Making up for a lack of experience

Many beauty advisers have no working experience when they apply for positions at make-up counters, but they do need an understanding of basic beauty concepts.

RMK put their trainees through an intensive one-month programme that includes skin care, skin structure, makeup skills and product knowledge. They learn about what products are best for different skins, and what colours suit the various skin tones. They are also trained on how to use make-up to highlight specific features of a person's face.

There is also on-the-job training, when they can brush up on their makeup skills by practising on their colleagues and learn the ins and outs of working at a cosmetics counter. Finally, they have practical and oral examinations to test their knowledge and skills.

Training is a continual process, as every season a range of new products are launched and employees must familiarise themselves with them. A new makeup range usually means beauty advisers must update their application skills to suit the products.

Some staff are sent to different countries, often Japan or Taiwan, for training or trainers from overseas visit Hong Kong to share their tips and techniques.