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

What’s a full beat?

The point of the appointments is to sell you products and you had already bought what you were going to buy, so they probably couldn’t be arsed. You could have done it yourself, couldn’t you? I probably would have done that, as it would be much quicker anyway. Wouldn’t really have occurred to me to ask. But customer-service-wise, I think it’s poor. You had just spent hundreds. They should have done it - but be aware they would have wanted to cleanse you first and do the whole shebang properly. Much quicker to DIY.

Me too, I thought she was going to say a few items from Rimmel & Collection 2000!

Op, I'm wondering if maybe those ladies were not trained for applying makeup appts? Perhaps they were there for sales only? It makes me wonder if a nother employee who applies would be there for appts later.

Because some idiots read a list of makeup and think you are applying half the tube or something. They don’t realise you can wear foundation, blusher etc and it still be natural

Even if it's against their policy and they don't want to get in trouble or lose their jobs?
Not to say they would and they might not even get caught but if they have a policy and they choose to abide by it I don't get how they are in the wrong.
If it's as easy as a few minutes applying the entitled OP can do that too...

Perhaps it isn't only the OP who is entitled here and expects special service above what they're meant to do... What a world hey.

Also just realised you’ve bought from multiple brands. Of course they won’t be able to apply that! They’ll all have different ingredients etc. if the next person who has a makeup appointment booked has an allergy, they could end up breaking out if your Charlotte tilbury foundation remains on a Dior brush etc.

If it was all one brand it would probably be a bit more likely. But you basically asked for a free MUA appointment.

The sales people do apply make up, you can barely look twice at something before someone offers to put it on you normally. The difference is, that’s part of the sales process, in this case the OP had already purchased the items so whilst they could have done what they would have done if she’d have been prevaricating about what to buy, they didn’t bother.

But even if these staff members would normally be strategic about providing great service for repeat custom, it sounds like OP had not only already spent the money, she had also explained to them the back story that she was on a weekend away and had forgotten her make up bag. So they knew she was hardly likely to return, and they'd already made the sale - you can see why they didn't fancy going above and beyond. It probably didn't help that it was 2 Jan, a day where not many people are delighted to be back at work for the new year!

Just one brand

Sounds to me like they CBA rather than MUA.
I’m with OP on this one.

edited for brevity

Such a rude question.

Ah thank you. I skim read, and thought they were putting them through, not that op had asked after the purchase. I can see why now, especially with a range of brands too. It will be against policy, hence the appt.

I think it’s a perfectly reasonable request since you were spending a decent amount of money with them.

Well no as we were selecting the foundation I asked. Not after I had the receipt in hand.

I was just about to ask if it was Bobbi Brown! I’ve had awful experiences at their makeup counters. I’ve stopped buying the brand as a result - shame because the make up is gorgeous!

they said ‘the full beat’. That’s a drag artist term.

I bought from one stand only. Of course it would be cheeky otherwise

Maybe op could ask store policy, I'd bet they were adhering to it, as crazy as the whole scenario was.

Not what your OP states.

Usually they will not do a full face of makeup unless you’ve booked and paid. It’s a fully paid service these days. For example, Charlotte tilbury charges £105 for event makeup in their stores. In Sephora a full glam experience is £60. Again, it’s redeemable against products but the point is it’s a paid service that you reserve. Not just something you’re entitled to after paying for makeup.

Curious what amount of money equates to getting a full MUA experience for free?

They should charge for the makeover but take the cost off a purchase if someone does buy. That's what some other places do, and it's a much better solution than only doing a half face!

£300 on makeup?!!! That's completely crazy money.

You say you don't wear much but then reel off a toilet roll length of stuff you put on and you've got the cheek to ask the staff to paint it on you? CF if I've ever come across one.

Sure the op may be unclear. I listed Dior CT Chanel to show the type of premium brand I went to. I share that I explained the situation to the people on the stand. Not plural.

Hardly wanted a free makeover - she'd already spent hundreds. It's just that everything was the other way round - usually you'd have the makeover and then buy some of the products that were used on you. You don't pay extra for the makeover on top of the products. OP's spend was much higher than most having a makeover, too.

But it being a premium brand is immaterial as you expected a paid service for free, because you spent a lot of money. That’s not how it works. If you had enough time to get them to apply a “full beat” (which is a full glam. Not just a bit of foundation and mascara. You’re talking foundation, contour, bronzer, concealer, baking that down, powder versions on top, setting spray, full eyeshadow, lashes, brows, mascara etc), you had enough time to do that in the car.

unless you weren’t purchasing all of the makeup needed for a full beat, and instead thought a few fancy bits meant they’d do that for you?

Happened to me once, back when I wore slap all the time and couldn't imagine going to a meeting with just my own face 🙄

The sales lady lent me a mirror and gave me a sponge, as she was horrified that I put the foundation on with my fingers! I do think they should've been nicer to you, OP.