Sephora

This review is for the BENEFIT BROW BAR
I’ve been seeing Queenie for the better part of 2015. I was in the store just making a regular purchase when she approached me and asked if I’d consider having my brows shaped. I was hesitant at first, but she reassured me that she’d map out my brows and show me what would stay and what would go.
Fast forward to 8 months later, and I receive the service of brow tinting and waxing every 6 weeks. Although I only see Queenie, I would fully trust all the staff that work there. Every time the highest level of service is provided. Everything is explained before it happens.
My brows have never looked better, and I always get compliments. A few points to note. They specialize in brows! They are not allowed to accept tips. If you want to rebook you can either drop in, or call ahead (this is what I do).

I frequent Sephora quite often. This was my first time at the downtown location, which is probably the busiest one. As much as I love that there is such a wide variety of brands and items, I am very disappointed in their new return policy. I was surprised to hear that they no longer accept returns without receipts because they are known for their flexible return policy. Disappointed. I also don’t understand why their online with receipt policy is limited to 30 days (store credit only) while an in store receipt policy is 365 days. If you have a receipt, what is the difference between an on-​line versus in store purchase? It makes no sense to me.

This review is strictly for the Benefit Brow Bar.
Normally, I get my eyebrows done for $ 10 at the back of a nail salon, where no small chitchat is made and I’m in and out within a few minutes. Sometimes you have to treat yourself though.
At $ 24 (without tint), this isn’t a cheap service but it’s a brow bar. This is their specialty.
I walked in around lunch time and made an appointment to come back after work.
When I came back, Jennifer greeted me and remembered me from earlier. She was friendly and down to earth. She explained what she was doing and spoke to me like a person, not just a customer. Although she told me about the different products she was using on my eyebrows, she wasn’t pushy and I didn’t feel like I had to buy any of them. The whole experience took just over 20 minutes.
At the end, my eyebrows looked a thousand times better than they do after any back room at some nail salon.
The only thing to note: they’re not allowed to take tips.
I went to the Sephora cash to pay and asked for change for a tip. Apparently the cashiers aren’t aware that the Benefit Brow girls can’t accept tips, as the cashier gave me change but didn’t tell me anything (I had paid by credit card and asked for change. The cashier had to call a manager to open the till to give me change). When I went to the brow bar to give Jennifer tip money, another girl that worked there (Jennifer wasn’t there) informed me they weren’t allowed to take tips.
All in all, great experience. I’ll be back.

This is my go-​to Sephora for all my beauty products! Though it always seems to be crazy busy the workers are always nice and helpful!

My favorite make place ever! Service and selection of make ups are awesome! Been here most of the time. Everywhere I go, even when I’m at the states this is the first place I’m looking for.

I got my eyebrows done at the benefit brow bar. I was having a bad day and I was being a total bitch.
Queenie did my brows. She did an absolutely amazing job, talked me through everything and calmly explained what was the treatment for my brows, even with me being a little dramatic (understatement).
I highly recommend Benefit Brow Bar, and more importantly, Queenie. She’s very thorough and listens well to what you want.

I don’t wear makeup. The visit was forced upon me by my girlfriend. This place is overwhelming with products everywhere from a lot of brands all in one location. God help me. Where’s the exit?
My girlfriend had a makeup tutorial booked. We arrived on time and several people asked if we could be helped. Her makeup artist, Paige, showed up. I was expecting this to be the most awkward, prissy hour of my life and wish I could have found a chair in the mall and dozed off… but that didn’t happen. Oh well.
Paige was amazing. She asked my partner what she was looking for and went and got an array of products and put it on her. Taught her how to apply things and in what order etc. It was very friendly, low key, funny and educational — completely not what I expected. My girlfriend said she’d totally go back and I can see why. So if you ever need to learn how to do it, book an appointment (you have to pay) and let an expert teach you! Paige was fantastic and I’m sure others are too. Don’t be intimidated by the looks because it really seems like they’re genuinely happy to help out.

I went to this store because I noticed that they have their own brand of organic cotton pads so I went there on my lunch. When I got there, I wondered around looking for someone that could help me. No one came up and asked if I needed help. I decided to ask one of the sales reps that was stocking shelves. She told me that they only had one brand of cotton pads. I walked over to their wall mounted PC and searched up the specific product I was looking for and knew that they had it somewhere. After looking around for a bit I finally found what I was looking for. No thanks to the people working there.

I tried out the Benefit Brow Bar at Sephora today for the first time, I booked for a brow wax and Vicky did my brows, she did a great job, she explained everything she was doing and why, and told me which products she was using. I had never thought I needed to get my brows tinted being I have dark brown hair, but I have noticed lately I am having to fill them in more, Vicky suggested that I get them tinted, and she was right! they are so much better! I definitely recommend the Benefit Brow Bar!

This review is solely for the Benefit Brow bar. Yesterday I had my eyebrows waxed and I absolutely hate them. I told the girl I like the shape and just wanted them cleaned up but she went to town. She did draw them in and asked if I liked them and it did look ok but once she waxed them and plucked more out I look like I’m right back in the 90’s again, one eyebrow look no one wants to ever recreated! I do not recommend this place at all!!! I’m so upset eyebrows shape your whole face and mine look nasty :(

Had such a fabulous experience! Ashley is amazing and so helpful! I found the perfect foundation and concealer that matches my skin perfectly and is a hero to my skin type! I cannot wait till my next purchase!!!

