Beauty Insider Updates + Beta FAQs

[SephoraBIC]

UPDATE 1/25/2020: Thank you for sharing your feedback. The functionality has been fixed to opt into the Beta. Please continue to share your feedback with your experience by commenting below or by emailing beautyinsidercash@sephora.com.

UPDATE 1/24/2020: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We also know that the functionality isn't working for everyone. Due to the overwhelming response, we’re actively working to get the site back up and we recommend checking back Saturday, 1/25, in the afternoon.

How will the Beauty Insider program be evolving? What can we expect to see?

We will continue to evolve the Beauty Insider program throughout 2020 to bring members more access to savings, more sampling choices than ever and new, unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Stay tuned for more updates in the months ahead!

What will be included in the new savings offering?

We will continue to offer all Beauty Insiders premier access to more opportunities for savings. Members will be able to take advantage of new types of savings events, including points multiplier events and new shipping deals. More details about savings benefits will be shared in the coming months, so be sure to check your emails and the Beauty Insider Community regularly.

What are the new experiences you are offering to members? Sephora has always offered premier beauty experiences to our BI members, and in 2020, we will go beyond beauty to offer our clients access to wellness and lifestyle events as well. On top of the tiered choices and never-expiring points that all members will continue to benefit from, we are excited to offer early access to new brand launches, as well as a range of new premium reward experiences, where clients can use their points to gain exclusive access to the most coveted beauty events and experiences.

What will more access to sampling look like in the new Beauty Insider program?

We will bring Beauty Insiders exclusive access to even more sample choices, trial sets, and birthday gifts so they can try more products from the brands they love. We will be sharing more details throughout 2020, so stay tuned for more updates!

Which program benefits are going away as part of these changes?

We are always looking for ways to improve and enhance the client experience. In order to implement some of the program updates, we’ve retired the choice of a tier celebration gift and unlimited custom makeovers for Rouge.

What’s evolving and new in the BI program?

We are always looking for ways to improve and enhance our client experience and bring the best to our most loyal beauty enthusiasts. Clients’ needs and preferences are always changing and we want to ensure the Sephora experience and Beauty Insider program evolves with them.

Can you share more details about the Beauty Insider Cash Beta test?  

We are testing an idea that would allow members to apply points to their purchase for an amount off. The beta test is a limited trial online and at select stores in the U.S. and Canada until 2/28/2020. At Sephora we are always looking to evolve our loyalty experience and look forward to hearing from our clients.

How many times per purchase can I use Beauty Insider Cash offerings during the Beta test?

Participating Beauty Insider Beta members can apply the test offer once per transaction. Your transaction must be $10 USD/CAD or more before tax, shipping and handling to use Beauty Insider Cash.

How does the Beta test work? Is there a difference between online and in store?

We have selected nine stores in the U.S. and eight stores in Canada to participate in the cash Beta test.  For our online Beta test, we invited Rouge members via email to participate on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please see below for the stores that are participating.

U.S.

(Limited to participating stores in the Bay Area, California)

Sephora Corte Madera Town Center

Sephora Daly City

Sephora Embarcadero

Sephora Laurel Village

Sephora San Francisco Centre

Sephora Santa Rosa Plaza

Sephora Stonestown Galleria

Sephora Union Street

Sephora Vintage Oaks Shopping Center 

Canada

(Limited to participating stores in Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, British Columbia)

Sephora Coquitlam

Sephora Guildford

Sephora High Street

Sephora Metropolis

Sephora Park Royal

Sephora Richmond

Sephora Robson

Sephora Ste Catherine

Who can participate in the online Beta test?

We invited our Rouge members to be part of the test on a first-come, first-served basis.  The sign-up period will close on 1/29/2020, or as soon as all spots are full.

I opted in to the Beta test. If I don’t use my points for $10 off before the end of the pilot, will I lose them?

No. The Beta test is an opportunity to try out a new offer, but you will not lose points if you ultimately decide not to participate in the test before 2/28/2020.

How do I give my feedback about my experience/benefit?

We will be sending a survey to anyone who applied the offer in the Beta test. To share feedback outside of the survey, members can email us at beautyinsidercash@sephora.com or comment on this thread.

I was invited to take part in the online Beta test, but it’s closed. How can I join? 

Unfortunately, our online Beta test is limited to a certain number of participants. A closed page means we have a full list of participants. You can still share your thoughts on the Beta test with us at beautyinsidercash@sephora.com or by leaving a comment on this thread.

I am Rouge—why didn’t I get an invite to the online Beta test?

The invitation was sent to Rouge members who signed up to receive emails from Sephora and acquired their status by 1/15/2020.

Does this Beta test mean Rouge Reward is going away?

Not to worry, Rouge Reward is not going away and will not be affected by this test. With your help, we want to test a new experience offering instant savings.

Are there any exclusions when I redeem my 500 Beauty Insider points for $10 off?

