Howdy, Hex Squad! Ever felt lured right into a VIP program solely to remorse it later? That’s precisely what occurred with me and Madam Glam. At the moment I’m saying goodbye Madam Glam and sharing a serious replace in regards to the model. Initially, I used to be captivated by their dedication to producing vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic gel nail polishes. Nevertheless, my current experiences, significantly with their VIP program, have drastically modified my view.
Each model talked about bought by me. All opinions my very own. I’ve obtained PR from Madam Glam in 2021.
Madam Glam’s Lure and the Actuality of VIP Applications
Madam Glam gel polish appeared promising with its in depth “free-from” record—vegan, cruelty-free, and free from quite a few dangerous chemical substances, making it a go-to for protected, DIY nail care. But, the VIP program, supposed to supply worth by way of month-to-month credit and vital reductions, turned out to be lower than stellar.
About Hema Free Gel Polish
I do know it’s vital to make use of hema-free gel polish, particularly in case you are DIY’ing your nails at dwelling like I’m, to stop creating a gel allergy. When you develop a gel allergy, you possibly can’t ever use gel polish once more. Sadly, I examine it occurring continuously on RedditLaqueristas. I’ve even had just a few buddies develop gel allergic reactions.
One of many manufacturers that I’ve seen repeatedly pop up as inflicting allergic reactions is the gel polish model Beetles. It’s a preferred, cheap model on Amazon. I’ve even bought a few of their gel polishes, however I take advantage of them very sometimes as a result of I don’t usually wish to danger my well being.
Study extra about gel allergic reactions from the Final Information to Nail Allergic reactions.
Madam Glam VIP Program
From Madam Glam’s web site
Madam Glam polishes are priced at round $13.48 in case you’re a VIP member or $26.96 in case you’re not a member, relying on the system.
Regardless of claims of straightforward Madam Glam VIP membership administration, I’ve encountered points with unauthorized costs even throughout supposed pause durations. These incidents, together with repeated costs after cancellation requests and delayed refunds, counsel a disconnect between their service guarantees and precise practices.
Madam Glam States You Can Pause the Membership at Any Time
Contained in the membership, it claims that you may pause the membership for 1, 2, or 3 months.
From Madam Glam’s web site
Previously, I might pause my membership for 3 months, then permit the membership to cost and spend that cash on both Madam Glam gel nail polish or their Gel Polish remover. Then I might pause the membership once more.
I set reminders in my calender to test the membership and pause/unpause it.
Madam Glam’s VIP web page even claims that you may pause or cancel your subscription at any time. This didn’t appear to be true in my case.
The Pause Did Not Work for Me
Nevertheless, a number of instances I had the subscription paused, Madam Glam would cost me anyhow. The primary few instances it occurred I chalked it as much as a technical glitch.
In August of this yr, nonetheless, it occurred once more. I contacted help and informed them I wished the cost refunded as a result of my subscription was paused and I wasn’t speculated to be charged. Their help stated they might refund me and it wasn’t an issue.
Spoiler alert, it was an issue.
I don’t learn about you, however my finances is far tighter this yr than it was final yr.
I went to test my bank card assertion to see if Madam Glam had refunded me. Not solely had they not refunded me, that they had charged me once more. I contacted their help once more, livid at this level. I used to be informed there was a glitch and they might situation me a refund.
At this level, I used to be performed with Madam Glam and informed them refund me and shut my account.
I lastly obtained my refund from the Madam Glam VIP program on the finish of August, however the injury was performed.
Not Price It
At this level, my opinion on their VIP program is that it’s a shady approach for them to get straightforward cash. I don’t know if most individuals monitor their bank card statements as intently as I do.
The enchantment of unique reductions can’t outweigh the frustration and monetary unpredictability introduced by their problematic VIP system. It appears this system is extra useful to the corporate than to us as shoppers, selling overconsumption by way of attractive perks that don’t compensate for the potential hassles.
I don’t really feel the $29 month-to-month VIP membership value justifies the reductions and perks I really used.
Neighborhood Suggestions Echoes My Discontent
I’m not alone in my frustrations. Many others have voiced related disappointments on-line, pointing to a sample of customer support shortfalls and deceptive subscription practices amongst numerous VIP applications.
I discovered complaints on a number of websites of people that had related points to me, comparable to RaveCapture and the BBB. A number of folks had the identical situation I had the place they put their VIP membership on maintain, solely to be charged.
Many had been additionally gaslit by Madam Glam’s customer support about refunds that didn’t occur. It definitely occurred in my case and it made me marvel the place the customer support was based mostly, as a result of it appeared like there have been a number of communication points.
The best way to Spot a Shady Membership Program
There are such a lot of misleading membership applications on the market. When researching about Madam Glam’s VIP membership program to see if others skilled my points, I discovered that Savage by Fenty, Fabletics VIP, JustFab VIP, Adore Me VIP, and ShoeDazzle VIP all shared related complaints.
It looks as if shady membership applications have just a few issues in frequent:
Automated costs with no warning.
Tough cancellation processes that require clients to undergo a tedious or intentionally unclear course of.
Deceptive signal ups that make some folks suppose you’re paying for a one-time buy as a substitute of a recurring membership.
I additionally bear in mind folks complaining with points like this from corporations like ScentBird and Ipsy.
Sick of Subscriptions
Honestly, I’m sick of every part having a subscription service simply to exist and I’m canceling as many as I can. The place I used to subscribe to all streaming providers, for instance, I now solely hold 1 or 2 lively at any given time. I not pay a month-to-month World of Warcraft payment as a result of I’d quite play Baldur’s Gate 3, time and again. I paid a one time payment for BG3 and it’s unbelievable.
