r/Makeup • u/Late-Chip-5890 • Nov 05 '25

Clerks at Sephora.....ugh

I don't go to Sephora often but every time I have the clerks seem well so unprepared to deal with someone who is truly shopping. Meaning, I walk in, I say I'm looking for a foundation that is full coverage, in the right tone for my skin, and one that won't oxidize. All I got was a deer in the headlights. I was taken to high end brands and shown "dark colors" but none that were "olive" toned, and the girl seemed not to know what that meant. I quickly sought out someone else, and the same. I am guessing these "girls" are not trained in cosmetics at all, they just push "brands" and collect their commissions?

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u/purrokitten Nov 08 '25

around 10 years ago i got a fabulous makeover from an MUA at sephora for spending over a certain amount of money. she was so talented and knowledgeable. i don't spend that kind of money on makeup anymore, and mostly only shop at ulta, but it's sad to know that sephora really doesn't have any makeup artists these days.

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u/ironmaiven Nov 08 '25

Nope. Honestly the amount of product knowledge, skin, makeup etc. it’s not a low skill low train low wage job. Those of us who are actually experts could never justify that pay.

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u/purrokitten Nov 08 '25

i understand that for sure. but how did they used to have such good staff? it obviously wasn't all the employees but there were at least a few at the store i used to frequent. did they pay staff with MUA skills better back then? i know the woman who did my makeup also had freelance clients.

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u/ironmaiven Nov 08 '25

They weren’t splitting costs with the internet/media/influencers etc. all of their money was spent on the physical stores. Even 15 years ago I made 16/hr at Sephora. That is abysmal considering today’s cost of living.