SEPHORA — Local services in Seattle

Let me share my tale of woe so no one else has to.

It all started because I wanted to get a new eye shadow. I went to Sephora and found one I loved but I waited to buy it. I came back a week later and was nearly mauled by people asking if I needed help. (Read body cues, people!) I ended up getting some other things too. My purchase was a lot for me - over $250. When I went to check out, the associate did not even look at me. She pushed and pushed, manipulated and pressed me about opening a credit card. I didn’t want it. She didn’t care. The person next to me had just opened a card and I heard the associate announce it into the walkie. Everyone was elated. I didn’t want the card though. So my cashier treated me quite differently. I couldn’t use my points (I had over 3000). I didn’t get any free samples. I wasn’t thanked. I was treated so poorly that I filled out the survey and asked to speak to someone if possible about my experience.

Well, the GM rang me the very next day. Credit to her. However, the call was rather lack luster. “Yes, all cashiers have to push our credit card.” “Sure, we’ll follow up.” “If you ever come back maybe we can throw you some samples.” It made me feel dirty, grimy. I felt even worse. Like I was yet another check box.

I went back on June 27th. I returned what I had purchased. At 10:39 am according to my receipt. The gentleman who assisted me asked if I had used the products. I said I hadn’t (I had just purchased them the day prior.) he said ok and then proceeded to do the most rigorous Inspection I had ever seen. Airport security is no match for him. All the while he was telling me it was new policy. The woman next to me also had a return. She was asked, “was the product not up to standards?” Hear the difference???? The woman said she just changed her mind. The cashier said, “no problem!” Without a second thought she completed the return and offered the client some samples. All the while my cashier was still inspecting my return. My items were still wrapped in plastic in unopened boxes from one day prior but I clearly did not measure up to what he thought his customer should look like. Some bias???? It was humiliating and I left feeling like the lowest life form on earth.

I made myself a promise there and then to never. Ever. Set foot In the store again. I tried to contact Sephora directly to share my experience but wasn’t able to do so. Well, I guess...

I am writing this review to express my deep disappointment and concern regarding a recent experience I had at Sephora. As a loyal customer who has supported this brand for years, I never expected to be treated with such disrespect and suspicion during what should have been a routine visit.

On 4/26/25, my sister and I visited this location with the intention of shopping for skincare and makeup products. From the moment we entered, I noticed we were being watched more closely than other customers. Staff members followed us throughout the store under the pretense of being available to "assist," yet their demeanor and behavior made it very clear that we were being monitored rather than helped. Our theory is that they share information via their ear pieces and single out to each other which customers to target.

What made this experience especially disheartening was that other customers were allowed to shop freely without being shadowed. It became evident to me that we were being profiled based on race, appearance, and perhaps because I was carrying a midsize handbag which is not only unacceptable but also deeply offensive.

We left the store feeling humiliated, unwelcome, and extremely uncomfortable. No customer should ever be made to feel this way—especially in a space that markets itself as inclusive and empowering. We discussed our experience once outside of the store and I decided to head back in and return all the merchandise I purchased. The staff member who assisted me with the return was especially unprofessional and rude. The interaction further confirmed it all.

I sincerely hope Sephora takes this feedback seriously and provides proper training to its staff to prevent racial profiling and biased behavior in the future. It’s not enough to claim inclusivity; it must be practiced consistently at...

I had a very negative experience at this sephora and would like to express my discontent. I’ve shopped at sephora enough times to know that employees frequently ask you if you need help, but today was the worst experience i’ve had shopping at a sephora, and that’s saying a lot. i understand that associates are trained to be proactive and sociable, but there comes a point when the line between courtesy and harassment starts to blur.

in the 10-15 minutes that i spent shopping in the store, i was approached by employees with the exact same question at least seven times, although it could’ve been more because i lost count. even when explaining that i was not looking for anything in particular and was just shopping around, the same few associates approached me again and again.

i felt like i was constantly being monitored and watched like a hawk which made the shopping experience extremely comfortable. i can only assume that they thought i was shoplifting, because there is really no other reason for pestering the same person repeatedly despite them making it clear that they did not need help.

my friend, who was also in the store, did not have the same experience which leads me to believe that i was being singled out. was it because i look young? or because i was carrying my tote? neither excuses the associates’ invasive and discriminative behavior.

i strongly encourage sephora to train their employees to interact appropriately with customers, because as it stands, shopping at this location is very aggravating. relentlessly badgering a customer who just wants to shop around in peace is not helpful—it is an interrogation. anyways i guess i’ve learned my lesson and will stick to shopping from ulta...