Beauty counters...the good, the bad and the ugly

[flippinada]

Well, no ugly involved really but I liked the sound of it written down.

I wanted to treat myself to a new foundation today as a treat and, having a couple of brands in mind, visited the counters to get samples before making up my mind. Both high end brands.

The two experiences could not have been more different. On one counter, the CA couldn't have been lovelier. Listened to what I wanted, made recommendations, tried stuff on and gave me several samples (unprompted), so I went back later in the day to make a purchase.

The other one was bloody awful. Complete opposite. I was ignored and ended up being matched to a shade that I knew was several shades too dark. My (admittedly feeble at this point) objections were overridden and I ended up leaving looking like I'd been tangoed - needless to say it's put me off the brand somewhat (the brand prides itself on natural make up btw).

Anyone else have similar tales to share?

I think it depends on the individual staff. 1 woman at my local BB was a genius at make up and customer service. She doesn't seem to work there any more and I've had horrible product recommendations from the staff who are still there. I wish I could find where she's gone.

Have been trying to try Double Wear by Estée Lauder for weeks but each time I go to a counter it's been empty. Finally, today there was someone working in Boots. She was lovely. Went to HoF and EL lady carried on cleaning and said "don't mind me I'm cleaning"
Wanted to try a Guerlain foundation too but the assistant was too busy chatting to a friend. Could see I was hovering, looked at me then carried on talking she was very orange
Lancôme have been lovely.
Clinique pushy and made me felt I wasn't good enough for them.

Lady at No7 colour matched me yesterday for lipstick and made me look utterly ridiculous! I'd said the lipstick I'd got on was too much for me, hence looking for a new one, but she gave me a right trout pout. Lip liner outside my lips plus hideous gloss on top. I honestly looked a state!

Mac is very unapproachable, I liked the Chanel counter I went to a while ago.

Clinique used to annoy the shit out of me a few years ago when every time I hovered near the counter some dolled up sales assistant would go 'what brings you to clinique today?'

Er, I'm a shopaholic who just wants to browse?

Maybe I'm unusual in that often I'm just looking for the sake of it, I haven't come out to buy any particular thing, just to see if something catches my eye. If it doesn't , I don't wan to talk. But that question forced me to have to say something, eventually I got too scared to go near the clinique counter !

Like a lot of others, I've found MAC really bad. The last time I was the only customer there at the airport and three of them just ignored me. I just put my products down and left as I'm not going to give them my custom if the service is rubbish.

Chanel and Lancôme were lovely the last time I was there, really knowledgeable about their products.

Meadow What a horrible experience. Lush staff should know better as students make up a huge amount of their customers. They can be too full on with the upselling I agree. The woman in Body Shop sounds like she didn't have a clue what she was doing.

I like the No7 staff too.

Meadow I haven't been in Lush for ages because I can't bear their hard sell tactics. I like being left alone to browse. That Body Shop woman sounds bloody awful! I had terrible acne up until my 30s and understand how self conscious it can make you feel.

I was so dissapointed with CT. Shill shill shill!!! I bought the magic pen which is far too light for me and is in no way "magic"
Beautiful counter though and the perfume is on my christmas list.

Went to BB in John Lewis Bluewater a few weeks ago and they were very good with me. Quite friendly and helped find a match for foundation, concealer and powder. One of the best colour matches I have ever had and she was not pushy at all, even gave me a very generous sample of bb cream to try out. Have not had much luck before with Clarins or Dior, both counters the staff were rude and unhelpful. Also had really good experience with Urban Decay and Chanel recently.

I had a makeup lesson with Bobbi Brown and I was really pleased with it. Of course I may have just got lucky with the girl who did it. When I visited the counter previously, the staff weren't very knowledgable. I've found Clinique to be consistently rubbish. The girls at Benefit are definitely the most approachable and knowledgeable about the range, but it is a smaller range compared to a lot of brands.

Ooh yes, forgot about Urban Decay! They are one of my favourite brands and I've always had great experiences with their counters too, friendly knowledgeable sensitive staff.

Urban decay have got good staff.
And the Claris lady at my local boots is lovely.
I'm just waiting for someone to be that rude to me that I can go to the next counter and go all Pretty Woman on them (hopefully I will have money in the bank when this happens)

Illamasqua are awesome everywhere ! Really thorough and skilled - don't be put off by the fact that many of their SAs wear very very heavy theatrical makeup - they've helped me achieve really natural looks !

I've never seen an Illamasqua counter anywhere, I shall have to keep my eyes open for one.

I've also had good experiences with Urban Decay.

I have had brilliant service at BB and Estee Lauder. Clinique I find not very helpful.

Chanel in John Lewis at Touchwood are consistently great, as are Estee Lauder. The MAC counter in Bullring Selfridge's is actually surprisingly lovely, and Chanel there is second-to-none.

I was most recently put off at a Clinique counter. The woman was disinterested, pushy and wearing tango orange foundation several shades too dark for her.

If she can't get her own make up right I don't want her doing mine.

Love Laura Mercier.

I think I've seen illamasqua in Selfridges. Haven't been to their counter yet.

Never seen an Urban Decay counter. Bought their palettes and some individual shadows but either online or at Sephora. Would like to go to a counter.

EnidButton

Urban Decay now have counters in JL in Bluewater and Cambridge :)

Enid I've seen Urban Decay in larger HoF and Debenhams stores, if you have one of those nearby.

I went to the Urban Decay in a big Debenhams. Maybe you can che k locations online? Their staff are very helpful, I bought two products and the person booked me in for a free makeup lesson the following week.

Maybe could be one at the nearest large Debenhams. Can't really get to the other places unfortunately although would like to visit Cambridge. I'll have a look online. Thank you!

Unless my John Lewis has an UD now...

Just looked, there are Urban Decay counters in Selfridges, Trafford Centre and Debenhans, TC. I was in that Selfridges a few days ago, obviously didn't look around me. Distracted by the Krispy Kremes I'll have a look there as we're often in that area.