Beauty Counters friend or foe!

I thought I'd write a little post about beauty counters in general. Its amazing how many times Ive heard people say I'd like a sample of foundation from x but i don't know how to ask or I'm too scared to approach.
What a shame.

I worked on the clinique counter for quite a few years and so can see both sides of the coin so to speak. So i thought I'd put together a few little pointers on asking for samples.

* Don't be afraid to approach a counter, the girls are there to help

* Counters only get a limited number of samples so if they say they don't have any then don't think they just wont give you one :)

* Never just ask do you have any free samples? This will just make the girls think you want a freebie with no intention to buy.

* If you want to try a new foundation ask them if they would mind colour matching you and if you can take a sample to try for yourself.

* Ask to be put on your favourite counters mailing list. That way you get special offers in the post and notifications for new products and sometimes samples.

* If you like a particular counter try to shop at the same one so the girls get to know you. It's like using the same hairdresser, a good counter girl will know what types of products you might be interested in and they tend to look after there regulars.

If you see something coming out in a magazine that you like the look of there is a good chance there will be samples available as new products often have a sample launch. Cut out the cutting and take with you so a) you remember what the product is and b) It shows you are genuinely interested.


Now lets flip the coin and tell you what i would see most days working on the counter.

Lots of requests for free samples from women that would go round every counter trying to get anything free. These ladies would never buy anything from any given counter and would either give the freebies away as gifts or use them themselves and when they run out ask for more. Or worse still sell them on ebay. lol. Sad but true.

I have also approached a few high end counters and been spoken to very rudely before and had people look down there noses at me. It's a shame that 1 or 2 bad counter girls give the rest of them such a bad name as one bad experience that makes a customer feel intimidated can put you off for life.

How to deal with an over pushy sales assistant?

We all know the type, " let me just show you this new product, its amazing, here let me just try this on your face, sit down "
I find a firm no thank you and a smile works wonders and never offends.

Working on a beauty counter highs and lows

Highs:  being surrounded by beauty products, being able to play with the products and do makeovers on people. I loved working with products i believed in and working with other like minded girls.
I loved finding out about the latest products and i loved training days and i loved the free products we got at launches and a big monthly discount :)

Lows: Having set targets and pressure to sell. This was the worst thing about the job, no sales assistant wants to be pushy but sometimes we were really stressed by pressure to sell. Standing up all day long. Cleaning the counter was a boring job and had to be done daily. Rude customers who we had to be polite to.

Saying all that, i loved working on the counter and it gave me some great experience.

I'd love to know your thoughts on approaching counters, do you find the assistants friendly or do you avoid them at all costs?