what are the requirements to work at a makeup counter

[maiho]

I've been applying at small stores at the mall that is related to make up and skin care and i have no luck. I also applied to department stores to work at one of the make up counters and no luck also.

I'm so mad because i think i qualified for it and i'm very passionate about it. I may not have experience to put make up on strangers, but i know soo much about make up, so much more than those sales associate ive seen at department stores.

This pisses me off because i've seen the clueless idiots they hired at counters at macy's and nordstrom. I went to nordstrom the other day, and this girl at the smashbox counter had absolutely no idea what she was doing. She has 0 experience in putting on make up. Her make up was so messed up looking for once, and she couldnt even put eyeshadow on this girl who asked her to. Then i asked her for a blending brush and she gave me a concealer brush. She didnt know what a blending brush was or how much it costs.

Then i asked her about an eyeshadow and she had no idea. I asked her if the eyeshadow would last long and if it creases, and she said " i dont know". So one of the customers who owns a lot of smashbox items helps me. She was giving me advice and stuff.

Another time, was at an estee lauder counter, and the sales girl had absolutely no idea what the names of the eyeshadows were. I asked her if i could try on an eyeshadow, and i gave her the name of it and she didnt know what it was. She said she has never heard of it. She didnt even speak english very well!!!!!!!!!!! She didnt even know what were the names of some of the items.

I dont even know why these people would choose to work at a make up counters when they have no interest or want to learn what's new.

I'm not saying all sales associates are bad, but a lot of them at department store counters are not so smart. A lot of them also dont care much about make up or know what's new and whats hot.

Ive been calling nordstrom and bugging them for a job and they seem to ignore me.

This makes me mad, people who have absolutely no interest in make up is getting the job that i love. I love to be able to talk about make up all day

Thanks for reading this.

 

[Geek2]

I feel your pain. The majority of sales associates that I've deal with at the department stores have been useless I have to say. They don't seem to know much about makeup or skin care and they are not very nice to beging with. Some of them have a very bad attitude. And like you said if some of the sales associates don't even speak english that well. I don't know how these people get the jobs. I prefer online shopping so I don't have to deal with sales associates.

 

[maiho]

I totally agree. Ive been shoppingonline for cosmetics a lot cuz i dont wanna deal with dept store Sales associates. A lot are very mean and have a bad attitude. Oh yah, especially at south coast plaza since we both live in southern CA. Have you noticed that most south coast's SA's are from hell??? They piss me off so much. But what i hate about shopping online is that you cant tell the color. ahhh I only shop and ask for advice at mac stores, not MAC counters in dept stores cuz those people are useless.

Originally Posted by Reija(admin) I feel your pain. The majority of sales associates that I've deal with at the department stores have been useless I have to say. They don't seem to know much about makeup or skin care and they are not very nice to beging with. Some of them have a very bad attitude. And like you said if some of the sales associates don't even speak english that well. I don't know how these people get the jobs. I prefer online shopping so I don't have to deal with sales associates.

 

[Geek2]

Yes South Coast SAs are the worst! I do the same as far as MAC goes and only shop at the MAC store not at the MAC counters in dep store.

 

[allisong]

From my own experience,They 1st off want to see some sort of portfolio of your work(casual/natural,evening,maybe even Special Fx)..especially counters like MAC and Stila..They want some sort of experience also like prior cosmetics counter,store,etc..I find it annoying also that they'd hire someone that so unenthused about being there when there's someone like yourself who seems so gungho.I can't figure out why they ALL continue to hire such unfriendly people

Originally Posted by maiho I've been applying at small stores at the mall that is related to make up and skin care and i have no luck. I also applied to department stores to work at one of the make up counters and no luck also.
I'm so mad because i think i qualified for it and i'm very passionate about it. I may not have experience to put make up on strangers, but i know soo much about make up, so much more than those sales associate ive seen at department stores.

