How to Shop for Makeup
From being on the shopping side, to being on the sales side, I have seen both sides the makeup counter.
While being anywhere near makeup is a routine for me, I know some ladies aren’t as savvy. Whether you are just starting out with makeup or haven’t quite gotten the hang of it through the years, I want to teach you the ropes about shopping for makeup. This is something that I believe they should teach in high schools around the world. Shopping for makeup 101, would have been my favorite class!
Tips on how to shop for makeup:
1. Create your own identity- I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people ask me for the same shade of lipstick as their best friend, or the same foundation shade as their mother. While your bestie or your mom may be near and dear to you, you don’t have to wear the same makeup.
When shopping for makeup, create your own identity. Wear products that not only match your skin type and complexion properly, but also align with your personal style. Not everyone wants to wear a full face of makeup and that’s ok. I suggest only wearing the products you feel comfortable in. For some it may be a lightweight foundation and mascara and for others it may be an ensemble of products. Either way, makeup is intended to enhance you natural beauty, which will give you a rush of confidence. I promise, the right makeup will make you feel like a billion bucks!
2. Do your research– Since you are reading this post, your are already off to a good start! Doing research online or asking a friend is a great way to learn about brands, products and the experiences others have had with them. With that being said, don’t let the opinions of others be your deciding factor on products. Always conduct your own experiments by trying out products for yourself.
When researching makeup products, also keep your values and budget in mind. Do you only want to use cruelty-free products? Are you trying to stick to a budget? Are you splurging for a luxury product? All of these are factors that you should consider in your research.
3. Ask for assistance- Whether you are new to wearing makeup or have been wearing makeup for years, never be afraid to ask the sales person for assistance. These people are knowledgeable about their products and can help address your questions and concerns. Never feel like you have a stupid question, it’s better to ask than to get stuck with a $40 mascara that you will never use.
4. Test and try, but don’t buy- You are probably wondering why I would tell you not to buy makeup in a post designed to help you shop for makeup. Well, hear me out for a minute.
First of all, you should always take your time to try out products in the store to get an idea of how they look and wear. Some products, such as foundation may require more than a quick test. You really want to make sure that the product lives up to its expectations, which is something you can only test by wearing it for a few hours. Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample before you decide to buy the full sized product.
You should also be weary of the sales people. The makeup artist at the counter are a great resource to help you learn about the products they offer, but keep in mind that it’s their job to sell you products. Some sales people are honest, but there are some who will sell you an awful shade of blush just to make a sale. Beware!
With that being said, if you are just browsing with no expectation buy, be considerate of the person spending time helping you. Do not make them believe that you going to buy something and say no 45 minutes later. Be honest and let them know you are that you are looking.
Also, if you are unsure about a product or are still looking to try more options, don’t feel pressured to buy something just because someone helped you find an eye shadow that compliments your eyes. Simply say thank you, walk away, and only purchase products that you feel good about.
5. Say NO to commitment- You are not in a relationship with a makeup company, so don’t feel like you can only shop one brand. We all have our favorite brands, but it’s ok to stray. If you limit yourself to only buy “so and so brand,” you are excluding yourself from trying brands with great potential. With that being said, price doesn’t always make a product better. I have gotten tons of great makeup products from drug store and indie brands.
Which one of these tips did you find to be the most helpful?
Dionne Dean says
Great tips! I feel like I’m cheating on Bobbie Brown when I go to another brand, especially when I have to walk past the counter LOL
prettyinpigment says
I used to feel that way about MAC, especially since I freelance for them. But there are so many wonderful brands that you are really limiting yourself if you only commit to one brand.
Sue Figueroa says
I do #4 a lot. I am so happy to have a Sephora around and being able to sample products before committing to buy 😉
Kayla says
Great post! 🙂