That’s why many retailers are ensuring that they have service quality systems in place to avoid the typical holiday mishaps between shoppers and service staff, according to the American Society for Quality, which provides service quality training for many industries, including retail.

“The top four causes of customer dissatisfaction are out of stock items, discontinued items, returns and shipping charges,” says John Goodman, an ASQ customer service expert. “These are issues that are easily resolvable if sales staff have the right tools and training.”

Bigger stories like Bath & Body Works, for example, provide staff with training to handle these kinds of complaints. Its sales staff takes steps such as maintaining eye contact with customers during every step of the sale. They are also trained in how to detect and respond to unspoken needs and are told to “treat a return like a sale” because a properly handled return will often move the customer to buy something else.

Best Buy is ranked highest in customer satisfaction among national and multi-regional major appliance retailers, according to a new report by J.D. Power and Associates. One key reason is that they make customer service training a priority.

In addition to a rigorous certification process, employees are well-educated on complicated products and solutions, enabling them to better help customers, says Mike Fisher, senior director of Lean Six Sigma for Best Buy’s corporate campus in Richfield, Minn..

The store’s TRUST model ensures that employees thank consumers for coming into the store, respect their opinions, understand their needs, solve challenges together and thank and support the ongoing consumer relationship.

“Our goal is to put more sales staff or ‘blue shirts’ on the sales floor instead of handling paper work and other duties,” Fisher said. “That way they are immediately available to assist consumers with their questions and needs.”

While many retailers will make an extra effort to ensure excellent customer service this holiday season, Goodman suggests that customers take these steps to help ensure a positive sales experience:

• Get to know the sales clerks at your favorite stores. This ensures that you will be in the loop regarding stores sales and events. A salesperson who knows you may also be more apt to help if a problem does arise.
• Research store policies before you buy. Being aware of policies regarding cash refunds or sale merchandise returns can help you avoid problems later on.

So what happens when you run into a problem? Goodman offers these tips for successfully handling service complaints.

• Take three deep breaths — when you are upset you may not think clearly and therefore often don’t present your case logically.
• Tell the company rep that you know that the problem is not their fault – this reduces their defensiveness.
• After outlining the facts, state exactly what you want the rep to do for you – if you don’t they might go off in the wrong direction in developing a response.
• Don’t ask for cash compensation for your time — companies can almost never do that, but they can give you credit toward your bill.
• Never use profanity — most reps are authorized to hang up on you if you do.
• If you have been a long-term customer, point that out but don’t exaggerate — employees can often access your actual purchase history.

The simplest and most important thing you can do is to recognize good service when you receive it by remembering to say thank you.

