Many people confuse personal stylist with a personal shopper. There is a huge difference between both of them. A personal shopper is going to help you to shop anything starting from phones to apparel to other things that you might need. It is not mandatory that you have to become a big spender if you are hiring a personal shopper.

Any regular person can opt for personal shoppers to get help in buying accessories or clothing. Hiring a personal shopper is a budget-friendly, stylish and flattering option. There are several benefits of hiring a personal shopper. Before you hire them to do proper research.

Benefits of hiring a personal shopper

• Saves your money: Many people have the misconception that hiring a personal shopper is going to drain their money. When it comes to personal shoppers they are not just available for wealthy people but also for other clients as well. Moreover, when you are hiring a personal shopper, they know what to purchase and from where you can purchase it. In this way, you will be able to avail of the best deals without draining a lot of your money.
• Saves time: Many people are confused with what they should purchase and spend a lot of time being indecisive. So when you are having a personal shopper they are going to invest that time in dressing you or purchasing the right product for you. In this way, you will be able to save a lot of your time. Related: Here are some reasons for hiring a personal shopper.
• Right purchase: Many people have a bad habit of making the wrong purchase every time. While going to the shops if you feel that you drift away from the main thing, then you need a personal shopper who can guide you.
• Shop for different shapes and sizes: Personal shoppers also have ideas about different shapes and sizes. Many people are not aware of their shape or size and end up buying something that is not perfect for them. So you need someone who is working in this industry for a long time and can guide you with this section.
• Undivided attention: When you are taking a personal shopper with you, you are getting undivided attention. They are going to understand your requirements and then help you to pick up the best clothes and accessories. So there won’t be any moment where you will feel completely drained and hopeless.
• Can shop in your place: Many personal shoppers can also shop in your place by knowing your requirements. The personal shoppers will analyse your requirements and will make the choices in your place. This type of personal shoppers is hired by people who hardly have time to visit the shop all by themselves.
• Ideas: If you are not clear about what you want to wear or purchase then they will give you the right ideas that you can implement and make your purchase a worthy one. 
• Understands trend: Personal shoppers always have an idea about the current trend. So you will be able to purchase the right clothes and accessories that are going to make you look trendy. Personal shoppers will always be flexible when it comes to satisfying the needs of the clients. Theyare going to work for you until you are getting the right things for yourself. Moreover, they know the right place from where you are going to get what you are looking for. If you are new to a place and don’t know what to purchase then you need a personal shopper.

Who should hire a personal shopper?

• Confused: Many confused shoppers don’t know what they should purchase and from where they should purchase. If you are someone who does not go shopping frequently then you need a personal shopper. The personal shopper would have an idea about things that you want to purchase. They are going to provide you with a brief of all the things that will help you to decide whether you need to purchase the thing or not.

• Strict budget: People who have a very strict budget when it comes to buying things should hire a personal shopper. Their guide is going to help you to make the right decision. Sometimes the personal shopper will also help you to bargain and get the best deals if you are someone who is not good with bargaining. Hiring a personal shopper is not an expensive move.

• Not aware of current trends: Not everyone will be aware of the current trends in the market and hence should hire a personal shopper. Personal shoppers who are in this industry for a long time know what is currently trending in the market. So if you are going to a party, then you won’t have to worry about wearing last season’s shoes. Your personal shopper is going to get the latest things for you.

• Lack of time: If you think that you don’t have enough time to go shopping or search for different places for the different products then you need a personal shopper. They have a proper idea of where you should get all the products. A personal shopper can also visit the store and purchase in your place. They have a clear idea of what the client wants and hence they can make the right purchase.

• Bad purchase: People who have the constant urge to make a bad purchase should go for personal shoppers. It will help them to save a lot of money and time and at the same time, they will be able to get what they want. Many people have a habit of drifting away from what they want to buy. If you go to the shop and always come with a product that will not suit you when you need a personal shopper. A personal shopper will analyse your requirements and then guide you accordingly.

• Expert opinion: Any person who is looking for an expert opinion when it comes to dressing or shopping then they should opt for a personal shopper.If you are someone who is looking for people who can provide them with expert opinion then you should opt for a personal shopper. Expert opinions can be given by personal shoppers because they have been guiding several clients in getting the right product.

Tips on hiring a personal shopper

Recommendation: Everyone should hire a personal shopper by taking some recommendations or by considering word of mouth. Do not just hire someone available at a cheaper price. It is very important to go with the flow because when a personal shopper has served more customers they have gained a lot of experience.

Testimonials: Look into the testimonials of all the previous clients they have worked with. Testimonials will also help you to see what type of personal shopping they have done in the past. Testimonials are going to be your deciding factor when it comes to hiring a personal shopper. Do not just hire a novice personal shopper without doing prior research.

Price: Indeed, hiring a personal shopper is not going to drain or your money. Look into the prices that are offered by the personal shopper. You don’t need to have to spend a lot on getting the best services. Several organizations are going to offer you with pocket-friendly prices. You need to ask whether they are going to charge you on an hourly basis or not. It is very important to be clear about what are your requirements and whether you can afford it or not.

Experience: When it comes to shopping it is very important to trust someone who has experience in this arena. You can ask them about the number of years they have worked in the industry and the person they have worked with. You can also opt for the personal shopper who has worked with several reputed clients.

Contact: A personal shopper needs to be trustworthy and reliable and that is why you need to get some contact references. It will help you to do some background check about the personal shopper.

Organization: Several personal shoppers are either working as freelancers or are associated with an organization. In most of the cases, people would like to opt for the personal shopper are associated with the organization. People who are working with the organization will be more familiar with the ethics of several dress codes. 

Conclusion

After learning about all the perks of hiring a personal shopper, you are convinced about hiring them. A personal shopper is going to be your friend and is going to guide you in every step while shopping. As their expectation is in the field of shopping so you won’t make any fashion blunders or bad purchase. If you have an image in your mind then they will help you to find the right item to turn it into reality.

In this era of scarcity of time, the first thing that always gets postponed is shopping. You are under time pressure to finish shopping in the quickest possible time because several other things need your attention. Time pressure at one hand and hundreds of options at the other and with so many lucrative deals, you start buying everything that comes in your way. Above all, you don’t know what’s the latest trend and launches in a particular product category. A personal shopper is here to solve all your shopping challenges.

