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Xavierienne
New Member
 
Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Posts: 8
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:23 am  |
| Ok, this should be fun... I have visited two different cosmetic counters in the past week and have been told pretty amazing things by the cosmetic 'specialists'. First I visited the new Proactiv counter in downtown Toronto. I was only interested in purchasing one of the products and not the whole Proactiv regime. The clerk, I mean skin care specialist, told me that their products aren't designed to be used with other products (i.e. don't mix and match your Proactiv toner with lets say a Clinique cleanser). I had to hold back the laughter when I asked her if it would be dangerous to do so. Her response was that Proactiv products are designed to be used in conjunction with one another.. Whatever.. Next stop was a major downtown Toronto dept store. I was looking to see if they carried Peter Thomas Roth skin lightener. They didn't carry the line but the clerk told me that it was a good product line. She believed it was a Canadian company - it isn't as far as I know - they are in New York. She tried to sell me another skin lightening product. I told her I wasn't interested because I don't care for products with heavy fragrance in them (it's funny how products designed for sensitive skin often have fragrance in them!) She then tried to convince me that only inexpensive lines carry heavy fragrances (completely untrue) and that the line she was trying to sell me was made of cosmetic grade ingredients ... What does that mean??? Nothing but clever marketing... Anyone else been told crazy things at the cosmetics counter? |
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:59 am |
| those are funny stories, but I know they are nothing but the truth. I don't visit cosmetic counters anymore, because the clerk "specialist" is only there to sell the products from the company that they are working for!! That is how they get paid. In the past, if I do wonder by the counter of skincare or makeup and someone approaches me, I always ask them if they are using it. Of course, they always say YES. Most of the time it is someone who has horrible skin. That is usually my indication to RUN, not walk. They really should not say the use the product if they have "bad" skin. I know that bad skin is not their fault, but it really is a bad rap for the product they are pushing. If it was me, I would say kindly "I wish I could use it", I have a strict diet of XYZ skincare by orders of my doctor. That way, they know that I have a skin issue and it is NOT from the products I am selling. |
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39 Year "young" female, Using PTR glycolic cleanser and Finacea with success! Passion for living and love Sunny Days/Beaches and The Ocean |
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:24 pm |
Yeah SA's hardly ever know what they are talking about it. I think they just believe without question what they are told in training.
I dont visit counters anymore. |
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:16 pm |
| yeah, representatives at cosmetic counters seem to be everywhere the same, and it is a total waste of time to listen to their "advice". |
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31, combo - oily, breakout-prone, fair complexion, sensitive and prone to rosacea |
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Xavierienne
New Member
Joined: 15 Jul 2008
Posts: 8
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:23 pm |
Yes, and the sad thing is that often people will buy products based on their recommendations. While I don't think they intentionally try to mislead often their "expert" opinions make skin care problems worse. I'm thinking of products recommended for acne. I remember as a teenager wasting money on their recommendations thinking that these people were experts because they were wearing white lab coats!!!!  |
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:37 pm |
Yes, not naming any names here, but it's a shame so many young girls flock to that counter in search of great skin....my only experience with the White Lab Coat brand has been that it just wreaked havoc and was pretty harsh!
I only use a few makeup products from department stores and make sure they have a liberal returns policy before I buy it if it's something I've never used before.
I just buy my skin products online without all the blahblahblah sales pitch. I certainly trust you guys and your wealth of experience! |
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✪ My go-to products: MyFawnie.BigCartel.com ✪ |
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:23 pm |
| What gets me is the ageism in the cosmetic industry. Have you ever seen anyone over 30 selling anti-aging skin care? |
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:01 pm |
| I appreciate the samples that some beauty advisors willing to give out even if you are not buying anything from them at the moment. But a lot time I find they only give you samples after you made a purchase. |
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Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:22 pm |
| anya wrote: |
| What gets me is the ageism in the cosmetic industry. Have you ever seen anyone over 30 selling anti-aging skin care? |
Yes, actually one. She has been an Elizabeth Arden rep for 10 years or so. I no longer use EA but I am still on the mailing list. This rep is very good at letting customers know when a promo is coming up. She is 50 or maybe 55 and does have nice skin. Nice personality too.
