Opinions Wanted: Community Events

[KatieBT]

(Hi @malday, @michelleshops, @Anonymous,  @Gwenhwyfar, @jemly and @candacebt!) 

Happy Friday BIC!

Hopefully by now you’ve seen some of your friends in the community have been attending events IRL and (finally!) meeting in person. First, we had our launch party at Sephora’s Hollywood and Highland store over the summer, we had two palettes parties in March and now we have two more skincare classes coming up. (Pssssst!! Spots are still available in NYC next weekend!)

We’re interested in hearing your thoughts on what types of events you’d like to see and where. Would you be more interested in an issue-based event for something like oily skin? Would you like to do an like an in-person sample swap?

The possibilities are endless and we want to hangout with you so please share your ideas in the comments!

[fieldsofclover]

I always bring my own eyeliners/mascaras to Sephora classes. Problem solved.

[Buootiful]

@itscarin ooh yes, I second a class for "overdrawing your lips" or "80's eyeshadow " sound like interesting classes.

[ElleElleG]

Oh yes there are lots of us in the area or close by!! 

@shimmerbait

@unfungirl

@mrsbaine

*serious glitches with trying to tag people 😔*

[kromance]

Atlanta, Georgia! <3.

[RGbrown]

I'd second ATL...it's about 2.5 hours from me, so it'd have to be worth the drive. I also hate driving in ATL, so I'd prefer a weekend event (or plenty of advance notice for a weekday happening); that way I have a better shot at grabbing a friend to go with 😅

I'd prefer good old home sweet home, but central Alabama will never make the cut for the good stuff 😂

[kromance]

@RGbrown driving in ATL is the worst. I get a headache almost every time I'm driving downtown.. I hope they do some events here though - maybe I'll get to see ya here 🙂

[RGbrown]

@kromanceUnidentified

One of my sisters lived in Atlanta for several years. I'd visit pretty frequently, but thankfully she was on this side of ATL, just a couple of blocks off 285, so I didn't have to drive ITP at all. She was *always* the designated driver for anything we did around the city...even as a passenger, I was a nervous wreck downtown 😅

I do hope we can get an event somewhere down here soon...would be super cool to meet some southern BIC'ers!

[mermadelove]

Hartford, CT or Boston, MA!!!

[fieldsofclover]

Another vote for Portland/Seattle/Vancouver BC 🌲

[bakeamuffin]

I might be on board for a Vancouver BIC event, if it was worth flying out for. A return ticket would be around $300 and with enough notice it would be doable, much easier than crossing the boarder and cheaper than flying to Ontario 😄 (where there seems to be most of the Canadian events). I know there aren’t many other Calgary or Alberta BIC members who are active 😔 Edmonton and Calgary folks, where are you?? 😄 

[fieldsofclover]

See, *this* sounds like a party... Edmonton people have the train as an option, too. Or organize a Great Albertan Road Trip? 😂 @bakeamuffin

[bakeamuffin]

That would be so fun @fieldsofclover! Better yet- does anyone own a private plane?! ✈️ 😂 

[NotCrocker]

Seattle/Vancouver BC votes as well! I'd probably make an effort to get to Portland if it was a worth-it event!

[alexasteph]

Portland/Seattle. 

[SilverBeet]

The Ala Moana store in Honolulu would be a great place to have an event about skincare and suncare since it is in the tropics.  

[pocketvenus]

I don't know if Sephora is still looking for input but I'd love to see events focused on how beauty products can help people build their confidence?

Specifically, it would be nice to see Sephora host events for

• Trans women and non-binary people starting out in makeup or hoping to build on their skills
• Cancer patients or people with chronic health conditions who need to make radical changes in their makeup and skincare routines
• Job interview makeup practice for job seekers who need a confidence boost, maybe in partnership with Dress for Success

It would also be nice to see a fundraising component sometimes. So perhaps a percentage of the proceeds of any products purchased could be donated to a local charity. Just some suggestions 🙂 

[KatieBT]

@pocketvenus Do you secretly work for Sephora Stands? You just described three very real classes catering to each of these communities which are called Classes for Confidence!

I agree and love the idea of product sales benefitting various charities. I've included two two product links which benefit Sephora Stands. 

Classes for Confidence: https://www.sephorastands.com/classes_for_confidence/

[pocketvenus]

@KatieBTp.s. I'm reading the whole Sephora Stands site now. I figured the company must have some kind of CSR component but this is really great to learn about the details ❤️ @KatieBT

[pocketvenus]

@KatieBT, Wow!!! I swear this is a total coincidence! I honestly had no idea! That is so nice and heartwarming to see such a program already in place ❤️ Especially loved the story of the woman who landed a job! It's also great to see the classes are run in partnership with local organizations. Thank you so much for posting 🙂

If this is new to Toronto, there's a local Dress for Success chapter that I think would be a perfect match for job interview prep. Maybe something at The 519 for any trans/nb classes? I'm not too sure about local cancer organizations in Toronto but Princess Margaret Hospital specializes in cancer care.

p.s. I can't see the product links?

[fieldsofclover]

I didn't post about it here at the time, but early in June I went to Sephora's nonbinary/trans class... one store in my area offered it, the only one in my state, and it was a smash! The staff was super into it, curriculum was good, and the local Fresh rep was so excited about it she packed us all extra swag bags even though she couldn't be there for the actual class.

Also neat and thoughtful was that they scheduled it early on a Sunday morning two hours before the mall stores actually opened, so everyone could take their time and there was no weirdness with window-shoppers.

NBfolk tend to end up extra invisible, or not included even in "inclusive" things, so it was really cool that Sephora put that right up front. I went specifically because of that, I was excited to go, and I'd attend another one in a second.

Interestingly, out of 12-14 people there, only two of us were Rouge or had even been to a Sephora class before. So major bonus points to whoever was doing the outreach beforehand. @KatieBT

[pocketvenus]

@fieldsofclover, sounds like an organized event that was genuinely well thought out and not a shallow marketing attempt. That's so great to hear you'd do it again. Thank you for sharing 🙂