Yes, please see restrictions here: Benefit cannot be applied to gift card purchases, in-store services, previous purchases, gift wrapping, packaging, taxes, or shipping & handling charges. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid after the $10 benefit, neither the 500 BI points deducted from your BI account or the $10 benefit will be refunded. Exchanges of the same item will be credited for the full transaction value including the $10 benefit. Sephora is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen offer materials. Offer has no cash value without a purchase and may not be altered, sold, bartered or transferred. Rouge status must be attained prior to participation in the pilot, by 1/15/2020. Minimum qualifying merchandise purchase of $10 (before tax, shipping and handling) is required to redeem 500 BI points for $10 off and benefit may only be used once per transaction. Due to heavy demand, Sephora FLASH delivery times cannot be guaranteed for orders using this benefit. Not valid on orders shipping outside the U.S. or Canada. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or rewards. Sephora may modify or cancel the pilot at any time for any or no reason. Sephora may exclude a Rouge member from the pilot for any abuse of the pilot or violation of the pilot rules.

[jozkid]

@PointsHoarder  I figured out the same numbers. It's kind of revolting that we circle like sharks to get a reward that is literally a retroactive 6% sale (the $100 for 2500 points). 

[isabella2]

Right, I got the email and it loaded fine to put name email etc.. but I quickly did the math in my head and was like .. that’s a horrible trade 500 points for 10$... so I didn’t enter my information. Ulta 500 points is $17.50 but I always wait to 2000 points to cash in bc it’s 125$.. just saying

[Tarabotti]

Serious question- If some of you feel that Ulta's rewards system is so much better, why are you trying to sign up for this? Or am I mistaken and that is not the population that is trying to sign up?

[Anonymous]

I'm not being suckered into signing up for the Beta program. I am only here to comment and tell Sephora that their idea is pure crap and an insult to those of us that have spent THOUSANDS of dollars over the years of being Rouge. 

[cvic213]

I also agree that Ulta has a better rewards program, but they don't carry all of the more upscale brands that Sephora carries - that's why I still shop at Sephora and I'm trying to sign up for this -

[fiery]

because many of us are hoping if we are active  participating members of this beta community, we can help to improve the customer experience at Sephora. it isn't about the $10.00, it's about keeping what is great at Sephora and and having them change what is awful. our voices carry more weight when we are involved. I think that's kinda obvious

[x78370]

Unfortunately, I take this Beta (bait) gimmick as a way to not actually listen to Rouge, but just see how many people they can sucker into this raw deal. We shouldn't have to "buy in" with our already purchased points in order to give them feedback on something that the majority would just say is terribly thought out and executed. If they had given us a survey, for example, on possible program revamp ideas, I am pretty certain they would get more than enough feedback to start developing GOOD ideas.

It's truly absurd if this beta is a way they'll quantify interest/disinterest. Opt-in? You're cheapening your points and their (possibly) former valuations showing interest in something that is a terrible option for rewarding loyalty. Opt-out? I'd like to think that the amount not opting in would be proof this is a sour lemon. But it's just as easy for them to dismiss it and only focus on those that opt-in.

In the Forbes article (which isn't written by Forbes, mind you, it's a paid contributor), a very delusional Allegra Stanley, Sephora VP of "Loyalty", is quoted saying:

“Research has found that almost 75% of what drives customer engagement and loyalty are emotional perks. Now more than ever customers, especially the younger generations, decide to engage with brands based on emotional loyalty drivers,” she believes.Those emotional drivers including happiness, trust, surprise and delight, anticipation and especially in the luxury realm, pride. “We believe these emotional rewards are the new currency of loyalty,” Stanley says.

What an absolute joke! I would LOVE to see that "research" because there's enough dissent in this thread alone and now filling r/Sephora that directly counters this idiotic "statistic". Hey Sephora, can I pay for my merchandise in emotions as well? Is that the currency we're using now? EXCELLENT! 

[Brutalitops]

@x78370I mean even if that was the case, then why take away the makeovers? That was an emotional perk

[KL1700]

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@x78370 wrote:

Hey Sephora, can I pay for my merchandise in emotions as well? Is that the currency we're using now? EXCELLENT! 

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Bahahahaha yesss!! Well said.

[cvic213]

I agree with everyone else here.  It is very frustrating, and this has happened before when Sephora tries something new - you need to improve the amount of traffic your site can handle before you try to introduce something new like this.

I'm working and I can't spend hours trying to connect

And yes, it is a downgrade from the $100 for 2500 points that have been offered before.

Too bad Ulta doesn't offer some of the brands that Sephora has or I would do all my shopping there

[Lauren6185]

I only shop Sephora for brands not offered by Ulta.  But Ulta has been adding more and more higher end brands.   Some recent favorites I can think of include Sunday Riley and Briogeo.  Sephora needs to seriously step up their rewards program if they want to stay competitive with Ulta. 

[Anonymous]

Signing up for the Rouge beta test does not work. Screen just spins. 

