Sephora

I like this location. They have very polite associates here whenever I pop by to purchase or browse something so its pleasant for me.
I always go here because Square one or Eaton Centre has the craziest mob almost filing up each aisle and I just cannot deal with it honestly… plus there is a better chance they would have stock here than the other locations on a «hot» item for sure. at least in my experience since I always find what I want when the other stores don’t have it.

Very BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE
I must let you know, how bad my service was. I come from New Jersey to Toronto for Radiation treatment. While in Toronto I tried to take back my Sephora purchase of two perfumes never used except once, and both of them made me break out in hives.
Stood in a huge line up to return them on Friday Jan 22, at Square One store to find out they
have changed a policy no returns or exchanges without bill. I was dumbfounded as Sephora always was so pleasant to return anything that gave you a rash, or you just didn’t like it.
First of all never heard of a policy change, and secondly could you just make one exception as it takes a lot out of me to even get out these days for errands. Nobody has any Empathy left in this world, and not customer service anymore.
Belinda Lawlor

I received a makeover from Kelly at the Bloor street location. ABSOLUTELY LOVELY and AMAZING.
I was in a panic, because I had my engagement photo-​shoot the same Sunday, and because I was late for my appointment at MAC, they did not take me.
I decided to try Sephorah, as it was right down the street on Bloor. When I told the staff about my situation, they were SO understanding! Kelly immediately came to my rescue. She knew that my photo-​shoot was happening in an hour, and she did an absolutely amazing job on my makeup as quickly as possible. She also was so calming and sweet! I just felt at home.
Kelly truly saved the day. I left the store on time and feeling beautiful.

I love makeup. Therefore I love Sephora. Simple equation. Funny enough I buy makeup but rarely wear it on a day to day basis. Maybe some light foundation more recently just to even out my skin tone and some blush to give this flat one dimensional face some colour, but other than that not too much. Maybe some lipgloss. Although looking at my makeup drawer you would be shocked at how much stuff there is. I just love new products and always buy stuff… so it looks pretty in my drawer I guess… lol
I love Sephora b/​c there are a variety of known brands and maybe some lesser known brands here. Everything from hair care (although this section seems to be shrinking in the last few years) to skin care to makeup to perfumes that you might not be able to find elsewhere.
They have testers for EVERYTHING which I love and they give you samples of their products which is so important for me b/​c I need to test out things like foundation and skin creams to see how they react with my face. Nothing worse than buying a foundation that you think matches your skin tone and then 2 hrs later it oxidizes. This saves me a ton of money and a lot of embarrassing moments. I also go here before going on vacation to get samples of my faves to take with me.
This location while in the heart of downtown could be better — I think the selection could be better (while most Sephora stores carry the same items there is some variance — to get the full selection the Eaton store is great but I think this store should also be on par). The Eaton store recently did a renovation and it looks fabulous so I think this store should follow suit.
I like how you can easily spot a staff member to hep you find what you need or give you guidance. If you need more guidance come early when it’s not busy so they can spend more time with you. They can also apply the makeup to you so you can see how it looks. You can also book a makeup session with them (I’ve had 2 free ones b/​c if you are a VIB — Very Important Beauty Insider) you get one free session. Their is a point system and you can redeem your points for items — small sample items for 100 points, 250 points and sometimes 500 points for a larger gift. Nice!
I also like how at the front where you stand in in line to pay they get you with smaller sizes of popular items. Great way to try something new or pick up something for your travels.

I am giving this location 2 stars. It has nothing to do with the variety of collection, or the staff, or any of the usual aspects others have reviewed upon. Rather, it has to do with a specific experience today, especially compared to the Eaton Centre location.
I know Sephora offers an amazing return policy. And I had never been to this location, despite having wanted to since they opened. I thought why not take in a product I need to return and check this store out at the same time.
Well maybe, one shouldn’t take in their returns here as this store requires you to have ID for a return without a receipt and will do exchange only for said return, and this is without having looked up when the purchase was made byway of your Beauty Insider card.
I had an eye palette which I purchased several months ago, had only used a couple times and would not be using upon realizing that I was having a reaction to the ingredients in the product. Fully aware that purchases could be looked up using my VIB card, having done a similar return previously at the Eaton Centre store where my receipt was found on my card (where I was fully refunded and I did not need ID), I went into this store expecting a similar transaction. While the sales associate was nice, she said that I would need ID, and that I would only get to exchange the item.
I may be wrong and ID might be required. Still, for one store to tell me without even looking up my purchase that I would only get to exchange (for a price that was less than what the product was worth) and another to give me a full refund, because it was still possible to do that? Yea, this store deserves 2 stars. I would give it 1 for this experience, but I actually love Sephora. I will definitely not be spending my money at this location. I went over to the Eaton Centre location after this and got my full refund, without showing ID and without being hassled.