Courtesy of ARA Content

• Is the hot weather giving you greasy hair? Are you camping and unable to shower? Forget shelling out the big bucks on trendy dry shampoos; some baby powder or cornstarch works just fine. Just sprinkle a little on your roots, leave it there for a couple of minutes to soak up the oil, rub it out with your fingers and voila!
• Is the humidity turning your hair into a frizzy mess? Have no fear,  just head to your kitchen. Rub a few drops of olive oil together in your hands and lightly pat onto dry or damp hair. If your hair tends to be greasy, apply it to the ends of your hair only to smooth any split ends. It may sound gross, but mayonnaise also works wonders on dry, frizzy hair. Apply a small amount of it as you would conditioner, cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for up to 30 minutes, rinse it out and then shampoo. Or try mixing 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 quart of water and pour it through your hair in the shower in lieu of your regular conditioner, then rinse it out. Do this once a week. Depending on your hair length and your preference, you may have to experiment with the ratio. Another super easy and totally free fix is to simply end your shower with a quick rinse of cool water, which will seal the hairs’ cuticles and leave your mane smooth, shiny and manageable.
• Summer’s heat and humidity can wreak havoc on acne-prone skin. But there’s no need to shell out lots of dough on expensive skincare products or subject your skin to harsh chemicals, perfumes, dyes and preservatives. There are a plethora of homemade skincare options – so many that we couldn’t list them all. But don’t worry, we chose from some of our favorites. Do you have oatmeal and baking soda in your pantry? Grind 2 teaspoons of oatmeal (a coffee grinder will work just fine), mix it with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and slowly add water to make a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your face and rinse well. Or raid your medicine cabinet and take out some aspirin, which is a natural source of salicylic acid, a popular ingredient in acne products. Crush 3-5 tablets (un-coated plain white pills) and mix the powder with water to form a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your skin and leave it on until dry. Now rinse and enjoy your new smooth skin. Feeling a little adventurous? Add a couple squirts of honey to the aspirin powder and then add the water to form a paste. After cleansing, always splash your face with cold water to close the pores.
• Does your skin get super oily in the summer? Try a homemade toner. You’ll have to experiment with the recipe, but start off with 2/3 part water to 1/3 part apple cider vinegar (ACV). If your skin can handle it, eventually move up to a 50/50 concoction. We recommend using distilled or filtered water. Shake the mix well, soak a cotton ball with it, and apply it to the face each night after cleansing. ACV is packed with vitamins and minerals and is, among many things, known to help regulate oil production. If you’ve got some tea tree oil or want to shell out some bucks to buy some, add a few drops to the toner for an added bacteria-killing benefit. Warning: this toner does not smell good. But if you want clear, radiant skin, get over it!
• Make sure your legs are bikini ready by exfoliating for a closer shave, a more even tan and fewer ingrown hairs. The aspirin mask mentioned above does wonders at sloughing off dead skin and eradicating those pesky ingrowns. Great alternatives to store-bought body scrubs (can you believe Fresh sells one made with brown sugar for $65?!) are ridiculously simple. Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar or brown sugar and 1/2 cup of oil – any vegetable oil will do. Sea salt and Epsom salts are wonderful at exfoliating the skin, and can be used all over the body; just mix 1/2 cup of the salts with 1/2 cup of vegetable, olive, or baby oil, or simply scrub your skin with some salts mixed with a little water.
• Got dry legs? Exfoliate them, of course! Also, try using hair conditioner as a substitute for shaving cream.
• Hot summer days equal embarrassing sweat and odor. Forget expensive “clinical strength” antiperspirants that contain aluminum (yuck!) and stick to the basics: Rubbing baking soda or cornstarch onto dry armpits should do the trick. If sweaty, stinky feet are a problem, brew a strong batch of black tea, let it cool, and soak your feet in it for 20-30 minutes. The pore-closing tannins in black tea will solve your problem. Or take Cosmopolitan magazine’s advice and do this routine every night for two weeks: soak a cloth in some strong black tea, allow it to cool, and put it on each armpit for five minutes. If excess sweating has caused some BO and your deodorant just isn’t cutting it, soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to your armpits. Don’t worry, the vinegary smell will disappear within a few minutes.
• Spent too long sunbathing and now you’re paying for it with a sunburn? Don’t distress! As long as your burn isn’t blistering or oozing, try some of these remedies. Apply a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar to the affected areas, and then apply a moisturizer, preferably one containing aloe and/or vitamin e, since ACV is drying. Add Epsom salts or oatmeal to your bathwater and relax. Soak a cloth in a mixture of warm (not hot!) water and dissolved baking soda and apply it to your skin. Got a cucumber? It’s not just for salads and soothing your eyes; rub your skin with its cool slices. This one is strange, but it works: soak a cloth in cool milk and apply it to your skin, leaving it on for about 20 minutes, then rinse. Plain yogurt can also do wonders. Apply it to the burn, leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse with cool water. Another, less strange, solution is to make some tea (any kind will do), drink it, relax and apply the cooled tea bags to your burn.
• It’s no mystery that chlorine wreaks havoc on your hair. But why spend money on clarifying shampoo when you can use what you already have? Once again apple cider vinegar earns a gold star: rinse your hair with it in the shower to remove product and chemical build-up. Baking soda also offers a solution: mix 1 tablespoon or so of it with your shampoo in your hand, suds as usual, leave it on for a few minutes, rinse and enjoy chlorine-free locks. Another awesome tip? Before swimming, wet your hair and apply your conditioner to it but do not rinse it out; this will prevent the chlorine from penetrating your hair. After swimming, be sure to shampoo and condition as usual.

