Who was unreasonable me or the people on the makeup counter

[Lounde]

So we are away for a break and I forgot to pick up my make up bag. Thought you know what I’ll just buy the basics again as it’s probably good to have a second lot for the car anyway. I don’t have tonnes and tonnes of make up but I invest in the formulas I prefer. I thought I’d just pick up an eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, foundation, blush, concealer and a gloss. I knew my account was going to take a hit but I rarely treat myself so thought why not.

I explained the situation to the girls on the counter (think Chanel, Dior, Charlotte Tilbury etc) and they said they could help me pick some things out.

We were on our way to a nice lunch. I said in a very courteous and polite manner “please do you mind just slapping on some of the make up for me as I’m in a bit of a rush and stopping has delayed us”. Got told I would have to book an appointment. In this completely dead stand with 4 people literally just stood around. No appointment was available for two hours apparently.

I bought the products but it just left a bad taste in my mouth. I wasn’t looking for a full beat. Just some foundation and eyeshadow. Literally 2 min job.

I ended up spending around £300

The comparisons to meat, Tesco's, and tumble dryers aren't apt comparisons, because it's not a standard service to try those things in-store for a redeemable fee before buying, like it is with makeup.

I presume they have bookings for a reason, it is a business not a charity, it s not curing a disease it is make up

I cant beleive you actually need to ask the question in the first place

No, because feeding customers isn't something that tesco staff do.
Staff at make up counters regularly apply make up to customers or potential customers.

From my understanding OP asked, presumably politely, that, as she was in a bit of a rush, could they apply some of the products. The staff in the shop, presumably also politely, replied that no, unfortunately they couldn't do that for her now. OP then bought the products anyway. The amount totalled to what many other posters claim is quite a normal sum.

Obviously there's nothing wrong with asking, and there's also nothing wrong with them saying no. Those claiming that they're lazy, do you know how boring working in an empty shop is? If they could I imagine they would be jumping at the chance.

Most likely, there's restrictions around doing someone's make-up, rather than testing a few products to see what the customer likes, without doing the full face. Imagine leaving with just a layer of foundation and eye-shadow, I can't imagine any supervisor being happy with that!

Equally, the fact that you only had a few minutes to spare puts quite a lot of pressure on them for a full coverage of foundation. Say the service they usually provides takes ten minutes, I doubt that would be acceptable.

Also, shop MUA are there to sell and talk to you about the products as they put them on you, not slap it on quickly. Doing make-up isn't a provided service unless specifally booked, selling make-up is, and that is always how it has been. They're shops, not salons.

why didnt you do it yourself? they all have sample laid out, with brushes for you to use and test products.

How rude! I'm sure there are plenty of things you've bought in your lifetime that others consider a waste of money. I've always made sure to live in a town near public transport because I consider cars a horrific waste of money. I also think that frequent holidays are really self-indulgent. We are all different in terms of what we like to spend on.

The formulas and shades of the expensive brands are MUCH better than the cheaper ones. Otherwise no one would buy them. They last much longer on the face, come in wider ranges of colours, and nicer colours, and look much more natural. They also have ingredients that are much better for your skin. Yes, they're expensive, but you do get what you pay for. I like some of the Revlon lipstick shades but they wear off my lips quickly, whereas I put on two swipes of a bright Tilbury lipstick this morning, haven't reapplied, have eaten and drunk two meals, and my lips still have some colour.

Very rarely are there brushes to use.

Doing the lord’s work here. I had a response asking whether I’d expect a butcher to cook my food. They walk among us 😂

Why....did....you...post...if...you
...already....have...your....mind...made....up

Why are people saying you are entitled..because you asked the question "am I being unreasonable " and they are giving the answer...did you just expect 100% compliance?

Yeah, I know this is true, yet that in itself has often dissuaded me from a brand, when their (very young) representatives on Earth look like forty-five year old Vegas hostesses.