Imagine anything, and your personal shopper will get that for you quickly at a very competitive rate. A personal shopper isn’t a new species of the service industry. They were there always, but for elite and celebrities. Thanks to the rising income of middle and upper-middle-income groups aided by time scarcity, personal shoppers are now available everywhere to assist this group to shop anything from anywhere.

Most of the major retailers employ personal shoppers to assist customers so that they could seek help from domain expert personal shoppers. The whole idea is to help customers in product selection, speedy decision making and above all save money to build a long-term relationship. Although, personal shoppers are mostly linked to the fashion industry, in recent years they are now serving all product domains to help clients make better decisions in the quickest possible time.

Call them stylist or image consultant, but the core is to help you save your time, energy and of course the money. When it comes to elite or celebrity clients they face challenges of time, privacy and security. They need someone who is an expert in fashion or styling and could do shopping on his/her behalf. They brief the personal shopper about mood, test, styling, current wardrobe, and requirements. Good personal shoppers’ take note of every possible detail and suggest inputs regarding fashion trends and suitability. Once the requirements are finalized s/he shops for the client at the most suitable place and arranges trial either at the store or at home.

Personal shoppers, nowadays earn a handsome amount of money. If we go by earning stats, a personal shopper earns an average of $30,000 to $40,000 per year by working 4-5 hours a day for 5 days a week. If you have above-average knowledge or interest in any specific domain you can be a personal shopper in that particular domain. Thankfully, you don’t need any professional degree to start a personal shopper, but you need to have a good understanding of the subject matter and excellent communication skills.

Personal Shopper Can Buy Anything for You

The name itself says it all. A personal shopper impersonates you and carries your mind and need while shopping for you. It is all up to you to add anything in your shopping list and your personal shopper will get the best product with his/her expert inputs for you at most affordable prices. Since they are regular in any retail store; they get special treatment and deals from retailers. Your personal shopper will pass on those benefits to you. Here are some of the most popular product ranges where a personal shopper could be of great help:

Fashion & Style

We all want to look great and contemporary. Your selection of fashion and style helps you build the desired persona to lead a confident life. In the era of hyper-competitive professionalism, you simply cannot ignore your look. The best strategy is to hire a personal shopper and get his expert advice on the latest fashion and styles.

Brief him about your personality, temperament, and demand of the occasion. With primary inputs, s/he will review your existing collection and prepare the shopping list. S/he will discuss the budget and deliverables so that you could get the best product in the defined time. All you need to do is open about your brief so that you could get what you want.

Give your personal shopper some flexibility and freedom in product selection. This will amaze you how effective those small inputs could be in enhancing your fashion quotient.

Jewelry & Accessories

It is very tough to keep a tab on the jewelry and accessories trends. By the time you will see that in the mainstream it would be too late to have the edge of exclusivity. Your personal shopper could help you get the latest jewelry and accessories to match your personality. You can leverage his exposure and depth in product range in selection the best for yourself.

Image Consultancy

You have a vast collection of clothes and matching accessories. You purchased everything that came in your way in the hope of using it for the right occasion. But nothing worked as you wished or expected. Your personal shopper could be your image consultant, as s/he sees you from a different perspective and suggest measures to enhance the image.

It is not just about buying the best but buying the suitably best. He will offer several colors, contrast, match, fitting, adjustments and modification tips to improve your overall look. He may be of great help in your hairstyle and makeup as he has your imaginary personality in mind.

Gifts

We all know how confusing it becomes to shop something to gift. It is relatively easy to buy something for self, but something for someone for a special occasion is a bit tricky as you don’t want to be contextually unfit. Your personal shopper could be of great help in shopping gifts for anyone you wish. The exposure to products and understanding of the pulse of fashion and style gives them an edge in selecting the best for your loved ones.

Electronics

It is one of the fastest evolving product categories where personal shoppers are making a huge difference. You want to buy the latest gadgets, but you don’t have time and energy to explore and get the best.

Frankly, we use and love electronics without knowing much about the product. You personal shopper knows everything possible about any specific product, so you get the best that suits your need and budget. Interestingly, he will let you know whether you should wait for a while as he all the launch schedules in his memory.

Groceries

You can postpone fashion, electronics or any other shopping, but not the groceries. Thankfully, several personal shoppers offer amazingly quick service to shop groceries for you. Just let him know about your shopping list, he will get that for you in the quickest possible time. Several personal shoppers pay special attention to elderly and disabled persons and offer then discount.

How to Hire Best Personal Shopper

There is no doubt that personal shopper could be of great value in terms of saving time, energy and money. But, you need to be a little careful while hiring a personal shopper. Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind while hiring personal shopper:

Expertise

You are hiring some for his better understanding of the particular product category. So, make sure that your personal shopper has deep knowledge of the subject matter to offer you the most advanced shopping experience. If you want a personal shopper for fashion and style, make sure that the person good exposure to the fashion industry and has the most updated information.

Availability

You are hiring someone only because you don’t have time for shopping. So, make sure that your personal shopper is available for your defined time range. Do enquire about flexibility as shopping requires flexibility in time.

Network

A personal shopper must have a strong and reliable network so that the trial could be arranged in flexible hours. If your PS has a good network, he will get access to new stocks and trends. This is of great value if you are looking for exclusivity.

Privacy

A personal shopper gets access to your private life as you are required to open up about your taste, beliefs, and limitations. You have to make sure that your PS is reliable and has strong industry goodwill.

Clientele

If your personal shopper is experienced do ask about the client list. However, avoid asking a personal question about clients. You will get enough hints to analyze the strength and weaknesses of your personal shopper by going through the client list.

Cost

This is the area that bothers people the most. People prefer paying extra for the product, but not to the person who could help in getting good deals, not just once but every time. You know your hourly rate and how much time you can waste in shopping. Isn’t it simple math? Your personal shopper will come at a fraction of your hourly rate with value addition of expertise, advice, and of course better deals.

Your personal shopper is an expert in a particular product category. You can hire a professional personal shopper service provider to meet all your needs as they keep experts in all possible product categories. They offer you operational and accountability advantages. Nowadays, personal shoppers are well equipped with high-end tech support to make it easier to build a shopping list and get the product delivered in no time. Hire a professional shopper and enjoy your moments!

