Advertising v Allocation

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