The staff are unknowledgeable but I do like how samples are given out instead of me purchasing a $ 50 tiny tube that doesn’t work at all!(yes it has sadly happened!)

Let me start off with proclaiming my love for Sephora. I love it! I love the selection, I love the freebies, I love the samples and the fact that you can ask for samples to try at home before you buy on another visit!
That being said, my experiences with this particular Sephora have mostly been good — I average about one visit per month and have been helped with foundation (Sephoras color IQ system is brilliant), moisturizer, eye shadows, brow makeup, eye liners, makeup brushes, gift shopping, as well returns. I have had helpful MUAs, happy MUAs, sluggish MUAs, and MUAs that didn’t like their jobs… overall experiences have been good and the lineups do not get too horrendous or overwhelming.
I find this store better than the Metropolis store in that the selection is slightly better and the staff have more of a sense of urgency, and the location is better since I live in north Burnaby. The one time that I had a negative experience was with a return where the product made my skin break out — the clerk turned up her nose, inspected the box, container, and contents, and took her sweet time processing the return. Hey lady, I do not make the return policy up for your company, but I do shop there because the brand stands behind its merchandise. Please contact your headquarters if you feel the return policy needs to be adjusted, I merely shop too much and know what I want!
Ahem. Anyways, overall my favourite Sephora for location, variety, and service. Will definitely return in the future.

Usually when I come to Sephora, I don’t ask for help as I don’t wear too much makeup. I’ve always found the experiences here alright as I just get what I need. However, this time I did want a more help as I want to switch from gel liner to liquid eyeliner.
I knew I wanted to try Kat Von D’s line. I was hesitating between the Tattoo and the Ink lines. Decided on the Tattoo liner as it’s more precise, which is what I need. It’s nice knowing that a staff had experienced with both (she was wearing the Ink line).
Also got some recommendations for products for frizz control from Masako. She was lively and helpful.
Was in and out pretty quickly — no complaints here.

Firstly, what is up with half the staff wearing caked on theater make-​up? Seriously. Is there even a face underneath that? Unless you’re in a magazine photo shoot it’s such a turn off to see so much caked on make up on someone, especially the foundation. Okay now that I got that out of my system we can move on to the important task at hand, make up.
I love my make-​up especially my bold colors. It’s hard for me to find certain colors, however, I finally, 5 years later found an alternative to mac for baby blue and bubble gum pink cream make-​up. It’s the OCC line (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics). The make up is called Lip Tar.
The lady helping me, although very sales orientated and less warmth, was extremely helpful and managed to suggest other selections to ensure that there was no melting and to water proof my make up.
Prices per tube were very reasonable at $ 22 each.
This line is gluten free. They have a lot of other gluten free make-​up selections.

This is a great Sephora! A sales girl went out of her way to get me a sample of GlamGlow and I really appreciated that.

Sephora rock my world!
I am addict to the brand BENEFIT.
They ALWAYS have in stock my famous ”SUGAR BOMB” powder.
Also they have an amazing selection of Perfume and Eau de toilette.
The only things is this location is REALLY busy and crowded like all the time.
But I really appreciate the fact that the staff is available but not all over the place.
Well located.Downtown.Convenient opening hours.

This! This here! This is my Sephora of choice in the Lower Mainland!
Need something that’s not on the shelf? They will grab it for you, post-​haste! Need some help picking a colour or a formula? Lots of educated staff are closeby to assist.
They recently renovated and the store looks so pretty, clean and well-​equipped, including 5 or 6 POS terminals.
Returns are quick and painless.

Look, if you’re a downtown baby then this is your jam.
By far it is NOT my favorite Sephora. But after the last experience, I just HAD to write a review for my default home location.
1^st, the bad — ALWAYS too busy, too crowded, isles WAY tooo close together as if they took 2 locations and pushed them into one! Grrr!
Also the staff never seems to really be paying attention 2 me which is not surprising since it seems to always be bursting-​to-​full of girls.
Now, the good just becuase the staff IS knowledgeable, honest (I asked about vegan and was was told «um no we dont have that», even told a line wasn’t that I had thought was!
So they get points in the retail sector for not lying),
Well done up (I ALWAYS get make up ideas & inspiration by just looking as the girls working), & NICE.
This last time, I needed a lot of stuff and am kinda poor right now, I looked at what I wanted (REN) but the sets didn’t have what I needed. Ended up settling on NUDE toner (was about $ 30), had over 100 points so when I got up to cash I asked the cashier if they had any moisturizer and was given a great new Lancome product that I’m sure will last 2 weeks at least.
Also, did you know if you dont have your point card on you, they can look your account up by email? Super!
I’ll continue to use this store

Ok, I changed my mind about this place after only a week.
Sephora gives great birthday gifts! I got a Benefit mascara and highlighter with my purchase. The fact that they do this, though they don’t really need to, is a major plus in my books. You do have to sign up for their points card, but it is an easy process and totally worth it.
Even Starbucks makes you register your card to give you ONE free birthday drink!
Sephora gives you free birthday gifts ALL. MONTH. LONG. If you make a purchase, you get a birthday gift, it’s just that simple. I think I’ll take advantage of this one more time before my birthday month is over.
The service was much better this time around too and the cashiers were quick.
Also, this is the first time ever that I noticed The Nail Bar. Is this not the best thing ever? So many pretty nail polish colours. I can’t wait to try them all out this summer. :)