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Intimidated by Beauty Counters? Have a Great Experience!

30 January, 2017 - 09:29pm by - First Lady | 10 Comments

Article by BR Natalie

We quite like beauty counters.  A chance to try new products, with expert advice as to what will work for you and why. 

And yet we read often on the Forum that many of you have either, never visited a beauty counter, actively avoid the beauty counter or had a negative beauty counter experience.  Well we think you're missing out, so here's how to have a great experience at the beauty counter!

1.  Know why you're going!  Are you after a specific product, like a new eyeshadow or foundation?  Do you want to tackle a specific problem, like covering blemishes or minimising redness? Or are you just browsing?  Knowing your purpose will help you stay on track and not end up with unneccessary purchases.

2.  If you're not planning to buy, say so.  Many people are afraid of either the hard sell, or saying no to something they really didn't intend to buy.  There's two sides to a beauty counter salesperson - many do work on comission yes, but regardless of whether they're set to gain from a sale, they are also a brand ambassador.  So  if you know you're not going to part with any cash, just say so and get it off your chest!  And just because a customer doesn't buy straight away, the value of planting a fantastic brand impression is priceless!

3. That being said, don't be a freebie hunter.  Going round beauty counters just to get something free isn't going to result in a great experience.  Why?  Because (rather like our site!) beauty counters want the samples and freebies to go to people who are, genuinely interested in the brand/product/sample.  We all like freebies, but what's the point of hitting the beauty counter for a sample of something you don't plan to either use or buy? 

4.  Ask around.  Like finding a great beauty therapist, word of mouth is a great way to find a great beauty counter. 

5.  Consider paying.  If you are genuinely looking for something major - a new foundation, or a complete new look for an occasion, it might be worth booking and paying for a consult.  More often than not, you'll get to use the booking fee towards purchasing products and if a company is charging for it, you can expect a makeup/beauty expert to be taking you through your consult.

6.  Two way street. There's nothing more awkward than sitting there with a stranger literally in your face.  A great salesperson will chat and make you feel at ease.  But remember conversation is a two way street, so don't be shy, ask questions about what they're doing, why, what ingredients are in the product.  Be sure to tell them any beauty concerns you have, even if you don't buy, they might have some great tips and advice!

7. Set a limit.  If you are planning to part with some of your hard earned pennies, set a budget and stick to it!  If you know you're easily persuaded, why not go with just the amount of cash you're willing to spend in your wallet?

8.  Don't be afraid to say 'No Thanks''.  If the counter looks unclean, the salesperson looks miserable or you're just not getting the right vibe, crack out "I'm just looking" or "No thanks". First impressions count, and if you're not convinced you're going to have a great experience, try somewhere else! Likewise, if you find yourself with bright blue eyeshadow and orange lipstick that you know looks awful, be firm.  "This is not for me."

9.  A note about hygiene.  No matter how many times a salesperson cleans a tester, customers will often just dive in.  So at least be sure the counter uses clean or even disposable spatulas, brushes and sponges.  And maybe refrain from testing the petri dish.  I mean lip gloss.

9.  You more than likely can get a refund.  Ask about the return policy, you might be surprised to learn, that particularly at counters, you can return beauty products you've used, if you get home, try them and they're not right for you.

10.  Remember - at the end of the day, you're the customer.  You have the power to lead to experience - you don't have to buy and if you're not happy you can say so! 

So there's our top tips - tell us what you think makes a great beauty counter experience by commenting below!

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Comments

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31st January, 2017

I'm a sephora member and they do free 15min mini consultation/makeup kind of things over in the US. I went for a foundation/base one and it was SOOO helpful, the lady taught me what kinds of foundation suited my skin and recommended me some foundations. Made my next visit much less scary and I bought my current fav foundation!

31st January, 2017

I only make it a point to visit beauty counters when I have a particular product in mind or to check for a sample to trial before I decide on purchasing. I can easily put a tick against these great tips yet the beauty counter experience in general isn't as fun as I'd like it to be. For me a good beauty counter experience is as simple as a smile and a passing comment that if I need help just call out to them. A great beauty counter experience is coming across someone who is passionate about the brand, is genuinely interested in helping you find something that works for you and knows their stuff!

