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

by haveitoldyoulately | BROOKLYN, NY

Sep 18, 2008

Like many, I had passed the counters many times. I've always been shy when it came to actually going to one of the counters for a consultation, and hopefully a new me. One day at Macy's I finally got up some nerve (starting out slow...lol) I thought I'd ask advise regarding foundation. Since this is an area I find it difficult finding the right shade for me. I approached the Estee Lauder counter, and advised I would like to purchase their foundation, and would they recommend the correct shade. They girl looked at me, shrugged and said, "That's up to you, I wouldn't know which shade you should use" That was my first and last experience. I walked away discouraged, thinking, I guess "New Me's" are just for the young and pretty.

by nanners520 | LINO LAKES, MN

Sep 17, 2008

This is so helpful! I tend to buy products that I think look great and then am clueless as to how to apply them in a good looking way. Thanks for the advice!

by rbmorris | Mooreland, OK

Sep 17, 2008

I wish someone would come to my house and show me how to put on foundation. I just have a hard time with it blending in and color matching. I like to look nice when I walk out the door or when my husband hits the door!!

by sassycathy | philadelphia, PA

Sep 14, 2008

THIS IS A GREAT TIP I LOVE MAKE-UP AND I'M ALWAYS TRYING SOMETHING NEW. WITH THIS ADVICE I CAN NOW KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND WHAT NOT TO PURCHASE. THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION

by dolls4gg | S.F., CA

Sep 13, 2008

I know what I want and I go and buy it, I had my make up done one time at a counter at a Dept Store, and was so ashamed, I looked like a well you know what I mean. So I try to stay away from the make up counter.

Thanks for the Information

by juniperjill | Chicago, IL

Sep 11, 2008

Great tips! I feel so pressured to purchase the products they recommend and I feel like they don't listen and just push the products they're trying to sell.

by saveyshopper | Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Sep 10, 2008

Informative ! Thanks!

by halfchina | Orlando, FL

Sep 09, 2008

I enjoyed this article. It makes sense. Very informative.

by cocobaby | Cranston, RI

Sep 09, 2008

I agree with Donato. If you take it one client at a time, you're building a lifetime relationship. I always cultivated clients rather than "consumers". But there ARE two sides to the story. If you feel that you're expected to purchase, it's probably because 2 hours of that beauty advisor's time have just been used which could have been applied to her commission sales, if she's in that type of business. Don't abuse the advisor's time; this happens quite frequently. A good advisor WILL ask what kinds of lifestyle issues are involved, and how much you normally wear. Let them know up front that you're not looking to pile it on, and as someone else suggested, do search out someone whose look you like. Purchase well, don't allow yourself to be pressured, and expect to discuss your skincare regimen with the advisor. Good ones will ask many skincare questions--it doesn't matter how much makeup you put on if the canvas isn't in good shape.

by mabecki | Pensacola, FL

Sep 08, 2008

I just joined up thanks to a friend and readed this article. Gee I'm glad I did, can't wait to read more helpful articles. Thanks Becki

by tincanune | upland, IN

Sep 08, 2008

Thank you for the tips. As a birthday present, I made an appointment with the Clinique consaltant for my 13 year old granddaughter. She is a softball player, and is not really into makeup, but the consaltant also had played ball in high school and she related so well to my granddaughter. We purchased the skin care system and took home a load of makeup samples. I did this to intro my granddaughter to the Clinique line, and I believed it worked. Also, it made a wonderful grandmother/granddaughter day, plus we did lunch out. I am sure she will never forget this present and day with me. Mission accomplished. Happy Bday Katie.

by lindalou | Port Edwards, WI

Sep 07, 2008

This was great! Thanks so much.

by Sparkleandshine | Chandler, AZ

Sep 05, 2008

I loved these tips! Maybe I will finally feel confident enough to go to a counter to try some stuff out. I always feel like I would be pressured to buy the whole line. It intimidates me but I feel like I should go give it a try now!

by busymommaof5 | McKean, PA

Sep 04, 2008

Walmart and the Dollar Tree have decent products and I never feel like a "hooker" or "masked woman.." Can't feel guilty when saving $$$$.....

by juicygirl | Pittsburgh, PA

Sep 03, 2008

Its great to know that there is a way to leave the makeup counter without tons of useless stuff and not have to run to the restroom to remove the tons of makeup that has been applied to your face! Sometimes you just need a few things to fit in with your regular makeup instead of a whole new "made-over" you