Multi billion dollar companies have created the idea that makeup counter sales people are equal if not better to freelance, trained, experienced and qualified makeup artists, beauty therapist and "skin specialists" in order to earn the public's dollar.
Makeup counter employees are hired as sales people, not makeup artists, meaning their goal is to upsell the consumer as much as possible, not providing a high quality service. Back in March I had a bride comment that I was the first non counter makeup artist and she could already tell the difference in quality while I was setting up and sanitising tools prior to her service. Makeup counters in Myers and David joins employees work on a low base rate ( average $15p/h) plus commission meaning if you don't leave having bought something they're in trouble, hence their goal being to sell you as many products from their counter as possible. Being sales people they're often not qualified to give advise or analyse your skin properly, which can lead to consumers buying products not suited to their skin type, skin tone / undertone or a product the buyer cannot use.
while they offer cheap or free treatments to market to a certain demographic, and can put their marketing tactics into play, convincing consumers that they need "X" product and "Y" to make it last. Knowing that they need the sales commission, hence the use of potentially contaminated tester products ( hello cold sores!), distractions during service ( i.e. serving other customers during your service) and up selling during service, like "extras" that would finish the look like lashes, powder and lip gloss. Your face is never their priority, your wallet is. speaking from my own experience preparing for my year 10 school formal, I was booked at a certain Australian owned makeup counter at Charlestown Square, for a 3pm 45 minute makeup. I was talk halfway through the application that the lashes I was promised when I booked a month ago were no longer included but I could buy them at a surcharge and that if I wanted a "sample" of the lip colours I would also have to pay for ( which I wouldn't afford being 15 at the time), during my service my " artist" was distracted several times by other customers, meaning my 45 minute booking turned into a 2 hour makeup having to re-explain the the artist what I wanted each time ( bronze smokey eye, with a winged liner and neutral lip), having her rush my makeup as she had other girls from my school booked after me as well. I left running late and actually missed out on having my photos taken with my friends ( perhaps a blessing in disguise with my yellow/ orange foundation and wonky liner). Now I'm not saying this goes for all makeup counter staff but I've now heard enough stories from friends , family and clients that have experienced similar situations in their youth.
Marketing and ambiance is a huge part of makeup / beauty counter sales, next time your around one check out their lighting situation, is it fluorescence bulbs and yellow toned? this gives whoever is in the chair the a more diffused / tanned look making them think they look better with "X" products, and as its an OHS issue Australian counters do not refund opened packaging meaning you're stuck with the wrong colour their professionals matched you too.
Makeup artists always prefer natural or white lighting where possible as it allows us to create a better application for our clients. and Satisfaction of clientèle is our business, as a luxury service we communicate prior to your service, prepared and sanitise our kits in our own time ,travel to you, pay tolls / parking and give you our undivided attention until your service is complete. Stock every colour needed in professional quality and luxury brands covering every skin tone, skin type, undertone, eye colour face shape and so on.
we're focused on you, your experience and finished look! hope this has answered any questions for my younger audience and wasn't too ranty!
