Alex Koptsev

Review of Bloomingdale's

This was my first time visiting this Bloomingdale'...

This was my first time visiting this Bloomingdale's (though I'm a native New Yorker); I went on a Wednesday afternoon, and the store - I visited the first floor only - was a lot busier/packed than I'd expected (in comparison with similar department stores like Lord and Taylor). The amount of people combined with the rather cavernous, overly dark, and odd/inconvenient layout of the first floor made getting around quite annoying (and I'm very petite & had no bulky bags, so other customers were likely even more exasperated).
Cons: As mentioned, the store felt like a dark, claustrophobic cave & it was hard to simply walk around to browse - poor lighting might be fine on another floor, but utterly silly on a floor solely dedicated to makeup/beauty products). I was pressured/accosted by sales staff from every single brand (one literally grabbed my arm to pull me into a chair in their section); some staff did not take my polite refusal (I employed a more terse verbal response & classic NY glare then). A couple sales reps from two brands were downright condescending when I asked questions about their products & best way of applying them.

Pros: the selection of makeup/beauty brands & products was extensive, more so than most peer stores. I had lengthy interactions with two brand reps (from YSL & Bobbi Brown) who were incredibly instructive, informative, and took their time with me (vs trying to rush through & seek out another potential customer). I ended up purchasing products from each of those brands.

Overall, this Bloomingdale's has a wide selection of brands and products, making it possible to get whatever you may need in one place & a single trip. I strongly advise having a list or general idea of what you need/are looking for - saves a lot of time. If you can avoid or aren't bothered by pushy sales reps, then I recommend braving the crowd and patronizing this store.