Thanks everyone! I stayed way later than I intended! I love talking makeup with you all, and thanks to the other employees/former employees/makeup junkies who chimed in with great recommendations!

Yes, we get products for educational purposes. A lot of skincare, some makeup. It's great, obviously, but it really is most helpful for getting a feel for the products and knowing what I'm recommending to people.

I loved the Marsala (color of the year) colors. Contouring is a big trend right now, but ugh, most of the contour palettes aren't good. You're better off finding "a" contour color (I like Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder) than buying a kit. Unless you are a MUA, you're not going to use all those shades.

It's not a dupe by any means, but I do like it.

If you're sensitive, stay away. Or get a sample to test.

The past two years in August they have run some insane point promos. Like a trip to San Francisco to go to Sephora HQ - 10,000 points. :) But yeah, I wish the perks were better.

Yeah. It supposedly works, but I'm scared of the long term effects. I believe it's banned in the EU? But I think it's FDA approved. Either way, I won't use it.

Yeah. People forget that sunscreen is basically the most important anti-aging skin product. I curse the fact that I didn't wear it in my teens and really even my 20s.

You know what I think the real problem is? Because I hate being the 666th person to ask you, and I also hate it when I'm shopping. But sometimes I can't see you from behind the displays and I don't realize that someone else has already approached you! I imagine it's only worse in the bigger stores. I know. It's…

1) I wouldn't be offended if a WOC asked to work with a artist who was also a WOC. I get it. A little tricky as our small staff is mostly white and Hispanic, but I know the problems that companies have in having enough shades and I'm not going to try to force you into something that doesn't work just to make a sale.…

1. That's hard. Benefit can HYPE a product like nobody's business, but they're not a bad brand. I think a lot of luxury brands are hit or miss at the prices they ask you to pay (YSL, Dior, Guerlain, even Marc Jacobs). You know, now that I think about it, people think Bare Minerals is God's gift to skin, and it's just…

A lot of people like Too Faced Better Than Sex and Benefit They're Real, but I don't bc the brushes are too big. You have to get to know what brushes you like best, I think. And if you like a dryer or wetter formula. Too Faced is dry, Benefit is wet. Benefit They're Real also doesn't come off very well. Get the…

Most oils are versatile, so just mess around with it. If you need the hydration in your foundation, go for it. Otherwise just use it like a serum at night. Is that one any good? Idk, I bought a deluxe size myself and still havent used it! (But I'm more combo/oily. I don't like most oils.)

Yeah, we're required to wear a certain amount of makeup every day, so our daily makeup may be more natural than you think. :) I tend to keep things natural and neutral unless someone specifies bold lip, smokey eye, or intense contour.

Seriously no problem if something doesn't work for you. Just don't try to return something 3/4 empty. I will talk about you when you leave. :) People make returns all the time, it's no hassle.

Sensitive skin is always a hard question because everybody reacts differently to different ingredients. Smashbox, MUFE, and NARS have decent ranges of shades. But if Clinique is at least working for you in terms of sensitivity, you may stick with it.

Haha. I don't think I've ever had anything too gross returned. The only thing I hate about returns is when people lie about having used things. We accept the return no matter what, so don't lie and say you didn't use it! It could end up back on the floor!

Dr. Jart makes some decent ones. The Waterfuse (blue tube) is good for anyone with dry skin. The down side is that there is no shade range. I personally love the Diorskin Nude BB cream (pink tube) but again, only four shades and a bit pricey. NARS pure radiant tinted moisturizer offers decent coverage, glowy, but not…

Yup, I like NARS too. I mentioned the Diorskin Nude BB Cream. Pricey, but good if you can find a shade. Laura Mercier Oil Free tinted moisturizer is also good.

Yeah, you can replace the rubber pads. A lot of them come with an extra one. I was using the Revlon one for ages and then I used a Kevyn Aucoin one and was like WHOA, I didn't realize there could actually be a difference. I have heard they just wear out after a year or two, but is that really real? IDK.