11 secrets Sephora employees don't tell you (2024)

• Sephora isone of the world's most popular beauty retailers.
• INSIDER askeda Sephora employee to reveal store perks and hacks that most customers don't know about.
• Customerswho spend over $50 can scorefree makeovers,maximize their Beauty Insider points by shopping at select times, and requestfree samples of almost anything they want.

With so many products to choose from, Sephora isthe ultimate place to buy makeup.

The INSIDER Summary:

And while the store'semployees will happilyrecommend their favorite products, they're less likely to tell you how to maximize your Beauty Insider points or even score free makeup.

INSIDER spoke with a Sephoraemployee to find out the secrets that staff membersrarely share with customers.

Here's what we learned.

You can return a product after you've used it.

There are two ways to make a return: you can either return an item with your receipt, or the transaction can be searched via yourBeauty Insider account.

"The cash wrap coordinator and store leadership check to make sure first that a lot of the product has not been used," the employee, who preferredto remain anonymous, told INSIDER.

So, whileyou can return an itemafter you've opened it, itwon't be accepted if a considerable amount has been used.

You can ask for a free 45-minute makeover.

Spend more than $50 on a product, or buy products usinga gift card valued at $50 or more, and you can get a 45-minute custom makeover for free.This information is on Sephora's website, but most people don't even notice it.

There's just one catch: you have to get the makeover at the time you make your purchase or redeem thegift card.

Also, note that makeoversare only offered at stand-alone Sephora stores in the US and Canada— and not at Sephorainside JCPenney stores.

The staff member helping you is an actual expert.

Sephora employees undergo rigorous training — which includeslearning various application techniques and beauty hacks — throughout their careers.

"I have learned so much over these last few months from working at a stand-alone store," the employeesaid.

"One of the things I love most about working for Sephora is the training," she said. "You are trained when you are first hired, of course, then the rest of the training comes over time."

They get to try products before anyone else.

For new launches, Sephora employees are given products early so that they can test them andoffer helpful suggestions to customers.

"When a vendor from a brand comes into Sephora to train you on a product, they will then leave you the product," shesaid.

You can get a sample of practically anything.

You don't have to make a purchase to receive a free sample.Justask any Sephora employee for a sample, and theyshould assist you.

Of course, thereare a few rules that apply to the quantity andtype ofsamples that you can get for free.

"We typically give up to three samples to clients in each ‘world,'" the employee said. All of the makeup Sephora sells is housed in the "color world," which includesface, cheek, eye and lip products. ("World" is just a pretty way of saying "department"at Sephora.)

If a productcomes in a tube or even has a pump, it's fair game to be sampled.

Loose or pressed powders like eyeshadow are"sometimes" given as samples, she said, but not always.

Mascara and eyeliner samples are off limits, but you can always try them with the store's disposable applicators — or you can get them for "free" with your Beauty Insider points at the counter.

There's a section in every store where you can find the best new products.

There's a "Hot Now"section in every Sephora store that showcasesthe "most buzzed about products in beauty," according to Sephora's website.

Each month the display is swapped out to reflect a new theme.

In March, "all of the hot-sellers were products that would give you the perfect highlight and healthy glow from within," the employeesaid.

April's focus was skin care and featured Drunk Elephant'sT.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial,Sunday Riley's Sunday School Skincare Set, and FARSÁLI'sUnicorn Essenceserum.

The free gifts at the checkout counter constantly change.

"Beauty Insider gifts are another way of letting the clients try smaller sizes of products before they make a commitment to the full sizes," the employeesaid.

Because gifts are switched out often, she would advisecustomers to"spendtheir points on products that they are most interested in.I personally prefer to save my Beauty Insider points until I see a product that I really want to try."

They get tons of free makeup.

Sephora employees regularly receivefree products, but what they get can vary.

"Sometimes it is determined by the 'world' you work in," the staff membersaid. "If you work in the 'color world,' you typically get more color or makeup."

"The point isn't just to get free products; it is so you, the expert, can give honest feedback to a client when they ask your opinion on a product," she said. "It is also beneficial because it allows us cast members the opportunity to try out products firstbefore we decide to spend our money on it."

The employee discount is insane.

The employee discount varies depending on whether they work at a Sephora inside JCPenney store or a stand-alone location.

"The JCP Sephora discount is 30%," the staff member said. The discount applies to Sephora Collection products only.

As for employees at stand-alone stores, "we receive 40% off Sephora Collection, including brushes, and 20% off all other brands. Once a year, we get an extra 10% off all the other brands. We are also allowed to give our family and friends our discount, but only once a year."

But they don't necessarily wear the makeup that they're selling.

Sephora employees aren'tactually required to wear makeup that's sold in the store,but it is recommended.

"They prefer us to wear makeup that is in the store that way when a client asks us what we are wearing we can direct them to the product," the employee said. "I get asked what lip I’m wearing at least 10 times each shift, so it is more helpful for the client to have the opportunity to purchase the item right then."

There's a trick to maximizing your Beauty Insider points.

"Other than spending money in the store, take advantage of the double and triple-point days," shesaid. "On these special promo days, the client will earn double or triple the points with their purchase."

Monitoryour email andcheck Sephora online to make sure you don't miss any important point alerts.

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