perfect lips, you need to exfoliate and moisturise first and then line your lips to define them. Add the lipstick colour, then add the lip gloss in the centre of the lips - which is what creates the pout.

5. For an all-day perfect look, always use a fine blended loose powder to set your look.

* A makeover session costs £15 at Barkers, redeemable against any Clinique products. Contact (01609) 772303 to make an appointment.