So, Blast readers, got your own summer beauty solutions? Comment below and help your fellow readers with cabinet-raiding, beautifying, cheap summer tips. And please, if you have adverse reactions to any of the recipes above, discontinue your use of them and see a doctor.

Here’s a little help from beauty & hair guru Yves Durif.

1. Lose the gel. “Pastes and Shines are in,” says Yves.  “You want to be able to run your hands through your hair – or somebody else’s – without the drama of being stuck in hair product.”

2.  Go bald gracefully.  Yves says, “Men who lose their hair should cut it as short as possible.  Hiding it is unflattering and indicates a lack of confidence.”

3.  Don’t forget the details. Yves insists, “Sideburns are a man’s most important accessory.  Whether the hair is super short or very long, sideburns are a must.  They add structure and tone to the face.”

4. You DO need product. “Simple finishing products make a big difference. They add texture and style to a good haircut.”

5.  Make the most of Gray. “Structure Pearl Finish ($25) is ideal for creating the very popular ’silver look’ women die for.  Its prismatic formula adds gorgeous dimension to the hair color without looking too shiny.”

Yves Durif began his career at the famed Jaques Dessange Salon in Paris, and has been cutting and styling the hair of celebrities, CEO and influencers all over the world.  Featured in numerous magazines and television programs, Yves is at the center of the style world in his new flagship salon at New York City’s Carlyle Hotel.

Spa Week Media Group Ltd.,  an integrated boutique marketing and public relations firm that specializes in the niche spa industry was founded in 2003 by Cheryl Reid of New York. By reaching spa owners directly and offering treatments, regularly costing hundreds of dollars for only $50 the concept of having a website promoting these deals grew at a great rate. At first only having 25 spas participating, there are now Spa Week chapters in more than 21 cities nationwide.   

“In three short years, Spa Week has gone from one of Manhattan’s best kept secrets to a nationwide spa enthusiasts’ dream.  My goal is to have Spa Week in every American city that has a high proliferation of day spas to accommodate eager consumers looking for affordable indulgence and a peek into the future of wellness. I’m confident that the future of Spa Week will assist in educating Americans on the importance of spa as a part of a new and improved healthy lifestyle campaign,” said Reid. 

It is very easy to maneuver through the website, finding your city and spas offering deals near you. After booking your treatment you can check out the giveaways tab and enter to win as many goodies as you like, equally simple. 

This month Spa Week and Rioja wine are bringing you a chance to win a pair of Manolo Blahniks or a case of delicious red wine.  Heroes of the beauty industry like Chris McMillan and Pat McGrath, from Allure Magazine, reveal their secret beauty weapons this month too and give away the fabulous products and tools they speak of.

With the economy slowly settling, and your cuticles probably suffering form those at-home manicures, you are better of booking an affordable treatment at Spa Week that will cheer you up and not leave your wallet empty. And if you don’t want to get a treatment, you should still enter to win those Manolos!

Giuliana Rancic, host of E! News and a red carpet staple, shares some simple beauty tips that are sure to make you look and feel your best all night long — without a celebrity-sized budget.

Hydrate: Give yourself a healthy and glowing complexion by getting plenty of rest the night before the event, and stay hydrated during the day. When water gets too boring, add a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice. The antioxidants will add to your glow.

Relax: If you’re prone to getting pre-event jitters, it’s important to find a way to relax beforehand so you can arrive feeling your best. Remember that confidence shows. To de-stress, she suggests meeting a friend for yoga, getting a full body massage or putting on some fun music to dance around to as you get ready.

Be prepared: Try on your outfit the day before to assure that you have the right shoes and accessories. You’ll feel much more relaxed on the day of the big event knowing that you have everything ready. It also pays to have a Plan B outfit in mind, just in case. And while you have your outfit on, pull out your digital camera and snap a couple photos of yourself to practice finding your picture-perfect pose the way models do.