I actually do buy Clinique on GWP and I would appreciate it if those young girls could drop me a postcard on a promo. |
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Sat Aug 23, 2008 5:05 pm |
| I just want to make sure that you guys don't think that all "cosmetic advisors" are onlyout to get your money and up sell you! I am a cosmetic manager-not for a department store and I take pride in giving good skin care advice to my customers and trying my best to help them with any problems they have with their skin. I would never give them false information and if they ask a question that I don't know the answer to I tell them I don't know but I always find out for them. I have been on the other end of this as well and I know some of the ridiculous things that some "advisor" say to make a sale but please don't be afraid of the cosmetic counter! In some places their are genuine people there who really know whatthey are talking about and wouldlove to share their love of skin care with you! |
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Sat Aug 23, 2008 5:51 pm |
| I had a relative get a job at "star" dept store selling an Everyday Line of cosmetics. When I heard she was doing this, it just sealed the fate of ANY dept store skin care/make up for me. This girl is book smart but not street smart, has terrible skin, doesn't speak properly, has several kids out of wedlock, etc. You get the picture |
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46, curly dk blonde hair, fair, blue eyes, very oily T-zone. HGs: Tazorac .05% gel; Avene/Bioderma s/s (very high spf AND ppd); Cellbone vit Cie 20%; Cellbone Hyperpeptides; IFP 5% bha/10% aha; Obagi Clear; 'curly girl' method (no poo, just co wash) for my 3b curls. |
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Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:17 pm |
| Like I said, you can't generalize! I have a university business degree, no children, beautiful skin and a true passion for skin care (hence why I am using my education this way!). I do tons of research on different skin care products and lines...alot that I don't even carry just so I can know what's out there and what new advancements are being made just so I know what a customer is talking about when they come in! We are not all horrible! |
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Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:55 pm |
Ya know what I think is really nice? That all of us enlightened "EDS" gals + guys, don't have to be at the mercy of a sales associate for our skin care needs.... They would probably run for cover as soon as we would start thowing out questions + asking them to disclose ingredient lists etc..
With that said, I'd also offer two thumbs up for "jenw", and the minority that may also be in her league.
  Thanks EDS |
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Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:01 am |
| Jenw - I honestly don't mean to offend you. If I found someone like you it would be a different story. Would you say, though, that you're in the minority in your profession? I truly haven't met a SA who was as knowledgeable as some of the women here. |
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46, curly dk blonde hair, fair, blue eyes, very oily T-zone. HGs: Tazorac .05% gel; Avene/Bioderma s/s (very high spf AND ppd); Cellbone vit Cie 20%; Cellbone Hyperpeptides; IFP 5% bha/10% aha; Obagi Clear; 'curly girl' method (no poo, just co wash) for my 3b curls. |
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Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:52 am |
I have to say that I'm super-thankful there are things like the EDS forums, Makeupalley.com and beauty blogs where you can find independent opinions about products.
Mind, I'm not saying that all SAs or consultants are unreliable...just that it's great to have access to so much more information these days. I feel that I'm much better able to make informed decisions about how to spend my money these days than I did when I was younger and all I had to go on were magazine editorials, advertisements and (oftentimes wild) promises on boxes! |
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Light, yellow undertones, dark hair & eyes, extremely combo., resistant skin prone to congestion, dryness AND breakouts! |
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Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:09 pm |
My question is what makes the “cosmetic advisors” qualified to recommend a regiment for a client.? Sure, they have knowledge and training of the actual skin care line from the brands rep. But are they estheticians? Do they have training on actual skin? The majority are not licensed. Knowledge of products and skin are two different things. There are some products out there that can really mess up some ones skin!
I am a licensed Aesthetician and I have heard crazy things from clients using regiments recommended to them by “cosmetic advisors” My thing isn’t the selling, hey we all have to make a living. My beef is these poor women who come to see me with dehydrated, flakey skin and horrible blackheads because a “cosmetic advisor” recommended an alcohol based toner OR this poor women I had the other day that had awful broken capillaries and inflamed skin because a “cosmetic advisor” told her to use a microderm scrub on her rosacea because she was flakey! And as far as proactiv goes I can write a book on the horror stories!