The notion of purchasing a sex toy (gasp) in person is positively terrifying for many people. But it turns out, shopping for sex toys can be just like walking into your friendly corner store, except, you know, dildos. Bonus: it’s way better (and less risky) than shopping online.

If you’re among the curious but shy, here’s a handy guide for a sex toy shopping spree.

Narrow it down by sensation
If you’ve never purchased a sex toy, Claire Cavanah, co-founder of New York’s Bableland, suggests thinking “about what kind of sensations you enjoy and how you want to use a sex toy.” For example, “If you’re shopping for a vibrator, do you like internal or external stimulation or both simultaneously? Thick or thin? Curved for the G-spot or smooth and straight?” So basically, know where you want to put it and how you want it to feel.

Megan Church of Austin’s Forbidden Fruit gives the exact same advice to her potential customers. If you’re interested in penetration, “think penetrative,” says Megan. Narrowing it down makes is “a lot less cumbersome than looking at a whole wall of things,” she explains. Since most stores are organized along these lines, having a desired sensation in mind can take you right past that goliath dildo giving you the stink eye and into a section that won’t make your face as red.

Pre-game on the web
For those of you that would rather dip your toe in the pool before diving in, you can read reviews of sex toys online. Maybe don’t Google “dildo,” though. “If you’re the kind of shopper who likes to research purchases, there are a couple of ways to do that. Customer reviews on store websites like Babeland and user reviews in media outlets [can] give you an idea of the merits and experiences of others with certain toys,” says Cavanah. “You can also do some online searching for blogs that review sex toys.”

But the truth is, reviews and product descriptions can be as subjective as sexual preferences. “The words ‘soft,’ ‘hard,’ ‘big,’ and ‘small’ are all very relative,” notes Church.

Please DO touch
See something interesting, but still not sure? Don’t be afraid to pick it up and give it a test spin on (your hand! For the love of god, just on your hand!). One of the great advantages to swallowing your pride and buying in-store as opposed to online is that many shops have test toys on display that are meant to be fondled. Go ahead and grope! Again, with your hand.

Consider the material
If you’re slightly neurotic (like me) or Jewish (like half of me), you’re probably going to want to understand what these things are made of before you go sticking them in and around your body. There are generally six basic materials from which sex toys are made: glass, wood, metal, hard plastic, jelly (rubber and PVC), and silicone. Each material has its own unique advantages, depending on your preferences.

“Glass and wood are used in making dildos and are also non-porous, easy to clean, and recyclable!,” explains Cavanah, offering up another way to really mess with your garbage man. “The unbending quality of both of these, and also steel, makes them great for G-spot or [prostate] stimulation, and the toys are really beautiful too.”

Take note: Different materials are also maintained differently, so make sure to inquire about cleaning and care instructions to avoid a Broad City moment.

No one is going to judge you for being into butt stuff
Sex toy shops like Babeland and Forbidden Fruit are safe spaces. I felt less judged buying a vibrator than I did in therapy. So whatever it is you’re looking for, it’s okay to talk about it with them; it’s their job.

Cavanah firmly believes “everyone deserves helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, and non-judgmental customer service when shopping for a sex toy, and it’s what Babeland was founded on and has won awards for. Many stores have that reputation, support them!”

Church agrees. If that staff doesn’t talk to you, or at least seem approachable, “walk out,” she says.

Being coy may lead to some disappointing moments once you get the toy home, too. I mention anal play, because not all toys can be stuck willy-nilly into any hole. Church tells me that she knew someone who broke her Rabbit (a vibrator/dildo combination toy) because it wasn’t designed to withstand the power of the human sphincter: “If it’s phallic, people try and put it in their butt,” she sagely points out. So if some backdoor action is your pleasure, make sure the toy is made for it. I’m less concerned about you breaking the toy than I am about you breaking something else.

Ask about what’s popular, but don’t buy based on hype
For me, sex-ed was 20% what some weird lady who smelled like patchouli and cats came to talk to my class about in third grade and 80% Sex and the City. The show was also responsible for bringing the illustrious Rabbit (see above) to fame. While it’s popularity has merit, it’s not for everyone. Church points out that the proportions are rather long for many women. So you can sleep easy tonight, straight dudes.

That being said, there are some crowd favorites, including the Rabbit, that you may want to consider. Babeland’s most popular vibrator is the We-Vibe 4 Plus, which can be worn by a woman during sex. It provides internal and external stimulation, and her partner can feel it too. It even comes with a smartphone app feature for remote control, because absolutely everything has an app now. For the ladies, Church recommends starting off with something simple, like a bullet-style vibrator and a softer, silicone vibrator that’s five to six inches.

Know how to spot or smell a bootleg
While they might not be hawked on Canal St, sex toys have knockoffs too. And people are less likely to speak out if they get a counterfeit or faulty product, which only allows the problem to persist. As Church notes, “nobody tweets when something goes wrong with their sex toy.”

If you’re trench coat and wig are at the cleaners, and you just can’t bring yourself to walk into a store, know that buying online presents its own set of risks. Church advises “making sure [the toy is] coming from the toy company or direct distributor. A lot of third-party websites like Amazon and eBay have zero regulation. There are toys out there with the exact same packaging and design, but the quality is lower.” That being said, Babeland and Forbidden Fruit have websites, as do many premier sex toy shops, so make those your first stop.

When it comes to jelly toys, knockoffs will reek of gasoline or something that smells like weed, but not in a good way. These products may have been produced with chemicals that aren’t body safe. So sniff it before you stick it. Another important note: toys marked as “novelty” are not intended for bodily use.

Sex toys are not a gateway drug
You’re not going to get addicted to your vibrator or fleshlight. Relax. “Are you going to work? Are you dealing with your life?” asks Church. If so, using your toy to unwind doesn’t mean you need to stage an intervention.

“People worry they’re going to get desensitized by their vibrators too,” Church explains. Rest assured, ladies and gents, that’s not going to happen, even with frequent use. Church says that people may get used to reaching orgasm in a certain way, whether that be with a toy or in a certain position, but she also notes that “our bodies and minds are elastic, and they’re constantly evolving.” So if you’re feeling a little too reliant on a specific toy, change it up and be patient. Your body will take the hint and adapt.

