I really don’t like to shop for make-up. I am too easily tempted by the allure of shiny, new containers and perfectly perfect colors. I love the soft lights and the magic mirrors that make you feel 10 years younger and double that thinner. Fortunately, I don’t have to do it that often because what I purchase lasts a decent amount of time. And, being immersed in the product review business, I do get lots of samples. (And I do use the samples before I write even one syllable about them.)
But, like most women, there are a couple of product brands that I do not sway from because they work so well. One of these is Estee Lauder’s 07-Soft Blonde Brow Pencil Refill. Today I was desperate for a refill, after having used the almost unusable pinpoint for nearly a week.
So off I headed to Macy’s. I purposely wore no make-up at all. I have found over the years that most cosmetics ladies ignore the plain girls. Hopeless cases. This makes it easy to head right up to the correct station and state directly, “I need a 07-Soft Blonde Brow Pencil Refill.” The beautiful lady is usually waiting on someone else, but quickly and efficiently takes care of my lamentable business with the snap of her perfectly manicured nails.
Not today.
Today, the beautiful lady asked, “Are you sure you want 07?”
A bit surprised, I answered, “Yes.”
She knit her brow and her shadowed eyes danced. “Well,” she winked, “I would recommend a darker color for you. With your light hair, you might want to go with something more brown. Like mine.”
I looked at her eyebrows. Yes, they were brown. And yes, her hair was light like mine. But personally, I didn’t like the look.
I thought maybe taking out my credit card would expedite this conversation as I answered, “Oh, thank you for the suggestion. But I’ve used 07 for years.”
She leaned in closer. I wasn’t thinking she was so lovely anymore. “This year’s colors are more bold. You may want to experiment a little,” she said.
At that point I was wishing that I did, in fact, have on a full-face armour of make-up… just so she wouldn’t think I needed all this help.
“I’m fine with the 07, thank you,” I said as I handed her my credit card.
She smiled a great big smile with her full whatever-is-the-latest-color lips and said, “Are you sure?”
Now… what I wanted to say was, “I am sure that I don’t want to look like you.” But what I did say was, “Yes. I am sure.”
With that, she rang me up and put my little tiny 07 Refill into a little bag. But she couldn’t resist one last plea… “If you change your mind”…
By then, the soft lights and magic mirrors and beautiful ladies were simply annoying.
That is my biggest pet peeve at the cosmetic counters. I do not want to have to deal with them like I do used car salesmen!! Kudos to you for staying so graceful even when she wasn’t.
This is why I’m glad I’m so plain.
Oh my goodness, this is one of my biggest pet peeves. Pushy sales people. I encountered one the other day that was way over the top at a clothing store and she was trying to push the store credit card on me. I said “no” at least five times and she kept going on an on about how great it was and how much I’d save. I finally looked her in the eye and said, “I said no thank you and that’s what I meant.” Then I felt like a big ol’ meany 🙂 But, she had it coming.
I often take friends makeup shopping (at their request) when they’re unsure of what to buy. Once at a MAC store, the SA snippily said to my friend, “Maybe you want to take advice from someone who’s not afraid to do something other than a neutral look,” referring to the very toned down look I was wearing that day. Now, I love bold looks as much as the next girl, but I also love neutral. Needless to say, we left after that comment!
Is there a school somewhere that teaches these people to be so pushy? I would have loved to have been there and had you say “I’m sure I don’t want to look like you”. Loved the story!
Goodness. She really didn’t want to take no for an answer hey!
I love that about you! You are happy with who you are, and stayed kind even when she was trying to change your mind. I’m either end of being snappy at them, or worse yet, letting them talk me into buying something I’m not at all happy with.
Oh, I can so relate to your story. Why is it that they just can’t give us what we came for without asking so many questions and make life more easy?
reason 405 that I shop for makeup at the drug store. Ugh! so pushy! I think you look lovely in #7!
That was very polite of you…. even while she was being so pushy.
As a matter of fact, since I also have light hair, I’m going to try Estee Lauder 07! I haven’t found a light enough pencil color to suit me.
Thank you!