Fell for hard sell at Charlotte Tilbury…

[Sandyshandy]

and feeling a bit like I’ve been robbed.
I never normally make impulse purchases.

I just wanted a bronzer or some sort of glowy powder and a lip tint to look a bit less corpse like.

I asked for advice and explained that I only normally use soap and spf. Somehow ended up with layers of stuff - a cream, a primer, some sort of shiny stick thing. Lip liner and lip balm. I did look better tbf but would never use all this. I asked if the cream was comedogenic and she said no. She was forceful and made me feel rather stupid (ridiculous I’m nearly 50!). Ended up buying the magic cream, magic lip balm and lip liner. £78, I feel robbed!!

Then came home and read reviews…. apparently the cream is comedogenic (glycerol styerate?). The lip balm- £28, but I already have lanolips which I love!! All unopened - should I just return? Is it actually worth it? Are there cheaper alternatives? I didn’t even get the bronzer which made the most difference!!

I don’t think any sales person crosses the line. You can walk away and say no thank you. It's their job to sell. Would you like this person to be sacked because you can't say no? They're not doing anything illegal.

You’re 50 odd and not able to say ‘ no thanks’ and walk away? What a big old fuss about next to nothing.

Medik8 C-Tetra Lux

Agree with this! I wear bronzer every day but don’t like it too dark , or ‘dirty’ looking . I have tried loads and this is my favourite !

Umm, I don’t think that’s true. It depends if they are on commission or not, I really just want some honest advice, not to be sold something that might be unsuitable. I don’t expect to be manipulated into buying somewhere like John Lewis, it kind of caught me unawares - their whole brand is based on being trustworthy! Obviously I could have just walked away, but by the time she started the hard selling I was on a stall with one half of my face made up, and she hadn’t shown me the things I actually wanted to see! so it was much harder to walk away than in other situations.

I do like the CT airbrush powder and think that makes me look glowy. Apparently ELF do a good dupe but I’ve never tried it.

apart from that it’s skincare rather than make up which makes my skin glow.

oh and when I changed my foundation to boots hydraluminous foundation I got lots of compliments so have stuck with that. Not expensive either.

That’s the Charlotte tilbury dupe I was thinking of.

Yes return it. There is a free app called Yuka that you can check for ingredients in foods and cosmetics. We use it all the time. There are some nasty chemicals in some cosmetics and food.

I've walked away when they're spouting their spiel. Just say NO. The same as the Chuggers who try to guilt trip you into giving to Charidee. Like I said, it's probably easier to buy a product online that you want and like.

We all learn from our mistakes. Good luck.

Sounds like you shouldn't go near these kind of high end beauty counters where they are well trained to recommend products that might be suitable for you.

I recently visited an Estee Lauder counter for a foundation and she knew my shade just by looking at me (quoted the shade name and number before she colour matched me and it was indeed correct).

I was astounded but that goes to prove how much they know the products and how well trained they are before the brand lets them loose on the general public.

You should probably look at Number 7 in Boots or Maybelline in future, that way you won't get any pressure.

The Trinny sunscreen and BFF colour changing moisturiser are both excellent and last ages, also like the cream shadows but not the regular foundation (in case anyone wants to try anything recommended) 🤔

This.

I remember trying out a load of CT items in their first store and I was very underwhelmed

And as for Trinny she clearly just wanted to start a company any company and use her social media online presence to promote it and she’s done surprisingly well. I can’t believe people buy her stuff over better brands, just because of social media. People are such sheep

Yet another vote for Erborian CC cream. If you want one product that just makes it look like your skin but better then I don't think it can be beaten.

@Sandyshandy It's unlikely you can get a refund. Most stores won't do this.
There are some online companies that may refund if it's unopened or you've tried it. Bobbi Brown used to offer a refund on foundation if you'd used a tiny bit.
I think Clinique (online) might do as well but you have to read the T&Cs carefully.

Really sorry but saying it's possibly going to give you blackheads or clogged pores won't swing it IMO.

Give it a try by all means but don't expect refunds.

https://www.cocooncenter.co.uk/erborian-cc-centella-cream-spf30-15-ml/120431-111304.html

Considerably cheaper here.

Most places do refund in my experience Boots will refund along with higher end makes.

I don't think it's fair to complain about the sales person, she didn't get your money out of your bag and rob you, you chose to buy the stuff. Take it back by all means but just say you don't like it don't throw her under the bus because you have buyers remorse.

Return it all.

BUT...

I really genuinely love the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless filter and use it everyday under a concealer that I dab over problem bits. I look glowing and people say I have fab skin - my skin is OK but this makes it look lovely.

I do not rate her skin care (I rate her makeup very highly. I work with many beauty editors and her bronzer is in a lot of makeup bags. Depends which one though). Get a very good serum (I love: Inkey List, Naturium, ROC Vit c, Korean HA stuff) and a decent moisturiser that actually calms the skin: Weleda Skin Food, Neutrogena Hydro Boost, Clinique Moisture Surge, Cicaplast if you have a compromised barrier. I also love a facial oil: Skin Rocks, Ole Henrickson, Pai. Your glow comes from your skin care really, the makeup is top up.

No7 have a fabulous cream bronzer that is a dupe for Chanel and it is excellent. Then a cream lip and cheek tint will make you look like you have had a walk in the fresh air: Merit, Glossier Cloud Paint, Wonderskin, Charlotte Tils again - she does really good lip/cheek duos and if you are pink toned go for a coral.

Get a really great pigmented lip balm to go on top of your cheek/lip tint duo and you'll look fab. I love Ole Henrickson peptide ones, Violette Fr, Maybelline Lifter gloss. The Wonderskin Lip gloss in kissed is fab as it adapts to your skintone.

If you feel you no longer need it, you can return it

OP has no legal right to a refund or even a credit note for that matter. Changing your mind is just tough luck. JL might offer a credit note for good customer service purposes but if they don’t then OP’s best hope is to try to sell the CB products and try to recoup some of her loss.

Maybe worth a try though unless there's policy on no returns for makeup.

Another person who thinks CT is overhyped, overpriced crap. Their sales staff are like locusts.
Hope you manage to return it and get a product you actually want. Nars have a range of non-sparkly bronzers in powder and cream form which are buildable and pair well with highlighters. I used to put a dab of benefit high beam liquid highlighter in my moisturiser or foundation to give a glow. Worth a go with a mini version of it to see if you like it.

Charlotte Tilbury is sparkly rubbish.