Stop the Mad "Makeover"

   By twistedsister1  Feb 04, 2008
205

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
kerri0980 by kerri0980 | Perry, GA
Nov 08, 2008

This articles provide really great advice. My dilemma is always trying to identify if the individual at the beauty counter actually has any knowledge that would be helpful. It seems in my area that the beauty stores have individuals who seem to know less than I do. This is actually very scary. Last year I thought I would schedule a make-up consultation at one of these beauty counters in a high end department store prior to my work Christmas party. Boy did she make me look like a clown... Needless to say, I redid my make-up prior to my party. How do you best identify the beauty advisors that shouldn't be advising???

Osheres by Osheres | La Crosse, WI
Nov 06, 2008

Thanks for the advice! I have left several high end makeup counters over the years only to get home and think okay, now how should I apply this and even why did I buy this?

lia7704 by lia7704 | Baxter, TN
Nov 04, 2008

Being a mom of 4, low income, never having anything decent to wear, a stay at home mom, no makeup to her name, old shoes, only one pair of shoes............. I'd just like to know what a makeover feels like even just for a day!

pathbunny by pathbunny | Depew, NY
Oct 25, 2008

Good information, hate to feel like I HAVE to buy stuff

anamika by anamika | MONMOUTH JCT, NJ
Oct 24, 2008

It is a great article

capalooza by capalooza | Rosman, NC
Oct 22, 2008

I used to be one of those girls who would spend too much money after having a makeover. Merle Norman was the place I went whenever I needed a pick me up. The owner of the boutique would work wonders as she showed me all the new colors for the season, and I was hooked. She said I had could wear so many colors. When I think back to how much I used to spend there, I can't believe I blew that much money. I wore a lot of it, but I bought so much that a lot of the makeup more than passed the expiration date for each item. It was so hard to throw all of it away because I knew I had spent and wasted so much on it. Now, when I go to any makeup counter I go with a plan. I know before I walk up what I am looking for and how much I am willing to spend. These are excellent for tips for people who are still trying to get to the place where they can stay in control.

sunshine01 by sunshine01 | magna, UT
Oct 17, 2008

What a great article....I wont be quit so intimidated.

leela by leela | douglasville, GA
Oct 15, 2008

thanks for the tips;im glad i read this article

momala by momala | KENNETT, MO
Oct 15, 2008

I'm so glad I read this article. Very helpful. :-)

kristins by kristins | Austin, TX
Oct 08, 2008

Enjoyed the article. Makeup counters are always so intimidating.

lisalisa by lisalisa | SAN DIEGO, CA
Oct 08, 2008

Great article. I have had my share of makeup counter remorse. I still go and seek out their advise but I go when there is something I really need. I try out several brands and when I find a product that I like I let them put it on me and then I go shopping around the mall and check out in different lighting and settings. This really helps take the pressure off the sale but I also can see if it really looks good on me and if I really like it. I do the same with perfume.

dephco by dephco | Greenlawn, NY
Oct 08, 2008

Thanks for a great article. I used to buy stuffs I don't need but now I have learned to buy only what I need and avoid beauty consultants whenever possible. Now I feel like I know what to do when they approach me.

sweet1justice by sweet1justice | hickory, NC
Oct 05, 2008

"Wow", Thanks for the tips. It is all great advice.

stayoutofmysl by stayoutofmysl | Wasilla, AK
Oct 05, 2008

very useful inforamtuion

XCaliGurl by XCaliGurl | Wharton, TX
Oct 04, 2008

Thank you for the wonderful tips! So much useful information!