Want to win £400? Then enter our awards ... - Beauty Magazine

R E A D E R
I N T E R V I E W
Beauty CV
Name: Nicola Blant
Store: Boots, Chesterfield
Position: Fashion brand consultant
Award: Cosmetics Advisor of the Year
Sponsored by:
What makes you smile at work?
I smile when my customers smile. It’s a great feeling
when you know you have given someone
confidence and upped their self-esteem – it doesn’t
matter if they haven’t bought anything, it’s about
giving something back. The face is very visible and
personal, so when people come in seeking advice,
they need to have trust in you and I always try to
offer what’s best for them.
What make-up trends are coming
for autumn/winter?
Coral nails and lips are still really big,
but I think as winter approaches we
will be seeing trends for matte skin
and black liner flicks for the eyes. I
have also seen a surge in customers
concerned about their eyebrows –
often asking about shaping and
grooming using eye pencils, tweezers
and gels. Eyebrows are definitely going
to be huge this season.
What are your staple make-up products?
I cannot live without mascara. It makes a huge
difference for me because my naturally blonde
lashes aren’t that visible. It makes my eyes look
bigger and more awake. I also have oily skin, so I
love using a mattifying foundation as it makes my
complexion look more even and after a night out it
can cover a multitude of sins! Finally, blusher is
perfect for adding a pop of colour and is more
flattering on me than bronzer. During the summer
months I find the brighter the shade, the better.
What celebrity tie-ups have been most
successful in your store?
Without a doubt it has to be Eylure’s Girls Aloud
lashes. Our shelves are empty every week – as
soon as a new batch comes in we sell out straight
away. I’ve tried them and I think they’re great.
L’Oréal Paris Glam Shine Reflexion lipgloss has also
flown off our shelves after the recent adverts
featuring Cheryl Cole.
Talking
WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN A-1 ADVISOR?
BEAUTY MAGAZINE’S GEMMA HUCKLE CATCHES UP WITH OUR
NEW COSMETICS ADVISOR OF THE YEAR, NICOLA BLANT
Shop
Describe an average
make-up consultation
I always find out about their
skin type and routine, then I
move onto primers, which prep the
skin and help make-up stay put for longer.
Foundation is key for healthy-looking skin, I simply
have to find out what finish the customer is after.
And then I can tailor the eyes and lips to suit.
Do you find testers useful?
Testers are invaluable selling tools,
especially with foundation, which
needs to be tried on the skin to
make sure it’s the right shade before
taking the plunge to purchase.
Do you think there’s much
difference between prestige
and mass brands?
I think prestige foundations cater
better for specific skin types and
problems (e.g. anti-ageing or dry
skin). In terms of eyeshadows and blushers I think
mass brands perform equally as well. Urban Decay
offers a spectacular range of eyeshadows and its
primers are the best I’ve seen!
Are different skin tones better catered for
now or does there need to be more choice?
There is still room for improvement, but Ruby &
Millie has a fantastic range to suit most skin tones. I
would say 95 per cent of my customers have been
able to find a suitable product from the range.
Finally, tell us about your charity work.
We run a gift wrapping service in-store for which
customers make a donation. So far we have raised
£700 for Macmillan Cancer Support. We also ran a
fragrance masterclass with YSL, selling 150 tickets
to customers who wanted to learn about how
perfume is made and the different ingredients. They
got a preview of new launches and a goody bag
each. Again, the money raised went to Macmillan.
My top 5...
COSMETICS
n Urban Decay
Eyelash Primer
Potion: With the
trend for thicker,
fuller lashes and
false lashes this is
the perfect product
to look after
natural lashes.
n Urban Decay
Afterglow Blush
in Score: This
shimmery blush is perfect for a
summer tan!
n Ruby & Millie Liquid Base: Not
only does it contain SPF15, but it
gives medium coverage and a
matte finish.
n Too Faced Lash Injection
Mascara: I love the large brush
on this mascara as it coats lashes
really well.
n Urban Decay Deluxe
Eyeshadow Collection: This
collection boasts the best colour
pigments I’ve seen.
30 b e a u t y m a g a z i n e
s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0