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

My friend years ago wanted me to keep her company at a Molton Brown makeover. My god, I looked like a clown when they'd finished, never do that again! Walking around Covent Garden looking like that, ugh.

Sorry OP, just do your own make up? At least you'd do it exactly as you like.

I did smile when you said just the basics then go on to buy "eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, foundation, blush, concealer and a gloss" at £300!

I think your request was completely reasonable, OP, and whilst the shop staff were under no obligation it’s a shame that they couldn’t or wouldn’t help, especially as the shop was quiet. I also think that if you wanted to spend £300 on make, and you could afford it, it’s nobody’s business but your own 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don’t think YABU, ironically, if you said you weren’t sure, they’d have put it in your face to let you see how it looked.

I said the same to my husband.

Are you a drag artist?

They’re not allowed to leave the counter without cover. Doing your makeup does exactly that. (Also, most in-store are salespeople, not MUA. Would probably take more than 2mins to just slap it on)

I'm really surprised at some of these comments! I'm an ex-makeup counter artist, and if somebody spent any amount of money with us and I wasn't super busy, I would have happily done a quick 10 minute makeup service. It is basic customer service. Though perhaps times have changed and it's their policy to charge for any extra service now (which I absolutely do not agree with).

They have procedures. They asked you to follow them. They didn't make them. They just abide by them.

And what you saw doesn't mean that was how it was going to stay. Did you hang around to check if anyone showed up for appointments? I doubt it.
Again even if they had no one they have procedures, they didn't make them they just follow them.. So yes, entitled does fit here. You're self proclaimed kind to others but I'm sure when you're working you do your job and follow the procedures right?

Off the high horse isn't that big of a deal. If it's put your off the brand don't buy it anymore I'm sure they'll miss your business terribly. But at least it won't put them on the spot anymore by being asked to break procedure because you spent money there.

Same here; talk about low maintenance, eh? 😂

Some people don’t want to look pasty, tired and older when out and about. Makeup does wonders for that!

Oh my gosh. I really don’t understand this level of rudeness.

You tend to need to book for anything more than a quick session e.g., matching a foundation to you and applying a face of it.

LOL at "qualified professional" - they're all glorified shop assistants, not surgeons! Of course if you're spending £300 they should at least be nice to you.

It was a posh Christmas lunch with my in laws. We were dressed up. I’m a woman in my early 30s. If I want to wear make up I bloody well will. All these comments are shocking.

Didn't realise Britain was under Taliban rule where make up was banned.

Possibly only certain staff members are trained to apply makeup? I am guessing they were not.

Lets face it any decent makeup person could have applied some bb cream or light foundation, blusher/bronzer, mascara and lip gloss in a couple of minutes and made you look fab. They couldn’t be bothered but you spent £300 anyway, more fool you, I would have smiled and walked away stopping quickly in Boots and bought No7 for a fraction but just as good for the basics.

where I am you would totally get a free makeover for a 300 spend, at any of those brands. But you would have had to have had a reservation.

I actually did the same as you in Mac at St Pancras station. I was in London for a couple of days and forgot my make up bag so asked them to suggest the items they thought would suit me, they did my make up and I bought all of them. I had explained the situation, they were really obliging.

You should have asked them to apply the products before you bought them.

Buying the products and then asking them to put them on you is a makeover / day makeup look and they are probably not allowed.

However, having said that, some of these make up counter staff are just not as good or helpful as others. Clinique are consistently good. NARS are awful.

Haven’t you ever reared back in horror at the way so many of them wear their own slap?
I mean, no flipping way would a C. Tilbury or MAC gal get her mitts on my face for a spot of creative improvement!

She'd forked out £300 so yes, they could have spent a few mins applying it for her.

All staff at the make up stands apply make up to your face if you want to try things. The difference is, the OP had already bought them so they didn’t ‘need’ to do it to make the sale.

I get where you're coming from OP.
I'm guessing its more that you may not have fully understood their policy regarding booking an appointment etc.
I too would have hoped spending £300 would at least get you a bit of customer service back.
I've often found I'm coerced into having makeup applied when I've just been browsing, then felt obligated to purchase said items! Maybe try that approach in future? Get them to work for your custom esp in on commission!

I don’t get why you’d ask that?

But that’s not a service they offer, unless you book and pay for it. You tend to get some money off a purchase, yes, but you also need to pay for the time of having someone apply your makeup for you. Or am I entitled to walk into a Sephora or boots and tell them to give me a make over, given I spend a lot of money with them yearly?