Sex toys aren’t meant to take anything, or more specifically anyone, away from the experience. Your dildo is not “some bionic cock” that’s going to put your boyfriend “out of work,” as Church put it. Sex toys are all about adding to a sexual experience, whether it be a solo session or a couple’s retreat.

What Is a Personal Shopper?
Personal shoppers do exactly what their name suggests: They shop for people who don’t have the time, energy or expertise to do so. They are hired by clients to shop for everything from clothing to shoes to more personal items, depending on their area of expertise. Personal shoppers can work as consultants and work on their own in a small business, or they can work for department or boutique stores and be hired out.

Personal shopping is all about individualized attention, and a personal shopper generally meets with a client to determine what her personal style is and what she is looking for in terms of fashion. The shopper will then go on to shop for the client and do her best to stay within the client’s taste.

Personal shoppers will often advise clients on what is in fashion at the moment, what attire should be worn for the season and how personal style can be incorporated into the season’s new fashions. They will generally shop for entire outfits for a client, including shoes and accessories, unless the client requests otherwise.

Getting a Job as a Personal Shopper
While there is usually not an advanced degree or coursework requirement for a job as a personal shopper, employers do tend to look for applicants who have a background in fashion, as well as retail and sales. Breaking into the field may be difficult, but working in sales in the clothing department of a store or in a boutique is a great way to get to know frequent shoppers and offer personal shopping services. As clients spread the word about their satisfaction with a personal shopper’s stellar skills, more clients should request the same services.

Work Hours and a Personal Shopper’s Job
An independent personal shopper’s hours can be erratic. He works when a client requests a meeting to discuss style preferences, events or occasions, and stores and boutiques he likes, and generally the budget. Then the personal shopper heads out to the stores the client has requested, and may shop at some stores the client has not requested but that fit the client’s personal style.

Personal shoppers, especially those who own their own businesses, can make a great deal of money. As they gain recognition, their rates can increase substantially. When they work for themselves, personal shoppers set their own rates, either hourly or a flat fee. When personal shoppers work in department stores, they are paid an hourly rate, depending on experience.

Personal shoppers can also go on to become stylists as they gain recognition. Celebrities call on stylists and personal shoppers often to keep them up-to-date and in style on the red carpet.

Note: The contents of the following article may be considered NSFW.

My first job out of college was a “pleasure specialist,” which sounds way worse than it is. I sold sex toys.

There was nothing quite like the shocked faces of relatives when I told them how I was spending my post-grad time. But while there are a lot of misconceptions around adult stores, the days of the “sleazy porn store” are numbered.

For a lot people the idea of going to a store and talking to a person one-on-one about their sex life is daunting. However, the advantage of going into a store rather than shopping online is not only do you get to see and compare the products firsthand, but you also get expert knowledge — in most stores, anyway.

I learned a lot while I was there — about sex, the business of sex and people in general. Here’s a guide to the proper store etiquette if you ever find yourself shopping for a pleasure product.

Note: This article is written using cisgender language, because most sex shops cater to cisgender couples and individuals. This is not to say the average shop will not help or do not have products for all kinds of identities, but make sure you research (Yelp, Google, etc.) the shop you intend to go to if this is important to you.

I’ve seen my fair share of “deer in the headlights” customers. Usually it comes in the form of “husband picking out a sex toy for his wife.” When shopping for others, whether it’s a partner or a bachelorette, get a feel for their sexual preferences and maybe even fantasies. Don’t assume.

For example, most women need clitoral stimulation in order to achieve orgasm, so many of us recommend a “clitoral/external stimulator” over the standard dildo or vibrator (internal stimulation). A good place to start is to educate yourself about the male and female erogenous zones.

But also, just ask your partner. When you get to the store, a salesperson can provide product suggestions.

Don’t go to a shop where the employees are simply looking for a paycheck. Sex toys have actual science and complicated technology behind them (material, power, cleanliness, etc.), not to mention history. You want to learn these things from experts, not schmoes.

For instance, some kinds of sex toys are safest when using a condom because of how much bacteria they can trap and how difficult they are to clean. A good salesperson will share this kind of information with you, not fear a decrease in sales. Make sure your toy is tested before you leave the store, to make sure you don’t have a “dud.” Steer clear of the shops that don’t do this. All sales are final and you would hate paying for a NSFW paperweight.

Keep in mind that sex toys are currently not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration like proper medical equipment is, so companies can pretty much use whatever they want and put buzz terms like “phalate-free” or “body-safe material” on the packaging and consumers are none the wiser. Learn about the difference in materials and you can save yourself from itching, burning or even a hospital visit later on.

Adult stores are usually locally owned. We are fully aware you can find many of our products, especially high-end ones, online for cheaper. But try to #GoLocal.

I like to compare sex toys and adult products to food; if you spend a little more on the higher quality, you’ll be a lot happier with the outcome, especially longterm. Jelly vibrators are the fast food burgers of the sex toy world; they are very porous and trap a lot of bacteria and should be used sparingly or not at all. Silicone is the safest soft material but still requires cleaning.

However, there are plenty of other toys under $100 that are better than luxury brands — enough factors and exceptions play in that it’s important to seek professional advice.

There is no such thing as a stupid question. We’ve heard it all. Just be appropriate and respectful.

Don’t ask, “You stick it up WHERE?!” Try instead, “How is this toy used?” Ultimately we are retail workers who are trained and want to answer any question you have.

“Different strokes for different folks” is quite literal here. There is no such thing as the “best” toy because what works for some people won’t for others. Pretty much everything regarding sexual pleasure is trial and error; find out what feels good for you and work with that.

Really think about what you’re asking when you walk in and ask a worker this. This is still a retail shop; just because I’m selling pleasure products doesn’t mean A) I’ve tried all, some or any of them; and B) that’s none of your damn business. We will volunteer the information ourselves if we feel comfortable enough to tell you.

Most times people mean it in a “has this been tried and been proven to work?” kind of way, but the occasional creep asks these kinds of questions with the intent to use the mental image later…or in our parking lot. (Yes, that happened and is why I won’t answer these questions anymore.)

