Magical Disappearing Act At The Mall
Free ‘Forever Flawless Diamond’ sample to add to my collection
TANNYA JOAQUIN PHOTO
I must have sucker written all over my face. Either that or I look like a tired mom who needs a pick-me-up.
To be fair, I have been talked into buying pricey face creams and exfoliators by tenacious mall vendors more times than I’d like to admit. I’ve learned my lesson, but still I am wary of the salespeople who work at those kiosks. I know they have a job to do, but there should be a free pass for busy moms who don’t have time to see how “amazing” (not to mention expensive) their beauty products are.
I was trying to run some quick errands with my two kids recently at a shopping center. That was wishful thinking. I usually use my children as an excuse, something along the lines of, “Sorry, no time to stop. I have to go pick up my kids from school.”
It works like a charm because I keep moving quickly like a determined parent with no time to waste. The salesperson doesn’t want to chase me down, so they move on to the next target.
Well, maybe I let my guard down when I was out with my kids because I thought, naturally, the vendors would see I had my hands full, right? Wrong.
Despite my best attempts to avoid making eye contact, I don’t like being rude, so I end up smiling and trying to reject their sales pitch as nicely as possible.
“Just one second. Let me show you how diamonds will brighten your skin,” they say.
“Diamonds?” I think. Well, they are a girl’s best friend. No, no. Don’t get sucked in. “Sorry, too busy with the kids.”
“Oh, let me just put some under your eyes. You will like what you see,” they continue, undeterred.
“No, I don’t have time. I have to go,” I persist, while thinking, “I have neglected my personal pampering since becoming a mom.”
Long story short: I got by two vendors, but I struck out on my third attempt. This salesman actually got my kids in on the act.
He said, “Do you want to see some magic on your mommy?”
Aww, come on. That’s not playing fair. Is there a kid who would actually turn down magic?
Not mine. Their eyes widen and they squeal, “Magic!”
Great, I think to myself. I’m stuck now. I get the “magic diamond” treatment under my eyes, which can be mine for a special price of just $189.
Come to think of it, maybe it is magic … because I disappeared as quickly as I could.
tjoaquin@hawaiinewsnow.com
