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Don't be duped! The economy sucks and you're going to want to get every cent of your money's worth when your getting ready to pull out all that plastic for any boutique.
These simple, but sufficient, tips are second nature to most beauty junkies and have been practiced by shopping veterans all over the world. Believe me, in doing so- You! Oh, special newly christened cosmetic consumer you! - will get what you need and avoid the possibility of the dreaded buyer's remorse once and for all.
You're destiny as the next beauty buying expert is soon to begin. But, in case you couldn't tell by reading my articles, I'm warning you now...Shopping for ANYTHING beauty can be very very addicting. Ultimately, you will start to feel like a kid in a candy store.
These simple, but sufficient, tips are second nature to most beauty junkies and have been practiced by shopping veterans all over the world. Believe me, in doing so- You! Oh, special newly christened cosmetic consumer you! - will get what you need and avoid the possibility of the dreaded buyer's remorse once and for all.
You're destiny as the next beauty buying expert is soon to begin. But, in case you couldn't tell by reading my articles, I'm warning you now...Shopping for ANYTHING beauty can be very very addicting. Ultimately, you will start to feel like a kid in a candy store.
1. Go Online:
Yah! You can try it on but it's better to look up makeup goods like a dirty gossip columnist. The Internet is a beautiful thing...There is a vast majority of sites and blogs that will let you know about any product that you desire, are thinking about, and/or have second thoughts of. Viewpoints.com, TotalBeauty.com and even some beauty company websites, give you the option to look over any reviews written by actual consumers. The rule of thumb here is: Never get anything that has under three stars. If it caused a chemical burn or permanent reaction on a consumer, steer clear, as far as possible. Lastly, this does not apply to fragrance for obvious reasons. I would personally never buy anything that I couldn't smell, even if it had the best reviews ever. If you'll be wearing it in a crowded Bart Train, possibly sweating, in the early hours of a Monday morning rush hour, definitely, smell first unless you want to be remembered as the girl not to stand too close to.
2. Know your return policy:
Always, always save your receipts.
Many of us are stuck with the crappiest things in our caboodles. Constant reminders of the memories we fell prey to our weaker moments of impulse buys or colorblindness. Though some companies will gladly accept cosmetics that have been opened and tried, (For places like Sephora and Ulta, they go straight to the damage bin, wherein the company simply reports it as a negative in their monthly inventory) a lot of manager's, in bigger beauty chains, will look at your powder compact, that is clearly three shades darker, and stare at you with a big invisible blinking sign over their head saying "YEAH RIGHT!" Now, now, no need to turn your inner bratty aler-ego on. I'm here to tell you that you won't have to be stuck with that crinkly eyeshadow and empty pocket forever. Most of the time the actual manufacturer will be able to reimburse you or send you a gift certificate instead with just a few taps on the keyboard or pushes of a button. Look up the customer contact information online and call or e-mail them with your disappointment. (Maybelline and Cover Girl both do this with gift certificates.) No matter what, the customer is always right...and if they still say "No!" to your reasonable concerns, then you have all my permission to turn into biyatch-mode.
3. Buddy up:
Pick the counter you most frequent and eye your ideal beauty companion. You can be a little shallow here. Is she genuine? Do you like her makeup? Is she pushy? (Ick!) Once you've established those traits then you've found your guy/girl. Actually, if they sell me a product that I like and back it up with "If you change you're mind, you can always (Insert absolutely great return policy here...)" they get bumped up a couple notches on my favorite list.
I love my boutique peeps. Making a "new friend" is both healthy and helpful when shopping for new and old beauty products. Knowing who to go to and what the latest products are equals to a great beauty experience and the best possible service. Counter girls, although not my first choice, are always interested in getting people in chairs but they can be a little much. If I can find her/him, I keep my eye on the seasoned counter or store managers since they have already had not only a ton of experience with products but on helping clients. Build up some rapport, set up an appointment, and ask for his/her card. This leads to a familiar face that you look forward to when purchasing the next thing you will need. If they're really good, your foundation color, favorite products, and (if they're really really good) the friendly knowledge of your name will be ready for you on your next visit. That creates the luxury of a quick in-and-out the beauty door when you need most.
Yah! You can try it on but it's better to look up makeup goods like a dirty gossip columnist. The Internet is a beautiful thing...There is a vast majority of sites and blogs that will let you know about any product that you desire, are thinking about, and/or have second thoughts of. Viewpoints.com, TotalBeauty.com and even some beauty company websites, give you the option to look over any reviews written by actual consumers. The rule of thumb here is: Never get anything that has under three stars. If it caused a chemical burn or permanent reaction on a consumer, steer clear, as far as possible. Lastly, this does not apply to fragrance for obvious reasons. I would personally never buy anything that I couldn't smell, even if it had the best reviews ever. If you'll be wearing it in a crowded Bart Train, possibly sweating, in the early hours of a Monday morning rush hour, definitely, smell first unless you want to be remembered as the girl not to stand too close to.
2. Know your return policy:
Always, always save your receipts.
Many of us are stuck with the crappiest things in our caboodles. Constant reminders of the memories we fell prey to our weaker moments of impulse buys or colorblindness. Though some companies will gladly accept cosmetics that have been opened and tried, (For places like Sephora and Ulta, they go straight to the damage bin, wherein the company simply reports it as a negative in their monthly inventory) a lot of manager's, in bigger beauty chains, will look at your powder compact, that is clearly three shades darker, and stare at you with a big invisible blinking sign over their head saying "YEAH RIGHT!" Now, now, no need to turn your inner bratty aler-ego on. I'm here to tell you that you won't have to be stuck with that crinkly eyeshadow and empty pocket forever. Most of the time the actual manufacturer will be able to reimburse you or send you a gift certificate instead with just a few taps on the keyboard or pushes of a button. Look up the customer contact information online and call or e-mail them with your disappointment. (Maybelline and Cover Girl both do this with gift certificates.) No matter what, the customer is always right...and if they still say "No!" to your reasonable concerns, then you have all my permission to turn into biyatch-mode.
3. Buddy up:
Pick the counter you most frequent and eye your ideal beauty companion. You can be a little shallow here. Is she genuine? Do you like her makeup? Is she pushy? (Ick!) Once you've established those traits then you've found your guy/girl. Actually, if they sell me a product that I like and back it up with "If you change you're mind, you can always (Insert absolutely great return policy here...)" they get bumped up a couple notches on my favorite list.
I love my boutique peeps. Making a "new friend" is both healthy and helpful when shopping for new and old beauty products. Knowing who to go to and what the latest products are equals to a great beauty experience and the best possible service. Counter girls, although not my first choice, are always interested in getting people in chairs but they can be a little much. If I can find her/him, I keep my eye on the seasoned counter or store managers since they have already had not only a ton of experience with products but on helping clients. Build up some rapport, set up an appointment, and ask for his/her card. This leads to a familiar face that you look forward to when purchasing the next thing you will need. If they're really good, your foundation color, favorite products, and (if they're really really good) the friendly knowledge of your name will be ready for you on your next visit. That creates the luxury of a quick in-and-out the beauty door when you need most.
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