If you guys follow me on twitter then you'll know the one thing I complain about the most is the lack of events we have here in the States. I'm always so envious of all the amazing brands that host parties to celebrate beauty bloggers by letting them play with their products or have early access to some new ones. So you can imagine how excited I was when I got an e-mail telling me about an event that Benefit + Birchbox were hosting together, on Thursday! My expectations were high and I was bursting with excitement on the way over. My mom came with me and we were the first ones through the door. We were told to walk in, grab some bubbly and cupcakes (which looked delicious, but agh, I just couldn't, haha) and then just take a look at the products. The store was really tiny which became apparent as more of the guests started to arrive. It was really hard to walk around, but hey, I was optimistic. They offered free makeovers and brow services, which I was more than happy to partake in the latter- my brows were in need of some TLC ;D I was super excited because I've only heard good things about the brow bar and I was completely blinded by optimism because I didn't notice that a decent portion of my right eyebrow was removed! I couldn't believe it! I mean I know I didn't pay for the service directly, but yikes! After my eyebrows were done I was whisked away to get my makeup done, which I tried to politely object to because I loved the way it turned out when I did it, but alas, I was somehow plopped into the chair and the makeup artist went to work without even removing my previous makeup! Again, I was blinded by wanting to have a really good time so I was like "OH WELL!"
When the makeup was done, and I looked caked like a cupcake, my optimism started to wear down. I had to pay for the event, which should have been a flag right away, but again, I was excited. A majority of that cost went to a credit you had to spend at the party, and you HAD to spend ALL of it. You couldn't spend under it, but they sure didn't mind if you went over =_=' My mom and I ended up having to spend $27 extra because of that silly rule. Don't get me wrong, I really like the products I got, but did I need them? Not really. Not at all. After all the services were done we were tossed to the side, occasionally being asked if we had picked out the items we wanted, and if we hadn't, we'd be left alone again. When the purchases were made, that was it. Nothing more was planned. No explanations or demonstrations of their new BrowWows product, which the event was based around. After the transaction was complete, we were pretty much ignored. We were in and then out in less than an hour. I was bummed and my expectations were completely shattered. I could've just taken that money I spent on a spot at the event to buy the ONE thing I did want if I wanted it. I didn't like that I HAD to spend the full $35 which def. meant I would be going over. It was just a very disappointing event that had me wishing I hadn't gone to in the first place. Is that harsh? Maybe a bit :/ I guess the bright side would be that this event made for some lovely pictures!
Have you ever went to a beauty event that didn't live up to expectations?
This sounds so disappointing :( I live on the east coast of Canada and definitely don't have any events so I can appreciate how exciting one would have been, but what a disappointment. I hope you get a chance to attend another in the future that blows you away :)
ReplyDeletewritingwhimsy.com
Thank you! I think my expectations were high, but there was really nothing at the event, esp. worth paying for. Hopefully we both have opportunities in the future :)
DeleteThe only "event" I have been to is IMATS, and that was always a good time. I totally agree with you as well about the lack of events here but the USA is so much bigger than Europe here there events constantly
ReplyDeletexx Liz
IMATS is ALWAYS a good time. That's an event I'm always over the moon about, haha! I guess it would be a bit hard to plan out where to host an event with so many people on different coasts! But meh, doesn't make up for a lackluster event, haha!
DeleteI want it alllll!!
ReplyDeleteEmma from http://www.masqueradebelle.co.uk
It all looks so pretty, doesn't it? Only great thin was seeing Benefit products in their "element"
DeleteOh no Jess I'm so sorry to hear this was a disappointment for you :( I was so excited and a wee bit jealous that you got to go considering, like you said, beauty events just aren't really a thing here in the states. My beauty obsessed heart weeps for you and your forcefully spent money…
ReplyDelete♥Cassie
thriftthick.blogspot.com
Yeah, welp, I there still aren't, haha. It wasn't really a beauty event- I mean it was, but I think it was more one of those things that Sephora does sometimes where they do your makeup for $50 and you take that money to spend on products. I appreciate the sentiment, haha <3
DeleteOh nooo, this event doesn't sound too good. I would expect much more from Benefit to be honest, especially when you have to pay for it! I now see how lucky I was when I went to that Catrice & Essence event. It was the complete opposite! Also, I guess you Americans have the exact opposite problem with events as we do. Our country is too small, so there are usually no events (especially for bloggers), while the US is probably too populated to throw such events... It looks like both of us really do need to move to London, Jessica. :D
ReplyDeleteI would, too, esp. since they teamed up with Birchbox (or vice versa) I'm sure it wouldn't be TOO hard to host some events on different costs because I know they hold events in different areas in the UK sometimes. Oh well, I've learned my lesson and that's to be a bit more picky when opportunities like this arise, ESP. if it involves paying, haha. Yes, we need to get our butts to London!!
DeleteUgh... I already am not a fan of Benefit, but sheesh. That sounds like a horrible experience. I would be really pissed. :(
ReplyDeleteYou should've seen me walk out. It went from "well that was fun" (trying to convince myself it was) to "well that was a stinker!!" I expected so much from it! ):
DeleteI really appreciate your honesty. These Benefit events always look super cute but they don't deserve good reviews if you had a crappy time. And I can't believe you had to pay for it! I would've asked for a refund haha.
ReplyDeleteErica | Abundance of Erica
I should've! I may just go and return the products. I love the blush I bought but I totally didn't need it! Yeah, they always look super fun for the really popular vloggers but I'm sure they didn't have to pay ;D
DeleteOh man, what a bummer! I've been to several blogger events that were a COMPLETE bummer. I went to one last July in Orlando and besides the fact that the food was awful and the people were stuck-up, the high-top table I was at (which held my DSLR camera, food, drinks, phone, etc) randomly collapsed and dropped all of my stuff! It was so awful lol.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that? I'm sure if you're going to host an event as a brand it shouldn't be too hard? That sounds absolutely terrible! I probably would have left after seeing the snooty people. I cannot handle (re:deal with) people who are uppity for no reason! Hopefully one day there's a really awesome blogger event! It would be fantastic!
Delete