All retail employees know the struggle, but working in the beauty industry is an entirely different world. There are a few things you should know before you walk into a high end cosmetic store.
1. There is not a cure-all.
I don't have a product to fix all your problems at once. I can’t just “go find something,” either. We have what we have, and I can't just conjure up this magic serum that fixes all your scalp and hair needs in one step.
2. I don't control the prices.
Complaining to me about a price of a product does nothing. This is not a garage sale. I can't come down on the price or change it. It is a corporate price, and that is all there is to it. You pay the price, or you have split ends.
3. I can't give you my discount.
Not only do I not want to give you my discount, I can't. My discount is for me. I work here. I earned the discount.
4. I'm not going to tell you a competing brand has a better product, even if it really does.
Do you go into a fast food restaurant and ask the workers there if they prefer their food to their competing restaurant? I didn't think so. On the off chance you do, how many times has a worker told you their competing restaurant has better food? Probably never. While I am being paid to sell products for a said company, never will you get me to say our competitor is superior in any way.
5. I didn't just wake up like this.
I actually woke up just like you did, but do you know what I did directly after that? A lot. I put a lot of products on my body. A lot of effort goes into my appearance for work because I'm quite literally paid to be the face of our products. So, there's not just one product you can get to make you look like "me."
6. I can't read your mind.
I don't know what you're looking for unless you specifically tell me. I can't just look at you and tell that you want the styling foam and not the prep, and I really don't know what product you purchased last time.
7. We are required to wear black.
I didn't get up on a 90 degree day and think "let me put on these black skinnies." I'm pretty sure it's just a universal beauty industry rule that we must wear black. I know it doesn't make any sense, either. I hear that all the time. I almost always leave work with some type of powder, lotion or wad of hair on our clothes. It is what it is, though.
8. We really do want to help you.
It is our job to help you, but you have to help us help you. We need you to cooperate with us as best as you can so we can get the best products for you. So, when we are able to do that, it makes our day to see a happy guest.
