We all know the power of beauty advertising in the glossy mags – and the pressure then put on the journalists to write about the advertisers products in their beauty pages.
So much so that if like me, you are a beauty product AND a glossy mag junkie – you will know what is going to be inside simply from reading the headline on the cover..e.g.
‘Top 5 Products you MUST own!’ – I know what you’re thinking!
‘Top 5 Facials you MUST have!’ – I know who you’re thinking of!
‘5 Products to get you in to shape for the Summer!’ – you get the picture…
Bit repetitive?
Indeed.
It occurred to me that these lists very rarely contain one thing – what the staff ACTUALLY use!
All companies give their staff an ‘allocation’ – some very generous – some less so (one very famous MU line cut the entire allocation for their UK staff last year due to the economic crisis in the US – B.A.D. move – B.A.D. – upsetting the people who have to SELL your product – genius).
So, from the girls (and some boys!) – the REAL products you should own!
Advertising v Allocation!
Chanel
Waiting lists for: Nail Polishes/Lipsticks
Staff swear by:
Blush
‘the best colours and packaging’
HydraMax Serum
‘LOVE it!’
Chantecaille
Renowned for: Future/Real/Just Skin
What you NEED?:
Talc Free Loose Powder
‘Oh my God – you don’t realise what a loose powder IS until you have used this’
Mascara Faux Cils
‘Permanently sold out for a reason’
Clarins
Biggest Sellers: Hand Cream, Beauty Flash Balm, Multi-Active Day Cream
What do the staff say you SHOULD be using?:
Tonic Oil
‘Not just for pregnant women – I go insane if I am low on this’
Generation 6
‘Everything in one bottle – can’t live without it’
Hydra Quench Mask
‘Fixes my face in 5 minutes’
Estee Lauder
Best known product: Advanced Night Repair Serum (quelle surprise)
What do the staff swear by?:
Lash Primer Plus
‘Does EXACTLY what is says on the tube’
‘Cannot live without it’
‘Would pay for it if I didn’t work for the company!’
Laura Mercier
Best-sellers: Tinted moisturiser
Everyone should own:
Hydratint SPF15 in Berry, Rose and Nude
‘Perfect for every skin colour’
Mac
Renowned for: Spice Lip Liner
Must have:
Lip Glass – all variations – especially clear
‘Anyone can use – on its own or over other product’
Nars
Renowned for: Orgasm blush, Laguna bronzer, Body Glow
What the team use?:
Mekong Eyeshadow
‘The BEST no-red,no-orange brown’
Dragon Girl Velvet Matt Lip Pencil
Check these testers instore – they are always a stub
‘the perfect grab-it-and-go red’
‘obsessed with it’
Shu Uemura
Obviously!: Eyelash Curler
Staff were adamant on this one:
Eyeshadows
‘can be used wet or dry and the best pigment’
Drawing Pencil Eye Liner in matt black
‘I can do a full smoky eye with this one product in 3 minutes’
Sisley
Best Sellers: Sisleya, Express Flower gel
The staff order:
Ecological Compound
‘our best-kept secret’
All Day All Year
‘an unbelievable moisturiser’
Trish McEvoy
Renowned for: planners
Staff use:
Finish Line
‘especially for jobbing make-up artists – weddings etc – makes everything waterproof’
So – the next time you’re at a counter – say to the staff – ‘what do you order on your allocation?’
You may be pleasantly surprised!
Part 1 of 2!
Pictures courtesy of Michelle George