I just think if you are going to recommend skin care, you should be educated about the actual skin. Not just the products and trying to sell them. |
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Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:44 am |
| I am scarried to go to cosmetics counter in my country. I prefered to search the information and comment from the internet before. And I also like to buy skincare from the internet, I received a huge discount. |
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Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:17 am |
| The people who work at the cosmetics counters are in fact sales people. Just as if you are trying on a piece of clothes at a store some SA will say that it looks great on you even if it's far too tight or unflattering. Most product lines probably have good and bad products. Some designed for sensitive skin and some that are horrible for sensitive skin. The problem is that so often the sales associates will insist that the products must be used in conjunction with one another to receive positive results when that often isn't true. I don't think that selling clothing is the same as selling skin care products. Many of us are sensitive about our skin conditions whether it be acne, wrinkles, scars, dark circles etc and don't need someone selling us something that makes our problem worse or promises results when none will be had. These people are in the sales game, and some will obviously care more then others about the results once you pay your bill! |
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:52 pm |
| jenw wrote: |
| I just want to make sure that you guys don't think that all "cosmetic advisors" are onlyout to get your money and up sell you! I am a cosmetic manager-not for a department store and I take pride in giving good skin care advice to my customers and trying my best to help them with any problems they have with their skin. I would never give them false information and if they ask a question that I don't know the answer to I tell them I don't know but I always find out for them. I have been on the other end of this as well and I know some of the ridiculous things that some "advisor" say to make a sale but please don't be afraid of the cosmetic counter! In some places their are genuine people there who really know whatthey are talking about and wouldlove to share their love of skin care with you! |
I think the major problem is department stores because they hire advisors for each particular line. If you go in when it's not busy, you even end up with someone from another line helping you and they don't even know what product are available for another company (and just forget about ingredients!!). It would be nice to have an expert who was not on commission and who actually knew what worked across the various lines. I will never buy from a store again...I prefer to do all my research on-line and then purchase on-line. If find product reviews by users on-line much more useful than an advisors or beauticians advice. It I ever do buy in a store, I will go in knowing what I want and just grabbing it !!
I would love to find someone like you in a store to help but unfortunately, that is not how the majority are. |
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:04 pm |
I don't take them and their "advice" seriously since my mid-20s. I doesn't take long to realize that absolute majority of them just need to sell you Whatever; they often cannot even tell your skin type, and are quite incompetent even in their product line. 
But to be fair, there are some knowledgeable consultants as well, or at least nice friendly ladies who don't mind sharing samples, Sometimes.
You get much more honest advice on the internet, or the word of mouth (IMO, the best, because you can actually See how the "adviser" looks like and it adds credibility  |
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Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:45 pm |
| what i usually do is to check out the ingredients in the products, and read reviews from forums on the internet. I will head down to the counters when I am almost sure I will get the products. |
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Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:29 am |
My favorite stupid thing: I asked a Clarins rep if the hand cream had sunscreen in it. She said, No, you don't need to use sunscreen on your hands.
D'oh. Why does she think hands get so hold looking? She could have just said, No, it does not.
(I believe they do have an SPF version now. Perhaps enough people asked for it.) |
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Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:37 pm |
| You know, I don't really mind that most of the SAs at the counters say stupid things or pull dumb sales tactics...but what I do have a problem with are those looks I get when I say I want to see the packaging so I can look at the ingredients. I dunno, I just always get them rolling their eyes at me when I ask, followed by an awkward silence. |
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Whatever you do, do it with passion and conviction...even if it means spending a couple hundred on something you want but don't need! |
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Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:58 pm |
| Sales clerks never know what they are talking about. They spew out exactly what their companies tell them to and will say anything to get you to buy something! |
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Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:04 am |
 , yeah, there are many stories like this about the sales consultants, it's the same here in Germany. I'm always wondering why they are so uninterested in the products they sell, even in the very pricey shops. Most of them know almost nothing about ingredients etcetera. This just makes me even surer that cosmetics aren't purposed "to work", otherwise they would be sold in pharmacies (don't know how it is in Canada, but here in Germany everything that "works",in contrast to "cares", has to be a medicament, not a cosmetic product). |
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Youth is a wonderful thing, what a crime to waste it on children... (mid-thirties, from Germany, hassle-free skin  , color very light, dark (colored) hair, dark blue eyes |
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