making faces

I have shopped here on and off for years because the products are fantastic but the service has been awful since they moved to Bow St. - service with a sneer as my mother would say. So, why bother ruining your perfectly pleasant shopping day? Skip this place when you're in Portsmouth and buy your makeup online at Sephora instead - they've got the same stuff and the service is much less obnoxious. Pros: great selection Cons: obnoxious staff more

I have been a customer since last summer, but will never return. I had purchased a Smashbox Photo Finish, which had a price of $40.00 for a 1.5 oz bottle. I had bought it in the past and like the product. Unfortunately I was about a third through the bottle and the pump stopped working. So I went back to the store last Sunday and the woman that was in there told me this happens often and if you just hit the bottle several times the vacuum should return and it should work. Well she tried hitting it multiple times and still did not get it to work. She then told me that being it was partially used she couldn't do anything about it, but said I could open the bottle and scoop it out via a q-tip. I don't know about anyone else, but when I pay that much money for this little bottle, kinda expect it to work. Needless to say I am not happy. While I didn't think it would be totally replaced, a thought would have been to offer me a new one at a discount price and they could have kept the old one themselves and used a q-tip when they do make overs. The attitude she had tells me that they probably aren't concerned that I won't be back, but in today's economy no one should give up any customers. I work for a company that puts customers first in any situation and I can tell you that pays off ten times over. Cons: Customer Service more

I found out about this store through facebook. A friend of a friend suggested I become a fan of their page. I had no idea about this place. Where do they advertise? My teenage daughter and I stopped in to take a look this week. This is a goldmine of high quality products I have to normally go out of my way to get. Although I didn't buy anything, I will be stopping in again. They have all sorts of services too which I'm definitely going to consider for mother's day. My only complaint is that it's a little intimidating. The girl working ended up being really friendly. It's just a whole new experience in a store so small. Does anyone know if they do coupons? Pros: So many brands of makeup, Close to home Cons: Kind of intimidating at first more

As a nurse, I always use ""Grace"" by Philosophy for a fragrance. It's not too heavy, and is great for working with sick patients. I recently moved to Dover. Instead of driving to the Salem Sephora, I took a friend's suggestion and went to making faces. The store is SO cute. They have so many products. and, depsite what everyone else on here says- the girls were so friendly and helpful. it's independently owned store's like these that make Portsmouth, NH seem like a quaint New England town full of friendly people who all know eachother Pros: cute store, great products Cons: parking more

I usually disagree with complaining, but this is definitly an exception. I have never been treated as bad as I did when I went to Making Faces. The sales associates are the most rude people I have ever met. Their products may be okay, but its nothing I've never seen before. I would rather take the trip to Sephora than travel five minutes down the road to be treated so aweful. Anyone that goes into this store can say the same, which seems to be a trend already. Pros: product lines are good Cons: the worst service I've encountered more

the girls who work there: Pros: never having to shop there again Cons: that i cant travel back in time to avoid this place more

It's too bad that this place has to be so horrible. It had such potential with all the great products. But it's not worth it at all. I used to go in to get my brows there done by a woman who worked there once a week (she was sweet, and great), but I stopped because just calling the mean girls to make my appointment made me uncomfortable. I could never even hang out after my appointment and just browse, because I would get hounded and harassed. I felt like I had to leave. They really are so snobby, and the owner is even worse. I see her around town at other places (the Gap, a coffee shop), and can not WAIT to get out of her presence. I am so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. Pros: good products, but not worth going Cons: snobby employees, super-annoying owner more

This store has a horrible reputation around town for its rude salespeople. Often the girls make you feel uncomfortable for ""just looking."" when it comes to getting makeup suggestions, one of the girls is often telling you to try whatever it is that she is wearing on that day. We have totally different complexions and hair color! They have the worst attitude of any retail store I have ever been in. My son went there to buy something for me with his dad and even they were treated horribly. They should probably brush up before Mother's Day or maybe they don't care -- they sure act that way! Pros: Product in a pinch Cons: often low stock more

I used to really like this store but the last few times I have gone in it seems as though the girls there talk to you like you are 5 years old. I love makeup & wish the atmosphere here was more relaxed & inviting. The snotty attitudes of the salesgirls are really unnecessary. Just because someone might come in on a day off with no makeup on & hair not done doesn't mean they don't know what they're doing or won't spend money in your store! If the people were nicer I would give this store 4 or 5 stars. Kind of unfortunate:( Pros: cute store, nice products Cons: no stock, snobby staff more

I recently re-located to Portsmouth, NH from New York City. I thought I was going to have to travel to Boston to get my make-up and skin-care, until after a recommendation from one of my friends, that I try Making Faces. I can not tell you how incredibly excited I am to have found this place!! Not only do they have all of the lines that I used in New York, they have lines and products I had never even heard of, and have now fallen in love with! The location could not be more beautiful, the store more enjoyable to shop in, and the customer service better! The girls here know more about make-up and skin-care than I ever will - and I am a beauty junkie! Seriously, in all my time in NYC (15 years) this is by far the best make-up and skincare boutique I have ever shopped in, and I will never shop anywhere else!! Love, love, love Making Faces!! Pros: Everything is a pro - my favorite store!! more

