What really goes on behind the beauty counter

The Glow’s Beauty Director, Nicky Champ getting her make-up done by a Clinique artist.

Visiting the beauty counter for the first time is as close as we have to a female rite of passage here in Australia. Cast your mind back to when you first walked down that marble aisle; what were you there for? To get makeup for your school formal? To help control a breakout across your hormonal teenage skin?

If you were lucky enough to have a mum who was a Clinique fan, chances are you were introduced to the brand through their customized three-step program. That iconic yellow bottle of Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion is still one of the brand’s best sellers.

We spoke to three Clinique consultants with over 30 years of experience between them to find out what really happens behind the beauty counter.

Carly Scott – Clinique Counter Manager, Myer Melbourne City.

"One of the best experiences I’ve ever had was treating a woman in her 70s who had come down from outback Queensland. She’d never used anything on her skin before. Her skin was very sun damaged and sensitive, and she’d been through chemotherapy and her skin was very red and irritated. I sat her down and did a bit of pampering and tried the product on for her. I applied a cleanser, serum, moisturiser, redness foundation and a pop of colour, and afterwards, her skin was so comfortable and looked so different that she burst into tears. Happy tears, I should say. I nearly cried when she said, ‘I’ve never looked this good in my whole life’.

I think clients now come armed with a lot more research than ever before. They’re looking on the internet, at beauty blogs, on Instagram or Twitter and come with a list that we can then go over and customise for their skin type.

Personally, I love Clinique’s Even Better Eye Serum, it’s soothing and calming, it instantly brightens and reflects away darkness but it also helps over time as well. I use it morning and night without fail.”

Belinda Pesa - Clinique Counter Manager, Myer Parramatta.

“The best beauty secrets I have learned over the years are very basic ones, but they are ones that clients are always shocked to hear - never go to sleep with your makeup on and always wear sunscreen, regardless of the weather.

Another one my mother told me, who incidentally introduced me to Clinique when I was in my teens, was to try to sleep on your back, not on your side. If you don't, you will have deeper wrinkles around your eyes and chest because of sleep lines. Although I’m not always successful at this myself.

The Clinique product I can’t live without is Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips. I have spares in the cupboard if for some reason Clinique ever decided to discontinue it. I know if they did, they’d make a better formulation but I’m so attached to this one I keep two or three backups in the cupboard just in case.

As for makeup, I love the Lash Power mascara. I always get asked if I’m wearing fake eyelashes when I have it on.”

Georgia Simos - Clinique Counter Manager, Myer Highpoint.

“No one believes that I’m 46. I have hardly any wrinkles and am living proof of how much the products we sell work. I can honestly say that it’s because I’ve used Clinique on my skin for over 20 years.

My skin loves Clinique’s Repairwear Intensive Night Cream, it caters for loss of skin firmness, and makes my skin clear and radiant. I get so many compliments.

In my seven years working for the brand a lot has changed in the retail environment. Customers are more digitally savvy, and come to the counter having already read about the products on our website. We’ve had to adjust to come up to the level where our customers are. For me, being 46, that means being on social media and across beauty blogs and websites.

Helping women to feel better about themselves is still one of my favourite parts of the job. I have so many stories of women coming back to say ‘Thank you, I no longer have to hide or cover my skin.’

I’ve picked up so many beauty tips and tricks in my time at Clinique, but my best tip is to use an exfoliating product once a week because this ensures better penetration of your serum and moisturiser (giving you faster more visible results).”

What's the best beauty counter experience you've ever had?