Lifting to Survive

Okay so I went their today and got a few things. Only a few because I already have a shit ton of make up and I have make up literally collecting dust rn because I don’t use it.

So I wanted 2 modern renaissance pallets (one I could use and another one I could put in my make up drawer of un opened make up.) and I asked her where they were at and she said “oh we keep them at the register now.” And I just said “oh okay (:” and kept doing my business. tHEN another worker asked why they kept them By the register and she said “because people are stealing them buy 5’s” and I’m just like?

Guys stop taking a ton of pallets from places. It’s honestly effecting everyone. Just take one or two. Like your ass Doesn’t need 5+ pallets. Even for boosting just take two from each ulta and hit a few different ones.

Okay so I went their today and got a few things. Only a few because I already have a shit ton of make up and I have make up literally collecting dust rn because I don’t use it.

So I wanted 2 modern renaissance pallets (one I could use and another one I could put in my make up drawer of un opened make up.) and I asked her where they were at and she said “oh we keep them at the register now.” And I just said “oh okay (:” and kept doing my business. tHEN another worker asked why they kept them By the register and she said “because people are stealing them buy 5’s” and I’m just like?

Guys stop taking a ton of pallets from places. It’s honestly effecting everyone. Just take one or two. Like your ass Doesn’t need 5+ pallets. Even for boosting just take two from each ulta and hit a few different ones.

hey guys, since i’ve started a job at the notorious Orange Beauty Store of Death, i decided i’d share some info!

so called store has waaaay upped their security, there’s white boxes on almost all high end palettes, and stickers underneath those as well.

EMPTY PACKAGES

please don’t be the idiot i was and leave empty packages behind. WE NOTICE! and managers keep track! in the back room, we have a ‘heat map’ which is a layout of the store and we place a dot wherever an empty package is found, so we KNOW where y’all are hiding. especially at the end of the night when closers do a sweep of the store and get any empty packages— even if you ‘hide’ them.

CAMERAS

so in the store i work at, we have two screens (that i know of) that monitor the cameras. one at the cash registers, and one in the managers office. so when i’m cashiering, i can go to the computer monitor and see what everyone is doing. i don’t know if this is standard for all stores, but this is definitely prevalent where i live, which is a fairly unknown safe place. we keep eyes on EVERYONE

WHAT THEY LOOK FOR

1. bags from other stores that aren’t nearby

2. people making circles around the store

3. people looking around, esp at workers

4. if you go into fragrance, we say “fragrance” on our mic so someone will go monitor that area

5. we also use our mics to say stuff like “lady in red dress by prestige haircare looks like she needs some help” etc., if they’re sus, they WILL “help” you out A LOT.

LP

th ulta i work at gad no LP, or plainsclothes LP. managers have their own procedure of making sure theft doesn’t happen, which i unfortunately don’t know much about. i haven’t seen anyone’s photo or such hanging up in the back room, but if there has been a series of multiple thefts in a small amount of time, they’ll treat EVERYONE as a suspect. one time we caught a guy who, a few days before, had stolen $1800 worth of fragrances and stuff.

it is standard procedure to be greeted and asked if needed help so don’t let that sus you, but if it happens 2+ times id evacuate

WHEN TO GO?

i’ve found that the best times to go are mon-we’d. after 6 pm, when it’s usually left to just closing manager and one or two employees, one by the cash register and the other on the floor. that’s when managers are busy doing clearance, reports, etc. and if it gets busy, we’re scrambling and not paying too much attention to others and just more on getting people out and finishing closing work as early as possible.

I wanna go to a store but im going 2 the mall soon to go dress shopping for an event ;)

I practiced this way to lift over $2k of smaller items from places like Urban Outfitters, Chapters, Walmart, Sephora, and bigger department stores.

*!!* DISCLAIMER*!!* Please remember I am in a SMALLER CITY in CANADA. I know my LP situation and have connections for the local Walmart LP and friends working at Sephora. I did my research before trying this out. Make sure to hone your own skills and don’t take my experience as the be-all-end-all. *!!*END DISCLAIMER.*!!*

Stand in front of a mirror with 2 small objects like a pen and pencil in which ever hand you choose to use for sleight. Have another larger object like your phone or a stick of anti-perspirant in the other. Watch you’re hand gestures.

THEYLL REMEMBER YOU.

When i was in my early lifting days, i lifted a single nail polish from an ulta. I went in there several months later and i was at the resgister to actually purchase something and the SA RECOGNIZED ME. She then, without saying anything, called over another SA with just eye movements and mouth movements.

she said nothing but was very obviously trying to act completely normal while ringing me up, as if i was just an average customer - I’m just really good at reading people so i knew what was going on. The SA she called over started asking me questions while trying to seem like it was a normal conversation. She said things like “Hey girl, have you been in here before?” and “Have you changed your hair? I think i remember you with different hair!” - basically any question that would confirm the fact i had visited that ulta in the past. BUT I KNEW RIGHT AWAY. I played dumb and confused. all i said was “huh? oh no, i dont know I’m just here now to get these things” and i left.

When people pay $$$ for stuff, they are more likely to believe they need it and that the product is sufficient. Even if they know the product is kinda shitty, they’ll justify it with, “well I paid $20 for it! I needed it!”

I understand. I really do. and probably the only reason i can write this now is because im not in that place. even if you dont think you’ll actually do it, i still want you to be happy (even if i dont know you). So even if you don’t think it can get better, just try to remember even the smallest moments of happiness make life worth it

So listen. I’ve been through the same thing multiple times. Wake up feeling like life isn’t worth living, feel utterly alone and overwhelmed and like life won’t get any better

I’ve also made attempts to harm myself and have massive scars now.

I think if you can afford to, please go talk to your family doctor and find a therapist. You deserve support. You deserve to be helped.

We can support you the best we can but I think if you get in real life support it will help you a lot more

I agree with the above posts. I know it’s unhealthy because lifting is an addiction but for me, it relaxes me and makes me feel good. I know how terrible that sounds but if it helps you, then go for it. Just don’t lift alcohol or illegal drugs or whatever because those are unhealthy and won’t help you through this.

Make sure you’re feeding yourself, drinking lots of water, and taking care of yourself.

I have depression and anxiety and for me, the most helpful thing sometimes is my emergency xanax, a bath, skincare products aka masks and sheet masks!, or even talking to a friend.