[KL1700]

I'm only going to participate in this if I'm given the 500 points. Especially after seeing the feedback of my peer Rouge members. I think I'm in the camp of people who have been slowly spending more money each year at Ulta and with brands directly. 

I agree with others that the rewards don't seem all that appealing anymore. It drives me crazy when I don't get the right samples I picked – or any sometimes. I feel like the reward selection is not that good at big sales periods like Christmas or during any of the sales and I have wondered to myself if that's intentional on Sephora's part. I've been a Rouge for two years and have never cashed in the makeover credit, but I always liked that it was there. I went into a store recently on a weekday where I was having a bad morning and just wanted someone to put makeup on me to make me look nice and they talked to me like I was crazy. They told me I could do it myself with the testers, but I would need to book a makeover ahead of time, even though the store was completely dead. The Rouge holiday party had no treat bags or fun things that I'd heard about in previous years. It was just an open store for us to shop the holiday sets with no discount! I don't understand why Rouge members can't use multiple promo codes online. As someone else mentioned, I have also split orders up to use multiple and it ultimately cost Sephora the extra time and resources. There is definitely a decline in the customer experience, and it's great to see that the collective of us are noticing it.

Another note if the rewards DO end up getting revamped – what's great about a discount or $ reward is that I can use my points to get FULL size products. I think I'm not the only one around here who is probably inundated with mini deluxe size products we've redeemed from all over the place. Rewards that give me the option to buy full size products I'll actually use at a discount are appealing to me. Give us more value, less clutter. 

[fiery]

I just lost a good 2 hours of my life trying to register but instead getting a circle twirling around. did every thing I could think of, no luck. It does't matter,  I am a Diamond over at Ulta and they really do treat you better. I love Sephora but trying to redeem your points on specific days at specific times and still NEVER GETTING WHAT YOU WANTED is so F-ing frustrating and exhausting. It leaves a really bad taste and Ulta never pulls that crap on their customers. It's just more fun and alot more pleasant to shop there. Sephora was my First love but my 2nd love Ulta has a much bigger........member.............................ship!

[katzy]

Just like everyone else, I’ve been trying to register for this promotion but the same little round timer thing appears and nothing happens. Also like everyone else, I shop at ULTA a majority of the time now because of their rewards program. The more I spend the more I save. The only time I buy anything at Sephora is if I can’t get it at ULTA. it’s better for me to accrue points there when it adds up to dollars off my next purchase. The rewards bazaar is a joke because everything is ALWAYS sold out!

[caseybarb]

Me too. Been trying fir an hour. Terrible 

[Northyvr]

Based on the responses from some of your best customers here (rouge members), I think it’s safe to assume your beta test isn’t very popular. Maybe you should go back to the drawing board and revamp what you think are VIB program “improvements “.

[lan1]

The entry does not go through.  All I get is the little circle going around.  See attached.

[KL1700]

I'm getting the same thing.

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@lan1 wrote:

The entry does not go through.  All I get is the little circle going around.  See attached.

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[Esjaybe]

Ulta has a similar program in place. However, for 500 points you get $17.50 off. But if you have $500 points to spend, youre already an Ulta Platinum member, meaning you're accruing points at 1.25x. If youre an Ulta Diamond member you’re accruing points at 1.5x. And regardless of your status, Ulta has 2x points days ALL THE TIME. So if I had to average it out, I would say its a safe estimate that you’ll spend about $335 for 500 points with Ulta. With Sephora you are spending $500 for 500 points. 

So with Ulta $350 spent and you get $17.50 cash back. With Sephora, $500 spent and you get $10 back. 

Also, see below for the accruing scale for Ulta, the more points you save the higher their value. 

Ulta point value as of 1/2020:

100 = $3

250 = $8

500 = $17.50

1000 = $50

2000 =$125

Sephora: 

500=$10

Sephora, please figure out a way to be competitive. This is supposed to be the more “luxury" brand, yet your reward system implies otherwise. I have always been a Sephora loyalist. It was not until last year that I decided to try Ulta out. In 2018 I spent about $20 at Ulta. In 2019 I spent $1400. That money would have been spent at Sephora but you keep pushing your loyal customers away with insulting initiatives. 

[BK222]

Thank you for spelling this all out for me so clearly.  I have been a loyal Sephora customer for as long as I can remember.  Well over ten years.  I have been getting frustrated like everyone else the past few years as my loyalty has meant less and less to them.  I even cut back at one point, only to be pulled back in.  When I received this email, however, I though I must be reading something wrong.  They were ASKING ME to test out a new system,  FOR THEM and GIVE THEM 500 points for it?? So I clicked on the FAQs and found all of these wonderful comments. I'm not the crazy one Sephora......you are.  Unless there is something exclusive you sell I can't live without, I'll be spending my money directly with the brands I use or your competitors from now. It's time to spend my money somewhere Iess insulting.