Do you wear makeup when you go makeup shopping? [ Edited ]

[#1]

This is a great question I found online. Do you wear makeup when you go makeup shopping?

I dont. I like to play with testers and try stuff on. I refuse to buy anything that I havent tried on because a lot of the time it looks great in the pan but not so great on me. So for me, barefaced is key. However, I do feel that some sales people look at me kind of weird sometimes if I'm completely bare faced. They automatically assume that if you are bare faced that you dont really wear makeup anyway, which is my case, is always wrong. I actually had a bad experience at a free standing Sephora once. I took a handful of new items that I wanted to try on (and ended up spending around 100 bucks at the end of my trip there) and the sales woman said to me "Ma'am, are you getting ready for a date tonight?" I was so offended because to me that implies that I'm just in there to give myself a free makeover and get out empty handed. And I *never* leave Sephora empty handed.

[#2]

It depends.  If I'm going with the intention of trying things on (especially face makeup), I usually don't wear makeup.  I also sometimes like to get my makeup done and prefer to pretend I'm clueless because that amuses me. Obviously, I can't do that at a Sephora, because I WILL want to buy something and then I'll have to fess up to being an employee. lol 

@ Sephoramusthave That's too bad that you have been treated that way when you aren't wearing makeup.  I used to work at a makeup counter and I would always be happy to see clients without makeup.  I always look at it as an opportunity to get them in my chair. Whether they let me do a full face or just some lips, that was the best part of the job.

[#3]

I don't because I make sure that is the only place I'm going, also I never know what some of the girls at the cosmetic counter  are going to use to take off the already applied makeup and I'm very picky about that.

[#4]

Typically, I do wear makeup when I am makeup shopping. I am among those who swatch on their hands. I am nervous about bacteria and trying makeup on my face that has been shared publicly. I won't refrain however in sampling cleansing products at Sephora on my face as long as I am using the cotton wipes they supply.

I usually know what makeup products I want to swatch when I walk into the store so I go on a mission, ready to swatch away on my hand!

[#5]

I have to admit then when I go shopping or makeup shopping.. I try to have hair and makeup fixed. Especially at Sephora because if I buy something I don't want them thinking "wow, she works for Sephora too, what a bum".. Plus I feel SO much better trying on clothes and makeup when I already have my hair and face fixed up nicely. It's a (probably shallow) ego booster for me and doesn't make SO much sense, but I hate going to look at makeup and not having a "face" on myself.

Of course, it IS tricky with makeup. I try testers on my hands only and rarely on my face. For concealers and foundations I try to approximate as close as I can to my own skintone. Sometimes a sample is the best way to go but I rarely switch my foundations up unless something TRULY catches my eye. So I can avoid trying most products ON my face in a store.

[#6]

What a fab question!  As much as I hate to admit it, I feel the need to look "decent" when I'm shopping.  I find that department store sales associates (anywhere) tend to give different levels of assistance depending on how "done up" I am.  I've gone in with my kids, with nothing more than lipgloss on & while I do get greeted, they are less attentive.  If there is something I want to try out, I'll remove the makeup I have on or swatch it on my inner arm (which is more my natural color) instead of on my face.  Personally, I do like to look presentable at all times when I'm out... you never know who you are going to run into!

xo, Mia

[#7]

I usually feel compelled to do at least my minimum makeup routine when shopping and I don't always plan a trip to Sephora when I go so I already have makeup on.  Even if I do plan a trip for something specific, I almost always have makeup on from the day or will need it for the rest ofthe day.  Plus,  I feel better when I have it on in Sephora, I always feel self conscious that the consultants will feel sorry for me and my lack of makeup.  But that's my insecurity, and it's not even all that serious to me.  I don't tend to try on many products, if there's a sample I can take and try at home, then Ill do that instead and if it's a product I can't take a sample of, then I'll buy it and try it at home.  Trying on most shared products freaks me out and I don't need my face breaking out more tha it already does.  And Btmod1:  I will run into someone I know when I least expect it and I look my worst!  I've learned to look at least presentable when going out bc it's happened to me too many times where I see someone I definitely wanted to look fabulous for.

[#8]

I usually do wear makeup when I go shopping.  I don't like to test out foundations on my face (I'd rather get a sample made and take it home), so I always wear face makeup.  If I really want to try out something I can't get a sample in, like a cream blush or an eyeshadow, I'll just skip the blush or eyeshadow so that I can try it out when I get there.  The sample policy is so great though!   

[#9]

I guess for me it depends.  If I'm going to Sephora, Blue Mercury or another cosmetics store straight from work, I'm usually already made up.  I typically know exactly what I'm looking for but I like the opportunity to browse and am open to suggestions and trying new products.

On weekends, if I'm purchasing foundation or powder, I usually wear a light powder that I can wipe off with a gentle cleansing wipe.  I don't take it for granted that the sales people or makeup artists will have them.  I prefer to try on foundation along my jaw line.  Every once in a blue moon, I've had foundation applied to my entire face followed with setting powder.  I test lipsticks on my inner wrist.  I don't test eye makeup in the store and ask for samples of makeup and skincare products.

[#10]

I just saw this question online earlier today!

I also don't usually wear makeup if I'm just going shopping alone. I do find that when I do go into makeup places store reps feel the need to assist me more.

I typically go into cosmetics stores already knowing what items I want. If I do decided to browse without any items to purchase in mind I like to browse around too....especially in Sephoras. Although we have a ton of testers here in our corporate office there are a lot of things that we don't have, so usually I like to do some swatching. Usually cast members don't ask if I need help too much, usually I'll tell them that I work for corporate, which shifts the conversation along to my job, how work is for them, talking about products that they love, etc. Same usually goes for other cosmetics stores too.

