Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Beauty is Pain

Friday evening I received this e-mail:

Subject: Beauty Sale

Beauty Sale Tuesday May 20th in the conference room

12:30 - 1:30 for Magazine staff only
2:00 - 3:00 for
company employees

Please remember to bring cash and a bag (and a blunt weapon).

Today was Beauty Sale day.

I had my cash.
My bag.

And my blunt weapon. Just kidding.

Most of the women's magazine's at my company hold beauty sales semi-annually, once in May and once in December. A conference room table is covered with boxes and bins of hair care products, body lotions and skin care products. The conference room chairs are moved against the wall, on them are bags filled with mascara, eye-shadows, lipstick, foundation, cover-up, fake eyelashes, eyeliner, blush, and every other kind of make-up product in existence. Needless to say, there are tons and tons of quality beauty products, literally tons and tons. There are brands such a Nars, MAC and Bobbi Brown. Expensive right? In the real world, yes. In beauty sale world, $1. Everything is $1. ONE DOLLAR! Now you understand the need for a blunt weapon.
My first beauty sale landed me in a lot of trouble with Chicken Noodle Soup boss. I was a recent college grad on a tight budget, I was ecstatic for my first beauty sale. I didn't tell Chicken Noodle Soup boss where I was going and I spent an hour at the beauty sale. During that hour, Chicken Noodle Soup boss needed me to work on a "project" for her. The project: send issues to a client. Not exactly what I would call urgent. When I returned, Chicken Noodle Soup boss yelled at me about the importance of good communication between and employee and her boss. She was basically saying "don't go anywhere without telling me because you are my personal slave." It was awful, I wanted to cry. But the make-up was so worth it.


Today's beauty sale was conveniently scheduled during lunch. My co-workers and I and lined up outside the conference room doors at 12:15 PM. The line was already 10 people deep. At 12:30 the door opened. Women (and a few men) made their way into the conference room. There is some pushing and shoving. An evil eye to two. The room is small, people begin to sweat, the room begins to smell. But if you're really in it, you have your game face on and you ignore everyone else. And that's what I did. My strategy: grab as much as I can, edit down my bag later. I spent a hour and a half at the beauty sale and I spent $45. I left the beauty sale and felt like I had just run a marathon. My hair was a mess, my face was pale, I was dehydrated, I was starving, but I was so happy. Beauty sale day, as stressful as the time at the actual beauty sale is, is a really great day.

21 comments:

Lacey Bean said...

I need to know where the hell you work, and need to transfer there immediately. That's even better than the Jimmy Choo/Manolo Balahnik sale my hotel used to house, because those shoes were hella expensive!!!

Bayjb said...

OMG. I need to transfer to your company. I would ush and shove too for that sale! $1? Insane! FYI: blunt object is good, but go with a shive or something smaller, the hammer will inhibit the shopping.

Stephanie said...

Sounds like fun! I can't wait to see the goodies that you bought.

Anonymous said...

That sounds SERIOUSLY insane and fabulous. I'm tres jealous.

Heather said...

Holy crap, that's awesome. I'm generally pretty reserved at work, but upscale beauty products for $1?? I'd mow some bitches over.

Anonymous said...

So jealous! That is awesome. Wish my mag had beauty sales...I do get random free beauty products though, for example Bliss's a tan for all seasons and some lip glosses from MAC, Chanel and NARS most recently. :)

Can't wait to see your loot!!

Steph Corwin said...

Okay that is so crazy! I want to work there. :-/ Though I think getting sued for breaking someone's arm (which is what I would probably end up doing) would end up costing more than paying full price for the stuff

Auburn Kat said...

OH MY! I am SO jealous! I wish they had a sale at my work...seeing as it's banking maybe they could have a dollar sale? Every dollar 50% off? Yes, that sounds good!

Yvonne said...

the problem is with all that new stuff, where are you gonna put it? as a veteran beauty saler, i still have beauty crap from sales years ago that I still haven't gotten to!

Anonymous said...

This may be the most exciting thing I've ever seen. YAY!

Anonymous said...

so jealous!

Anonymous said...

Wow that's an amazing sale! Can I please join your company?

Lauren said...

I wish my company had a makeup day. That's absolutely amazing! Next time you SHOULD bring the hammer. Just in case, of course. :)

Angela said...

J-E-A-L-O-U-S!

phoebe said...

how cool is that?? you are so lucky to have that at your company.

Anonymous said...

friggen gah! that's so awesome!!! wanna hire me? I need a new job :(

Jackie said...

Wow, I need to switch industries. Boo to your Chicken Noodle Soup Boss, but love the nickname!

The Alleged Ringleader said...

HOLY SWEET JESUS! THAT RULES!! OMG foot petals, Bobbi Brown makeup, dermalogica?!?!?!
So jealous!!!!

Anonymous said...

How fabulous is a make-up sale?! I love that idea. And by your purchases, it sounds like you bought 45 things. You'll have to list them out for us.

And you gotta love a micro-managing boss. Wowza. I guess she wasn't at the sale this year?

Vanessa said...

What a fabulous experience! I need a job with Beauty Sale Day like you have. NARS for $1? Incredible!

Anonymous said...

Wow. That's a lot of great loot! You scored some of my favorite products, too! :)