Stop the Mad "Makeover"

By twistedsister1 Feb 04, 2008

202

hen was the last time you went to a cosmetic counter within a specialty store (like Sephora) or department store (from Saks or Macy’s) to seek expert advice from the beauty advisor? Was your intention to create a “new you”, a total updated, cosmetic look, or just to window shop and see if a particular new shade of lipstick caught your eye?

Perhaps, inebriated by the possibilities of change or seduced by the tantalizing offers, this was your first flirtation with the makeup brush wielding, cosmetic maven at the store who most assuredly promised to create a whole different person, really a “new you”.

Regardless of how you came to sit in the chair and stare at yourself in that less than feature enhancing, fluorescent-lit mirror, you find yourself suddenly credit card slip in hand, lugging home hundreds of dollars of cosmetics. Then the sinking feeling slowly starts to permeate your gait. You know you will leave those bags untouched, unopened for days, as you grapple to overcome the “why did I do that & should I return it” syndrome. The symptoms are easy to recognize ? from buyer’s remorse to guilt to indifference - but the cause is less obvious. Simply put, you do not know how to begin to duplicate the beauty maven’s Edward Scissorhand approach to application, and even worse, are not sure that her vision of what you should look like is even right for you. You looked great when you left the store but creating this “new you” is now a blind date with your mirror.

Ladies, you have been the victim of the dreaded “makeover!” How do we know this? We are Tina Hedges and Beth Ann Catalano, co-presidents of twist and have over 40 years in developing, marketing and selling products that (we hope) you buy at cosmetic counters. And, of course, as beauty experts, we have a definite point of view on how to recover from this first date with lotions, potions, blushes, lipsticks, foundations and brushes as well as how to get the most information and service from your local beauty advisor.

reating any relationship takes effort. Creating a relationship with a beauty advisor is no different. Attraction, a good impression, chemistry, good eye contact, thoughtful questioning, and committing to see each other again is the beginning of a friendship. Perhaps, a single, casual, one nightstand is all the other party wanted and you feel taken advantage of when you open your Amex bill. In some cases, there is no other way to say it, you feel made-over, rolled-over, coifed, plucked, dusted, glazed and just plainly, wham, bam and thank you Ma’am-ed. And this feeling lingers, making you recoil slightly the next time you walk thru the aisles of the beauty department. Could this describe your feeling about the advisor at the beauty counter after your last “makeover?”

Beauty advisors are knowledgeable consultants. Connecting and finding the right fit is key. Posturing yourself with the right attitude will help you gain valuable service and information from a beauty professional. It is also necessary to become your own expert and develop the right relationship with yourself, so here are a few of our thoughts:

Remember, take control of your newfound expertise. No one is an expert, at first. If you have selected the right teacher, are committed to learning, and are open to discussing options, creating a relationship with someone that can help you look and feel more confident, sexier, and more beautiful is like, well, like finding the right love affair.

Uhmmmm, sounds like that French playboy both of us fought over the last trip to Nice?. But that’s a different lesson?.

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Comments

by anoolicious | Springfield, VA

Feb 27, 2011

love these tips im been planning to visit sephora one of these days

by poserchick | Topsfield, MA

Sep 16, 2010

im a professional makeup artist in boston and i hate when women tell me to do whatever i think will look good on them and then complain hey dont like it. they base it off of how much it look like their old looks. not just on how good they look. be open to change ladies. embrace your beauty and be daring. and on the point of $, i think you work so hard its worth buying luxury items to enhance your beauty.

by mysticalmalissa | Sequatchie, TN

Aug 11, 2010

I stopped my trips to the dept. stores years ago because, I would end walking out either very yellow or a bright shade of orange. I now get all my make up tips and advice from the sale lady at the drug store or from from watching some amazing makeup guru's on youtube.

by janet1976 | chicago, IL

Jun 14, 2010

Grea topic!! Its going to be very helpful on my nect makeup counter trip!!! Thanks

by lindseyhawkins | Belmont, NC

Jun 03, 2010

Good advice. I find that some "makeup artists" at makeup counters know less about applying makeup then I do. I like to stick to reading reviews and advice from websites like this or from youtube!

by runnergirl21 | Flowery Branch, GA

Mar 24, 2010

I love Ulta they really help me out on what to buy!

by nataliya | Fair Oaks, CA

Mar 17, 2010

Great tips! The sales people behind the makeup counters tend to intimidate me into feeling like I have to buy everything they show me..not any more!

by mardel | SCHAUMBURG, IL

Jan 27, 2010

I am a makeup addict but I don't like the my makeup counters in my area. I have such a hard time finding the right shade of foundation that matches my skin color and type. When I did try department store foundations they either looked to pink or yellow when I got home. So for that reason I stick to department store foundation like that at least I know I didn't pay alot and I don't have to travel to far. These are great tips and they seem very helpful. I am getting older so I will take them into consideration soon when I make my transition from drugstore foundation to a higher end product! Thanks

by anaocampo | Katy, TX

Jan 27, 2010

great advice !!

by susanth | GAHANNA, OH

Jan 24, 2010

Great tips! I've been through several department store "makeovers", and had a wide range of differant results from great, very happy to trashy looking with cobalt blue eyeshadow to the oompah loompah orange look from too much bronzer. I've learned to insist on looking at the colors before they apply them and if it isn't something I would ever wear to speak up and just say no. Periodically I try drug store cosmetics due to the price differance, but it always seems like the colors don't last as long or aren't as rich. My solution-wait until my local department store is doing a gift with purchase then buy. You usually end up getting a sample of their best selling colors! Allure magazine always has great make-up tips!

by summitqwestcomp | Cincinnati, OH

Nov 23, 2009

Great advice!

by momsrule | palmdale , CA

Nov 07, 2009

This happened to me yesterday at my mall. I wanted to show my husband the make up that i think my sister overpaid and then all of a sudden I'm in the chair getting a makeover. I'v never had a makeover done before so I kind of didn't mind but when they started pushing me and my husband to buy their products that totaled almost $500, we stood our ground and said sorry times are tough, we can buy a lot more important things with that money. I wouldn't mind maybe a good $50 to $100, but there was noway we were going to spend $500 on some brushes, mineral foundation and blush. I'll never stop at those make up counters again or ask advice.

by simplicity738 | Vista, CA

Nov 07, 2009

Great advice! I've experienced this twice...the second time I thought to myself "It'll be different this time...". Boy, was I wrong! The worst part? The second time was the more terrible experience because she was insulting me because I didn't cake on 20 layers of makeup like her!! She asked me too many times why I didn't wear makeup all the time, used makeup that made me look like I got baked in the sun mixed in with a street walker, and tried to get me a bunch of products that caused my skin to become very irritated, when she applied them in the store. I won't say that these experiences will make me shy away, but will definitely make me extremely reluctant to go near people that even remotely resembled these "consultants".

by goldfish25 | Trujillo Alto, OU

Nov 02, 2009

This is really really helpful ! thanks so much . I m sure to try this next time I go shopping for makeup !

by Ineri218 | Far Rockaway, NY

Oct 28, 2009

Great Advice. I am usually good with cosmetic counters. I know what im there for, purchase it, and im out.