Shining a Optimistic Gentle for a Second
Madam Glam does do just a few issues very effectively. I actually loved their gel polish system and it’s good for them to supply mini sizes. Their gel polish remover works effectively, too. However none of that’s value it to me to place up with their VIP membership and tacky customer support.
What Manufacturers am I Utilizing as Alternate options to Madam Glam?
As an alternative of procuring with Madam Glam, right here’s what I’m utilizing on my nails.
Vettsy – hema-free gel polish. Use my code of CORDELIA to save lots of 20%. They’ve some nice nail artwork tutorials. Store their $9.99 gels.
Painted Desert – hema free gel polish. They make my favourite builder Cactus Gelly Plus, and favourite high coat. I additionally love their suggestions. Their polishes are round $14.
Day by day Charme – most are hema-free gel polish. I purchase numerous nail artwork merchandise right here too. They’ve the perfect nail artwork tutorials on IG. Their polishes are round $16 they usually have frequent gross sales.
iGel Magnificence – they make my favourite true glow-in-the-dark gel nail polish (as a substitute of simply UV reactive). Principally hema free gel polish. Their polishes are round $14.99 they usually have frequent gross sales all the way down to $4.99.
Nails by Dev – an area indie nail polish model that’s superior and Dev’s tutorials are incredible! Their gel polishes are round $14, however cheaper in case you go to their retailer in individual.
F.U.N. Lacquer – an extremely artistic indie model from Singapore. Their gel polishes are round $22.50
Apres – I purchase their pure brief stiletto suggestions and Gel-X Prep. Their polishes, which I’ve by no means tried, are round $14.99
All of those manufacturers are decrease priced than Madam Glam’s non VIP gel polish pricing. The one one even near Madam Glam’s ridiculous $26.96 is Apres. And as you possibly can inform, most of those manufacturers are priced round $14, which makes Madam Glam’s ‘low cost’ VIP value of $13.48 not definitely worth the trouble of the membership, in my humble opinion.
Vettsy
Vettsy is a new-to-me hema-free gel polish model that I discovered on Instagram who curates nail pattern containers. I’ve bought a number of of their jelly and creme hema-free gel polishes. The neon system was about the identical problem degree as iGel glow-in-the-dark gel polishes, which is to say barely lumpy and takes some additional tlc to get it to look excellent, however definitely worth the effort. The cream system was wonderful for me.
Painted Desert
Painted Desert makes my favourite Cactuc Gelly Plus builder, which is what I apply on high of my Orly Nail Tip Primer in a skinny coat, treatment, after which apply it to the bottom of my full protection nail tricks to adhere the tip to my nail. In addition they make my favourite Shiny High Coat. It’s no wipe, however I nonetheless find yourself wiping with alcohol after I’m completed with all my nails to ensure they appear their finest. I’ve just a few polishes from Painted Desert they usually’re beautiful too. I really like the total protection nail suggestions that they promote and have a number of shapes from them.
Day by day Charme
Day by day Charme is the nail model that I’ve bought from probably the most over the previous few years, primarily as a result of I really like their in depth nail artwork choice. I do personal their UV-reactive nail polishes, however was disenchanted that they aren’t true glow-in-the-dark. What I imply by that’s with true glow-in-the-dark gel polish, I cost it both exterior in direct daylight or in my LED nail lamp (carrying my LED safety gloves), after which it glows all night time at nighttime. UV-reactive gel polishes solely glow underneath blacklight. I like the total protection nail suggestions that they promote and have a number of shapes from them.
iGel Magnificence
iGel Magnificence is the model that I’ve tried probably the most number of merchandise from. I attempted their dip merchandise, that are undoubtedly not for me. I really like their gel polishes, particularly the glow-in-the-dark, temper change glow gel (thermals + glow-in-the-dark), pearl gel, platinum ombre gel, and blossom gel. iGel polishes are fairly priced they usually’re continuously having gross sales the place you possibly can choose up gel polish for $5 a bottle. If you need true glow-in-the-dark merchandise, you could store iGel. I don’t know another model that has them.
Apres
I solely use two merchandise from Apres. I used their pure brief stiletto suggestions and Gel-X Prep. Gel-X Prep is a product used to etch the within of full protection suggestions to assist them adhere higher. And I favor the Apres pure brief stiletto tricks to another brief stiletto suggestions that I’ve tried. Their form suits me effectively.
No Extra VIP for Me
I’m over corporations that make use of VIP applications like Madam Glam. I perceive {that a} recurring income mannequin, comparable to a month-to-month payment, helps to offer companies with a gentle and predictable income stream. It additionally makes positive that there’s the next buyer lifetime worth with the automated renewal, as a result of many individuals neglect to unsubscribe or pause memberships.
These corporations use FOMO (concern of lacking out) to get folks to affix their applications by providing VIP solely reductions, early entry to merchandise, and different issues to entice folks to maintain the memberships even when they’re not frequent consumers.
Nevertheless, these misleading enterprise practices may also hurt their firm’s fame, particularly when coupled with unhealthy customer support.
This expertise has strengthened my stance on supporting companies that worth transparency and buyer respect over misleading subscription techniques. It’s disheartening to see a model with potential falter by way of poor buyer administration. I’ll follow Vettsy, Day by day Charme, iGel, Painted Desert, Nails by Dev, F.U.N. Lacquer and Apres since they don’t deal with me poorly and have truthful pricing.
Madam Glam, it’s time for a change—not simply in the way you deal with subscriptions, however in the way you deal with your loyal clients. Till then, it’s a goodbye from me.
Extra to See
