To wonder why I'm ignored at beauty counters

[Scribbydigs]

Every time I go into the beauty section of department stores and ask to try products, the staff just hand me things and walk off, disinterested. Other women seem to get sat down and made a fuss out of, and seem to have full faces of makeup put on them. (I don't even want that, I usually just want some advice on specific colours/products that would work for me).

Anyone else struggle to get help and attention from beauty counter staff? Is it just me? Or do any beauty counter staff have any insider info?

It's no reflection of myself...it's just the experiences I've had. Vast majority have been rude in one way or another... because they're not picked for their customer service skills... they're picked for their looks as they want attractive people to represent their brands. I've worked in boring customer service jobs before and had repetitive boring days where I have lots of personal stuff on my mind. I've still always smiled and been pleasant and polite. This is clearly an issue with the job as so many women on this thread have had bad experiences.

The same thing has always happened to me. We’re invisible to them. I think they’re unconsciously (or maybe consciously!) seeing us as not their type of customer- a person who has a certain look. It’s how you look, whether you already have makeup on, how you’re dressed, how affluent they perceive you to be. Many times I’ve been left standing there while they approach other women, all smiley and helpful.

I have a job that I like already, but I definitely sometimes fantasise about making someone's day and help the overwhelmed with make up theory and formula preferences.

I am sure there will be some staff with this mindset. I don't know how much of this is true or how much of the staff are just bored young people on their summer job.

You should have stayed. I bet she would have loved matching you up. I always enjoyed making people happy with make up purchases. Making them feel good.

That is bollocks, I'm not pig ugly but I'm no Cindy Crawford either and I worked on a make up counter. I had top notch customer service skills. That is why they employed me. And for others thinking we're all snidy bitches with orange faces, I also wear the right shade in foundation, I have never ignored, laughed or looked down my nose at anyone.
I actually prefer to sale to women who haven't a clue about make up and just want to try some out and boast their confidence. I love to get them sat down, try a few bits on them and see them relax with it. Make up to me is fun and should be that way. It was many years ago mind you, so maybe it's all changed.

I had this at Selfridges, either Charlotte Tilbury or Laura Mercier, can't remember which, but I just wanted help in choosing a foundation colour and she said they can't help with that.

Consequently I have a £200 Selfridges voucher burning in my purse as I left the store disgruntled.

Can't seem to spent it online as everything is so overpriced in Selfridges.

@Comedycook but equally lots have said on this thread that they have had realky nice experiences so are their experiences not valid.
You are making unkind unfair sweeping generalisations about 1000s of women.
Do you think it could in anyway be your insecurities amplifying your experiences, based on some mean hairdressers in the past?
Or do you honestly think every single women who works on a make up counter is mean and judgemental?

God the comments on this are hilarious.

The vast majority of time people sitting down for a full makeover have booked that in.

A makeup sales assistant isn’t rude because they don’t offer you a makeover!

Some of these expectations people have for buying a few products in a shop are ridiculous, a makeover, a fuss, glass of fizz. This isn’t the normal world, most people just buy what they are there for and get on with their day!

Snap Charlotte Tilbury were obnoxious I was vocal and pleasant asking for help with foundation and concealer. Short, dismissive and condescending were their many traits.

I walked over to Kiko they gave me a full make over, tons of compliments and ending buying quite a few bits. Total bargains

I thought the glass of fizz was for a special event which the poster, although invited, was then unfairly turned away from in favour of more glamorous women? Nobody goes to a beauty counter expecting champagne!

Some of these expectations people have for buying a few products in a shop are ridiculous, a makeover, a fuss, glass of fizz. This isn’t the normal world, most people just buy what they are there for and get on with their day!

No that's not the issue and you know it isn't. I expect to be treated politely as do the other posters detailing their poor experiences.

Love this

Yes, @BeginningToLookALotLike, that was me and that is exactly what happened. You put it better than I could!

Of course no one expects fussing and glasses of champagne when they simply go shopping.

In my case, I wasn't expecting a makeover, just for the assistant to choose a couple of shades of foundation and try them on my face.

I expected that as I've previously received that service from Clinique, who were also kind enough to fill a tiny pot with the foundation so I could test it at home before buying.

One thing I hate at beauty counters is the push to slather me in foundation when all I really want is a tiny sample to take away and try.

From bad experience I know the lighting in most stores isn't great and whatever may look ok there doesn't outside.

At the moment, I'm ok with my foundation, but in the past they really pushed the 'let's try it on you' and showing me to the chair.

I don't like having my own make up wiped off me in public.
I don't like sitting on a chair with lots of people staring as they walk by.

I found Clinique & Estee L very helpful in offering a tiny pot of foundation. Ditto Dior.
Bobbi Brown say they don't do samples (which isn't true and varies from store to store) but they do (did?) offer a full refund on foundation bought online.

I'm used to spending £35 on foundation and I really need to see it outside, in full daylight, before partying with my cash.

Any cosmetic assts here please listen :)

The only time these women have ever paid attention to me is when I was dressed up and gave a vibe of 'disposable income'. One time I was on my way to a job interview and in an expensive Hobbs dress and nice shoes and I was practically fighting them off with a stick. On the other hand, when I'm in jeans and trainers, they go to such extremes to blank me I'm convinced I'm invisible....

I'm not sure how they are supposed to match you up unless they try it on you? You cannot match foundation on the hands, it needs to be on the face really. Then usually they'll send you away with a same to try at home, maybe 2 shades to see which works.

*sample

We were always taught to try and do everything we could to get the customer to see a foundation on their face - mainly because it reduces the chances of them bringing it back and complaining it’s the wrong shade. We were taught to match exactly to skin tone, you’d be amazed how many women want a foundation that is about 6 shades too light or too dark for them.

The sample thing is generally if they have the mini pots rather than being mean. Just take your own mini pot in (off of ebay or something) then pop a few squrts in.

Never thought of taking own mini pots off ebay before...now that is inspired.

Next time if the counter staff asks you to put foundation on your face and wiping off whatever is on your face you can suggest jawline patch test method instead (smaller testing area). If that is still too much, no harm in asking for samples, but yes they won't always have them.

Exactly, jaw line match. No need to remove the whole face.