I have a question about makeup counters.

Sep 16, 2014

Rissa G.

Hey babies!

So, a local department store will be getting a Clinique and Estée Lauder counter here in the VERY near future which I'm stoked about because I've been wanting to try out their products..anyways!

To work at a makeup counter, must you be like a licensed professional or anything? I mean, I know experience/knowledge is obviously preferred, of course, but I'm wondering, because it'd be awesome to work in that new part of the store. Anyone?

Sep 16, 2014

Grace K.

It could vary place to place but here in Colorado and in my last place of residence in New York, you don't have to be licensed to work at a makeup counter :)

Sep 16, 2014

Traci P.

I have multiple friends that have worked at the counters in Macy's who were self taught makeup artists. You have got some skills girl, I would totally approach you if you were at the makeup counter and I saw that perfect wing and your sassy brows!

Sep 16, 2014

Autumn N.

I'm pretty sure you have to be licensed. There's a lot of safety sanitation hazards that you have to pass and get licensed by the state.

Sep 16, 2014

Rissa G.

Grace! Thank you. We're neighboring states lol I live in NM. Awesome! Thank you.

Tracy, aw yeah! That boosted my confidence on even thinking of applying for that type of position. Thank you :')))

Sep 16, 2014

Rissa G.

Thanks Autumn, I plan on looking into it more definitely. Just wanted to see if anyone had experience on here.

Sep 16, 2014

Liv I.

I think each state varies on it's requirements and you definitely need good makeup skills (which you have) :) so I would say yeah go for it. That would be so rad to work for Clinique and Estée Lauder, lots of samples probably 😋

Sep 16, 2014

Rissa G.

Thanks Liv and yesss! That'd be nice lol.

Sep 16, 2014

Suzy M.

Here in Canada, I know that at shoppers drug mart there is a massive cosmetics section with high end products (smashbox, urban decay, Clinique etc) and you don't have to have any experience!! I work in the cosmetics section, was hired at 16. They train you on everything :-)

Sep 17, 2014

Rissa G.

Thank you Suzy :)

Sep 17, 2014

Lauren G.

I used to work at Macys cosmetic counter and I'm not qualified, I just knew the products and enjoy makeup 😊 I'm sure you could do it.

Sep 17, 2014

Kaitlyn C.

Like these ladies said,its different with place. Here in Vegas you have to have what's called a demonstrators liscense.

Sep 17, 2014

Olivia A.

Like other ladies said it would probably depend on different states but you definitely have the skills either way!

Sep 17, 2014

Alma M.

I agree with the ladies but understand it's really about selling products then anything you must meet your selling points.Makeup isn't a complete major priority.It's sales.

Sep 17, 2014

Suzy M.

It is about sales but also you don't really sell anything unless you have some product knowledge. When I was hired I had to do what was called "shoppers drug mart university" you just watch videos about certain products from different brands etc :-)

Sep 17, 2014

Alma M.

Most departments have a minimal of makeup hands on training but they will have marketing and sales in the know of products you would be asked to sell.How to achieve marketing counter talk to sell product's with the knowledge for the consumer wants.:-)

Sep 17, 2014

Alma M.

Best of luck Renay.

Sep 17, 2014

Rissa G.

Thank you all so much! You've all been of helpz.

Sep 17, 2014

Lara C.

No... you'll be a sales associate. you will need to have certain knowledge and abilities. I was almost hired because of my experience in sales and my passion for makeup.

Sep 17, 2014

Lara C.

So if you decide to go and drop off your cv, do your makeup really nicely and focus mostly on sales and clients when speaking.

Sep 17, 2014

Lara C.

good luck btw!!

Sep 17, 2014

Andrea S.

I work at Lancome and I absolutely love my job and the line that I work. The department store I work for is so so. Lancome is a wonderful company and I've been lucky enough to have lots of training and school for my job. I didn't need any certifications to get hired, but I do happen to be a licensed esthetician, which maybe it help. Of course my job requires me to be sales driven, but with Lancome it's about the clients need and the connection. Every counter and department store is different. nothing but the best to you.

Sep 17, 2014

Rissa G.

Thank you so much, Andrea. You as well, Lara :)

Sep 17, 2014

Andrea S.

Your welcome :)

Sep 20, 2014

Caitlin M.

I just started at a Clinique counter and no you don't have to be trained professionally. They teach you everything and you will go to a seminar for more training at some point in your career, if you are hired. I do feel like my schooling did help me get the job but only because the counter was really looking to get someone on ASAP. But there is still a lot I have to learn but overall they provide you with all the knowledge you need to work there. The only experience you may need is some kind of previous retail sales experience. I had never done cosmetic retail but I did have quite a lot of just normal retail selling experience and then my knowledge of makeup did help give me a leg up I think because I explained thar for me it was just a matter of combining the two things as I know about makeup and I've done sales and cashiering before. It may vary by state but I think for the most part it's not required. Clinique particularly are all about hygiene and good sanitary practices. We use hand sanitizer before touching anyone and clean our brushes as soon as we finish with a client.