We’re selling sex products, not sex.

We already have to deal with middle schoolers prank calling us. Don’t come in just to ask, “Has anyone ever bought the three-foot dildo?!” What if another customer came in while you were giggling, heard you mocking a product, and therefore got too embarrassed to buy anything and left? Many people are nervous to be there to begin with, so do not be Michael from The Office.

That being said, laughing is a natural reaction, so we understand. And some of our products are funny (my favorite is the blow-up punching bag with a place to put a picture of your ex). There’s a difference between laughing because you’re surrounded by sex and just flat out making fun of the products. Don’t laugh at my dildos, please!

I had a woman ask me how many times I had to call the cops on people having sex in the parking lot and was upset that I “ruined her image of a sex shop” when I told her zero. I had another woman ask if our bathrooms had “men underneath to look up.” Really?! For every “creep,” we got 20 “normal” people, and those truly are relative terms.

We expect uncomfortable partners or friends who get dragged along, but when they comment about how “disgusting” sex or the shop itself is, it’s incredibly frustrating. Please do not bring your personal issues with something as natural and fun as sex here. Be open.

Sex culture is changing pretty rapidly. Women are becoming more open to talking about and, more importantly, enjoying sex. It is perfectly okay for women to enjoy sex, either alone or with another person. Further, sex toys are not just a “chick thing;” there are plenty of toys designed for men.

Sex is fun. Don’t let social norms prevent you from being open to or trying new things.

We all enjoy shopping as this gives us an amazing sense of satisfaction of having things that we want. This sense of fulfillment helps you lead a life with more confidence. Consumer behavior experts mobilize all possible resources to boost your shopping experience so that you could shop more and spend more. When it comes to day-to-day goods, these experts are quite successful in pushing you for impulsive buying. But, when it comes to buying fashion and private goods like lingerie and sex toys, all normal formula backfires. In such scenarios, personal shoppers are of great value as they are trained to deal with consumers looking for sex toys.

It is a fact that even the uber-cool type personalities become hyper-attentive when it comes to shopping sex toys. The primary reason is that it is very private and the other is the lack of information. Internet is flooded with sex toys reviews, but when it comes to shopping you are left with no option other than buying it because you simply cannot try it like other fashion and style items. People buy sex toys to boost the sex experience, so there isn’t any room of compromise and this could not just spoil the mood but injure your body parts as well. A personal shopper with an understanding of the tech and usability could be a great guide in shopping sex toys.

Of course, you don’t want to “shop till you drop” while buying sex toys. You have to be very particular about the toy and quick in decision making. Your personal shopper could help you save your mental, emotional and physical energy. Since one has the vast experience of handling such toys, you will get the best advice and product at a very reasonable rate.

Want to have a thrilling experience, call your personal shopper and brief him about your requirements. The moot question is how to communicate about sex toys? Here are some of the points you need to keep on mind while hiring a personal shopper to buy sex toys:

Related: See how you can score a personal shopper on any budget

Sex Toy Basics

Not comfortable buying sex toys in retail stores? You are not alone, the majority of people discard the plan despite having a strong urge to have one. Reasons are pretty obvious, but there isn’t any remedy either as you cannot change behavior overnight. You can hire a personal shopper to do the job for you. Here are some of the things you need to be ready with when briefing your personal shopper:

Focus on Sensation

You have to narrow down your sensation requirement as different toys trigger a different type of sensation. You have to make sure, if you want a vibrator, it is for internal or external stimulation or both. Do you want the thick or thin, smooth and straight or curved for the G-spot? You can discuss this with your personal shopper to get his/her inputs.

Know Your Toy

It is better to use the internet to know about the toy you want to buy. You can be specific in your search and get good reviews about the product from professionals. But, be careful about the source of information as most of these pages are promotional.

Body Safe Label

You have to be very particular about the quality of the material. Ask your personal about the measures s/he going to ensure that the sex toy is made of body-safe material like non-porous silicone, glass, and wood. Be particular about fake products and mechanisms to check authenticity. These toys are made of these six materials in combinations: hard plastic, glass, silicone, wood, metal, and jelly. There is no such thing as right or wrong as each material has its benefits and shortcomings. Dildos are majorly made of glass and wood as this makes it washable and recyclable.

Shape Matters

It all depends on your taste. You can ask your personal shopper to stick to the natural shapes or simply try more anatomically designed to get maximum stimulation. Some of the new launches are amazingly comfortable to use. Your PS might give you an update about recent launches.

See how you can achieve vaginal orgasm in this article from Flo.

Love Lube

You know it better how effective it is with quality lube. Pleasure is in friction but that friction should be tolerable for body and mind. It is better to brief your personal shopper whether you want water-based lube or silicon-based lube. Normally, all major sex toy brands recommend lube standards for better response.

Feel it

You are buying sex toys to have the right stimulation at the right time without hurting your body. It is always great to pick it and feel it in your hand. This will give you the hint of shape and comfort, ultimately your mind is perfectly wired to correlated shapes. Your personal shopper could help you get the best toy for maximum pleasure.

Look Matters

If you have any specific color preference, you can highlight it when briefing your personal shopper. S/he can help you get some amazing combinations to boost your mood.

Points to Keep in Mind While Hiring Personal Shopper

When it comes to sexual pleasure, the basic instinct is to have maximum stimulation. Sex toys play a very significant part to help you’re your body get desired stimulation. But buying sex toys in retail stores is an emotionally draining task as we fall in the trap of hyper self-consciousness. This, in turn, results in reckless buying. Your personal shopper could be of great help in not only deciding the best toys for you, but save you from the emotional draining. They have vast experience of dealing with sex toys so they have the most updated information about the latest launches and tech advancements. However, you need to be a little cautious while hiring personal shoppers for buying sex toys. Here are some of the points you need to keep in mind:

• Make sure that your personal shopper in reliable. You can ask for references to check his/her reliability. If he is active in this space, he must have strong recommendations from local stores.
• You can ask about his social media presence and enquire reviews for better understandings.
• Your brief should be precise as this will help him serve better. Too much talk normally exposes you more than required.
• Your personal shopper must offer you time flexibility.
• Don’t forget to ask about the hourly hiring rates.
• You need to protect your privacy, so make sure s/he is affiliated with local trade organizations.

