Hi Everyone,
As you may know, I am located in Shibuya, so three or four department stores are within a walking distance.
It sounds easy, right?
But, it takes some energy to go to the makeup sections of the department stores. I can feel that male customers are not welcomed, as we don’t look like regular buyers.
A new place is especially difficult as shop employees wonder what I want. Sometimes they ignore me.
They don’t think I would buy high-end cosmetics though most shops say there are many male customers. Is it true? I seldom see men alone there.
At the shops I regularly go to, I have explained to them that I send Japanese brushes and makeup to overseas so I have an easier time.
Actually, many are very nice.
Of course, it depends on a person. I have some people easy to talk to and difficult to talk to.
I googled some surveys on which brands are friendlier and which are less.
I can see that some or many Japanese women feel pressured to visit a department cosmetic section as they are more expensive than drug stores and also they sit and receive a touch-up.
These are what I found.
Good : Albion and Decorte are friendly.
MAC shop employees don’t look friendly, but actually they turned out to be great, LOL.
Ok: IPSA, Dior, ADDICTION has mixed opinions.
Maybe no good: NARS (I haven’t bought much there so I don’t know…)
I know I cannot generalize brands’ images, as they totally depend on a person whom a customer talks to.
Here are the rankings based on my experinces:
Good!
Albion, Decorte, SUQQU, Jill Stuart, Laduree, Paul and Joe, RMK
Chicca ( sorry they will close)
Mixed feelings??
ADDICTION, Tom Ford, Shiseido
I don’t want to go….
Chanel
Armani
Shu Uemura (except for one person, LOL)
At the last three brands, I try to spend as short time as possible, lol.
In general, shop employees are well trained, and I may be just demanding and spoiled.
I will update these rankings from time to time)
Thank you for reading!
Toshiya
