We’ve all done it, found ourselves standing at a beauty counter either wondering how to get served in the first place, or wondering how on earth the lipstick we actually went to the counter to get morphed into a package containing an entire skincare routine, four lipsticks, an eyeshadow and a mascara.  Makeup shopping can be surprisingly stressful, not to mention hard on the wallet.

Here’s how to deal with some common counter ‘situations’:

Being offered a makeover: First of all, take a good long look at the makeup of the assistant offering to “do you over”.  Does it look good, something you’d like to wear yourself?  Then consider saying yes.  They’ll make you look good, I promise.  If, on the other hand, they look like a little like Dame Edna Everage (and they’re not manning the MAC or Illamasqua counters), or worse, if they’re wearing black lipliner, then run away.  Run quite fast.

The makeup which most sales assistants wear day to day is the look they’re most comfortable with, so if what they’re wearing is too outlandish for you then it’s likely that the look they will create for you might not be quite what you hoped for.

Being “upsold”: You know what it’s like, sometimes, if you enquire after a lipstick, you’re immediately offered the complimentary lipliner, if you buy a cleanser, you’re immediately offered the matching toner, moisturiser, serum and eyecream too. Just remember, it’s perfectly okay to say no.

To be fair, this isn’t always the assistant’s fault, they’re set targets by the head office, but sometimes this means they’ll push products that aren’t entirely right for the customer.  In this situation, ask them what products they spend their allocation on.  All sales assistants for most major brands have a certain allowance to spend on the products of the company they work for, so ask them what they buy from their allowance,  nine times out of ten the answers will surprise you – and you’ll find some little gems!

The Sales Assistant who won’t leave you alone: Sometimes, you really do just want to be left alone, but the assistant has already asking you what you want four flipping times … what do you do?   Reply, in your best, plummy, BBC newsreader tones: “I’m sorry, I don’t speak any English”, they’ll get the hint!  However, don’t try this in Selfridges, Harvey Nichols or Harrods, they’ll probably just reply to you in Arabic…