Been here three times and each time I have waited at least 30 minutes without any assistance. Staff was chatting with each other instead of responding to requests (even pleas!) for help. I’ll stick with MAC down the block.

helpful and friendly staffs. great exchange/​refund policy! love this location because not as crowd as eaton center! love love love– (i am a vib rouge) :)

I enjoy shopping at this location, even though I rarely shop for make-​up. I love the location, its energy, and the store is well organized with helpful staff.
I chose to go to this location a while back when I wanted advice on how to contour and illuminate. I explained what I saw on an internet photo, and asked one of the sales reps to demonstrate the process to me. It went well, but could have been improved. At that point, I didn’t know anything about contouring and highlighting, and she used dark and light cream foundations from Cover FX (no longer available from Sephora) to demonstrate the process. The tutorial was decent, and I was able to duplicate the process at home. However, I was not explained that the illuminating could be accomplished with a highlighter, as opposed to a light cream foundation. I realized later that I was more interested in purchasing a highlighter versus a light foundation. I only used the Cover FX for lightening a couple of times before using the Watts Up highlighter from Benefit. Bonus that I got it for free as a bday gift from Sephora; I kept it without using it for a while, and am happy that I am able to now get use out of it. The effect is much better. The girl helping me was not rude, but she wasn’t overly enthusiastic or interested in teaching me. I had to ask her what she was doing while she was doing it, because it wasn’t always clear why she was applying make-​up a certain way. She could have been having a bad day, but I think it is important to explain something properly to someone when they know nothing about it. I ended up paying for something I didn’t even want. I also had to remind her to show me a cream foundation that I would need. I was told that cream foundation was necessary for contouring. However, recently I have seen it accomplished with powdered foundation. Speaking to a make-​up artist should be the most efficient way of obtaining information, since it’s hard to educate yourself thoroughly on a process that can be accomplished in so many different ways.
I also want to point out that purchasing the Beauty Blender, essentially a small sponge (to blend in cream foundation), for $ 30 is such a rip off, it’s ludicrous. I understand it is a make-​up item, but there is nothing expensive about it — it’s not even make-​up! You can purchase the Quo version for $ 5 at Shoppers Drug Mart. There is also a special shampoo that is recommended along with the Beauty Blender, but that item is also unnecessarily expensive, as all you need is a baby shampoo that can also be purchased at Shoppers. If you are looking into purchasing a product that you can get elsewhere, it may be cheaper, especially if that store sometimes offers sales, unlike Sephora. Going to Sephora is fun, it’s like a candy store for make-​up lovers. There is a benefit in being exposed to so much make-​up in one place to get new ideas, and be introduced to something you may have never seen before. I would also recommend educating yourself in advance to ask the right questions, and help you purchase what is right for you.

The staff at this store have been amazing! My first time at this store was after I traumatically lost my makeup bag that had all my foundation & concealer in it. I was there for about 20 minutes to a half an hour while one of the staff helped me find a new perfect shade & applied it for me. We looked at the finish in different lighting & tried different products. Unfortunately, I got home & it was smashed, but when I brought it back, I got it exchanged & received some samples no questions asked. When I went again after dropping it & smashing it (this time my fault) I was able to exchange it even without the receipt & received other products at no extra charge! Everyone I’ve encountered there is so friendly & helpful without being pushy! Great staff at this location!

So sick of going in here and only being helped by boys.
They all spout some lines about how great a mascara/​lipstick/​cover up is but dont really know. Even the ones in full make-​up (mismatched foundation and all!) doesnt know what girls’ need are… and hasn’t experienced what we go through with skin, pms, hormones etc.
I want to talk make-​up with girls… not have a guy that half cares about women telling me how great I look, or that maybe I should get botox.
Terrible sales technique.
Sorry Sephora– nothing against hiring the boys-​they are great and helpful –but all I ever hear is «my friend really likes this one»…they cant really relate and are just pushing products.

They don’t know how to answer the phone! 6^th time calling

Perhaps somewhat silly to review a chain store on Unilocal,but I want to compliment the staff at this particular Sephora location after many good interactions. Clearly well-​trained in both product and customer service, they steer me to an appropriate product rather than the most expensive option. They provide samples on request with a good attitude, and integrate personal experience into their suggestions rather than just parroting marketing copy.

Coveted five star status for a beauty chain? As a former American beauty queen once said: You betcha!*
I have a real knack for running out of everything at the same time and then busting it to Sephora and spending way too much money. This morning was one such day. I decided to mix my fancy-​fix** with some exercise and walked 6 KM there and back. I got there right at 10am when they opened, so it wasn’t too full and the annoying music wasn’t blaring yet. I will remember this for future visits… I had this sleek Yorkville location all to myself!
These folks definitely work on commission, but their skincare training seems to match their eagerness, so I’m not bothered. $ 168 later I have my face wash, moisturizer, primer, make up as well as a free gift (I love their point system!) and a few samples.
Today was a pricy day, but my skin deserves it and this stuff lasts a lot longer than drugstore crap. Clinique, NARS, Clarins and Benefit for life for this super-​pale lady.
*Her other best quote was: I can see Russia from my house.
**

I really like that the sales people will help you if you need it, but don’t follow you around trying to sell things at you! I usually only buy only drugstore products and was nervous going into Sephora which is more high-​end than I usually shop, so I didn’t want to feel pressured to buy things I didn’t want or couldn’t afford. I just got the eyeliner that I went there for and got out. The store is well laid out to allow you to find things on your own or just amuse yourself by browsing. Plus all the salespeople had amazing makeup, which is I guess what you want in a makeup store!

