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In theory, shopping for makeup should be fun, like a grown-up version of elementary-school art class—go ahead, marvel at the pretty colors, paint on a new set of lips, smear some goo on your cheek. More than allowed, at most makeup counters, such behavior is strongly encouraged. However, the reality of makeup shopping is often none too pleasant: the fluorescent lights, the overwhelming array of products, the overbearing salespeople who insist they know what’s best for your skin. This is to say nothing of the agony that can be shopping for makeup in a drugstore. It’s enough to make some novices swear off mascara and concealer forever.
What’s more, even those who of us consider ourselves veteran makeup shoppers still slip up from time to time—just ask anyone who’s gotten burned after agonizing over whether that blue eye shadow will look as cool in real life as it does in the department store. And usually, there’s at least one elusive product we’ve spent years searching for, only to come up short, again and again, of the hue we see in our dreams (along with the glossy, light-catching tresses and flat abs, of course). The worst-case scenario? We drop $100 on a formula that gives us hives or makes us look like we belong on the set of a sci-fi flick. To simplify the process and to stop buyer’s remorse before it happens, we went undercover at departments stores, drugstores, and, yes, Sephora, where we quizzed consumers on their top makeup-shopping challenges. Then, we turned to the pros, who revealed their secrets for making savvy purchases.
Light Lessons
According to celebrity makeup artist Tinayn Mahler, the first thing consumers need to do is pay attention to the lighting. “You have to shop where the light’s the brightest and most natural,†she says. Of course, you might be thinking that this is good advice, but in the real world, it’s not so feasible to slap some blush on your hand and run out into the sun to see how it looks. “Then look for windows,†Mahler suggests. “Spot-test the makeup, go to the windows, and see what it looks like in natural light. Leave it on for a little while, and then decide.†If you’re concerned that this means a simple eyeliner excursion will turn into multiday operation, consider the alternatives. After all, if you’re going to shell out upwards of $20 for a tube of colored goop, you want to make sure it’s going to look good in the harsh light of day.
At What Cost?
Most of us don’t have enough money in our bank accounts to splurge on a never-ending rainbow of luxury lip glosses. In fact, many girls with a penchant for pricey cocktails and designer jeans hit up the CVS aisle more often than the Chanel counter. When asked whether beauty addicts with only a few bucks to spare could score makeup as sweet as their Dior-donning friends, Mahler’s response was surprisingly encouraging: “The beauty of blister packaging [the hard plastic in which most drugstore cosmetics are wrapped] is that it’s so see-through, you can tell whether the product is matte, if it has a frost to it—you’re already one step ahead of the game because you can see what you’re getting.†And in case that peachy blush ends up looking more day-glo orange at home, many drugstores allow you to return makeup, even after the package has been opened. (Most department stores, and even online sellers, routinely grant cosmetic refunds.) At the same time, don’t be lured in by bargain bins or free gifts with purchase just for the sake of price—if you spend $3 on a bronzer you’ll never wear, you’ve still wasted $3.
The Sephora Syndrome
Sometimes you want a makeup artist to wave her magic wand over you. Sometimes you want to spend $3 and get something that’ll make you look like a million bucks. And sometimes—it’s happened to all of us—you don’t know what you want. So you walk through the doors of that black-and-white-striped emporium of all things cosmetic, Sephora, certain that you’re about to stumble upon that perfect product you didn’t know you were missing. And then, it hits you—you’re surrounded by row after row of bottles, pots, tubes, and tins, and you have no idea where to begin. According to Mahler, instead of taking Sephora too seriously, you should think of it as a place to have fun with makeup. “Take your time, go up and down the aisles, pick out a couple of products, and play,†she suggests. “That’s the beauty of Sephora: You can try things and figure out if you want something thick, opaque, or glossy, or nothing at all.â€
Secret Service
If you’ve ever ventured beyond the drugstore for makeup, you’re already familiar with the notorious PCP (pushy counter person). She seems harmless at first, but before you know it, she’s lured you into a strange, almost hallucinatory daze, and you’re buying 25 "you absolutely must use this now" products when all you really wanted was a new primer. How does she do it? It’s hard to say—her techniques are surely the product of some secret counter society, but not all of her colleagues engage in these dubious practices. How to spot the PCP before you begin down the path of no return? Look for any of these signs: She doesn’t listen to what you want but instead insists on what she claims you need, she swears that one product will only be effective if you buy the entire collection, she’s practically ringing up purchases while you’re still deciding if you want to test them, and she’s making you feel increasingly uncomfortable. Because the PCP has spent some time with you, you might feel like you have to purchase what she’s peddling, but “never feel obligated to purchase,†Mahler emphasizes. This rule even applies if you’ve received a counter makeover. Although the salesperson might expect to sell the products she uses on you, you can always just say no.
