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

But it isn't and it doesn't look natural. Which is fine. People like different looks.

It’s not the wrong way around. Usually a full glam experience is booked and paid for in advance, they’re aware they’ll be doing it and have time to prep. OP just strolled in, didn’t ask if they had availability before starting her purchase, and instead just assumed they’d do it.

Im not an entitled prick. I’m considered very kind by most people.

You sure about that? That's not how you're coming across 😂

This - and a smart MUA would have used lipstick/blush/eyeshadow shades that really suited OP and that she hadn't bought, and then she might have snapped up some of those, too!

I also don’t buy that OP only purchased some foundation and eyeshadow.

assuming she went to boots, the most expensive foundation they sell is £65. At Sephora it’s, granted, £140, but it’s not Dior or Charlotte tilbury levels.

She knew what she wanted to buy so didn't need it applying all over her face.

As I said, nothing in it for them to give her a free makeover.

But that’s not what OP had paid for!

£300 on make up 😳

Is that what it costs these days? What a phenomenal waste of money.

I’ve not said that anywhere. I bought all the products I listed in my OP. I just wanted a little help with foundation and eyeshadow. I didn’t have a foundation brush (I was at a posh department store and didn’t want to spend £30 on a brush when my preferred foundation brush is £7 off Amazon) and had a new eyeshadow palette so couldn’t justify buying the exact same thing. I thought a bit of eyeshadows and foundation applied well would help me out and the rest could be done in a car.

MAC charge for that service. It used to be redeemable as credit but can’t easily see if that’s still the case, but if you want foundation etc applying it’s an hour long appointment.

It takes more than a few minutes to apply a full face of make up on a strangers face, it’s not like doing your own makeup that you’re in the habit of doing. Maybe longer if you’re using products you’ve chosen rather than their go-tos.

You wouldn’t go to a beauty salon, pay for your hair colour and cut and ask them to quickly do you a free manicure because you’ve already paid a lot for your hair. And then say it’s fine if they do the hour long manicure in ten minutes since you’re not paying. This is essentially what you were asking.

So you wanted them to do half a job (and you then walk out looking batshit), using products you had no intention of buying, and to then finish it off? And if you’d then walked out, made yourself look like a clown and then said “I got it done at Charlotte tilbury in X shop”, it would reflect badly on them?

come on. Surely you realise why they said no?

It's v annoying the way that people keep on about OP wanting a free makeover. The makeovers cost nothing! You get made over, free, and you buy some (or all) of the products you like that they used on you. OP's spend is greater than most. She fulfilled her side of the makeover bargain generously, it's just that it was the wrong way round. 300 pounds is a lot of money, and I think they should have done something for her - unless they really were booked up imminently.

Some makeovers have a fee if you don't buy anything.

They’re not free. Sephora and Charlotte tilbury charge for the experience.

But… you got this so you could have a second make up bag. Obviously it stands to reason you would need second tools to apply it. I mean, a foundation sponge will set you back £1! But that’s beside the point. What is the point of having a second make up bag for the car if you don’t buy any tools and therefore “cannot” apply said make up anyway.

Tbh OP, it sounds as if you really didn't have time for a makeup application. You can't really expect them to have done something in 2 minutes.

It’s not really a free makeover at £300. And if you are working at a make up counter like those mentioned I’m sure you have training to apply some foundation because that is literally the job - to help you pick out the correct shade/ formulation. Especially as the PP stated she doesn’t wear a lot so I don’t think it was expected to have full contouring/ highlighting and a MUA hour long job!

Last time I went to Charlotte Tilbury it was £100 fully redeemable on make up. Okay, it wasn’t booked like that but the assistant should have been able to explain - I’m not trained/you haven’t booked/we’re too busy. But it’s not unreasonable to ask! Surely it’s good customer service to try to accommodate your customer or manage expectations. Not make them feel daft for asking a question!

Okay but I’m not asking about the redeemable charge that the companies set themselves. Posters keep saying that because OP spent so much money she’s entitled to something free. So I’m wondering what that amount is?

Is this made up?

She was buying it anyway, so it didn't need to be applied.

Therefore nothing in it for them.

Starting to think it has to be.

wants a second makeup bag for the car. But not enough to actually do her makeup in the car!

This. I work in a high end retailer and hear this sentiment often. ‘I’ve spent ££££ and you can’t do this now?!’. I always (very politely) point out that it doesn’t make them any more important than someone who’s only spent £.

Please go shop in America next time where we still have commissions, customer service, and helpful ladies at the counter. I was just thinking today of a most unpleasant and culturally eye opening experience I had at a Chanel counter when new to the UK. It’s so off putting but you just have to realise this is the effect of the incentive system they’re presented with. The goal is to minimise work not maximise sales.

slap it on yourself for a two minute job?

Well I asked politely as I saw 4 woman standing around. Thought if you don’t ask you don’t get. Got my answer and accepted their response courteously. I’d hoped they could’ve helped me out.

Not sure why people are trying their best to paint me out to be this entitled twat.

£300 sounds a lot. But I’m 32. Without kids.