Some Top Rated Sex Toys

In this era of scarcity of time, you might not get enough time to do personal shopping for intimate moments. Above all, you might not have enough knowledge about sex toys or other accessories. Even doing micro online research might take hours. Your personal shopper with expertise and experience could help you get the best product and save your time, energy, and money. Ask your personal shopper about these top rates sex toys:

Vibrator For Two

These vibrator toys are designed for joint pleasure. You wear it during intercourse as it fits under your labia. The best part is it stays in plays and gives amazing sensation to both the partners.

Butt Plug

Made of super-soft comfortable silicone, these butt plugs prepares you for the thrilling backdoor play. These are designed for long-term wear and give you maximum stimulation.

Portable Vibrator

If you are looking for a vibrator that you can carry in your purse, there are several options in the market. Ask your personal shopper to get one high-quality compact vibrator for you. You won’t have to worry about effectiveness, as these mini toys are equally good to trigger maximum stimulation.

Dual-Tip Vibrator

If you want to try different vibration ranges for different ranges, you can brief your personal shopper to buy one with an option to set vibration type. These toys are designed to give you double pleasure for a longer period.

Balls

These ball sex toys are designed to strengthen your Kegels and boost the power of pelvic. You insert it inside and then release and contract pelvic floor muscles.

Cock Ring

If you want your erection to last longer, then this toy can help you achieve the goal. This silicone made waterproof cock ring has a powerful motor to keep you ignited and stimulate your partners’ clitoral.

Remote-Controlled Vibrator

If you want something more exciting to have multi-point stimulation, you can ask your personal shopper to get a wearable remote-controlled vibrator. The remote control helps you keep your hand free to do amazing things that a machine cannot do.

In modern days, monotony is the killer of relationships. One needs to experiment to have freshness so that you could enjoy the precious moments with your partner. Your sex toys could help you experiment according to the mood and situation. Hire a personal shopper so that you could get the best sex toys for amazing sex life. Be ready with your sex toys for stimulating sex life.

Whether you’re living the simple life or in the lap of luxury, stylish assistance has never been more within reach, says Lucy Slight.

Depending on which stage of life you were at in 2003 and your penchant for reality TV, you may remember being introduced to Paris Hilton’s scantily clad, over-eyelinered, regrowth-sporting BFF Nicole Richie when the pair invaded our living rooms on MTV’s The Simple Life. Whether you loved or loathed them, Nicole, Paris and their Von Dutch trucker caps were inescapable and did nothing to positively influence the style of impressionable teens and early-20 somethings.

A year after the show debuted, Nicole called on celebrity stylist and soon-to-be-household-name Rachel Zoe to help transform her image and cement the petite star’s place as one of fashion’s most influential players. In the style sense, it’s a rags-to-riches tale and shows that you can have all the money in the world and still need the help of a professional stylist to translate your coin into fashion kudos. But employing the services of a personal stylist or shopper isn’t something reserved solely for the Hollywood elite. Here in New Zealand there are a number of options available, whether you’re looking to spend $50 or $50K. Sarah Stuart, the head of news styling for TV3, dresses presenters for shows including Paul Henry, 3News, Story and Newsworthy, and also regularly consults clients on personal styling, image and branding.

“For my personal clients, it’s usually that they’re in a time of transition. They may be starting a new job, meeting a new partner or their children may have left home,” Sarah explains. “Businesses often bring me in to help empower their staff to feel more assured in how they look. I find this can make a huge difference to the work they do, as well as their self-confidence in general.”

Sarah initially conducts a colour and body analysis to determine what complements her client’s skin tone and body line, as well as finding out about their lifestyle, personality and what they want to achieve from the styling sessions. “I always ensure their look is appropriate for the purpose I’ve styled them,” she adds. “That means making sure they fit in while also standing out by wearing something that matches their style and – most importantly – makes them feel amazing. It’s important to me that I empower my clients to put together their own outfits so they understand their own assets and feel proud of who they are.”

Kaytee Boyd, an integrative nutritionist at The Boyd Clinic, was time-poor and in “desperate need of a wardrobe overhaul” when she employed the services of personal stylist, Jackie O’Fee, of Signature Style. “I work with cancer patients and people with burn-out so I need to dress professionally or there is no instant respect,” says Kaytee who has a “boy shape”, as she calls it. “My strategy for clothes shopping has been to walk in, try clothes, get disheartened and walk away without anything. Jackie took me through an extensive list of styles, explaining what would suit me particularly well and what wouldn’t. I was surprised at what looked great on me and now see I can get away with a lot more with my body shape.”

If getting advice on styling interests you, but your wallet zips tight at the thought, there are retailers who offer complimentary services. At Topshop’s flagship store in Queen Street, Auckland, the personal styling service also enables you to avoid the 20-deep queue for the fitting rooms. The no-obligation-to-buy service gives you access to the store’s personal stylists who can help you with anything from a wardrobe makeover to finding a new dress for
a function.

“Our service can be tailored to whether a customer wants advice on the latest trends, a brand new corporate look, assistance with an outfit for an event or a complete wardrobe overhaul,” says Sarah Harris, Topshop’s brand manager. “I think what our stylists enjoy most is making clients feel confident, and looking a million dollars in a new outfit they maybe wouldn’t have chosen for themselves.”

Fostering customer relationships is top of mind for the client services team at T Galleria by DFS, which offers Diamond and Ruby members of the global program personal shopping assistance, concierge services and pre-orders and pre-sales of new arrivals. Just be prepared to spend between $30,000 and $120,000 in two years to qualify for personalised luxury offerings. Prestige members can book appointments with a personal shopper at any DFS around the world and request pieces from international brands including Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Dior and Burberry to be waiting for them on arrival.

“If we have new arrivals that we think will be appealing to our clients, the personal shopper will contact them,” says Hannah Zhang, T Galleria by DFS client services manager. “Our goal is to build a long-term relationship with our most valuable clients.”

Regardless of spend, styling is about building confidence, says Kaytee. “I feel much more comfortable now walking into clothes shops, I understand what works for me. That in itself is amazing.”