This pisses me off because i've seen the clueless idiots they hired at counters at macy's and nordstrom. I went to nordstrom the other day, and this girl at the smashbox counter had absolutely no idea what she was doing. She has 0 experience in putting on make up. Her make up was so messed up looking for once, and she couldnt even put eyeshadow on this girl who asked her to. Then i asked her for a blending brush and she gave me a concealer brush. She didnt know what a blending brush was or how much it costs.

Then i asked her about an eyeshadow and she had no idea. I asked her if the eyeshadow would last long and if it creases, and she said " i dont know". So one of the customers who owns a lot of smashbox items helps me. She was giving me advice and stuff.

Another time, was at an estee lauder counter, and the sales girl had absolutely no idea what the names of the eyeshadows were. I asked her if i could try on an eyeshadow, and i gave her the name of it and she didnt know what it was. She said she has never heard of it. She didnt even speak english very well!!!!!!!!!!! She didnt even know what were the names of some of the items.

I dont even know why these people would choose to work at a make up counters when they have no interest or want to learn what's new.

I'm not saying all sales associates are bad, but a lot of them at department store counters are not so smart. A lot of them also dont care much about make up or know what's new and whats hot.

Ive been calling nordstrom and bugging them for a job and they seem to ignore me.

This makes me mad, people who have absolutely no interest in make up is getting the job that i love. I love to be able to talk about make up all day

Thanks for reading this.

 

[maiho]

hahaha thanks. that actually sounds like a goood idea!!!! I think i need to go with someone like u so i can have the courage to do that.

Originally Posted by Tampalady Do what I do - I go to the snooty sales counters, try on the different colors, write down what I like, inform the snooty sales ass. that I will be buying it online because I don't like her attitude, walk away laughing!

 

[Tinydancer]

For most cosmetics counters the only thing they look for is retail experience, thats why we run into brainless dummies working the counters. For MAC, you do have to have a very strong background in makeup. When they interview you, you have to 'audition' for them. That includes showing them a portfolio of your work and doing a makeup application on someone. MAC means business!! The MA at my MAC counter told me she worked various makeup counters for 3 years before MAC would even talk to her, that was without a background as a working Makeup Artist. Also, MAC's MA have a very distinct look. MAC hires MA that have a 'look', although I have run across a few that I though were the cleaning ladies *no offence to cleaning ladies* You said you've been calling Nordstroms, don't call go there! Go to the counter *looking like a million bucks* and ask if you could talk to the counter manager. She's the one you want to talk to, and just sell yourself. Try a smaller cosmetics line that you're familar with so you'll be able to talk effectivly to her about the line. Ya know what I mean? Keep plugging and you will get on a makeup counter....eventually. I went to school to be a Makeup Artist/Esthetician so I had a license to put my hands on someones face, having that as a background has opened a few doors for me, something you may want to consider if you truly have an interest in this industry. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to PM me

Originally Posted by maiho I've been applying at small stores at the mall that is related to make up and skin care and i have no luck. I also applied to department stores to work at one of the make up counters and no luck also.
I'm so mad because i think i qualified for it and i'm very passionate about it. I may not have experience to put make up on strangers, but i know soo much about make up, so much more than those sales associate ive seen at department stores.

This pisses me off because i've seen the clueless idiots they hired at counters at macy's and nordstrom. I went to nordstrom the other day, and this girl at the smashbox counter had absolutely no idea what she was doing. She has 0 experience in putting on make up. Her make up was so messed up looking for once, and she couldnt even put eyeshadow on this girl who asked her to. Then i asked her for a blending brush and she gave me a concealer brush. She didnt know what a blending brush was or how much it costs.

Then i asked her about an eyeshadow and she had no idea. I asked her if the eyeshadow would last long and if it creases, and she said " i dont know". So one of the customers who owns a lot of smashbox items helps me. She was giving me advice and stuff.