I went into Making Faces despite the terrible reviews and having been their before myself, but I needed my face wash and didnt want to wait to order it online... so against my better judgement I went in. The staff didn't even acknowledge me and when I went to the counter with my face wash the girl tried to sell me something else and when I said i wasn't interested she got mad and told me if I wasn'tusing a full line then why even bother with the face wash... I asked to speak to the owner but she didn't even care about what I had to say.... this is why I order off line. Reading the reviews below it sounds like a staff member their wrote the last two the only doll annie is comparable to is a chucky doll. more

I first discovered Making Faces when visiting my mother in law in NH. I was greeted as soon as I walked into the boutique by the owner, Annie. Such a doll. She made me feel as if I were the only person in the store and really took the time to hear my concerns that I've had with previous make up lines. I have very sensitive skin and am very concerned with anti-aging and the newest technology. She was able to place me in a new skin care routine that was catered to my own preferences and skin type. She was EXTREMELY knowledgable on every line in the store, every ingredient, and what products could or could not be mixed with others. Pros: customer service, atmosphere, genuine staff Cons: parking more

Making Faces is an absolute gem! I am excited to spred the word that this is by far one of the best beauty boutiques I have ever visited, and I have seen my fair share! Everything is very clean and organized. The girls working in this boutique are very friendly and welcoming and the owner is a doll! There is a great selection of products to choose from including my favorite, stila! I am not from New Hampshire but I will be sure to stop back into Making Faces next time I am in town! By the way, I don't understand why there are some bad reviews up there, I didn't witness one bad thing while I was in the store (and I'm not that easy to please). You are missing out if you bypass this beauty mecca! Pros: Great service, Amazing product selection, intimate atmosphere Cons: None! more

If you want to be treated disrespectfully by some young unprofessional girls then please try this place out. Not only this place has limited products they are always out of the few products they do offer. The girls working there are little 20 something year old inspired pricecesses and they make you look like street walkers after they do your makeup. One of the girls had an attitude with me when I questioned her about her sharing the same lip brush as me and the lady before me without sanitizing it. Her response was do you want your free makeup application or what? of course I demanded to speak to the owner but the owner was in portland location that day. I would never go there again, a better place to go would be Pink Sapphire, friendly experienced staff , hip decor with lots more up to the minute products. Pros: on the decks Cons: dirty practice, rude service more

i had to write a review because I just love Making Faces! I've been going to them since they opened about 5 years ago, and have only had great experiences. They don't carry a ton of brands (like a Sephora) but they do present a really well-researched and edited collection of skincare and makeup. I find the staff to be as nice to me as they are to my 13-year old daughter, and they give me the same level of personalized and friendly attention whether I'm replenishing, seeking something completely new or just browsing. Before Making Faces, I used to go to either Sephora, Bendels or Bergdorf Goodman - but I'm now completely addicted to Making Faces! Pros: Great staff, great product more

In February 2008, I had a meeting in Portsmouth and finally got to visit a few of the Portsmouth boutiques that I had been wanting to visit. When I went into Making Faces the sales staff never greeted me. They were too busy putting on their own makeup. When I asked for help it seemed like they were out of everything. Then the sales woman became pushy and almost insulting when I didn't want to buy a substitute product that she suggested. I was told by a local store clerk that the owner is even worse! I'll buy on line or go to Sephora. Pros: Has some great lines. Cons: Was out of everything - Inexperienced Staff more

The sales staff during my numerous visits (to both the Portsmouth and Portland, ME locations) have been pushy and rude. The store never seems to have any inventory and you are pretty much guaranteed a better deal when shopping online. Plus, you don't have to deal with the employees! I enjoy shopping locally but with the high pressure and blasting music I do not think I will be shopping at this boutique any longer. Pros: Interesting store front Cons: The staff more

The owner is a decaying woman who sends customers and staff running. When the employees look so unkempt, how am I supposed to take their advice? My experiences have been among the worst anywhere. The brands are boring, the people are rude AND PUSHY. Save your life and just go to Sephora. Pros: The exit door works well. Cons: That it hasn't burned to the ground yet. more

Shopping is supposed to be fun and relaxing but it all ended when I went into making faces in portsmouth,Nh. The sales ladies there are like hound dogs, every counter I went they were there to ask me if I needed help, after I refused their help a few times one lady told me I can only sample the make up if I was planning on buying something or other wise don't touch anyting! i was really offended and asked to speak to the manager, the rude lady said no manager here just the owner and you're looking at her! I couldn't believe how I was treated but just walked out! Don't bother going there, barely anything in the store plus rude unprofessional young girls running the store!!! Pros: located in a beautiful city Cons: Over priced, Rude owner, too much pressure to buy more

My friends and I went into the store over the weekend to look for facial cleanser, the store was nicely decorated but had very few brands. Everything was fine until we saw one of the sales girl helping this lady putting on gloss, at first the sales girl used what a appeared to be a clean applicator on the lady's lips but then she use the same applicator and redipped in the the gloss to put more gloss on the lady. Needless to say we didn't want anything after that. That's how you catch a flu this season!! Pros: cute store Cons: Not sanitary more