This is an era of fashion and technology. On the one hand, technology is developing every day and on the other hand, people are becoming more modern and fashionable. If we take the example of our film stars, celebrities, models and other people like them, there was a time when they just used to be the ideal of commoners. We just wanted to dress up like them, but it wasn’t our cup of tea. However, nowadays the scene is quite different. You can dress up in the way of your favourite celebrity. Not just this, but you can even hire your personal stylists. The only difference is that they hire the stylists and commoners can have their personal shoppers. Now, one can even hire stylists, depending on the amount of money they want to spend. Here we will be talking about personal shoppers and how they work.

In the section below, we have listed down how your personal shopper identifies your style before buying your clothes.

By knowing you

There is a very simple logic behind it. The way of styling varies from person to person and to set this style the most important thing is the clothes you wear. By knowing you as a person, your personal shopper will know about your style and thus will select an outfit accordingly. The client is responsible also that they tell everything related to this to the shopper. In the meeting and sessions related to that, these shoppers take care of the style along with your comfort, as we all know that fashion in true sense is all about comfort.

By telling you about the best shopping place

One of the most important thing that you need to keep in your mind is that giving you the styling tips is the job of your personal shopper and to do his or her job they will try every possible thing. Now, choosing the proper storage for your outfit is also one of the major steps in this styling process. Since, this is a very important step, therefore these shoppers know about the best places. It will depend on the type of clothes you want. Every time the client does not want new and trendy clothes, so they take you to the shops where you get a mixed collection.

Styling tips that suit you the best

The personal shopper is not just for doing your shopping. They rather act like your personal stylist. In the first point we mentioned that before buying your clothes, your personal shopper will meet you and will know who you are and what are you comfortable wearing. Now, sometimes some clients don’t even know about their style. When they talk to the shopper, they look confused. So, apart from taking you to the right shop and getting you the perfect outfit, these shoppers will give you the tips to carry out these outfits in the best way possible.

Convince you to go with the trend

We are here talking about styling you or identifying your style statement. We are sure that you will agree with the fact that you could not be the most stylish person without going with the style. Now, this is not possible for every person that they follow the trends comfortably. As we mentioned that style varies from person to person, your personal shopper will help you in redefining your style. They will prove in front of you that the new trends are not that bad and you can easily follow them. They know that following the trends is important for being stylish and therefore they will help you with that.

Will talk about your insecurities

This point could be considered as an explanation of all the points that are mentioned above. We talked about how these personal shoppers make you speak about your personal style. During this conversation, the clients speak about their insecurities and other discomforts. Now that your personal shopper knows about your insecurities, he or she will consider that and then will select an outfit accordingly. In fact, the styling tips that they will give will also revolve around it.

They fix things in a budget

Treat your personal shopper as your friend and they will deliver the best service. We all know that clothes and all the other styling things are not cheap at all. It requires a lot of money to wear what you want. Now, the function of a personal shopper is not just to give you styling tips and picking up the right outfit, but he or she also takes care of the fact that the outfit selected for you comes in a budget. So, before the personal shopper picks up an outfit for you, he or she decides the budget of it.

So, these were all the points that show how a personal shopper work for defining the style of his client, before selecting the final outfit. Now that you have understood this, let us talk about the benefits that one gets after hiring a personal shopper.

Benefits of hiring personal shoppers

• You get the most suitable dress for you

In the section mentioned above, we have written a lot of points that make it clear that the personal shoppers do every possible thing to make you feel comfortable and to give you the best outfit ideas. Now, this effort that they make will help you in getting the best suitable outfit yourself. Now, we all know how depressing and irritating it gets if you are not able to find that perfect outfit after spending a lot of time in the mall. Spending a little amount on your personal shopper will help you in preventing that hassle.

• You get the best styling tips

We all know that to look like a fashionista, we need to follow the trends, but what are the trends? Is it possible for every single person to follow these trends so religiously? The clear answer to this question is no. However, we all want to look the best wherever we go and whatever the occasion is. So, if you will hire a personal shopper for yourself, you don’t need to involve your mind in thinking about all this and you can achieve the perfect look also, whenever you need it.

• Your wardrobe will never be stuck with wrong outfits

You will have to agree with us at this point that having the wrong outfits in your wardrobe is such a headache. As we already mentioned that not everyone has this perfect idea of selecting outfits, therefore, we end up buying clothes that either does not look good at us or we start hating it after wearing it for some time. After hiring a personal shopper for yourself, you feel relaxed and satisfied too. They give you the best advice for picking up the outfits and your decision never goes wrong.

• Become a fashionista with no efforts

Normally, people see celebrities hiring their personal stylists. Looking at them, we often wonder how good it is to have a stylish on our own. Well, with the personal shoppers, this wish of yours could be fulfilled. Always remember that the personal shoppers are no stylists and therefore, they are not going to cost you that higher. They will talk to you, will understand your comfort and style and then will help you in choosing the best outfit. Also, the cost of the outfit won’t be included in their service. You are free to decide your budget.

• You discover the best stores

Out of all the functions that a personal shopper performs, selecting a good store for you too is his job. There are a lot of cities where the fashion market is not that hyped and therefore it is really difficult for people to find that perfect destination for shopping. We are not saying that if you have hired a personal shopper once, you won’t need them again, but with this one-time styling experience, you will get an idea as to which store is best suitable for you in your city.

• You never take a bad buying decision afterward

 

This again is an extended version of the previous point. If you want that edge in your styling, you will need a personal shopper again and again. Now, the good thing is that once you have had this experience, you will at least know the Do’s and the Don’ts while selecting an outfit from now onwards. This will make you take the right decision and hence will prevent you from buying something which is not good for you.

With all the points mentioned here, it is clear that hiring a personal shopper is not a big thing. You can do it whenever you want. Due to these points mentioned here, you will also get to know that how these personal shoppers work and can take a decision related to it.

You are professional busy in your craft to find a new horizon with a genuine sense of appreciation for the craft of other professionals. It is very natural, just like anyone else, to have difficulty in managing time for day-to-day work. And even if there is time, then there is no private space as your celebrity status makes it difficult for you to be in public. The most painful part of the stardom is the lack of sense of freedom of being normal. Thankfully, some personal shoppers make it easy for millions of people to have normal shopping experience without sacrificing the freedom of being normal.