Another time, was at an estee lauder counter, and the sales girl had absolutely no idea what the names of the eyeshadows were. I asked her if i could try on an eyeshadow, and i gave her the name of it and she didnt know what it was. She said she has never heard of it. She didnt even speak english very well!!!!!!!!!!! She didnt even know what were the names of some of the items.

I dont even know why these people would choose to work at a make up counters when they have no interest or want to learn what's new.

I'm not saying all sales associates are bad, but a lot of them at department store counters are not so smart. A lot of them also dont care much about make up or know what's new and whats hot.

Ive been calling nordstrom and bugging them for a job and they seem to ignore me.

This makes me mad, people who have absolutely no interest in make up is getting the job that i love. I love to be able to talk about make up all day

Thanks for reading this.

 

[alittleweirdo]

In my experience, Macy's at SCP has the pushiest MA's! and the ones at the NARS counter at Saks were pretty bad too. There are a few at Nordstrom's that are nice though (the girl at the tarte counter is pretty nice). But I definitley prefer going to the MAC store and the Stila pro store. or I go to Brea Mall--people are nicer in North County

Anyway, we all need to get together and go shopping some time!!

Originally Posted by Reija(admin) Yes South Coast SAs are the worst! I do the same as far as MAC goes and only shop at the MAC store not at the MAC counters in dep store.

 

[maiho]

Thank you for your advice. I am considering make up school after i graduate from college this june. I'm really serious about this and I do want to invest money and get a license and make this my career. It is my true passion and i would rather do this than anything else.

I know MAC store's requirements, and its pretty intimidating. I agree with you about mac MA's. A lot have a very distinct look and are very creative but some are just like you said. hehe. I'm not even gonna bother with MAC store until i have experience or a license. As far as make up counters concerns, i have great retail experience. I worked in retail for years, and i can sell.

But i guess you have to be an idiot to work there and i dont qualify as an idiot when it comes to make up.

I'm too nice to people which isn't another qualification, because you have to be a total B***

Originally Posted by Tinydancer For most cosmetics counters the only thing they look for is retail experience, thats why we run into brainless dummies working the counters. For MAC, you do have to have a very strong background in makeup. When they interview you, you have to 'audition' for them. That includes showing them a portfolio of your work and doing a makeup application on someone. MAC means business!! The MA at my MAC counter told me she worked various makeup counters for 3 years before MAC would even talk to her, that was without a background as a working Makeup Artist. Also, MAC's MA have a very distinct look. MAC hires MA that have a 'look', although I have run across a few that I though were the cleaning ladies *no offence to cleaning ladies* You said you've been calling Nordstroms, don't call go there! Go to the counter *looking like a million bucks* and ask if you could talk to the counter manager. She's the one you want to talk to, and just sell yourself. Try a smaller cosmetics line that you're familar with so you'll be able to talk effectivly to her about the line. Ya know what I mean? Keep plugging and you will get on a makeup counter....eventually. I went to school to be a Makeup Artist/Esthetician so I had a license to put my hands on someones face, having that as a background has opened a few doors for me, something you may want to consider if you truly have an interest in this industry. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to PM me

 

[Californian]

I think you would make a great makeup artist and instructor, Maiho. Definately. I hope they give you a chance. I remember going to a makeup person before I got married to see if she could make me look good for the wedding. After her makeup application, I looked like a blow up doll or a hooker. I cried on the way home! LOL. Please keep trying. We need people like you! The story has a good ending though. I did my own makeup and liked it just fine. I stupidly and embarrasingly paid the girl $50.00. I regret it. I went to my mom's house to show her what the makeup job looked like. My mother was not home. Pretty soon her friend came to visit. When I opened the door, she looked at my gross makeup and said "what happened to YOU??" I will never do that again. And now I am even more leary of the cosmetic counters. I don't have time for snobs either and I am sorry that you've had to deal with them. Just be yourself. That's the best way to be! Good luck and go for it! Californisaurus To cheer you up, I have written a corny and awful poem in your honor: Dear Nordstroms, Macy's and Sax Fifth Avenue too, Your makeup stinks because the sales ladies do. They can't tell you or me whose boss, or whether Mac is a computer, fungi, or gloss ... All I know is that MuT's Maiho is tired -- She's sick of airheads who need to be fired!! We're sending this poem with this request: Please give the snobbery and inadequacy a rest. Much Love, Maiho 'n Croonies <img src="http://www.geocities.com/shangrala_shangy/vaude.gif">

