harrowing experience - Color Consultant Sephora Employee Review

2.0
Aug 31, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-I liked being able to help clients with make-up, but it was frustrating that I couldn't fully help them without leaving my "zone" (see "Cons" below). -The company is working on improving their benefits. -The pay wasn't bad, but it wasn't as high as their main competitor.

Cons

-I was continually denied access to the bathroom and drinking water during my shift. If you want to drink water and/or use the bathroom, you have to do that on your break, which is difficult when you only get one break during a nine hour shift. -It is difficult to concentrate on helping clients when you have to hear your coworkers/management loudly talking about unrelated topics, such as celebrities, etc., on the headset. At times, I would arrive home with my eardrum aching because of how most of the coworkers would squeal/exclaim excitedly on the headset. -I felt like I was constantly being interviewed by other coworkers. Every hour, I would be asked at least once, "Do you like working here? Do you like it better than how it was at [other cosmetic company]?" My coworkers and upper management are intrusively curious to the point of making me feel uncomfortable. I felt like it was extremely unprofessional to be asking me questions like this while I'm helping clients. -If a client wants you to help them with Nars, but you are zoned near Anastasia Beverly Hills/Urban Decay, you have to tell them that you are "unable to leave your zone but someone will help you over there," which I think is incredibly unprofessional. My clients chose me for a reason, which is my excellent artistry/customer service skills. My clients would get angry at management for not letting me help them. -The training largely focuses on client service skills, which I already possess from working in retail for ten years. I was disappointed that it was extremely lacking concerning artistry skills. -Most of the managers have never worked in cosmetic sales before, and as a result, their artistry and client service skills are extremely lacking.

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5.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Support, Benefits, Growth, Community, & Skillfulness

Cons

Pay, Customers, Hours, Uniforms, & Management at times

5.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Friendly, knowledgeable, supportive coworkers. Management is generally pretty good. You get to work with all the fun products and learn directly from brand reps. And the customers are there to learn about the products - and you get to talk to them about the best products. If you're excited about Sephora, go apply!

Cons

Hours vary based on the time of the year.

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