In simple words, a personal shopper impersonates an individual and fulfills his/her shopping requirements with a deep understanding of the specific niche. A qualified personal shopper makes sure that one gets the highest level of customized services. Your personal shopper gives special attention to the specific need of the client and shares expert input regarding products, services, and trends. In other words, your personal shopper is an extension of self while shopping for you with own product-centric inputs and research.

One specific domain where personal shoppers are making a big impact is “fashion stylists”. With vast experience of working in fashion boutiques and handling hundreds of clients, these personal shoppers are well equipped to offer personalized suggestions and shop for you. Interestingly, your celebrity status doesn’t come in public and s/he manages to get the best deal for you. Name any of your needs, and they are there to make it easy for you to find the best product at the best price.

Whether it is your lack of time and expertise or simply you don’t enjoy shopping, a personal shopper or image consultant is there to help get the best for you. Thankfully, the socio-economic growth has expanded the market for a personal shopper and now people from upper-middle-class are also looking for personal shoppers. S/he could be your rescue person if you are in the middle of organizing any event like a wedding, seminar or a job interview.

Benefits of Having a Personal Shopper

Imagine a situation. You are the CEO of a listed company preparing for the annual general meeting and birthday of your kid on the same day. You don’t have time and you simply cannot ignore either of the important events. You are a master of your craft and well equipped to handle the AGM, but you need the input of someone who could help you shop some gifts for your kid. A personal shopper with experience in gifts could be your rescue person. This is what makes you a perfect man. Your personal trainer helps you:

Save Time

In the contemporary world the idiom “time is money” has new meaning and that is centered on value creation. It is the most scarce commodity, especially if you want to maintain a reasonable balance between professional and social life. In such situations, a personal shopper could help you save those precious hours, which you could have wasted in shopping. This becomes more problematic when you buy anything in a stressful situation. Your personal shopper is an expert in his area and known where to get what at a very reasonable price.

See how you can balance your professional and social life in this article from Medium.

Budgetary Balance

If you are under pressure of time, naturally, your decisions will force you to spend more. This becomes worse if you are not enjoying the shopping at all. Your personal shopper will make sure that you get the best quality product within the defined budget. That s/he will likely save you some money because of the strong network in the market. Your personal shopper makes it sure that you buy only those things that are required for a particular purpose.

Style Update

Your personal shopper takes note of your requirements, understands your purpose and accordingly suggests the most suitable style for you. He will help you build a perfect wardrobe for normal day-to-day usage and special occasions. If required you can ask your personal shopper or image consultant to help you improve body language and communication for special occasions.

Niche Input

It is not just the fashion and style; your personal shopper could help you shop anything you need. All you need is to define your requirement, and he will make it sure that you get the best product at the best price. After fashion and accessories, people look for personal shoppers for gifts shopping which is as vast as the ocean. Define your requirement and budget and s/he will come up with several ideas that will help you decide better.

Beyond Shopping

The big part of the overall job is to buy a good product for the client. But is that so easy to do? A personal shopper works in the background with retail associates to get the elusive piece and get an update about the next arrivals. This requires very good communication and relationship management at all levels. Those working as independent, have to spend considerable time researching trends, boost business, hunt clients and meet several people every single day.

Background Work

It is not just getting the requirement and shop. A responsible personal shopper starts with analyzing the current wardrobe composition. This involves trend analysis and creating a shopping list according to current trends. Then the next is to find a suitable store where most of the items could be easily found. If the store permits, s/he takes all the items to home for a trial and accordingly returns which one isn’t required.

Stand For Your

A personal shopper buys products for you and drops himself. Isn’t it redefining the idiom “shop till you drop?” S/he moves from one store to another to get the best product for you at the best price so that you could save your time, energy and money. Your best product comes from a person who walks 5-6 hours every day and in the end, your smile makes all the difference.

Custom Solution

Every client is unique with unique expectations, no matter what is the shape and size. Everyone wants that amazing piece of style statement. A personal shopper makes it sure that the client understands the suitability of a specific fashion and style and shop accordingly. As a fashion style expert, the job is to suggest the best, but the final decision always remains with the client. Your personal shopper makes it sure that you get the best for your body within the defined budget. Your personal shopper will keep every possible aspect like fabric, garment construction, brands, and color match, which even you will ignore while shopping.

Consultation Fee

Your personal shopper acts as your consultant and makes it sure that you get the best product at the best price. Since s/he is a regular visitor to any shop she normally gets the best deal from the retailer. You need to pay your consultant on either an hourly basis or a flat rate or a package. But if you count benefits in terms of saving time, energy and the expertise, the amount looks very minimal.

Saves Money

There is a popular perception that personal shoppers are for wealthy people. Thanks to the changing business dynamics, now people from upper-middle-class are also hiring personal shoppers as they help them save money and time. They help them buy the best quality product that lasts longer and discourage impulsive shopping.

Challenge of Exclusivity

Nobody likes to be in the same dress as someone else on any occasion. Your personal shopper makes it sure that your shopping remains exclusive for at least some period. It takes a genuine effort to ensure that exclusivity.

Experimentation

An experienced personal shopper will make sure that the client gets the best product matching the personality. But, s/he also encourages the client to experiment with clothing so that one could be a trendsetter. That little final push of experimentation comes from the personal shopper.

Trust Factor

Your personal shopper has the requisite experience and exposure of that particular niche, so you always get the best possible advice which won’t otherwise think. In this era of emergencies, it is very hard to get the perfect fit and exclusive dresses. Your personal shopper makes it sure that you get the best for a particular occasion. So, it is all about the trust factor when it comes to shopping.

Privacy and Insecurity

Personal shoppers are normally very close to the client as they try to get into the mind of the client for better product selection and match. They go to the client’s home, analyze wardrobes, watch the dress trials, make adjustments and in the process and get access to several private aspects that are not known to the public. Your personal shopper makes you feel secure in sharing all possible inputs so that s/he could share desired inputs.

Your personal shopper makes you feel great as they find the best product for you that make your personality shine. A little bit of tweaking here and there with the proper blending of fabric and color could make a huge difference in terms of image and appeal. This helps in boosting confidence and self-esteem. There is nothing more rewarding for a personal shopper than a happy client!

Express your personality now with the help of this Bustle article.