You know you had a great experience in a store when you leave with a grin on your face and a pep in your step. That was the case when I left the Bloor Sephora a couple weeks ago.
I had gone in to test some lipstick ideas and found some great colours under MakeUp Forever. However, one of the colours I wanted was out of stock. Salesperson to the rescue! It’s like they knew that I needed them at that exact moment… that and the store never gets too packed when I go so they’re always happy to help. They offered to call Eaton Centre and when they didn’t pick up (which I figured would happen), apologized profusely and offered to help me find a similar shade with a different brand. I didn’t find exactly what I was looking for, but in true female form, I found other stuff I wanted :)
Head to the cash and there’s a line up; not too bad but at least a 5 min wait. One of the salespeople apologized regularly to all of us for the wait and then handed out a full sample of mascara for «our trouble». If only I could have that kind of trouble in other stores!
When I got to the cash, the salesperson was helpful in giving me a great moisturizer that could double as a primer… AND he also gave me tons of samples for a new powder foundation. Granted, they were all the darkest shade and he mentioned that not many people come in that can wear it but I don’t look a gift makeup salesperson in the mouth!
All in all, I walked out with some great samples, some products that I will definitely buy next time I’m there and a grin that this may be the only Sephora store I shop at in the city.

Being in the neighbourhood last weekend, I went to this location to buy some makeup.
The good:
* Not busy
* Excellent service
The disappointment:
* Many of the Sephora brand lipticks were not replenished. I was purchasing lipsticks and many of the colours I was interested in were not stocked. I can not say if they were out of stock because no one had bothered to replenish the product in the shelf.
Because this is a make-​up supermarket, I can easily buy another brand. But it is a setback, and I hope Sephora takes better care of ensuring their shelves are stocked, instead of having the make-​up associates aimlessly wandering around.

I am not a make up person. I wear foundation maybe once a month and mascara on special occasions. I also don’t really understand the difference between concealer, foundation and setting powder. However, when I decide to do something, I do it right. And the once a month when I put make up on my face, I want to look hot and I want the make up to be all natural and ethical.
So that’s how I ended up here. I heard that they carry urban decay vegan cosmetics. Being the noob that I am, I asked the sales assistant if she could help me find the urban decay vegan cosmetics… She promptly informed me that she wasn’t entirely sure what the term «vegan» meant and that she had been working at the store for a while and had been a make up artist for quiet a few years and I must be strange because I was the first one to ask her about vegan make up. I was kind of shell shocked because I had understood that Sephora was THE place for make up and assumed that if anyone would know about alternative make up it would be them.
Eventually, a manager was contacted and he pulled out a huge sheet of all the vegan products they carry. Impressive list too! I eventually ended up purchasing an hourglass foundation, a blush, concealer, three brushes and brush shampoo. My make up artist looked like Kim Kardashian while I looked like a clueless homeless person. Still, she was really kind and helpful. The whole bunch ran me about $ 300 which can seem steep but really, the next time I buy make up will be in 2 years and I feel good about what I bought.
Also, I do look hot today. Not like Kim Kardashian but my make up artist did best she could with what she had to work with.

This is the best Sephora location in Toronto for sure. Never overcrowded, good store layout, plenty of staff to help you. No one giving me the evil eye while I sample a million products yet fail to ever purchase anything.
I finally did buy a ridiculously overpriced eyeshadow the other day, which I am so far enjoying.
Overall great shop but I just can’t wrap my head around why women would willingly spend so much money on cosmetics!

I remembered when I only DREAMED that Sephora was in Toronto. They have EVERYTHING. But that doesn’t mean they get a 5 star from me.
PROS:
–great selection of all cosmetic products
–they carry basically every beauty line there is, so if you want it they’ve got it
–Good location, right by Museum subway
CONS:
–their staff are not that knowledgeable. I don’t mean to sound like a witch, but sometimes their selections are totally off — especially when it comes to makeup like concealer and foundation and powder. Their advice in the other areas are great, like mascara and eye shadow and blush. But when it comes to skin makeup, pick it out yourself. I’ve taken back tinted moisturizer that made me look like a ghost and have powder that makes me ompa loompa all over the place.
–they’re frequently out of certain shades/​colours like no other store. Again, in the skin make up department. Sometimes I’ve settled for a colour near what I want and in the end I am sorry.
Overall, if I can shop at the Bay I will. It is a more peaceful cosmetic experience AND they have MAC along with most of the brands at Sephora. And eventually you get more bang for your buck with points instead of little samples. I stick with Sephora for Philosophy products and others that are Sephora only, but if I can get it elsewhere I will.

Let me start out by saying that Sephora is every girl’s dreamland… well those that care to look good anyways.
The sephora on bloor street is really the BEST in Toronto. It is an independent store, not in a crowded mall, and you always feel zen in there. It’s never too crowded and the staff are super helpful. They always give you samples when you ask and won’t bother you.
Yes, sephora has good brands and it is not cheap, but would you cheap out on your face?