One of my friends (who works within the beauty industry) actually enjoys going into stores bare faced and pretending she knows nothing about makeup to see what sort of suggestions others come up with. I have yet to try it, but if ever I stumble upon a store bare face with a bit of free time maybe I'll do it .

I do always make sure I dress 'decently' when shopping regardless of what it's for. Back in my college days I pretty much lived in sweatpants, uggs, and hoodies. Now I make an effort to at least wear jeans when going out to run errands.

[#11]

If I am making a regular trip to Sephora or M.A.C, I already have my face on. If I going to shopping with the intent to try something new, I make sure my face is bare. However, after reading everyone else's comments, maybe I should begin testing on the back of my hands. Luckily, I have never experienced a break out.

[#12]

I am usually wearing eyeliner and mascara, no matter what else I'm wearing -- so I have these on any time I'm out. I'm not always wearing foundation, though, or eyeshadow, or anything else. (More and more I don't even bother with foundation.) If I wind up at a counter where I test out eye makeup (or anything, really), an associate is usually applying it, and s/he will remove my eye makeup and whatever else I am wearing.

[#13]

Sometimes I wear makeup when going makeup shopping, whether it's Sephora or Nordstrom.  Lately though it really depends how I feel, since I get tired easily due to Ashley sitting on one too many things (can't wait for the end of next month!), so I usually put on sunscreen and tinted moisturizer, along with some lip gloss.

When I'm in Sephora, even bare faced, I have people ask if I'm looking for something in particular.  The only thing I will let them try on me is foundation/tinted moisturizer, since I'm so fair.  It's really hard to match ANYTHING to my skin half the time.  The rest of the makeup, I test on my inner wrist and forearm.  There have been news reports recently by a local news channel on  makeup testers and some of the stuff they tested had e.Coli on it!  Eww.  There are people that do not wash their hands after using the bathroom (I've witnessed this multiple times, unfortunately), and I'm sure that's where that comes from.  So everything usually gets swatched on my forearm or wrists.  And then the next day Dan asks what's on my arm and if it's Urban Decay or something waterproof, it's still there!

[#14]

Thats exactly why I have been hitting my newest JCP Sephora lately. It just opened up a couple of months ago and most of the testers are still brand new and completely untouched. Whenever I have an itch to try new products, I go over there. And it doesnt hurt that all of the employees at that location already know me from a older JCP Sephora either so they usually leave me alone to test out whatever because they know that Im a good customer.

[#15]

Usually, because I never actually take a special trip to a Sephora, I'm always going someplace for business and happen to be passing through a city that has one of the beloved stores, so I stop in. I pack makeup removing wipes if I want to swipe on something, like foundation along my jawline. I don't apply eye makeup to my eyes, because after getting a really bad eye infection once, I'm super cautious with random makeup near my eyes. Same with lip color, I swipe that on the back of my hand, I don't trust any alcohol wipe to actually remove every trace of bacteria or viruses from testers.

Though once I went in with runny eye makeup because I was having an allergy attack and the castmember tried to teach me to apply makeup better! I had to explain that this was a rare occasion because I had forgotten my allergy medicine and drugstore stuff makes me sicker.

[#16]

Oh she absolutely said it in a weird tone. With the tone she used, she might as well have said "you dont look like you are going to buy anything so get out".

I'm glad to see that there are other people that go in barefaced.

[#17]

Hi Sephoramusthave,

I believe that the reason you're shopping is because you need makeup.  Therefore, being bare faced shouldn't even be a concern to anyone.  I like the idea of trying on a few items.  Sometimes you leave the store with more products when you learn about new combinations.  Plus, seeing the complete picture is helpful for you to be able to create your look at home.  I think it's a time to discover new options and really learn how to use artist tips.  If you don't come out looking great then what's the point. 

I'm not sure how they made the "date night" comment to you.  Either way, I think a better question would be: What look can I help you achieve?"  Or I see you were looking at ____ and customers have been really into this color lipstick...here lets try this. 

I heard that red lipstick is in right now.  I saw the look online via a magazine website.  It was a daytime look using a red lip.  I'm always looking at the new tweets, from magazine sites, for a current trend update. 

[#18]

lol, I don't think she meant to offend, unless she said it in a sarcastic or iffy tone (I get those when I ask for 3+ samples of anything). I don't test anything in the store on my face for sanitary reasons. I usually don't wear make up, so I've only been in-store once with make up on. No one commented eitherway, but I usually turn the salesladies away with a firm smile and "no thank you" as soon as they approach me anyways cuz usually I know exactly what I'm doing.

I'm very picky, so to actually buy a make up, I usually:

1. Read product description.

2. Google images of it so I can see how it looks in different light and the sizes.

3. Read customer review for quality of the item or anything I need to know.

4, Swatch it on my wrist instore to confirm color/texture, then wait a bit to see if it fades.

5. Take mental inventory and decide to buy now or anytime later.

6. Search for current coupons, promos to see if there's any I'm interested in.

7. If I want it now and there's promo I like, then buy. Else, wait.

lol, so yeah, most of the time my excitement/urge dims to lukewarm ~4 and 5. There are always at least 10 things I want, so this give me some restraints.

[#19]

I guess it depends.  Sometimes, I unexpectedly end up visiting Sephora lol.  If I know for a fact there is something I want to try, I won't wear what I already have. 

[#20]

It really depends. When I test things out I usually do it on the back of my hands, just because my eyes are sensitive and I don't take chances with samples in case they have germs that will irritate my eye. So that means I am usually with makeup, but every now and then I go in barefaced.

~~We are all beautiful~~