Opinions Wanted: BIG Sephora Events

[KatieBT]

Happy Friday BIC!

It's almost the weekend so you know we're thinking about the exciting events we will be attending this weekend... Or the nice, relaxing nights in we have planned with our favorite books 😄

While I love my "me" time and an epic movie marathon, this post is all about those big events. If we did a huge Sephora event (think BIG, like SEPHORiA level big), what would you want to see?! Which brands? Products? What would the event attendees be doing at the event? Would there be speakers or masterclasses? If yes, who would be speaking or leading the masterclasses?

Put on your thinking caps and share your opinions with us below! 

[Anonymous]

Well, this Sephora Event would include as many major brand name's as possibly fit. But the cliche is the name brands have to offer up a DIY product(something new or out of this world), for an audience member to apply to a "styling head." Both of their own to take home. Or instead of applying the product to the head, they could bring them both home for DIY later. I'm not sure how many events that Sephora holds in Minneapolis, MN?? If my idea happens to be chosen, if not held in Minneapolis, I more than likely wouldn't be able to attend. It'd be a great venture to see and to get everyone involved in the event is a great way to meet other attendees. My love 4 Sephora Events and Urban Decay's Eye makeup 💄 is beyond measure!! 💋

[Chicklet5]

Thanks for giving us the chance to make suggestions @KatieBT 

Personally I am all about the swag at these kinds of events. Freebie samples are by far my biggest motivator if I am honest. Maybe a big event can have some fun contests and giveaways which might include some audience participation.

For example, 2 volunteers from the audience compete for who can do the best 5-minute glam look. Winner gets to take home a full sized product or swag bag. That stuff is so fun! Think mini-challenges from RuPaul's Drag Race. 

Speaking of that show, I am SO into RuPaul so if you got him or any of his Drag Army to a Sephora event I would be there in a heartbeat. Photo Ops with any of them would be a fun time. 

As far as speakers go I would love for Sephora to get Paula Begoun from Beautypedia to do a talk about the most common bad ingredients in cosmetics and skincare products. I have been purchasing makeup for years and am still learning which ones will break me out and trying to identify which are the 'trigger' ingredients. Sometimes it feels like a battle is being fought between the makeup I wear and keeping my complexion looking good so some solid advice about what to look for would really be a benefit. 

Finally I am a big fan of costume contests. Maybe one or several of the sponsors can team up to create a fun theme (Mermaid,Princess, Femme Fatale etc.) And people can participate for a chance to win a prize package. The contestants would be judged by a panel and the look would be head-to-toe including makeup. 

[bellesnowwhite]

i'd love a brow class with benefits master brow artists

[flamingolegs]

One thing I think you need to consider regarding Sephoria is that you have a considerable demographic with a large disposable income in the 40-65 age group.  We are the Gen X'er's and the last of the Baby Boomers.  Our kids are grown and gone, and we now have the time, the money, and the urge to pamper ourselves.

The idea of dancing on a glitter floor means nothing to many of us in that age bracket.  We'd prefer a chill environment, cocktails with jazz or softer rock/pop that is at a volume we can meet and mingle through.  Think what would Maye Musk, Christie Brinkley, etc. like?

I'd also suggest offering a barista set up--there are a LOT of people in recovery (or who don't drink alcohol for any number of reasons) who don't want to even have to approach a bar to get a drink, and who would rather have a coffee (or tea) based beverage.

One other thing I'd really like to see is a private room for Rouge, which includes unannounced pop-in's (or even pop-ups) by make up artists, founders, brand ambassadors (with samples!), etc.  

Any chance of moving it to the East Coast every other year?  

And I'd agree with several others, a weekend pass would be the best way to go.  If I attended, it would be a destination.  I'd also need more than a month's notice.

[Chicklet5]

I'm a millennial and I am 100% down with what you are saying. I also prefer a more chill vibe where conversation is possible- I know a lot of people don't. Maybe the perfect event would include 'loud' and 'quiet' places for those of us who are a bit more introverted?

[abashfulbeauty]

I appreciate the opinions of others but speak for yourself regarding the 40-65+ group.....I am in that age group and do NOT enjoy the boring lifestyle that you describe. A glitter floor accompanied by dancing sounds like a lot of fun to me! Just saying...

[howconnie]

I’m a mature woman too and I love to dance. I’d be at the club all night dancing 🕺 if there was a place where the focus was on fun and granny’s didn’t look so out of place.

FYI I’d love a glitter dance floor, they didn’t have that back in my day. But we did have disco lights. An adult jumper would be nice too.

[Brutalitops]

Great ideas @flamingolegs! Also I just want to say that as a millenial, I also have zero desire for a glitter dance floor and would prefer a mid-noise level area with light music to hang out. There are probably people in the genXers/Boomers who'd love the dance floor too, but there's never any harm in offering a range of experiences without us all having to go full throttle all weekend

Love the weekend passes and non-alcoholic cocktails/coffee, wish y'all would have an event in the midwest (Chicago? St. Louis? Hell I'd even do Texas- though def. not Midwest at that point)

[Loretta55]

Great ideas @flamingolegs .

