This is where my make-up career really got started. Like most crazed beauty addicts I had always wanted to work on a make-up counter. I just didn't realise that without 'on counter' experience, how difficult it would be. It didn't matter how long I had been doing make-up for, everybody wanted somebody with counter experience.
I often get asked how I got the Job & have currently been working on counters for 3 years. Starting off with Napoleon Perdis in Australia & now Bobbi Brown back here in the UK.
I thought I would share with you guys my experience, after all don't most people think working on a beauty counter is all glitz and glamour? Like most jobs it has its pros and cons.
Lets start with cons :
- Standing on your feet all day - Don't get me wrong I think I would find sitting on my bum all day for a living just as difficult as standing for 9 hours a day, but having worked for some companies where heels are part of your uniform I did start to loose all feeling in my feet by the end of the day.
- Having Targets - Most counters will have counter targets and individual targets, if you're continually not hitting target you will usually be pulled up about it. Its also very draining when you don't have the foot flow throughout your store & it seems like no one is willing to part with their cash.
- Having to wear the brand- This can be really difficult when you've only just started and don't own many products from the company you are working for or if the brand your working for endorses a certain style of make-up your not use. You WILL have to learn to adapt and do your make-up the way the brand requires.
- Rude customers- I think this one really goes without saying, anyone who has ever worked in retail can relate to this one, however I don't know if its just me but I think some of the customers coming into buy make-up can take it to a whooole other level. There is nothing more dangerous than a women who's ran out of her favourite beauty product, only to tell her its out of stock!
And now the Pros.....
- The experience- From making mistakes on my own, to master-classes with the top make-up stylists in the company and even the man himself Napoloen Perdis. My confidence has grown no end since working on counter. I've also had some amazing opportunities and learnt more in the last 3 years than I have ever done before.
- Discount !!- One of the main pros about working for a make up company is of course going to be the discount you get off products. Its a great way to start building you're kit or if your anything like me its just another excuse to hoard as much make-up as possible.. Be warned though long lost "friends" will start to appear asking you to order them stuff.
- Commission- Like I have already mentioned counters have targets so the more you sell the more money you make.
- Free Products- who doesn't love free stuff? Especially free make-up! More often than not when you go to training you'll receive free products, also when I started with Bobbi Brown I received 10 free items.. No better welcome than that!
- Doing what you love- surely none of us would be working on a beauty counter if we didn't love all things make-up, getting to play with make-up all day is defiantly a plus and meeting women and helping them to feel beautiful really makes it all worth while.
I hope this gave any of you an in site on what to expect when applying for a job on a make-up counter. Overall as far as jobs go I would have to say we have it pretty good.
Leanne
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