Planning your escape

jos28

I had a fabulous facial today (a treat from the OH) and it was so relaxing. Beautician was very friendly and brilliant at her job. Why then, did I spend a lot of this lovely relaxing time planning how to escape without buying the expensive but absolutely essential recommended lotions and potions. Seriously, I've just added up the personalised suggested list and the total is €482.50 :eek: I also had to politely refuse the offer of a course of facials at the knock down price of €280 :eek:
Are people really spending this sort of money on skincare ?

metaoblivia

Skin care can add up quickly, especially when it comes to the luxury products. One of the reasons I don't really like going for facials any more is because the beauticians are in such a good position to dig into any insecurities you may have about your skin. I remember one beautician asking me what night time lotion I used - and I answered and said I was very happy with it. And he proceeded to tell me I need to use something more "elegant," that didn't come off of a drugstore shelf.

I had another one who kept commenting on the fact that I had freckles and that they were a sign of skin damage. And she kept bringing it up - "You have nice skin, but for the freckles." And then tried to pitch me on a serum that would lighten up my dark spots.

But they make a lot of revenue off of selling those products, so it's to be expected. And the beauty industry in general is set up to make people feel like they aren't beautiful/handsome enough, look too old, etc. It's all rather poisonous.

That said, I do love skin care! I just prefer finding products that make my skin feel good at that moment without breaking the bank.

jos28

Well said Metaoblivia, it would be lovely to enjoy the facial experience without being made to feel so inadequate. I realise that beauticians have to make a few bob but it I would gladly go somewhere that promised not to bombard you with the hard sell.

Sinister Kid

My mate went for a facial recently, she bought the cleanser that was recommended @€;45, went back a couple of days later for the moisturizer @€;50 (it was out of stock) & last I spoke with her she was seriously considering booking the course of skin peels they recommended @€;420 for a course of 4.
I personally think it's madness but if it makes her feel good & she can afford it, why not.
I'd just love to know if the beautician gets a commission on the products they sell & what they would be recommending if they weren't tied to a brand.

jos28

Sinister Kid wrote: »

My mate went for a facial recently, she bought the cleanser that was recommended @€;45, went back a couple of days later for the moisturizer @€;50 (it was out of stock) & last I spoke with her she was seriously considering booking the course of skin peels they recommended @€;420 for a course of 4.
I personally think it's madness but if it makes her feel good & she can afford it, why not.
I'd just love to know if the beautician gets a commission on the products they sell & what they would be recommending if they weren't tied to a brand.

Now that's a list I'd really like to see.

meeeeh

I was thinking something similar when reading Laura Kennedy's opinion piece in Irish Times how her partner and her were looking a their rent and other cost and just found it impossible to get a mortgage. I don't want to personalize it because I think she gets a lot of free samples but I find it ironic if I followed her beauty recommendations I could spend our monthly mortgage repayment on beauty products.

jos28

meeeeh wrote: »

I was thinking something similar when reading Laura Kennedy's opinion piece in Irish Times how her partner and her were looking a their rent and other cost and just found it impossible to get a mortgage. I don't want to personalize it because I think she gets a lot of free samples but I find it ironic if I followed her beauty recommendations I could spend our monthly mortgage repayment on beauty products.

I don't have a mortgage but I'd certainly get a call from the bank if they saw that sort of activity on my account

Gee_G

I am a Beauty Therapist/Salon owner and I don't stock retail products for this very reason! I myself have had facials and treatments and have almost been made to feel stingey or something for not buying their recommend shopping list.
I Will always recommend little changes that my clients can make and yes ill recommend products but more like "a hydrating mask" rather than "this hydrating mask from x,y,z" is the only thing that will work for you. Yes I will order products for my clients if they like them and I find this is a much more relaxed approach to it. I have no interest in being one of those salons!!

Sinister Kid

Gee_G wrote: »

I am a Beauty Therapist/Salon owner and I don't stock retail products for this very reason! I myself have had facials and treatments and have almost been made to feel stingey or something for not buying their recommend shopping list.
I Will always recommend little changes that my clients can make and yes ill recommend products but more like "a hydrating mask" rather than "this hydrating mask from x,y,z" is the only thing that will work for you. Yes I will order products for my clients if they like them and I find this is a much more relaxed approach to it. I have no interest in being one of those salons!!

This would make me a returning customer

jos28

Sinister Kid wrote: »

This would make me a returning customer

Me too, I'd happily go to a salon with this approach, far more genuine attitude. Please say you are near me

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

It’s the worst part of having anything done, having items forced on top of you after you’ve spent a chunk of money on a treatment. It really does take the enjoyment away from the treat.

Wellyd

This is the exact reason why I keep putting off going for a facial. I’m getting married in six months and would love to have a good skincare routine in place until the big day (and maybe afterwards!) but the cost of some brands is actually terrifying! I just don’t know enough about it and would love to go somewhere where I won’t be pressured into buying lots of products

RhubarbCrumble

I hate going to salons for this reason. I just find them so pushy and it puts me off going back somewhere again.

jos28

Delighted to see that I am not alone with this one. I thought I might be paranoid/over sensitive but I'm obviously not.

Sunny Dayz

I thought going by the title of the thread this was about something else...!!


I do agree that it can be off putting when you attend a spa or a beauty treatment that specific brands will only be mentioned. On the one hand, they probably have gotten specialised training with particular brands so they would know quite a bit about that brand. I remember they used to be a nice place near home but all they used was Dermologica which is pricey and they recommend 4 or 5 things to use. Even Boots was the same years ago when I enquired about moisturisers, she brought me straight to the No 7 counter. I'd love a place to say you have such a type of skin, have a look at something like this product from Nivea, this from Olay, this from Garnier, this from No 7 and this from Estee Lauder and Clarins. So people can pick and chose what they place most value on and what works for them. I don't know anyone who has a one brand skincare routine.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Just on that sunny, Nivia, garnier and olay don’t offer professional training and wouldn’t be highly rated as skin care so if a salon is offering a service (let’s say an image facial) they’ve been trained with that brand, know it inside out and can troubleshoot if needs be. They’re not paid to act as salespeople for drugstore brands. I would never push products on people as I hate it being done to me but if I’m asked for recommendations I’ll recommend a brand that’s trained me, and that id like and trust. I would never use Nivea on my skin so wouldn’t recommend that to someone else