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Original poster

Please help me to not be intimidated by the makeup counter ladies

48 replies

Souper · 15/12/2013 14:28

I keep thinking that I would like to update my makeup bag with some lovely products, but every time I am in town I don't dare approach the 'posh' counters.

Today I finally steeled myself to try on a Chanel lipstick, but I was so disappointed by the service. It wasn't busy so I had the attention of the two girls but they had such poor knowledge of their products and colours that they were actually more of a hindrance than a help. Despite this, I was still scared of them! I did end up buying a lipstick in what I think is an okay colour... But that was more a matter of luck than good management.

Ideally I would like to go to Space NK, I think, but if I am intimidated by the girls in Boots how am I ever going to do that? Last week I walked through Harrods beauty hall but I didn't approach any of the counters for exactly this reason.

I do think that some of this stems from my DM's attitude to clothes and makeup. Growing up we were not short of money but her favourite shop was a factory seconds shop. She bought my other clothes at Sunday markets - and her own too. We would NEVER go to a shopping centre or town and buy things from high street shops. She never wore any makeup except on very special occasions and had a little bag of makeup that was kept for this. The stuff in it was ancient and never updated. I was allowed to play with it, even!

When I started earning my own money I went a bit mad buying clothes etc but I always went for quantity over quality. So for quite a few years I have had wardrobes stuffed to bursting with complete tat. Ironically i could afford to shop high end high street but instead used to go to Primark and buy bags and bags of rubbish! I have now stopped doing this, and am gradually replacing all the crap with some better quality garments.

So help me to do this with regards to make up, please?!

OP posts:
OneLittleLady · 15/12/2013 14:49

Go in with a list of things you are looking for like foundation, powder, blusher etc and ask them to help you pick something from the list. If they try foundation on you, go away and look at it in natural light before you commit to buying it, store lighting can make it look very different to the way it looks in natural light. Ask for samples if you can and tell them you'd like to try over a few days at home to see if it suits you and does what you need/want it to.Good luck!

specialsubject · 15/12/2013 14:54

any decent salesperson should not be intimidating. If they are, go somewhere else.

all makeup is the same anyway so it doesn't matter where you buy it. The pricier stuff costs because you pay for the salesgirls, fancy packaging, anorexics in the adverts and flashy counters.

SofaCanary · 15/12/2013 15:16

I've found the gals at various Space NKs to be the friendliest and most approachable.

Kevintheminion · 15/12/2013 15:17

I went to SpaceNK a few years ago and had a consultation at the Laura Mercier counter there. The assistant was fabulous and gave me a tutorial. It was in Canary Wharf but at a quiet time of day. You may be able to book. I was prepared to spend on a few items and found it really useful. Conversely I find the larger department stores more hard sell than helpful. Please don't feel intimidated - you can always say no!

BoyMeetsWorld · 15/12/2013 15:19

Er no...sorry special
But all makeup isn't the same.

A bareMinerals powder foundation provides a drastically different finish to a Clinique tinted moisturiser or Chanel liquid foundation. Different ranges have different ingredients and, perhaps more importantly, different shades. Getting the perfect shade for you and a type of makeup with the right consistency for your skin is really important.

But I agree that it's not always the more expensive stuff which is better. A lot of higher end ranges do charge for packaging and fragrance. Personally, I'd say the most important thing is to start with fantastic Skincare rather than make up.. If you've got amazing skin, you barely need any makeup anyway except possibly a mascara, touch of colour and a good lip moisturiser.

jennifersofia · 15/12/2013 15:25

I used to find the SpaceNK at Liverpool St workable. It is quite small so there are only a few people, and it often wasn't busy in the day. I am a bit make up shy myself, so I know where you are coming from. Was a few years ago though, so not sure if it is still there.

Original poster
Souper · 15/12/2013 15:29

Thank for the replies so far. I do have reasonable skin and I don't mind buying skin care stuff either, as I can research it before I go to the shop, and I know what I want. It is make up that is the problem, I suppose because I need to try it on!

I know that high end make up isn't necessarily superior and I am paying for the packaging etc, but I want to buy some things in lovely expensive packaging from a glamorous counter. And I can afford it.

What do I say if I don't want to buy anything because the counter lady is not helpful?

OP posts:
BoyMeetsWorld · 15/12/2013 15:35

The excuse I usually make is that you have sensitive skin and want to go away and check you don't have any sort of reaction before you come back and buy. They cant really argue with that.

ihatethecold · 15/12/2013 15:49

I started watching Lisa Eldridge on you tube, she also has a blog.
She uses a lot of high street make up.
She does the hard work for you.
I also rate Laura geller on qvc.
You can send it back after 30 days if you don't like it.
She is on at 4 pm today.
Im a saddo, I know!

Eastwickwitch · 15/12/2013 15:53

The Laura Mercier girls at SpaceNK on the Kings road are lovely & not at all pushy. I only bought an eyeliner & I was treated as if I was buying a whole range.
I like Bobbi Brown too; sometimes they advise more products but have always been respectful of my budget.

BunnyLebowski · 15/12/2013 15:56

Souper I'm the same as you. I am fantastic with make-up and can afford high end products but I still can't bring myself to approach the counters.

