In April one sunny morning I headed off to my local Debenhams for the Elle Beauty School event.
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| I've got a golden ticket |
This was a tour which introduces you to the latest trends in make-up and show's you how to do it yourself with help from YSL Beaute's make-up artists. These events were initially launched to celebrate the advanced version of YSL's Touch Eclat Foundation.
Arriving at Debenhams finding the YSL set up was easy and there was about 12 area's set up with make-up trays already assembled.
A couple of the staff came round with make-up remover for us to remove our make-up and a make-up artist came round to help us find the right shade of foundation for me which was B80. Mine took little longer to do which I took on the chin but knew it was because my skin shade as they had to find the right one.
After waiting for a few minutes we were all there and Sophie introduced herself and told us what the next hour would bring. iPad's were set up showing the latest trends and all we had to do was follow the video using the colors in front of us.
This was relatively simple but of course all of the shades in my tray were not complimentary to any skin tone which was not 'fair'. So every time I had to apply a eye shadow/blusher/highlighter I had to ask for a different shade to compliment my tone. Initially this wasn't an issue but by the end I was a little ticked off with having to constantly ask for things.
At the end of the hour we all had our pics taken in the photo area & my ticket allowed me to choose something from YSL up to £25 so I thought I'd grab the Touche Eclat foundation I was wearing as it seemed pretty good.
Arriving at Debenhams finding the YSL set up was easy and there was about 12 area's set up with make-up trays already assembled.
A couple of the staff came round with make-up remover for us to remove our make-up and a make-up artist came round to help us find the right shade of foundation for me which was B80. Mine took little longer to do which I took on the chin but knew it was because my skin shade as they had to find the right one.
After waiting for a few minutes we were all there and Sophie introduced herself and told us what the next hour would bring. iPad's were set up showing the latest trends and all we had to do was follow the video using the colors in front of us.
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| A bit of guidance by Elle |
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| My make-up area |
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| I won't give up the day job |
When I got to the YSL counter one of the PR girls could not find my shade to which one of her colleagues piped up 'we don't stock unpopular colors'.
Okay, last straw.
I was not impressed by this comment one little bit and told her so. The first PR girl looked liked she wanted the ground to swallow her up and looked horrified and apologized. First of all you have an event which clearly was not designed to cater for all skin shades and then you hire staff who clearly have no tact what-so-ever.
Okay, last straw.
I was not impressed by this comment one little bit and told her so. The first PR girl looked liked she wanted the ground to swallow her up and looked horrified and apologized. First of all you have an event which clearly was not designed to cater for all skin shades and then you hire staff who clearly have no tact what-so-ever.
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| My 'unpopular' shade |
We tried to find some way round the foundation issue and asked the manager if I could pick up my 'unpopular shade' in a few days time when one came in but she was in no way interested. Eventually I left with a Touche Eclat only to discover one in the goodie bag... not to worry it wasn't my shade anyway!!
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| Some of the treats on the day |
Lawd, you would of thought the staff would of swapped it for the shade I just picked up and told me to pick something else or Elle/YSL would of put a black mascara in the bag as this would cover everyone.
Overall I really like the idea of an expert showing you how to do the latest looks but feel that consideration has to be put in place that not everyone turning up will have a fair complexion. Setting up an event & having just the 'popular' shades of foundations on hand means you were never really catering to anyone else in the beginning.
Anyway I did pass on my feedback to Elle to which I received no response what-so-ever so I think we know where they stand on the issue!
Overall I really like the idea of an expert showing you how to do the latest looks but feel that consideration has to be put in place that not everyone turning up will have a fair complexion. Setting up an event & having just the 'popular' shades of foundations on hand means you were never really catering to anyone else in the beginning.
Anyway I did pass on my feedback to Elle to which I received no response what-so-ever so I think we know where they stand on the issue!
40 comments
Sounds like a fun event! I love the 'Elle' pic you took :)
ReplyDeleteTara | www.cattitudeandco.uk
Not sure you read this post as nothing 'fun' about attitude and comments she heard!!! Hmm
DeleteAah thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a shame that they weren't able to cater for your skintone, especially as you had been invited there x
ReplyDeleteYes, I was not impressed. they could of offered me the option to pick up one in a few days.
DeleteI love the brand, but it does sound as though they may need to hire in new staff for that particular branch. Dealing with a range of skin tones is expected at any counter and making sure the customer has products that suit them and their skin colour is surely essential. Yes some colours may be stocked up on because they may be more popular, however the full skin colour range should exist as a standard.
ReplyDeleteI agree - you cannot run an event with limited colours and if they ran out they could of offered to send me the shade if the stock was only for the event.
DeleteHow rude! I still can't believe this is an issue today. Any counter I know stocks a wide array of colours. Sure, they have more of the ivory / light shades, but they all have at least a few of the darker ones too! This is ridiculous and I'm sorry this happened to you.
