Debunking the Top 5 Cosmetic Department Myths

Have you ever walked into a cosmetic department and felt intimidated by the sea of women dressed in black?

Have you ever strolled into a cosmetic department and thought “Damn, I knew I should have done my hair and makeup today… I’m a hot mess!”

Have you ever gone to a cosmetic department and immediately felt over whelmed by the prospect of finding the perfect color foundation?

Have you ever been bombarded by cosmetic associates trying to sell you the sun, the moon and the stars?

Have you ever wondered how on Earth you would find the perfect shade of lipstick to match your dress with so many choices?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you have a serious case of CDS, Cosmetic Department Syndrome.

So I am here to cure your case of CDS. This used to be me until I ended up getting a job in the dreaded cosmetics department. I thought “Oh no! Now I’m going to be labeled as one of those stuck up, cosmetic bitches!” “How dreadful!” As I took a trip to the dark side, I realized it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Myth #1- “These cosmetic ladies are here to intimidate me with their black outfits, perfect hair, and perfect makeup!”

Since I have been in the industry for over 5 years now, I can tell you that it is a requirement of the department stores as well as the cosmetic companies for their employees to wear all black, have their hair pulled back away from their face, and have on a full face of makeup. If it was up to me I would wear lime green and fuchsia, any color but black, and come in “a la natural.” Unfortunately, if I looked like that, I would never sell one piece of makeup or skincare.

Myth #2- You must look like Tyra Banks to walk into the cosmetics department.

The truth is, if you are in search of a whole new look or all new skin care it is actually better if you come in without makeup. The cosmetic associates could care less what you look like. With the economy as horrible as it is, they are just happy to see any customer walk into the cosmetics department.  Their job is to make you look and feel beautiful. At the end of the day if they accomplish that goal, then you are more likely to buy something.

Myth #3- “It’s impossible to find the perfect color foundation that actually matches my skin, I’m sure this will end up in my drawer of makeup I cannot wear!”

Finding the perfect foundation may be easier than you thought. First narrow down exactly what kind of coverage you’re looking for, sheer, medium or full, with or without SPF, and finally liquid or powder. An experienced beauty advisor will be able to help you find a foundation based on your skin type. If you are still struggling, try a couple of counters, let them know you just need to be matched up and that you’re shopping around. If you feel you need to wear it around for awhile, ask for a sample. All cosmetics companies can make you a sample of anything that can be put into a container, including foundation.

Myth #4- “These people would try to sell snow to an Eskimo. They just want to sell me something even if I don’t need it!”

Now, while you may feel as if all cosmetic associates are trying to sell you anything and everything, the truth is, they have all been trained to not only show you that foundation or lipstick you’re looking for but to also show you a healthy skincare routine to go along with it.  So when you feel pressured to buy, only buy what you really need and will actually use.  As a beauty advisor, I would never want to sell you products that you are not going to use or don’t need because the likelihood of you returning it is high. In the cosmetics industry RETURN is considered a four letter word. Granted, there are some cosmetic sharks out there that could care less what they sell you, but in my experience most of us really do care. These cosmetic companies put billions of dollars into training their beauty advisors to provide you with the best customer service possible as well as product knowledge. If you are feeling pressured just say “I don’t want to buy something that I’m not sure about and end up RETURNING it.” You will see the cosmetic associate back off quickly. If you encounter a cosmetic line that is too pushy, is not listening to your needs, and is making you uncomfortable, leave immediately and walk down the hall to the other 50 cosmetic lines that are eagerly waiting to assist you!

Myth #5- “Finding the perfect lipstick is impossible!”

Here are a couple tips to make finding the perfect lipstick shade easier for you. So the most common lipstick customer I encounter is the one who is trying to match up some other color that they either used to wear, or has been discontinued. In this case the best way to find this obscure color is to actually bring that old tube of lipstick with you. The beauty advisor that’s helping should have no trouble matching your old color. With one stripe of your old lipstick on their hand, they can compare other shades that are close to your color. If the person helping you is just trying to match your lipstick tube by looking without actually striping it on their hand, you’re likely to end up with a color that won’t match the one your looking for. The other lipstick customer is the one who just wants a new shade. By asking a couple questions about what kind of shades you like, what kind of finish you want, your beauty advisor will be able to find a color for you. DO NOT; I repeat DO NOT leave the store without actually trying this color on your lips. Lipstick has a tendency to turn colors as soon as it hits your lips. We all have different pigments in our lips so this can determine how the lipstick actually shows up on us.

So with these beauty basics in your back pocket, you should be cured of Cosmetic Department Syndrome. Happy shopping and good luck!

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