Useless Beauty Consultants

Useless Beauty Consultants

Well this evening’s blog post is more of a whinge than anything else, but as I have cold (thanks to the boyfriend), I think I am entitled to…
I want to tell you of my two visits to Esteé Lauder. I wished to find out more about their new Idealist Skin Perfecting Illuminator, a product I was willing to purchase on my first visit. According to their marketing ad’s the serum helps to even skintone, get rid of redness, banish acne scars, hide blemishes etc. and I thought this would be great as I often have red patches on my face.

My first visit to one department store left me feeling like I could have done something better with my half hour lunch break, like sit in a dark cupboard for thirty minutes…I asked the consultant about the product, despite her looking at me like she had a poker up her ass. She put a small amount on my hand and just looked at me without telling me anything about the product. I asked how often to use the serum to which she said once a day, now having been on the Esteé Lauder website which told me to use it twice a day, I said nothing and just nodded. I asked how much the product was and she told me £56 for 50ml, so I asked for a sample (given my sensitive dry skin) but apparently they didn’t have any…funny as I’d seen a sample in a magazine. So I left completely disappointed and with my cash still firmly in my purse.

Today I made my second visit to an Esteé Lauder counter, but in a different department store. This was a completely different experience. The consultant was friendly and helpful. She tested the serum on my hand, and applied a generous amount, put both my hands together and said look at the difference. She told me all the benefits of the serum, which I outlined above. Now when I came to ask how often I should use the product, she told me a completely different tale. You should use the serum morning and night for the first 8 weeks, then cut it down to just a morning thereafter. She told me I would see a difference after 2 weeks of usage. She then gave me a sample of the serum and told me it would last a couple of days. Rest assured after giving a couple of days I will be purchasing the serum from her.

Why did I have two completely different experiences? Both consultants worked solely for Esteé Lauder, did they not want to make a sale? I couldn’t do this in my job on a daily basis, so why can beauty consultants get away with it?

Have you had a similar experience to me?

I’d like to know your experience anyway…

For more beauty posts click here.

Lauren xo

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12 Comments

  1. March 1, 2012 / 5:59 pm

    some people are hired without adequate experience. i had a similar experience at a Shiseido counter – also two different ones – and their information always differs. it really depends on what day you go but we can risk that as buyers!

  2. March 1, 2012 / 9:13 pm

    that's really strange.
    I usually look at the instructions that the product provides or I look on the internet for further information.
    Anyway that's totally irresponsible and we should be really careful on how we use make up products.
    great post 🙂

  3. Boho Vanity
    March 2, 2012 / 12:23 am

    i hate poor service, nevermind the girls who act all snooty and won't help you! it's so sad.. sorry you had to go through that hun xx

    my blog: boho vanity

  4. March 7, 2012 / 7:15 pm

    It sucks when you're made to feel like you're in the wrong for asking for a sample. Who is willing to shed out £56 without trying it first!! xx

  5. Jen and Jasmine
    March 8, 2012 / 3:51 am

    I really don't like buying from department stores, they don't worry about you, they worry about their sales 🙁 So sad. Sorry this happened to you.

    Love your blog!

    Jen

  6. Blonde Ambition
    March 10, 2012 / 1:07 pm

    You'd think if they were left alone on a counter they'd be given adequate training in order to provide their potential customers with excellent service. I'm not surprised you've had a similar experience, thanks for sharing Lxo

  7. Blonde Ambition
    March 10, 2012 / 1:07 pm

    Thank you for your reply. It really is irresponsible! Lxo

  8. Blonde Ambition
    March 10, 2012 / 1:08 pm

    Thank you, I know it really puts a dampner on your day, it is their job afterall… Lxo

  9. Blonde Ambition
    March 10, 2012 / 1:09 pm

    Totally agree, I bought a Mac Foundation once without trying it and it was completely wrong for me, complete waste of money so now I've learnt my lesson Lxo

  10. Blonde Ambition
    March 10, 2012 / 1:09 pm

    Thank you! I know it really put's you off shopping there.

    Lxo

  11. Becky Boo
    March 17, 2012 / 6:37 pm

    i hate shopping at counters because i always get a feeling im getting 'looked down' upon but most of the time they are very useful and friendly. I wanted to work for clinique (Estee lauder brand) and did a telephone interview but i didnt pass as i didnt have enough retail experience, now it makes me sad that they allow people to work for them who dont even bother with working hard and making people feel welcome, id love to work on a counter and know id be really friendly and helpful yet they still give people who are less friendly and dont have a clue about theproducts a chance which is so annoying and not fair! I love your blog 🙂 im also from the north east please check out my blog, becky xx

  12. Emma Kershaw
    April 7, 2012 / 7:19 am

    I had a bad experience at an Estee Lauder counter too, I was looking for a moisturiser and foundation and the consultant said she would put the products on me which I was a little scared about as this meant her removing all my makeup in a busy department store but I thought it's only for a few mins and then she proceeded to tell me how bad my skin was and how no matter what I used on it it would never look as good as hers!She then used a foundation on me that I think was probably 4 or 5 shades too dark and then expected me to buy it! Ridiculous! I should have complained in hindsight xx

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