Makeup Counter Confessions.

So, you and a friend are at your favorite cosmetics counter and you aren’t exactly sure what you’re looking for. One of the employees approaches you and asks if you need any help. What do you do?

A. Don’t make eye contact. Say “just looking” and proceed to put on the first lipstick you see.

B. Ignore the employee. They don’t know what they’re doing anyway. They’re just trying to make a commission!

C. Turn to your friend and ask them what they use.

If you said yes to any of these YOU ARE WRONG!

These tips will help you to have the best experience possible while you’re shopping at any makeup counter.

1. Ask questions: The people that work at a makeup counter are the most knowledgeable about the products being sold because they’re required to wear those products and know about them in order to sell them. They are there to help you find what’s best for you.

2. Make Eye contact: Even if you really are just browsing, it’s ok to let them know that, but giving a little eye contact goes a long way. Not only will it show your genuine interest, but the employee might be wearing something you’d like to try!

3. Sanitization: When trying on a product tester, ensure that the product is sanitized. Just because you are using a brush to put on that gorgeous lipstick does not mean that it’s clean. Feel free to ask the worker to clean off the lipstick prior to putting it on your lips.

4. More Sanitization: Make sure that you are being sanitary about trying on a tester. This is most important for eye products. Putting your fingers in an eyeshadow is the worst thing you can do. You won’t get an effective swatch by sticking your finger in them and you’re transferring the dirt and oil from your finger into the eyeshadow. YUCK! Feel free to ask the worker for a brush or cotton swabs in order to get the swatches in a sanitary manner. Also, ask for hand sanitizer. If you want to put the eyeshadows on your eyes, ask for a tissue so that you or the worker can wipe off the top of the eyeshadow, this ensures that you have a clean surface of eyeshadow to work from.

5. Be patient: sometimes there are only one or two workers available at a time. If there are 8 customers on the floor, they cannot get to everyone at the same time. For the most part, people who work at makeup counters love what they do. They basically get to play in makeup all day! What’s not to love? Don’t be afraid to approach that worker with any questions you may have about the products you’re trying. Please believe that they won’t be bothered.

6. Know thyself: for instance, if you’re looking for a foundation, there isn’t just one type available. Some foundations are formulated for people that have dry skin and need more moisture. Some foundations are formulated for the customer on the go. Some foundations are formulated to help with skin discoloration. A good cosmetics employee will ask you about your skin. Knowing your skin will help you and the employee determine what’s best for you. This brings me to my next point…

7: Keep an open mind: you may see that tangerine orange color corrector and immediately say “NOPE! That is going to make me look like an Oompa Loompa!” When in fact if you have dark circles under your eyes or grayness around your mouth, that’s EXACTLY what you may need to help even out your skin in those areas. Trust the experts.

BONUS:
Bring it back: If you get home and it’s not working for you, YOU CAN RETURN IT! Most department stores have 30-day return policies. If you purchase a lipstick and you realize you have 6 lipsticks that look just like it when you get home, you can bring it back to exchange for another if it has been used. If it’s unused, you can get your money back for it.

Being at a makeup counter can be a wonderful experience and hopefully, these tips will help make it that way. What are some makeup counter behaviors that you hate?