Giuliana Rancic, host of E! News shares some simple beauty tips that are sure to make you look and feel like a million bucks, without spending that much

Say cheese: You can count on there being photos taken at any big event, so your smile needs to be camera-ready. A lip stain is your best bet for long-lasting lip color, and a bold shade will make your smile extra eye-catching. Of course, no matter how bright the color, it can’t hide dull teeth. Giuliana swears by Crest Whitestrips to make sure her teeth are sparkling before the big event. “My latest beauty secret is to use new Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal two weeks before my big event. Because the strips mold to my teeth, I can talk, drink water and go about my routine while I’m wearing them! They fit perfectly into my busy schedule.”

Finally, eat right: You don’t want to be hungry during the event, but you also need to look your best in that dress. On the day of a big event, eat a small meal with protein in the morning, like an egg white omelet with veggies and feta cheese. Then, in the afternoon, stick with liquids like a fruit smoothie, which gives you energy without making you feel too full or bloated.

Following these simple steps will help you feel like you had your own personal glam squad for your next big night out.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Since we can’t seem to help but lash out against our natural born beauty… it doesn’t seem so bizarre to bat our eyes at a new trend that seems to be taking on a view of its own!

Fake eyelashes are all the rage. From the individual ones that you place near the edge of the eye to the full eyelashes, they are a beauty obsession among many women, and in some cases a must-have for nights out on the town.

False eyelashes have been around since 1916, when American film director D.W. Griffith was filming his epic, “Intolerance.” Griffith wanted actress Seena Owen to pop on screen so he invented lashes that brushed her cheeks, so her eyes would appear larger than life. A wig maker wove human hair through fine gauze, which was then gummed to Owen’s eyelids.  They continued to be used in films and were also loved by everyday women looking to enhance their look.

Now fast forward almost 100-years and you will still find women winking over their fake and flirty lashes. Only now they are more practical in design but much more daring in style, and selection. Basic black is the most popular of course, but if you’re looking for a more Glamazon look, you can also find: feathered, furry, glittered and show-girly. It’s all a matter of preference, taste and in some cases how daring you dare to be!

Seeing someone in false eye lashes can make a girl wonder… “How did she get those things on?” It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s not for the shake-y handed either. It does take a little patience, a good mirror and a little insight on how to apply them.

Here are some suggestions I was given by make-up artists:

• Apply a thin layer of liquid black eyeliner
• Curl eyelashes with an eyelash curler
• Before gluing fake eyelashes, lay them over your natural eyelashes to make sure they are the right length
• If lashes are too long, trim with scissors from the outer edge until you have the right size
• Squeeze out glue (I use the eyelash plastic container, why not)
• I use the back of my tweezers to add glue to the base of the eyelashes
• Wait till the glue is tacky before applying
• Lay fake eyelashes over your eye and slide down as close to the base of your real lashes
• And just like that, you have stunning eyelashes!

As you can see, I have worn lashes before, and I wanted to pass on a little tip I learned. Obviously, I was over joyed at the fact I was able to put them on myself and they stayed on! But one helpful find has made my lash locking a little easier- black glue. I tried the typical white when I first started and you could see I over-used it in fear of them falling off. Even though it said the white would dry clear, when you use as much as I did, there was still little remnants of white caked on the lashes. So even though I have gotten better at application, I still prefer the darker glue. Of course, you can always have a professional put them on for you too.

If you are looking for a long term glue-less solution, you can get eyelash implants. Eyelash implants are hair follicles taken from the scalp and sewn into the lash area. It is considered a surgical treatment, but you will have long thick lashes without the need to apply any fake ones. The only down fall is that the hairs that have been transplanted, may need to be trimmed. I wonder how soon there will be a line item at my salon under Eyebrow waxing that says “Eyelash Trim -$ 25.00?” Implants are also a little pricey, so the drugstore false lashes may have to do for awhile!

