bareMinerals

So me and my colleague popped into this boutique in Covent Garden at lunchtime today to pick up a free foundation sample they are giving out in their campaign.
As if British weather is not predictable enough, it started out drizzling when we left the office and turned into full blown downpour complimented by strong winds and we were so glad when we finally arrived at the store. It was warm inside and the first shop assistant to see us greeted us warmly.
after telling her our quest for foundation samples she was very diligent in asking us whether we wanted a colour match or not, and during the session she was very friendly and found out no, we weren’t mother and daughter but colleagues from nearby. She had a great personality and I asked her name, it was Natalie, so shouts out for Natalie, you do this shop proud.
This was in sharp contrast to another shop assistant hovering about in the background looking like she was in a very bad mood, no smiles at all! So the lady who served us, 5 stars, but because of this other lady, I had to average it down to 3. Anyone who walks into a store will only want to see helpful and smiling assistants, nobody wants to see a grumpy looking person in the background!
Otherwise, the shop looked pretty neat and tidy, the products were laid out in a coherent manner and it was easy to find what you were looking for. This is a place to go if you like mineral based products, which are currently actively marketed as being good for your skin as it’s natural!

Four stars for the product, one star for the service, so overall I’ll give this particular store a two star.
I was introduced to Bare Escentuals a few months ago in San Francisco and haven’t looked back. Their Bare Minerals foundation gives me great coverage and is so light you don’t feel like you’re wearing make up at all. I had previously been using Mac’s Studio Fix foundation which was so thick and gunky, I was surprised this fine powder gave me the same amount of coverage.
Thought I’d pop into this store as I was passing and needed some more primer.
Three shop assistants, one tiny shop and one customer… me! As I walked in they glanced over and my own ‘Hello’ got no acknowledgement. Fair enough. I started to have a little browse and couldn’t see primer anywhere, meanwhile the three girls had a conversation about someone they knew — bitchy stuff! — and not once did any of them ask if I needed help.
I would have asked but to be honest by this point I was irritated — what’s happened to customer service? Seriously! You think I want to spend money here now? I left. I’ll get my primer in Selfridges.
Having been disappointed on numerous occasions previously by the Mac store just a few doors down and their awful customer service, I’m now starting to wonder if it’s just the general attitude of Neal Street shop assistants?
Sort it out!

I’ve managed to get through my teens and early twenties without really getting into makeup due to sensitive skin and an ever changing tan. I also have a bit of a phobia of cosmetic departments and pristine groomed sales consultants.
As I mentioned before I have sensitive skin and get breakouts and redness frequently so my mum picked me up a started kit of bareMinerals. Completely freaked out I looked for my nearest store to get some help and was booked in for a «make-​under». The girls are really friendly and not at all judgemental at my lack of makeup knowledge. I was really sceptical about the products and worried I would come out with a ton of makeup I had no idea how to use. I was taken through all the bits and bobs and at no point did I feel any pressure to buy anything.
Throughly recommend a visit but then again I haven’t got anything to compare it to.