Caroline Ruggiero, a native of Rego Park, Queens, who has sold perfume for 32 years, repeats the advice her mother gave her from her time selling cosmetics during the Depression: Women will always spend on things like lipstick and perfume.
— Find out how the beauty counter at Barneys is faring during the recession in Even in Tough Times, It Seems, a Person Needs Mascara at the New York Times.
I guess that's true, but will they still spend money on MAC and NARS makeup?
I don't wear makeup. I'm ~*naturally perfume*~
ummm I'm ~*naturally perfect*~
Regardless of what this article says, it is pretty clear that many of the cosmetics firms are suffering, and for that matter, so is Barneys — they're reportedly looking for a buyer.
Yep, I am more inclined to spend less on things like mascara, eye liner etc in tough times. I think Loreal's mascaras are just as great as Lancome's, and 1/3 the price.
When I went on my little scent trip last weekend, the SA's at Saks/Neimans/Barneys were very attentive so I am guessing times are tough at the counter.
When I had my phone interview to work at the Malle counter, which was the posted ad description, it turned out to have actually been a Barney's job that they were not allowed to officially be hiring for. It was all very confusing and I wasn't prepared for the change-up. But I thought it was telling that Barney's had to hire by sneak attack.
It could be that they were firing or letting someone go?
That is confusing — you mean Barney's was trying to hire someone for the Malle counter when they shouldn't have been, or vice versa?
SFLizbeth, I certainly scale back on what I spend on things like mascara, which after all you can buy quite cheaply & for me at least, in the end it's about the same thing: my eyelashes are black. I know a makeup person would find ridiculous, LOL…but I'll save my $ for perfume.
When I applied for the job, it was posted as a Malle job, and I spoke with a Malle rep, but the job was for Barney's and I would have been handling other lines as well while managing the Malle counter, which was fine, but it was a weird conversation. Maybe someone left and they weren't technically supposed to post the job. Barney's was the one being sneaky. The woman I talked to (who had a bad cell phone connection – hate that in an interview!!) thought I might be better as an employee of FM and said she would contact me if that came open. Evs.
Maybelline Ultra-Lash in the pink and green tube is still one of the top-selling mascaras, I think. It has been used by all sectors for years. Works for me!
Ah, that is rather weird. Hope you get it though!!
Thanks for posting this. It makes me realize again that I have such low retail tolerance and also that I am really at the bottom of the economic food chain: three creams instead of six… 23-year-old “literary agents”… one blush & lipstick for $100. My $30-$50 perfume “splurges” seem pretty darn frugal even though they add up.
I do find the overall tone of the article interesting though, especially if sales in cosmetics departments are stable and if they're not having as many of the same layoff issues.
LOL — me too, but then, you should see my tea & chocolate bills! So once again, I am in no position to throw stones.