Bamboozled At the Makeup Counter

It happens to the best of us. We're minding our own business, walking through the department store or aisles of Sephora or Ulta when. . .BAM! There's a beauty consultant standing next to us offering "help".

I used to work for cosmetics companies, so I know how it goes. These women and men are just doing their jobs. They truly want to help us find products we will love. Many of them, however, are also trying to make their sales quotas.

It is so easy to get sucked in and then feel guilty for all the time they spent on you. You try the products, get excited by their quality, and suddenly feel like you have to have it all! The next thing you know, you're walking out with a bag of items you did not go into Ulta searching for and still holding onto your $3.50 off of $10 coupon.

. . .oh wait. . .that was just me.

Here are some tips that may help you the next time you find yourself in this predicament. *Avoid sitting down in a chair AT ALL COSTS! If you're sitting, you're already in too deep. Trust me!

1. Go in there with a plan. Make a list of items you are looking for and stick to your list. One of the most difficult things can be avoiding all of the pretty things. STAY FOCUSED! If someone approaches you, a simple, "No, thank you," with a smile, can really work. Some may be persistent, and if so try, "Can you help me find. . . " and point to an item on your list. That distracts them from what their plan was in roping you into their products and gets you to find your items faster! Those who continue to try to sell you on whatever it is "get what they get and don't get upset" in my book! *Hey, you tried to be nice!
2. Remember your budget. Depending on what it is you are in pursuit of, you probably only have but so much you wanted to spend. If someone offers help, let them know your budget so that they can then guide you towards products that will work. This is especially helpful in Ulta. They have both high end/department store products and drugstore products so they can more easily navigate you toward an alternative to the They're Real! Push-Up Liner from Benefit. Do you ever notice how on Say Yes to the Dress the bridal consultants always ask what the budget is? *Now, they don't always bring dresses within the budget, which I don't agree with, but they stay close to it. 
3. It is okay to say, "No." I think many of us are guilty of being agreeable. It is difficult to say, "No," without it sounding rude. But. . .sometimes the answer is. . . ."No." No, you don't need help. No, you aren't interested in trying a new foundation. No, you can't ask me a question.
4. Return policies exist for a reason. I can tell you with certainty that Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, MAC & Walgreens will accept returns on your products, even if you have used them. (How else are you to know whether you like them or not if you don't try them at home?) Even after keeping a watchful eye on your list and your budget, you can get carried away and purchase what you don't need or even really want. We all make mistakes! The real mistake, however, would be keeping a product you won't use. The real mistake would be not being able to pay your bills because of a $45 eye cream. The real mistake would be getting home, realizing you didn't get anything on your list that you still need, and having to go back out to the store! *And if you feel really uncomfortable, return it at a different location so you don't have to face the sales associate.

I hope these tips will help you the next time you're in a predicament. Good luck and happy shopping!