Every few years, it’s a good idea to look at the new makeup offerings and update your look. The maze of shiny displays with eager salespeople promising miracles… can be intimidating and confusing. Navigating this minefield and coming out with what you want can be challenging.
Last week I got caught in the grip of an enthusiastic salesperson and left looking more like a drag queen than beauty queen. I just sat like a deer in the headlights and got painted beyond an inch of my life.
Am I the only woman who follows her own lip line? Sure I’ve played with the proportion a little bit, but this was joker material…in bright red!
Since I failed so miserably last week… I’ve put together a few tips for the next time I’m you’re getting a department store makeover.
Bring pictures
Cut pictures from magazines of some looks and products you’ve seen and wanted to try. This helps give the salesperson a baseline to start from.
Have them apply makeup to just one side
Then you apply it to the other side to see if you like working with it. This also gives you a chance to practice their application technique. If you can’t make the same magic happen at the makeup counter, you won’t be able to at home.
Use their hand mirror
Hold it up to watch their progress and take it outside to check the color and texture. What looks like gleam at the counter could be a grease slick in the daylight. That soft color shadow you like in the store, may look harsh in daylight.
Be honest
If you won’t bother applying an eye primer, face primer, plus a serum before foundation, don’t have her apply them. It’ll change how the other makeup and foundation looks…which defeats your purpose. If she starts to explain something and you don’t understand, tell her!
Tell her what you’re using
The makeup artist is judging how much you’re willing to spend based on what you’ve previously spent. Why have her show you a $200 product if you’d never spend the money on it? Don’t waste her time or yours.
Speak up
If you don’t like what’s being put on your face be sure to say so, right away. Give them the opportunity to try something else that you may love!
Don’t feel guilty!
If you honestly don’t like, want or need what you’ve sampled, don’t feel pressured to buy it.
As a final caveat… if the salesperson makes you a sample of a product from an open jar, the germ quotient will be sky-high. It’s safest to use sealed, pre-made samples, or ones made from a pump bottle.
I returned a few things today but kept the eyebrow kit. Funny thing about my eyebrows, they just keep shrinking and migrating south.
In the category of “unnecessary trivia and who cares,” … “eyebrow-hair transplant requests are up 25% in New York.” ~plastic surgeon, Andrew Jacono
When’s the last time you updated your makeup or technique?
Jennifer Connolly
Jennifer Connolly celebrates the unique experience of women over 50. As a Certified Image Consultant and Personal Stylist, she empowers women to develop their image, personal style and self confidence. Her blog, A Well Styled Life, gives women the tools to appreciate their beauty and fully embrace the joys of midlife. Jennifer is a blogger, writer, wife, mom, grandmother. Pro-aging troublemaker, searching for the perfect foundation shade since 1973. Instagram: awellstyledlife
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Cheri
Thursday 30th of July 2015
Your tips would have come in handy before my last "makeover'! I wasted a lot of time having heaps of product put on my face that I would never use at home. A picture would have been helpful too! Get ideas! Thanks :)
Sandy Nelson
Friday 24th of July 2015
Hi Jennifer, thanks for some great tips! Makeup is such a trial and error experience. I'm sure many women have some funny, and not so funny, memories at the makeup counter.
Some years back, in NYC, I had a makeup artist who, after doing my entire face, refused to put on any lip color. She told me to put on my own, whatever lip color I usually wear and had with me.
That was weird.
Maura Sweeney
Friday 24th of July 2015
Jennifer, I loved this article, probably because it brought back memories and one learning experience that truly hit home! One of my most vivid recollections involves going to an expensive cosmetic counter in search of a new lipstick. The woman "convinced" me that a shade was just perfect for me, even though I told her I considered it too peachy (translation: orange is nowhere to be found on my color palette). In my youthful naiveté and politeness, I reluctantly purchased the lipstick and realized as soon as I returned to my car that it was anything but pleasant. When I went back inside to advise the saleswoman that the shade looked awry in the outdoors, she informed me that it was not returnable because I'd already used it! I hope your article finds lots of ready readers.
Anita Irlen
Friday 24th of July 2015
Love the half face thing, it's so smart. They do it really well in Mac stores.
Carolann
Friday 24th of July 2015
I think an important tip as well is to ask for samples. You can get them just about everywhere even online. All you have to do it ask and most will ship them straight to you!