SEPHORA — Attraction in Roseville

Wednesday was the day I went in to redeem my gift as it was my birthday. I originally went to the Sephora within the Kohl's at the Valley Creek Plaza in Woodbury, MN. They had only 2 options for me to choose from: a set of Amika hair care masks which I would not have been able to use as I have 4C, textured natural hair as an African American woman; the second option was the NARS Laguna bronzer and lip balm set. I would not have been able to use this bronzer as the shade is too light for my skin complexion.

I was told by an associate at the Valley Creek Plaza Sephora that I could try to exchange my gift at a different location for something that may work well for me. This second location I ended up going to is the Sephora in Roseville, MN at the Rosedale shopping center (the location my complaint is associated with).

As soon as I walked into the Roseville store, I was greeted by a hostile sales associate (whom I was not able to get her name at the moment). I let them know I was there to try and exchange my gift and, even before hearing my reason, she stated that the store cannot do that. I then stated that the gifts given to me at the other store would be of no use for someone of my skin complexion. She doubled down on her hostility and kept repeating that, as this was a gift, I could not exchange it. I let her know that this was an issue for me and asked if any other customers had complained about this policy and how it affects them as consumers of color. She admitted that yes, there had been complaints, but Sephora has yet to do anything about this.

She then went on to compare my issue of not being able to wear a bronzer shade that would not show up as a bronzer on my skin tone to a hypothetical scenario related to skin type (oily vs. combination vs. dry). She pointed to a skin care product in the store and stated that if she were given that as her Sephora gift, she would not be able to use it because she has an oily skin type and it would work better for those with combination or dry skin. This was comparing apples to oranges. Skin tone and marketing and availability issues related to race cannot be compared with issues related to skin type (oily, combination, dry) and this was an extremely tone-deaf comment.

I left feeling gaslit, frustrated, and upset, particularly on my birthday. I don't have ill will against the associate as I know the issue is a corporate one, but the way she handled the situation was unacceptable. I believe more DEI training is needed at that location so no other Black or POC customer has to go...

Went into Sephora Rosedale looking for a few products. For one, they never have all I want, I 8 out of 10 times end up having to go elsewhere or online. But when you go somewhere to spend money you expect a certain level of pleasantry. But we stop in because we’re actually on our way to bath n bodywork’s, our planned schedule is changing and decide why not. My daughter, sister, and myself, grabbed a few of what we wanted, that were available, and proceeded in our search. Now the store was crowded, and we don’t always need help looking for what we want, but at NO TIME we’re we stopped and asked are we doing oI’ve worked retail, you are to make all feel welcomed . Even when helping someone else. You simply stop and ask “are you doing ok, is there someone I can send over to help you OR do you need help finding anything, I’m currently helping someone but I can come back once I’m done?” Nothing. I stopped someone myself and asked were they anymore sample of a product I wanted. After a performance of looking in the drawer and stating they can mix a small sample once complete with another customer I proceeded to wait. Thank you no problem. We’re standing there, being passed up, walked by. Yes busy, but again where is our courtesy or recognition? We’re in a spot with products in our hands. No acknowledgement, so I see someone walking by. Not helping anyone not on a mission, your pace told me you weren’t, but was clearly about to walk right by us. I stop her, explain my situation of not available was told one would be doctored up. “Oh I’m sorry due to the pandemic we can’t do that, because they’re sealed blah blah”. During my moment of standing around I saw several ppl use they’re fingers on open products and half the customers aren’t wearing mask. So really? Pandemic? Instead I say well I was told it can be done. She ask who, because she knows differently, but willing to ask. I point her out, she goes to ask her. Then that 1st “helpful” lovely employee tells her nope it wasn’t me that told her. Seriously? You’re the only one with that hairstyle, and have been in the same spot helping the same lady since u walked away from me. Ok. Thank you for...

I went to this place (sephora) because my friend told me that they make a test on your skin to know which color you need and give you suggestions about the brands that you need. I have acne and I was looking prone-acne foundations and blushes. I have deal with this my whole life so is kinda hard, I really wanted to invest in good products but need to be acne friendly. I told this to the the girl who is receiving people at the entrance and she was kind but her tone of voice was very high and pretty much all the store heard I was looking for acne products because thorugh out conversation she mantionated that word couple time, that made me feel a little embarrased. So would be nice if this type of things can be handle in a more professional way.

As well, she told me that are not prone-acne brands in your store but looking information online about prone-acne brands it says that Sephora sale a lot of this products. A prone-acne product does not have to say that is for ACNE neccesarily, if is non-comedogenic pretty much that works. I was looking for organic , skin gentle brands.

She say probably I could ge a primer but I was not looking for that.

I repeat, she was nice and gentle, but definetely a good training is needed.

OTHER THING.

I was looking for perfumes, and I like the fact that I can smell them indepently more when I don't have idea what to buy, I was doing this until a lady arrived to help ( I understand that is for COVID) I collect the papers with sample to bring it at home and see which one smell better at the end of the day, because when I was ther was difficult to choose and guest what? I think I found one from your store, but NOW I don't have idea about which one it was . I consider every paper should have the name of the perfume and be located next to the perfume to make this process easier...