Testing 1-2-3
Whether you’re playing with cosmetics at Sephora, a department store, or anywhere else, keep in mind that testers can be breeding grounds for bacteria, no matter how clean the store itself may appear to be. As such, look for single-use samples or products contained in pump dispensers, and never use testers on your eyes or lips. As long as you wash afterward, a spot test on the hand is not only more hygienic; “it’s really helpful,†says makeup artist Souraya Hamdi. “If you’re testing out lipstick, rub a little on the inside of your finger because it’s the same temperature as your lips. With eye shadow, sweep it where the meaty part of your palm is, right below the thumb. For blush, dust it on the back of your wrist. If the color looks bad on the back of your wrist, it’s not going to look good on your cheek.†And when all else fails, Hamdi says you should go with your gut: “What I’ve noticed is that most people are drawn to what they want automatically.†So trust your instincts and take your time—even if you exit the store looking like you just ran out of finger-painting class, at least you’ll know what impression a potential purchase will leave when it’s on your face.
http://beautyaddictmag.com/thescoop/features/counterintelligence.html
What’s more, even those who of us consider ourselves veteran makeup shoppers still slip up from time to time—just ask anyone who’s gotten burned after agonizing over whether that blue eye shadow will look as cool in real life as it does in the department store. And usually, there’s at least one elusive product we’ve spent years searching for, only to come up short, again and again, of the hue we see in our dreams (along with the glossy, light-catching tresses and flat abs, of course). The worst-case scenario? We drop $100 on a formula that gives us hives or makes us look like we belong on the set of a sci-fi flick. To simplify the process and to stop buyer’s remorse before it happens, we went undercover at departments stores, drugstores, and, yes, Sephora, where we quizzed consumers on their top makeup-shopping challenges. Then, we turned to the pros, who revealed their secrets for making savvy purchases.
Light Lessons
According to celebrity makeup artist Tinayn Mahler, the first thing consumers need to do is pay attention to the lighting. “You have to shop where the light’s the brightest and most natural,†she says. Of course, you might be thinking that this is good advice, but in the real world, it’s not so feasible to slap some blush on your hand and run out into the sun to see how it looks. “Then look for windows,†Mahler suggests. “Spot-test the makeup, go to the windows, and see what it looks like in natural light. Leave it on for a little while, and then decide.†If you’re concerned that this means a simple eyeliner excursion will turn into multiday operation, consider the alternatives. After all, if you’re going to shell out upwards of $20 for a tube of colored goop, you want to make sure it’s going to look good in the harsh light of day.
At What Cost?
Most of us don’t have enough money in our bank accounts to splurge on a never-ending rainbow of luxury lip glosses. In fact, many girls with a penchant for pricey cocktails and designer jeans hit up the CVS aisle more often than the Chanel counter. When asked whether beauty addicts with only a few bucks to spare could score makeup as sweet as their Dior-donning friends, Mahler’s response was surprisingly encouraging: “The beauty of blister packaging [the hard plastic in which most drugstore cosmetics are wrapped] is that it’s so see-through, you can tell whether the product is matte, if it has a frost to it—you’re already one step ahead of the game because you can see what you’re getting.†And in case that peachy blush ends up looking more day-glo orange at home, many drugstores allow you to return makeup, even after the package has been opened. (Most department stores, and even online sellers, routinely grant cosmetic refunds.) At the same time, don’t be lured in by bargain bins or free gifts with purchase just for the sake of price—if you spend $3 on a bronzer you’ll never wear, you’ve still wasted $3.
The Sephora Syndrome
Sometimes you want a makeup artist to wave her magic wand over you. Sometimes you want to spend $3 and get something that’ll make you look like a million bucks. And sometimes—it’s happened to all of us—you don’t know what you want. So you walk through the doors of that black-and-white-striped emporium of all things cosmetic, Sephora, certain that you’re about to stumble upon that perfect product you didn’t know you were missing. And then, it hits you—you’re surrounded by row after row of bottles, pots, tubes, and tins, and you have no idea where to begin. According to Mahler, instead of taking Sephora too seriously, you should think of it as a place to have fun with makeup. “Take your time, go up and down the aisles, pick out a couple of products, and play,†she suggests. “That’s the beauty of Sephora: You can try things and figure out if you want something thick, opaque, or glossy, or nothing at all.â€
Secret Service
If you’ve ever ventured beyond the drugstore for makeup, you’re already familiar with the notorious PCP (pushy counter person). She seems harmless at first, but before you know it, she’s lured you into a strange, almost hallucinatory daze, and you’re buying 25 "you absolutely must use this now" products when all you really wanted was a new primer. How does she do it? It’s hard to say—her techniques are surely the product of some secret counter society, but not all of her colleagues engage in these dubious practices. How to spot the PCP before you begin down the path of no return? Look for any of these signs: She doesn’t listen to what you want but instead insists on what she claims you need, she swears that one product will only be effective if you buy the entire collection, she’s practically ringing up purchases while you’re still deciding if you want to test them, and she’s making you feel increasingly uncomfortable. Because the PCP has spent some time with you, you might feel like you have to purchase what she’s peddling, but “never feel obligated to purchase,†Mahler emphasizes. This rule even applies if you’ve received a counter makeover. Although the salesperson might expect to sell the products she uses on you, you can always just say no.
Testing 1-2-3
Whether you’re playing with cosmetics at Sephora, a department store, or anywhere else, keep in mind that testers can be breeding grounds for bacteria, no matter how clean the store itself may appear to be. As such, look for single-use samples or products contained in pump dispensers, and never use testers on your eyes or lips. As long as you wash afterward, a spot test on the hand is not only more hygienic; “it’s really helpful,†says makeup artist Souraya Hamdi. “If you’re testing out lipstick, rub a little on the inside of your finger because it’s the same temperature as your lips. With eye shadow, sweep it where the meaty part of your palm is, right below the thumb. For blush, dust it on the back of your wrist. If the color looks bad on the back of your wrist, it’s not going to look good on your cheek.†And when all else fails, Hamdi says you should go with your gut: “What I’ve noticed is that most people are drawn to what they want automatically.†So trust your instincts and take your time—even if you exit the store looking like you just ran out of finger-painting class, at least you’ll know what impression a potential purchase will leave when it’s on your face.
http://beautyaddictmag.com/thescoop/features/counterintelligence.html
