I have a hunch that most of the Sephora staff are, by now, *truly* artists at what they do. There is nothing like a lot of experience in the field to create an artist. I have worked in the cosmetics industry since 1986 and at first at our makeup studio we used to give totally free makeovers, no strings attached, we just thought that if they tried the product they would like it. It worked great for most clients, but some clients did purposefully take advantage of it for prom, dates, Weddings, etc. We then started charging $25 for a professional makeup application where we applied it for them, no strings, no pressure to purchase, OR they could receive a more time consuming, (more explanation, detail, etc.) free makeup lesson (we apply one side, taught them how do to the other side) and the cost was simply whatever they chose to purchase. Eventually it got to the point where as I went along the list during the makeup lesson, that clients nodded their heads in approval so that at the end of the makeup lesson I could simply state, 'What would you like to take home with you today?' They more often than not would buy the entire line. $300 - $400 or sometimes more. (We also took them through a cleansing/toning/moisturizing/special care routine.) I also found that many of the $25 makeup applications clients also wished to make purchases, and they realized that the $25 cost was specifically for the service of having their makeup professionally applied to BOTH sides of their face evenly, but still wanted to purchase some of the products. I would always invite them back in for a more detailed makeup lesson, to learn how to use the products that they had purchased.
Blackjackdelta, I think your daughters will LOVE their experience!! IF you do not want to spend any more money than the minimum expected, simply tell the beauty experts there that you love the look they gave your girls, and want to spend the minimum now, but that you may think about purchasing more later, as your girls have a chance to wear it/feel it/see how well it wears in the heat/humidity, see if there are any allergies, etc. (and let them know they will get the sale, that you will tell them to type the sale in under their own beauty expert's name, in case they do work on commission.) I wouldn't think that they will be pushy but I just wanted you to be aware that there are some super beauty experts out there who simply enjoy helping others to feel more confident about themselves, and then there are some who do try to simply go in for the sale. I really do doubt that they will do that at that location.... I think they will be awesome! Please let us know how it works out, whatever you do. Have fun!!