[marydiva]

I think exclusive skincare classes/events would be so awesome. Navigating skincare in your early 20s can be tough, and having brand specialists and skincare experts educate consumers on different skincare needs and products would go a long way. Maybe incorporate samples, facials and event door prizes?  

[Anonymous]

i hope it s not too late for reply??? i wanna see master class with quiz and question answer session related to beauty industry. some refresher classes

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@KatieBT wrote:

Happy Friday BIC!

It's almost the weekend so you know we're thinking about the exciting events we will be attending this weekend... Or the nice, relaxing nights in we have planned with our favorite books 😄

While I love my "me" time and an epic movie marathon, this post is all about those big events. If we did a huge Sephora event (think BIG, like SEPHORiA level big), what would you want to see?! Which brands? Products? What would the event attendees be doing at the event? Would there be speakers or masterclasses? If yes, who would be speaking or leading the masterclasses?

Put on your thinking caps and share your opinions with us below! 

---

for pro Makeup artists.

[Mcakes]

The prospect of another SEPHORiA level event is so exciting !!

I actually had to pull my notes down from the SEPHORiA feedback thread since that was when it was all so fresh in my mind, l'll link it here: https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-Now/2018-SEPHORiA-Feedback-Thread/m-p/4277379/highlight/tr...

I still would love to have an option for an all inclusive pass. Especially since it would most likely be in a destination city for me, I'd like to be able to pop in throughout the entire weekend without having to fuss with multiple tickets. It was hard to get a big group of us to all commit to a certain Session, and a big part of the experience is enjoying it with your friends!

More interactive and unique experiences with the brand would be such a great touch. I loved the opportunity to create custom lipsticks on the spot and take home, I also enjoyed customizing my Briogeo mask with different oils. These types of experiences that you don't typically have access to in your normal Sephora store or online are an extra draw to an event like this for me. 

I know this would probably hard/impossible to pull of, but bringing in brands that are sold in other Sephora brands outside of the US would be amazing! Yes Les Merveilleuses LADURÉE 😉

Luncheon (think charity event luncheons) add-ons to the event with brand founders/ambassadors/makeup artists speaking would be perfect. Kind of like a lunch and learn! But with good food and a captivating speaker. Even a High Tea would be fun. 

Advance notice would be greatly appreciated! 

Thank you so much for taking our ideas into consideration 🙂

[faeriegirl]

I love the idea for an all inclusive pass!

[Mcakes]

@faeriegirl It really would make a world of a difference! Single tickets are great as well, but I just don't feel like I would have been able to enjoy everything in just one session. It was a lot to take in!

[faeriegirl]

@Mcakes A few weeks ago I read through your sephoria thread and several of the other sephoria threads and I thought then that 1 session would not be enough. If you are going to spend the money on airfare and hotel I would want to get the most out of it as possible and definitely not miss out on anything.

[heartsmyface]

Oh my, if there was a high tea with tea related beauty products sold at the doorway...I feel like if anyone were to sponsor the high tea it would be fresh with their black tea line.  @Mcakes @KatieBT 

I think the dance floor at Sephoria was a good idea in theory, but it needed to be closer to where everyone was congregating for drinks.  All those people waiting in line with their drink tickets would have been dancing away had they had a DJ there.  

[Mcakes]

@heartsmyface @KatieBT High Tea with the Fresh team would be amazing!! I can picture it clearly. You already have a buyer in me for that add on 😄 A goodie bag for attending the event with black tea minis would be the best. 

Ooh good point about the drinks being too far away from the dance floor! If the DJ bribed us to the dance floor with samples and gave out full sized products for certain dance moves...I'd need to take a Yanis Marshall workshop now lol 😛 

[heartsmyface]

Yes!!!  Dance offs for beauty products!!!! I can’t dance but I would sure put in some effort in the name of makeup (or fun swag) @Mcakes 

[faeriegirl]

A dance off would be hilarious @heartsmyface! I can’t dance either but I sure would try. Especially if the bar was close by😂

[Alexisknows]

Ummmm.. can I plan this whole event?!! Pretty please! 😊 @KatieBT @TeamBIC SEPHORiA should include a nice mix of activities to capture all beauty lovers’ interest (e.g beginners to the pros). I think it would be awesome to host the most sought after / hottest brands within their own section e.g Fenty, Charlotte Tilbury, PatMcgraph Labs etc.) They would take ownership of designing their section based on their branding and latest launches to come up with an interactive agenda that they can run repeatedly throughout the day. This way there is no FOMO on missing a learning and/ or giveaway opportunity. Ideally, an attendee would be able to book time for a “session” via a mobile app that would consist from anything to a mini makeover, catching a master class to reserving an interactive game such as a group treasure hunt - Sounds fun to me, but I know that’s not for everyone. There definitely needs to be some sort of booking system to avoid congestion and chaos. For some of the other upcoming brands they could consider a similar format to the events you held throughout the year with Atelier, glow, and Biossance to name a few so those that weren’t able to attend can now get that experience. Also, I cannot stress enough how awesome workshops are! When I attended the Atelier cologne event in NY I loved the customization and learning about the brands background. For Sephora this would be a great time to promote any huge news to get people excited for what the plan is for 2019. New brands, new exciting products, classes, trips, offerings?! I’m so excited to see what’s in store for this event! Can’t wait to hear more about it 🤩