Comments on: Interactive Drugstore Beauty Shopping

By: Perfume

Perfume — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:04:53 +0000

I for one don’t think it’s a good idea. I think the drugstores kinda have a stigma around them of being sort of like cheap cosmetics and stuff. I don’t know, maybe if some of the bigger design houses try it, it may bring down prices. Interesting concept.

By: Briana

Briana — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:02:59 +0000

One of our biggest drug stores chains in canada now has a staffed beauty counter. And I actually have found it really great. They ask if you need help, but if you say no they leave you alone. And if you ask for something specific, they will show you all the options they have from the high end cosmetics all the way down to brands like Maybelline and Cover Girl. I’ve found them to be really helpful and friendly. Countless times I’ve taken a makeup product home and ended up hating it, but now, they have a sample, they show you how to apply it, and you get to see it on you instead of just reading the color label.
I think its waaaay better. Our prices haven’t gone up, but they have started selling way more high end brands, so of course they get a little more shelf space than the cheaper brands. But they still have all the same cheaper brands as before.
On the other hand, I do think that some of the people that get hired to work in the beauty department need a little more training in the area of cosmetology because sometimes they can’t answer all your questions. I do know however at some stores they actually have a licensed Cosmetologist instead of just ordinary people with store training.
Anyway… I can’t say that I have any complaints about it. I’ve been very happy with their service and none of them have been pushy on sales too me. Overall its been win-win in my experience.

By: okyanus

okyanus — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:09:20 +0000

As I was reading this post, I kept thinking, “Won’t this mean higher prices?” and then saw at the end that you wondered about it too. I don’t see the point of having a beauty adviser in a drugstore, which is meant for convenience and for you to just look around and pick up a few staples and try out something new that you wouldn’t want to initially pay too much money for at a department store because you don’t know if you’ll like it. I think it’s silly that anyone would think that a place that sells diapers, plastic flowers and milk could ever become a “beauty destination”–that’s what Sephora is for! : )

By: bagaela

bagaela — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:48:42 +0000

Hey Karen!
I’m happy that You’re writing about the drugstore beauty products – I’m totally love them. I know nearly every big derma-cosmetics company, even the ingredients, and if You take some advice, I’d give some advices:
Vichy is good, but not the best, if You’re looking fog great products for the same price, look for the also L’Oreal brand La Roche Posay -it has cleaner, more effective products, suits the needs of a very sensitive skin.

Or if You have, look for the Avene products (absolutely NOT the same as Aveeno, Avene is a french brand, has really good products for sensitive skin, and one of the most effective anti-aging creams in the world (Ysthéal and the Eluage products) with very clear retinoids.

Or look for Bioderma – that company has nearly the most effective, skin-friendly sunscreens, that has high PPD and heavenly texture, and has a line for very sensitive and very oily, acneic skin.

Or if You have a chance, try the ROC’s product with retinol, they have also very effective anti-aging produts, but I prefer the Avene’s.

All of these are french – France is full of great spas and dermatology-centers, and they also have great laboratorys and very good scientists.
(BTW, Lancome, Clarins, Chanel, Guerlain, Givenchy or Yves Saint Laurent is french too )

I hope I sad something usefull, Your all-time lurker,
bagaela

By: Joanne

Joanne — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:07:29 +0000

Hrmm… I guess I like shopping at drugstores alone. But sometimes I find the salespeople helpful. I like M.A.C, but I dread going to their counter. Although they seem nice and very helpful, they make me feel pressured to buy something when I ask about stuff. They spend their time also introducing me to other products and so I feel bad and end up buying something to not feel cheap.