31st January, 2017

In the old days Dunedin had DIC and most of their products were in rows of bins and no annoying salespeople shadowed shoppers. I loved it - I bought lots of products, especially perfumes. Arthur Barnetts had beautiful products but they also had beautiful assistants who followed your every move, to pounce and sell - I hated it.

31st January, 2017

I've had good counter experiences. I definitely take my time and try quite a few brands when it comes to foundation because to me it's a very finnicky item, as the shade not only needs to match, but the formula has to suit my skin type, not make me break out, last throughout the day, how does it oxidize?etc. So yes that's where I take up counter assistants time. That being said if I do love a formulation, it's the right shade, works well with my skin tone, etc. I don't mind throwing good money at it. That being said I will tell counter assistants before they descend on me whether I'm here to browse or interested in a particular item and if I need advice or info I will ask, never had a product pushed on me that way.

31st January, 2017

sometimes im intimidated. its worse when you are wanting help and the sales people ignore you cos they're too busy gossiping! so rude. i hate going to farmers! i do like going to the local chemists but they only have brands i'm not likely to use - but theyre still very lovely and informative!

31st January, 2017

Just when you find a great sales person they get rotated out to another store (here's looking at you Life Pharmacy!). I suppose it's good for the sales person as they get to encourage new customers from other areas but bad for those that love this lady and always go to see her for her advice.

Unfortunately I find the standard of customer service in our stores leaves a lot to be desired. I remember going into a shop to purchase some jeans and the girls handling the store were all busy chatting out the back while a woman was standing at the counter patiently waiting for someone to serve her.

I have found terrific service at Bras N Things in Botany and Sylvia Park and would love the same attention and service from those ladies in places like Farmers and Life Pharmacy.

Customer Service Training really isn't being made into as big a deal as it should be here.

31st January, 2017

I've had good and bad experiences. I think more bad over good. I'm a rather chatty person so when it comes to talking to a sales person I'm pretty talkative. I dialike the ones that look at you like your dumb if you've asked the wrong question, or the ones that look at you like you don't belong and the ones that just stare at you and don't actually help. If I'm asking a sales person it's usually because I'm interested in a product and either want to find it/buy it or need some more information about the product. Beauty counters can be rather itimidating but I love it when you hit some that knows what the are talking about and can help you out!

31st January, 2017

I have never uses a beauty counter as I don't like to be pushed into a sale and I am not confident to be able to say no when the staff have worked hard to sell. I find I read reviews and then purchase and that was I don't feel guilty for wasting the staff,s time when they could be selling to an interested party.

31st January, 2017

I was over the north shore. I approached the Bobbi Brown counter. I was ignored the hole time that I was there. I was looking through the products no help. Wasn't a pleasant experience. I did have one good experience at MAC . The girls there were lovely.

31st January, 2017

I've had both good and bad. I've had a mixture of snotty and nice sales people.

I overhead the counter manager at Farmers once training a new staff member; telling her she needed to pounce the moment she caught people looking at Chanel because that would weed out the browsers from the serious buyers I had to stop myself from walking over there to tell her what good sales techniques were and that I'll only buy from counters when I'm happy with the service (the exception being when there is a sale). I had encountered this lady before and I always find her pushy but lacking in information and service.

I've also had really lovely girls at Farmers and other counters such as at Mecca and David Jones who have taken the time to help me find the right thing and then I'll buy it from them.

MareeB
31st January, 2017

Urghh..that must have made you want to run out the door!!! It's a shame, because some assistants are lovely and they genuinely want to help.

Koni
31st January, 2017

Oh gosh I know what you mean!! I had 4 favourite MAC reps over 4 months and then I gave up! I agree, customer service and the necessary training just isn't where it should be - it ruins it for those customer reps that are real gems.

MareeB
31st January, 2017

I don't like Farmers either Shaz. Our local one doesn't even have an assistant on the beauty counter most of the time, and not a very good range of products either. I always feel like the staff are miserable working there - it's not very inspiring.

Macs
31st January, 2017

Yeah I've had that kind of experience before in Farmers back in the Bay of Plenty. Hard to find good services aye.

Imoshen
1st February, 2017

Someone really needs to start a petition to get Sephora stores into NZ :)

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