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!!

Agree with this. I use the Lisa Eldridge skin tint which is available in some Space NK shops ( and online). £34.00 but lasts months. Beautiful finish and no breakouts. The sales assistant in the Edinburgh shop was very helpful

If you have a light/fair complexion, this is fabulous:

https://koreanskincare.co.uk/products/dear-klairs-illuminating-supple-blemish-cream-spf40

It gives a beautiful dewy look and doesn’t cause spots or look chalky unlike many BB creams I’ve tried. In the Summer when my skin is a little darker, I just added a drop or two of bronzing drops or whatever.

Magic cream is soooo thick, I’m not fussed at all. I do like some of CT lipsticks but it’s all very overpriced

The Nars cream bronzer is fab. Comes in different shades and lasts forever! I’ve had mine over 12 months and use every day and there’s still loads left. I bought it as an alternative to the Chanel one.
Also, I agree on the drunk elephant drops, Boots had an offer on earlier this week that had them in and a couple of other bits

Christ OP don’t get ideas above your station! 😂

Best pop to Poundland and buy the makeup you’re worthy of.

Urban Decay WAS great when their setting spray was made under licence by a company called Skindinavia. UD have now ended this deal and reformulated their setting spray, but they will no doubt benefit from their brand reputation for years because most people don’t keep up with niche beauty gossip!!

If you want the old UD formula you now need to get it directly from Skindinavia, their ‘makeup finishing spray’.

I think its a rite of passage to get fleeced at one of those counters. The salesperson doesn't care what you want or need, they need to sell as much of everything in the range that they can. I wandered into an over heated London store recently and browsed cosmetics. Politely told the assistant who approached I was just browsing (aka leave me alone please) her response was to tell me of a product that "would be perfect for your roseacea". I don't have roseacea. I'd just come into a warm shop from a cold day and had pink cheeks. They work on insecurities, real or perceived.

You could say your face itched all day after the makeover so returning as allergic.

Don’t feel robbed- I really love CT products and you’ve got some great items there. I use the Magic cream twice a day- I have v sensitive skin but I can use this liberally with no reaction and it is a great hydrated. The primer gives a really nice base/glow even if you only use that. Is the shiny stick one of the new Unreal Blushes? They do take a bit of getting used to (very bright and need to be used sparingly) so I would definitely trade that in and get the bronzer. Once you get the hang of your new routine you won’t look back though and your make up bag will be glittering with rose gold…I am in your age bracket and unfortunately the soap/spf regime just won’t cut it any more…

I don't understand Lancome mascara hype, it doesn't feel or look any different on me, big disappointment, also overpriced

I didn’t buy the shiny stick thing! I asked to try bronzer and she put that on instead - there was little explanation of it.

Yes return. This happened to me in MAC 🤣

they took all the unopeneds back

for skincare in now with Medik8 and my late forties skin has never been brighter. Message me for refer a friend code for 30% off first order!

I know - just because a person doesn’t have a detailed knowledge of different make up brands doesn’t mean they don’t want decent stuff or that they mind paying for decent stuff! I get that it is akin to a hobby for some but a just wanted some decent basics! I’m going back now and will return to my tried and tested brands!

I would go further and say that there are no high-end mascaras which are worth it. They all need chucking out within six months (some people say three) for reasons of hygiene and efficacy, and they all dry up the same whether they cost £7 or £40.

I don’t have any Charlotte Tilbury at all , I’m not keen .
What I’ve done is go and get colour matched with Estée Lauder for their futurist hydra foundation as I wanted the higher SPF that offers ( and yes I do wear moisturiser then a separate SPF then apply foundation if I’m heading out of the house for anything other than a dog walk ) I bought from Boots and there was absolutely no hard sell .
once I’m matched I buy online from Clinique and Estée Lauder .
i don’t use bronzer though, i use blush for a bit of colour.
i like Clinique chubby sticks they last absolutely ages because there is a lot of product in there ! Robust rhubarb is lovely

I always avoid to even look at something at one of those branded counters in department stores as I know I will end up buying expensive stuff I did not need or want!

I'm afraid I'm the same. I would end up feeling rude if I didn't buy it which is ridiculous!

I think that's what they are relying on! The OP isn't atypical in this, I've read threads on here before which tell a similar tale.

Sorry to say but maybe big lesson learnt! try Weleda.. been using this for years. What does it say about a shop if they aren't really listening to the customer... It says there not bothered they just want to sell sell sell! I don't even like there pouty faced"look at me I'm gorgeous " adverts..

Their!!

That reminds me: assistant at Dior counter at JL was quite persistent, so I had to decline her kind offer twice.

You make a good point about listening to the customer. It's seems to be not about selling products to suit the person, but rather how much money you can make from them, it would appear. The assistant is on commission,so I suppose you can understand it.

So to embarrassed to say no to a sales person but strong enough to complain and return??
honestly 🙄

My sister has bought me a few CT items over the years and I don’t rate it at all.

The eyeshadow palettes are not a patch on Urban Decay, the magic cream is claggy, the finishing powder is awful and nowhere near as good as the By Terry one or Laura Mercier (both of which have lasted years), the ELF setting spray is the GOAT in my opinion and much better than CT, and finally, I must be the only one who hates Pillow Talk lipstick.

A sister of my former friend was once convinced to buy an entire face system from a makeup counter. It had toner and moisturiser and it was very expensive. She had severe post purchaser’s guilt. It’s not something I would ever buy for myself and I had a lot of disposable income back then.

She was too embarrassed to take it back herself - plus it would have meant travelling to the city and she didn’t have time.

It was u opened so I took it back along with her credit card and got a full refund onto her card. I wasn’t embarrassed at all.

Things like this happen. Return the items and go to the Clarins counter or literally any other counter and get what you actually need.