Love the gratis, Hate that promotion is almost impossible - Sales Consultant/Cast Member In Color Sephora Employee Review

4.0
Nov 18, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Sephora is a great place for someone who wants to start a career in the beauty industry. You learn so much about different brands and get the best training you can ever have. You become such an expert in all products and beauty trends after working here, which is great in terms of boosting your confidence as an employee. Gratis makes up for LOW hourly wage since you get SOOO MUCH free stuff compared to anyone else in the same industry (retail). Lots of store contests so it keeps work fun and challenging and always rewarding.

Cons

Management is always over-stressed by district managers and regional managers. Because of this, managers have NO TIME whatsoever to give enough feedback to employees. No one will acknowledge how great of a seller you are, just like no one would acknowledge if you just stood by the wall all day and did nothing. You can literally work there for YEARS and never get a raise, never get positive feedback, never get promoted unless they are THAT desperate to fill in someone who just got fired or quit. Managers ive worked with HATED their jobs and I know they would all leave in a heartbeat if they got a better-paying job. The job itself is actually not bad, but it's not well compensated for the stress level and work load. Discounts aren't as good as other stores but gratis makes up for it. The uniform is hideous and has nothing to do with being a person that's promoting "beauty". They don't care how educated you are or if you speak up about wanting to get into corporate level no one will do anything about it or tell you what needs to be done. Just sell sell sell.. and since there's no commission then no one will ever truly know how great or poor of a seller you are.

Explore other reviews about Sephora

5.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Support, Benefits, Growth, Community, & Skillfulness

Cons

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

3.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

fun getting gratis and hosting in-store events, meeting brand ambassadors/managers, socializing with clients

Cons

manager created a weird environment -- coaching moments were sometimes extremely aggressive for a retail environment; strict on not applying makeup to clients unless they purchase a service. once made me move from a disabled client quickly because I was "spending too much time with them" and to further boost the store sales. felt extremely unethical.

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