 

[alittleweirdo]

Great poem Californian! I needed a laugh

 

[maiho]

AWwW thank you so much. You made me laugh.

Originally Posted by Californian I think you would make a great makeup artist and instructor, Maiho. Definately. I hope they give you a chance.
I remember going to a makeup person before I got married to see if she could make me look good for the wedding. After her makeup application, I looked like a blow up doll or a hooker. I cried on the way home! LOL. Please keep trying. We need people like you!

The story has a good ending though. I did my own makeup and liked it just fine. I stupidly and embarrasingly paid the girl $50.00. I regret it. I went to my mom's house to show her what the makeup job looked like. My mother was not home. Pretty soon her friend came to visit. When I opened the door, she looked at my gross makeup and said "what happened to YOU??"

I will never do that again. And now I am even more leary of the cosmetic counters. I don't have time for snobs either and I am sorry that you've had to deal with them. Just be yourself. That's the best way to be!

Good luck and go for it!

Californisaurus

To cheer you up, I have written a corny and awful poem in your honor:

Dear Nordstroms, Macy's and Sax Fifth Avenue too,

Your makeup stinks because the sales ladies do.

They can't tell you or me whose boss,

or whether Mac is a computer, fungi, or gloss ...

All I know is that MuT's Maiho is tired --

She's sick of airheads who need to be fired!!

We're sending this poem with this request:

Please give the snobbery and inadequacy a rest.

Much Love, Maiho 'n Croonies

 

[maiho]

OMG, i feel the same. I was at the NARs counter today at Saks' at south coast. I just wanted to check out some blushes and a girl came up to me and said " can i help u" and i said " in a bit, lemme go buy something at bb real fast" and she was like " well you can pay all at once, and blah blah" and i said " no really, thats fine, i really want to get this at bb first and ill be back"

and loudly she was like " oh so ur like one of those people who said you will be back but u wont". Then i got so mad, i was like " are u on commision or something" and she was just like " im not, but i was just joking haha". What a load of crap and what a B****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! stupid

And a guy at the clarins counter was so pushy and stupid too. He was introducing the s2k skin care brand, I think that is the brand. Its their newest brand. And a cleanser is like 100 bucks, toner is like another 100 and moisturizer is like 150. First off, he said " im sorry to say this but u have really uneven skin and you really need these products, give it 28 days and u will hve the perfect skin" I said "thats ok, im fine with new products, i break out easily" So he was like " do u break out because you got a new job, new boyfriend, that time of the month" and i was like what!!!! then i said " i don't work" as a sign that im not interested in the products and i dont have an extra 500 to spend and his impression was "oh so ur one of those rich snooty ass girls with rich parents". He didnt say it to my face but he said something that meant that. What the heck is that all about.!!!!!!!! I think he said " oh so ur one of those girls who has it easy in life huh" ahhhh omg. Where do i complain.

All of us southern CA girls need to get together and go shopping at BREA or something. hehehe.

Originally Posted by alittleweirdo In my experience, Macy's at SCP has the pushiest MA's! and the ones at the NARS counter at Saks were pretty bad too. There are a few at Nordstrom's that are nice though (the girl at the tarte counter is pretty nice). But I definitley prefer going to the MAC store and the Stila pro store. or I go to Brea Mall--people are nicer in North County

Anyway, we all need to get together and go shopping some time!!