I tried last week at the YSL counter and sloped off again after a snooty look from the counter girl Blush .

I buy all my make-up online now. I research the products, read blogs, study swatches and watch YouTube tutorials on them from Pixiwoo, Tanya Burr and other make-up peeps (not Lisa Eldridge as for some reason I just don't like her) and make informed purchases.

Knowing my shade in MAC foundation is a great help as there are lots of conversions online to other brands.

specialsubject I can only assume you have no idea what you're talking about as you couldn't be more wrong.

whereisshe · 15/12/2013 16:04

What do I say if I don't want to buy anything because the counter lady is not helpful?

You say you don't like whatever it is (and if they ask why go vague "I'm not sure, I just don't like it"). They have no come back for that I've discovered. Or tell them it's a definite maybe and can they write it down for you while you think about it.

bunnymother · 15/12/2013 17:49

They are there to assist you.

I know it's obvious to say that, but that's the pecking order.

I don't like to unnecessarily confront people, so I give rude/ clueless sales assistants a weak smile and say thank you and just leave.

CarolineDeWinter · 15/12/2013 17:58

I've found the Bobbi Brown sales assistants very helpful. I've asked for samples of, say, the foundation so I can see how it looks when I apply it at home.

DameDoom · 15/12/2013 18:06

The Bobbi Brown teams are usually lovely and I've never been sneered at in Space NK. Go find out what suits you at BB then buy it on the internet as you'll most likely get free p&p and free stuff if you spend a certain amount.

Lighthousekeeping · 15/12/2013 18:33

I've never come across snooty make up staff and, I buy a lot of make up. Bobbi Brown are great but the colours can be abit bland. I just avoid Estée Lauder as they are too garish. Why don't you walk around John Lewis or Selfridgres. Start touching the products. They will soon leap on you!

spanishring · 15/12/2013 18:48

I take people makeup shopping sometimes and I find a lot of counter staff really irritating. Not their fault though - it's the way they are trained. I did beauty counter staff too whilst I was training and it's not a particularly fulfilling job.
But anyway. Stick to Bobbi Brown or laura mercier as they are Generally much better trained. Don't be afraid to show that you are going to spend money and tell them you are not interested in buying the entire range.
Just the key things you want.
But if they are being crap and not helping, walk away. Take your monthly to where they can help you.

Chanel are the most irritating of all- but you already know that!
Armani in Selfridges are all lovely.
The Hourglass counter in libertys might be good too if you like colour.

specialsubject · 15/12/2013 18:51

nothing wrong with buying expensive if you want to and can afford to, OP.

to whoever it was: I do know what I'm talking about because I can read ingredients lists and understand chemical names. The stuff is all the same. If you believe otherwise - well, that's your privilege.

Original poster
Souper · 15/12/2013 18:52

Bunny yes that is me exactly. I start approaching a counter and then slope off instead. Nobody even has to give me a snooty look - I just psyche myself out!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions of what to say. Practical help is good.

Would you believe that I am outgoing and confident in many other parts of my life Grin

OP posts:
spanishring · 15/12/2013 18:57

Special, just to wade in there. It's not entirely true that it's all the same and quite frankly if you spend a bit more because the packaging won't break within a week or there isn't Sellotape and irritating security stickers over everything- so be it.

Drugstore eyeshadow for example is not a patch on high end eyeshadow. Because of the way it's milled.

Original poster
Souper · 15/12/2013 19:01

You know that heart-sink moment when you realise the encounter is not going to go well, though? Today I explained that I was looking for a deep pink, like 'my lip colour but better colour' that needs to be cool toned, in a moisturising lipstick with a creme finish. The assistant showed me the glosses. Confused Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Souper · 15/12/2013 19:01

Agree about the quality of the packaging being superior. Very annoying when clasps and hinges break.

OP posts:
spanishring · 15/12/2013 19:09

Maybe have a question as a test. The lip one you did is a good one. If they can't get something like that right. Move on

rudolphdrops · 15/12/2013 19:15

I second the Bobbi brown staff are very approachable. And I was always intimidated by make up counters until a very nice lady made me feel very relaxed about the whole thing. I now make an appointment any time I need something new and get a mini make over while I'm there.

Fairylea · 15/12/2013 19:16

Hello :)

I was a counter consultant for clinique for 7 years and then chanel for 4.

We aren't as scary as we look I promise! If you think we wear a lot of make up its actually because we have to follow strict company guidelines on how we apply our make up, even down to which seasonal colours to use and how many products to wear. It used to drive me crazy but that's the image and the "brand" of the company.

All consultants- for every company- earn commission on the products they sell. We also used to try to up our IPT (items per transaction) so we would always be hopeful a customer would buy 2 or more items (this is why clinique pushes bonus time as it encourages more than one item purchases). It is generally considered to be the sign of a good consultant to have a high ipt score- 2 averaged out over a month is the bare minimum that would be "ok".

If the counter meets it's target then we used to receive double commission over that target.

I used to enjoy the work and attended a lot of training courses for both make up and skincare with both companies. I then went on to become a teen skin area consultant and I then went freelance doing bridal make up for a while.

We are just people like you, don't be intimidated. We generally enjoy our jobs and want to help people to feel good about r hems elves.