I had the pleasure of doing makeup for a wedding party this weekend. It was a beautiful affair held in this amazing space at the Ovit in downtown Los Angeles. I did makeup, drank amazing hibiscus lemonade, and noshed on some really amazing purple basil. I wasn’t invited to stay for the ceremony, but when I left an hour before they walked down the aisle everyone looked perfect. Hopefully in all that perfection no one noticed my frayed composure or complete bewilderment.
Two weeks before this event I met the wedding party at one of the in-laws homes and spent 5 hours finding the perfect “look” for the big day. As usual, I took meticulous notes and charted makeup colors and application techniques onto face cards. As I did this I asked each person the same question, “Are you totally happy with this look? Because this is exactly how I am going to apply your makeup the day of the wedding.” With each clients affirmative I placed their face card into a plastic sleeve to keep it safe. I booked the appointments for pre-wedding facials and got the wedding planners contact info so I knew where and when to show up.
The night before the event I pulled out the face cards and reviewed them. I re-read all my notes to make sure I could read them and remembered what they said. I then placed all the supplies I needed into my bag, printed out the directions to the Ovit, and called the wedding planner to assure her I would be there on time.
I was completely prepared and could apply the makeup with my eyes closed. I am not being immodest when I say I am very good at my job. I am precise, honest, reliable, and knowledgeable. I can think on my feet, and usually have a backup plan prepared for any eventuality. This is why people hire me. This is why they place their trust in me – and yet I sometimes run into the client who totally baffles me. This was one of those times.
As I was applying makeup I kept hearing the same thing over and over again. “Don’t do this.” “Make sure you do that.” “Don’t you think you should…” Everybody wanted to tell me how to do my job. Now I have no problem with people asking me questions, in fact, I love questions. It means my clients are inquisitive and care about what I am doing. But I am always baffled by people who hire me as their expert and then proceed to tell me how to do my job.
A perfect example of this, and one of my favorites to tell, is about a girl who was a client of another esthetician, but had seen me that day because her technician called in sick. After the facial I recommended products to her. When I went out to check on her she was perusing the product shelves and picking up products I hadn’t recommended and that were totally wrong for her.
“Hi again. Can I answer any questions for you?” I ask looking at the items she has in her hands.
“Oh, I was just picking up some product.” She says juggling her assortment of bottles.
Seeing her struggle, I take some products out of her hands. “Are these all for you?” I query.
“Yes.”
“Were these the items your usual esthetician recommended?” I say with a look that clearly says that there is NO WAY that one of our staff would recommend these products to her.
Getting a bit frosty she says, “She didn’t recommend any products, but I know what I need.”
“Well from what I saw of your skin I think you might want to get the Citrus Cleanser instead of the-“
Cutting me off, “Listen, I don’t want to sound rude, (how come this is always a precursor to someone saying something rude?) but I know exactly what I need.”
“Oh. So you’re an esthetician.” I reply with feigned innocence. “Where do you work?”
Getting really huffy now, “Well, no, I am not an esthetician, but-“
“Ah!” I smile with my most sickeningly sweet smile, “Then I am more than happy to help you.” I point to the cleanser again. “Like I was saying this one is going to strip your skin, but the Citrus-“
“I don’t like that product it makes me smell like toilet cleanser.”
Getting a bit pissed by trying to keep my cool I say, “Well if it’s just a smell thing try the Herbal Cleanser-“
“No. You don’t know what you are talking about. The Gelle cleanser is good for oily skin and that’s what I have.”
“Actually I do this for a living, so I do know what I am talking about, and you don’t have oily skin.”
“Listen, don’t get on your high horse with me. I may not be an esthetician, but I have had LOTS of facials.”
She says the word “esthetician” while rolling her eyes and over enunciating every syllable. Well now she has pushed my buttons. You do not try and belittle me and my profession without feeling the sting of my wrath.
“Hmm that’s funny. I’ve had a lot of foot surgeries. I guess that makes me a surgeon.”
The receptionist who has been watching this exchange sniggers. I am SO getting written up for this one. Ah well, in for a penny in for a pound! I place all the products on the counter and say, “I don’t mean to sound rude, but this stuff is going to destroy your skin. If you need any more assistance please ask.” I walk away fuming and don’t look back.
Two days later my boss calls me into her office. She has had a complaint and is giving me a verbal warning. I tell her what happens and we both laugh about it. I mean really, after you stop being mad you can’t help but want to mock the ignorance of this girl.
Now this story is a very severe instance of people not trusting the professional. I mean obviously she doesn’t even respect what I do for a living. But in the case of the wedding why all the ordering about and questioning? I understand that this is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime moment. I understand that everyone is stressed out and concerned about things being perfect. But I guess it comes down to this for me; you either trust the expert you hire, knowing that they do exceptional and honest work, or you don’t hire anyone at all. You do it yourself, and pray that you are at least as good as the expert…but I bet you won’t be.