ReplyDelete- Elodie x
www.elle-yeah.com
Thanks Elodie, initially was taken aback as I was having a nice time apart from the fact that they clearly were not prepared for someone of dark skin... even though they invited me.
DeleteI cannot believe that comment, I wouldnt have been able to hold my tongue, how rude x
ReplyDeleteWe did have words, I couldn't stop myself. Hopefully they will improve their PR girls communication skills for future events they run.
DeleteIt's a real shame they didn't cater for everyone's skin tone and only had certain shades! The Elle mag cover looks great :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a shame and poor management of the situation by the staff member and then Elle when I emailed them back to thank them for the invite but....
DeleteGod that is awful, I can't believe they could be so rude how dare they tell you they don't have unpopular colours. Any skin tone is given to us and beauty retailers need to realize that they need to step up their game and actually cater to all your colours. You poor thing sorry to hear about your ordeal.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't cool Ana just featuring models of all colours is not enough if you don't stock the make-up for them to purchase.
Deletethats such a shame- I am really pale and I find the same thing and end up having a foundation thats too orangey! can't believe that lady said that to you! terrible!
ReplyDeleteOh Jenna, poor you - I have an image of you being too orange now like a Oompa Loompa! Skin tones are so diverse - brands need to get better at recognizing this. I might be wrong but off the top of my head I cannot think of any brand that purposely advertises for pretty porcelain skin. I would love to know what brand of founation you wear or if you have to mix two together.
DeleteI would've been annoyed if I was you too; her comment about the shade being 'unpopular' was so rude and thoughtless, and after you pointed out that you weren't happy you would've thought they would've been more accommodating and helped you choose another product at least, not just let you buy one which they knew was in the goodie bag! Xx
ReplyDeleteMan, I guess these events are all shiny with not enough substance behind them. Shame as YSL do really great products
DeleteWhat a shame, I like that you're most reserved and kept you cool just used your words. I know violence is frowned upon but I have a twitch 'unpopular' hand would have reached her fast lol. I guess those of us with the "unpopular" tone should avoid their store lol
ReplyDeleteHa! Ha! Ha! I agree I have bought YSL products before but I wouldn't buy them again. I'll stick to MAC - always happy to help and always have products for my unpopular skin tone
DeleteWow, you'd think they'd prepare for all sorts of skin tones. Running out is one thing, but not even stocking it doesn't make any sense.
ReplyDeleteI said to the Promo girl that she said of said it was out of stock - I would of thought nothing of it.
DeleteAt first as I saw the title I was like ... wait, Elle has a beauty school? I was like, awesome! Until I read the rest and it was saddening they don't cater to your skin tone. I'd be very upset. :(
ReplyDeleteI was really mad straight after it happened as I've never had that happen to me before as I normally shop at MAC. After a few days I had calmed down but as a brand and event I'm really disappointed that they didn't even email back and just say 'sorry'.
DeleteHow very rude and tactless, even if they did not have the right shade they could have offered to send you one or at least offered you another product instead. I am glad you voiced your opinion.
ReplyDeleteI was vocal but restrained - they knew they had upset me but didn't handle the situation well at all. If it wasn't for the other PR girl I would of been more vocal. Thank god for one decent member of staff.
DeleteUnpopular colours???????? Man I want to write in to Elle beauty school on your behalf.
ReplyDeleteSome brands just don't feel like they need people with 'unpopular skin tones' money. Not to worry - MAC will get my money. I'm good.
DeleteLooks like fun event but sadly didn't go too well for you. That comment about unpopular colours is appalling
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that girl used the phrase "unpopular colours" and then in the end they didn't give you the correct shade anyway. That's simply outrageous and I would have serious qualms about working with these event holders again.
ReplyDeletei always feel a little out of my depth when i walk into their store and they are doing this , too nervous to walk up and ask but looks great
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they said it was an unpopular shade - that is SO rude!!
ReplyDeleteWow, some people have no tact whatsoever. Sorry you had such a bad experience!
ReplyDeleteI'd find it so annoying to keep having to ask for something different! Clearly it wasn't very well planned! I do have fair skin (very fair) so I might have been alright but event still, not everyone is the same! They have given you a range of shades and colours! Sounds like the idea of the day was good but it needed some going over!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds amazing - such a shame it was a let down with such mean attitudes! I hat it when that happens :(
ReplyDeleteOMG how rude, I'm shocked that they employed staff with attitudes like that.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I can't believe the experience that you had! I have a darker olive skintone and it sounds like they would have struggled with me too then! Unbelievable as you would have thought they would have read your blog and know what you look like when they invited you! This sort of treatment is what puts me off using beauty counters.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rude comment to make, so bad that their staff have such awful attitudes!
ReplyDeleteThey have to learn something from that experience and try to be humble at least if they are realtlly promoting real beautt of women.
ReplyDelete