Stop the Mad "Makeover"

By twistedsister1 Feb 04, 2008

206

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 momagarry | MILWAUKEE, WI

Oct 14, 2009

Hey ladies you are beautiful just the way you are:)

by jos_bgosh | Daly City, CA

Oct 06, 2009

I've done this a few times and have gotten two very different results. The first time I went to the makeup counter and someone helped me and I ended up looking like a clown. I would never wear what they put on me and went to the bathroom to take it off immediately. Then on another occasion I decided to make an appointment. I would recommend this to everyone because they usually set aside a good hour especially for you and it allows them to take their time and really show you how to use the makeup. I asked questions and I loved how my makeup turned out. I definitely suggest taking the time to make that appointment and also don't feel obligated to buy everything they use. I usually buy one or two of my favorite products they used.

by momagarry | MILWAUKEE, WI

Oct 02, 2009

This is helpful information.

by Hardcandy | Moreno valley, CA

Sep 12, 2009

I am not a consultant, In my opinion, consultants only suggest colors and products but ultimately the decision is yours to know what you feel comfortable in. For example..if a consultant tells me that I look amazing in red orange lipstick, and I Dont feel "hot" in it, I am not going to purchase it. You also have an option of taking home samples of products before you buy it like at THE BEST COSMETIC STORE IN THE WORLD....SEPHORA!!!!!!!!!!! whoever has not been needs to go try everything on, I always find the consultants very nice and NEVER pushy. I guess that would be the wy I feel...Ladies if u ever feel like someone is being pushy...WALK AWAY!!!!!!They are just trying to rake in the$$$$$$$$$. Go to Sephora, You will love it there.

by strawberry_cake101 | COTTAGE GROVE, WI

Aug 30, 2009

this is so helpful... I'm those woman who go and buy make up from the make up counters and never know what I'm supposed to do!!

by LFDJen | Garden Grove, CA

Aug 25, 2009

Good Stuff. Try to seek beauty advice during off hours. You want the beauty consultant to have plenty of time to spend with you. When it's time for new products, I drive a bit further just to visit my favorite makeup counter. The consultants seem to be much more knowledgeable and I even take the time to step outside to see myself in the natural light every time. The lighting at the makeup counters change the real color of many beauty products.

by red_hot314 | Anchorage, AK

Aug 15, 2009

Thanks for the how tos!

by lmccall | Humble, TX

Aug 14, 2009

As a lover of all things makeup, I can understand the wanting to try new looks. The term makeover is creepy, but I love to change styles with different moods. Makeover suggests something is wrong with you to start. I like the comment about enhancing yourself. and I love the tips from Donato about how to spot the right consultant for you.

by Divaofcheap1818 | Montgomery, AL

Aug 14, 2009

It is so helpful to get makeovers at makeup counters because i want to know how thingz look on me before i buy it, but sometimes the people who give the make overs put to much make up in one spot and they have me looking like i am going trick or treating

by glittergirlajj | reading, PA

Aug 08, 2009

I hate going into department store makeup counters. I always feel pressured and rushed. I cant even browse comfortably w/out being stalked. So I rarely ever go there. Plus they are always trying to sell you everything you dont even need.

by stacee379 | Kingsport, TN

Aug 02, 2009

i have been to these department store make overs, i have very blue eyes and every time the lady there wants to put blue eye shadow and liner on me, it makes my eyes look like they have mold on them!!

by swtchick1020 | OPA LOCKA, FL

Jul 30, 2009

i totally agree with this article. those girls at the makeup counter try to get you to buy alot of makeup. i just like to go there to see if anything catches my eye and maybe test out some new makeup. i do admit sometimes i end up buying excessive makeup that i dont need and in the end i jus end up not paying much attention to it as i should.

by baptistballerina | Cullman, AL

Jul 28, 2009

My best friend decided she would go get one of these makeovers. She came home looking like she went to "Bozo's school of makeup" Now she thinks she looks good and I don't have the heart to tell her she looks awful. When guys look at her, she thinks they like the way she looks; I'm the one that sees them laughing as they walk away. I would say only go if you feel comfortable going. She didn't and she trusted the person that made her believe that they knew what they were doing...

by dira512 | san jose, CA

Jul 21, 2009

These tips are great, especially for those unfamiliar with department store beauty product processes.

by Clau13 | Union City, NJ

Jul 19, 2009

Thanxz fOr the tip. It will help a lot. & im one of the women who love make-up but I don't go over the top with it.