If you’re into trying new things, but are a little hesitant about lashing yourself out with false eyelashes or eyelash implants, there are a few liquid alternatives. One hot new product on the market today, that won’t break the bank, is called MaxoLash. If you want the lush lashes, but on a more permanent, no muss no fuss or needle basis, Maxolash can be easily applied to your lashes like mascara. Its patented formula allows your eyelashes to grow longer and thicker within a 4 week period. You just need to plan ahead if that’s the case!

Few! Who would have thought there would be so much to say about eyelashes? Even I am amazed at my findings. So get your fabulous blinkers winking with your new found lash love, it’s something to bat your eyes over!

This month, one Blast reader will win a kit of their choice, worth $140, and, in keeping with a French theme, a $50 gift certificate to Manhattan’s Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club in New York City. No sense in wasting a glowing complexion on Chinese take-out and re-runs of “Sex and the City,” right?

The contest is open to US and Canadian Residents only. Email us your information at Giveaways@BlastMagazine.com by December 31 to enter and please indicate your skin type.

Although not yet FDA approved, the company has been using the products in their international spas and in New York City spas for years. Here’s a break-down of what each kit includes.

For sensitive skin types:

• A new formula used for Sothy’s Immuniscience Crème is said to hydrate and soothe the epidermis, providing a protective shield to combat the everyday elements that can make skin dry and chafed.
• A Clearness Serum gives a concentrated punch of natural polyphenols to help sooth and diffuse redness.
• The Clearness & Comfort Mask softens skin. Throw on some Chopin an close your eyes for the full calming effect.

For regular skin types:

• A Hydra-Protective Crème moisturizes with chaparral extract for extra protection.
• Vitamin Serum with chaparral and eau’thentique of strawberry is said to make a difference in six weeks. Our tester didn’t have quite so long to find out, but did note that the strawberry juices infused into this protective trio leave behind a delightful and light scent.
• A Desquacreme forms a lotion-like barrier as it cleanses, but rinses clean. Active ingredients are said to clear and tone the skin for impurities.

For oily skin types:

• A Hydra-Matt Fluid is a light gel made from biotechnological compounds to reduce shine, moisturize and protect.
• The Clarifying Correcting Serum is a concentrated formula, containing natural polyphenols with properties of regulation, protection, and immediate soothing effect for chafed, red skin.
• The Absorbent Mask goes on creamy, but is enriched with powders and menthol for a clearer complexion and clean, shine-free, healthy skin.

After getting pretty enjoy a night out at the Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club. It features fine cuisine of the French Riviera with the convenience of a taxi ride in New York’s upper east side. Dine until 3 a.m. on chocolate soufflé and Foie Gras. Reservations are suggested and chic attire requested to blend in with the décor that was given the “Best Interior Design” award by Hospitality Design Magazine.

The club has hosted celebrity guests including Billy Baldwin, Joan Rivers, Cindy Adams, Chazz Palminteri and former President Bill Clinton.

You hope it’s the condensation that’s making your reflection look like you left the gym locker room, but no.  You’re forehead is glistening with perspiration.

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals’ Pore-Revolution-T-zone -Mattifier might be the solution you’re looking for. This beauty treatment is safe for all skin types, and a small dab of the silky cream applied to your forehead and nose, and any other areas that are prone to shine, should do the trick (Experts say to use your ring finger when applying, as this appendage has the gentlest touch). The salicylic acid in the cream stimulates the pores and, at the same time, cooling reliefs like willow leaf oil soothe the skin.  The thin cream dries faster than your first coat of mascara, so there will be no remnants of residue.

The odorless product also works to tighten your pores and refine your skin.  Stop the shine and go through your day with confidance forever more.

Other products available at www.dermelect.com include Dermelect Cosmeceuticals’ Detoxifying Oxygen Facial Commisson.  This facial cleanser is designed to awaken the skin with just a dime-sized squirt in the morning. Its natural ingredients, including soy protein and licorice extract, are gentle and soothing to the skin, and the cleanser releases oxygen molecules that instantaneously detoxify the unwanted dirt and residue in your pores.  This product, which was formulated by medical professionals and licensed estheticians, can additionally be used as a quick and easy makeup remover in the evening.

For more information or to purchase, please visit www.dermelect.com.