I’ve been mad about makeup for well over fifty years (holy crap, it’s getting nearer sixty 🙀) and I reckon I know my onions, and my ‘lewk’, such as it is.
I don’t wear slap to look like a woman of forty, but tell that to most counter assistants and they’ll think you are raving mad. “Everybody wants to look younger!”
Applying ‘subtle and flattering’ is far more challenging to the modern Miss.
I just hope to look more alive, really. Nothing to scare the horses. Much. (Magenta lippy though. To the end!)
No bloody way would I submit to the amount of layers everyone uses now, for one thing (primer, contour, and powder, and setting sprays!), nor faked Denis Healey eyebrows; and false eyelashes can do one. 😤 Harrumph.
>yells at passing cloud<

By the way, about OP, having waffled irrelevantly for several chapters:
Never mind a free makeup application. I hope she was given a very generous selection of luxe samples, which is the really tricky thing to pull off at top brands’ counters.

Yes, don't the people that do makeovers have training for that? They would need to have done health and safety as well as know how to put it on nicely. Others behind the counter are just retail staff.

But it wouldn't have been just 5 minutes. If they rushed it and it didn't look good then it looks bad for them. If it takes so little time she could have put it on herself, there will have been plenty of mirrors in both that section, changing rooms, restrooms or whatever.

I had to pre-book because I'm awful with these things and needed to see what suited me. I got the 'make over' for free because I bought 3 products. But I still had to book a 30 minute slot and despite basic items, they spent over 20 minutes (as an aside, it was far too heavy make up for me and I felt like a clown once I got outside the store lighting so haven't repeated the experience!)

Ooh yes did you get loads of free samples @Lounde? And was lunch nice?

I'd been considering buying a few '2nd' makeup items as I'm in hospital so much. It would just make me feel better having a bag packed with noise cancelling headphones, slippers, pyjamas, bit of makeup, face wash and moisturiser, spare charger etc ready to go. They always seem to leave you with your bottom hanging out then if you're going to the loo but have to pull your drip with you I inch bottom facing wall unable to cover it up.

You may have been spared tbh they could have done it too heavily for daylight. I use bb cream, mascara and like a smudge of lipstick. So I guess cost would be £40 as I took a shine to a collection lipstick instead of pricier brands and can buy mini erborian bb.

If you purchase a sink it does not come with a free plumber .

If you post on the internet it doesn’t mean you have a basic level of intelligence.

Maybe take a sarong or a wrap and tie it round your waist?

Also, powder foundation is good if you're away from home. My faves are Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation and Concealer. It's powder, foundation, and concealer in one. Mac Studio Fix is also fab. If you don't want to spend that much, the Body Shop has a powder foundation, and although I haven't used it, I've had good luck with their liquid foundation.

Sorry to hear that you're in hospital a lot. 😢💐

Post of the year!

Op you should have approached them less sure of what you wanted, by explaining the situation they knew you were definitely going to buy. I would have approached, picked up a couple of items speculatively so they would then approach you asking if you needed help, then I would have played dumb and said that you were looking for a new set of makeup, they would have then likely invited you to sit down to do the makeover and upsell loads of items to you! As it was they’ve made an easy bunch of commission from you without much work…

Gosh you are very easily offended 🤣

it’s just an opinion that’s different to your own.

if you want to spend all that money on slap to make sure your lips are a ‘perfect’ colour then crack on.

I will still be thinking what a waste.

And you continue driving your car around while I think "What a waste!"

It’s just an opinion that’s different to your own.

you can think what you like. 👍

They can't put your make up on remotely, so the time you're sat in the chair having it applied you could just as easily have put it on yourself. You weren't "saving" time whether they did it or you.

If you posed as a potential customer at the start they would have done it probably. But you did things the wrong way round by agreeing to purchase and then asking them to do it. Putting a bit of slap on is very different to a make up consultation. However I think they should have done it for you

£300 on 'basics'? And then you didnt want to fork out for a brush? And you dont like using your fingers?