The road to bankruptcy is paved with high-end beauty products...
I went to my first VIB event last night where you're offered an exclusive look at seasonal products, snacks and a fat 20% coupon to use (for you AND A FRIEND). So I went. The entrance was nice, there were small smoothie samples and chocolate (Andes mints). There were also name tags. Ummmm. They had it set up like you were going into some sleek club, I guess. I don't go to clubs (especially the sleek ones) but it's what I picture in my mind. Anyway.
The store seemed staffed more highly than usual but still not enough. I went in with one thing I definitely wanted to get (make up forever e/s #92) and an idea of something else I wanted (liquid foundation, normal skin, non-transferrable, cruelty free, in a nice package, not something that would spill or come out too fast, that wasn't the most expensive thing Sephora carries). I kind of hoped I could sit in the chair and have a little makeover done! I thought there'd be swatches of many products and we'd have an experience of making a perfect match for me.
I had a sales associate help me with the foundation and we also talked about undereye concealers. We walked around to a few different areas but no chair! I got the foundation suggested which was pricey ($36?). I put the concealer in my basket but as I walked around, I thought to myself, "$24 for that? That's stupid." So I put it back. I found a concealer on my own for $6 less. That's a bowl of pho! Sephora has a great return policy. If you don't like it, bring it back. So if the one I chose sucks, I'll take it back.
The sales associate was pretty slick. She told me how nice my skin was (it's alright, I guess...) and was extra friendly greasing my palm, "Oh you're so easy to put makeup on...." it reminded me of the Raisins waitresses from the South Park episode about Hooters. "All the other guys here are SO LAME but you seem really cool!" But to be fair, she also took what info I gave her and made a match. She used info about the lines I already like (Philosophy, Fresh) and didn't suggest something like Dior that isn't in line with those ethics models. I probably would have never looked at Tarte (what I purchased) without her suggestion.
The place was pretty busy, there were lines. I had to wait about 5-10 minutes for fragrance samples and ended up just putting four large bottles in my basket to get samples when I was paying. I was pleased, at least, that the sales associate apologized. I apologized for bringing 4 giant bottles up to the register but explained I waited and waited and no one ever came through fragrance. She seemed genuinely apologetic. Maybe just more palm-greasing. But I felt like it was genuine.
I successfully avoided buying any fragrance. A major feat for me. Especially with a coupon!
I was disappointed with the selection of seasonal stuff. I didn't feel like I saw anything that wowed me or didn't feel recycled. Everything felt old. I looked at my "menu" (their word) when I left and all the "specials" were with the 20% discount, on Sephora brand products. So I feel like this event was a push for Sephora branded items, not the high end stuff.
There were a lot of smart coupon moves being made. While in line, I saw moms and daughters (buying, in bulk, the largest Clinique moisturizer, with discount!), a girl who had one big bottle of Juicy Couture (20% off is probably cheaper than you can get it online for an authentic product).
I kind of went for things I had been eyeing for awhile and just needed a little excuse. I just picked up a liquid foundation (Tarte Smooth Operator), concealer for dark circles (Make Up Forever HD), that eyeshadow, (#92) an empty DIY rollerball (I've wanted one forever, they're $10, refillable with anything you own!) and a small shower gel for $5. I didn't really get buck-wild but I dropped a bit.
Cashwrap was a little bit of a letdown. The wait was kind of long. People were impatient. They were out of their promotional item (a reusable Sephora bag/tote) but I got four fragrance samples (and I love that they never give you any shit about asking for samples, it's like you're expected to ask for samples) and they were handing out these cute little sample bags that had Sephora lip gloss and about 5 high end samples. I love samples.
Would I go again? Probably not. The coupon is nice but you can use the coupon anytime between Thursday (the event) and Sunday. read more