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Ex-Sephora Employee Spills Industry Secrets That Might Change The Way You Shop For Skincare

Ex-Sephora Employee Spills Industry Secrets That Might Change The Way You Shop For Skincare

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With all the wealth and abundance of the world around us, there are actually only 94 chemical elements occurring in nature, and in fact, everything in this world is made up of them in one way or another—just in different proportions. It’s only important to choose the right proportion. And give it the proper name—so that it all sells well.

Very often, we ask ourselves: How much are we willing to overpay for popular brands, and are we really paying not for quality but for marketing? And this viral TikTok video dedicated to Sephora makeup products actually raises the same questions.

More info: TikTok

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    The author of the video is a former Sephora employee, and now she dedicates her postings to spilling the tea on the makeup and care giant’s ins and outs

    Image credits: sophia_burow

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    So, the woman says that many of the most expensive products actually have only one main advantage—their fancy bottle

    The Original poster (OP) of this video is TikToker Sophia Burow, who, in her own words, used to work at Sephora—but she quit three months ago, and now, with a sense of freedom, she can devote her time to spilling the tea on all of its ins and outs. I don’t know how nice it actually looks, but the 7.6M views on the recent video speaks for itself.

    According to Sophia, Sephora products are not cheap, but in reality, you are overpaying for the fancy bottle rather than the quality of the product. In fact, major brands do not sell anything magical that is head and shoulders above their cheap counterparts—and it’s better, the original poster believes, to give preference to drugstore cosmetics and care products.

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    Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    One of the most important points that Sofia makes is that there are no universal solutions in makeup, and each person has their own unique combination of skin type and structure, brow hair thickness, hair thickness—and numerous other parameters. Thus, the universal products that Sephora offers are not a panacea at all. Quite the opposite, in fact.

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    The author of the video actually believes that many brands popular online today are, to put it mildly, a tad bit overhyped. For example, some products by Rare Beauty, a company created in 2019 by the famous singer and actress Selena Gomez. “With all respect to Selena Gomez, okay; not a personal dig on her, but I’m sorry, I don’t think the hype is… it’s not adequate,” Sophia ponders.

    Image credits: Phillip Pessar / Flickr (not the actual photo)

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    Sephora’s ordinary products are really good, the author claims—but their newest solutions are just marketing

    No, the author of the video doesn’t call for completely abandoning Sephora brands because their ordinary products are often really good. However, Sophia really criticizes the new top solutions that the marketing budgets are spent on. According to her, the market forces the company to release these products as quickly as possible, “so they’re watering down the formulas.”

    Image credits: Phillip Pessar / Flickr (not the actual photo)

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    Sometimes you really don’t need to overpay for makeup and care products, instead finding proper options in the drugstore

    As we can see, this is not so much a call to action as some kind of “food for thought.” Large companies often do not really have the opportunity to stop and conduct a detailed study—after all, the fierce competition on the market literally forces them to release new products regularly. Otherwise, your competitors will release new products, and the buyers, no matter how loyal they are, will partially or completely switch to them.

    Of course, there are always unfading classics like Chanel No. 5, which is over a hundred years old and is still incredibly popular worldwide. But this is a masterpiece of all time, and in the modern market, alas, there is no place for masterpieces. But that doesn’t mean you should overpay for big names. Moreover, much cheaper and equally high-quality alternatives can often be found in the local drugstore.

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    You can watch the original video here

    “Drugstore devotees have known for years that gorgeous makeup looks don’t have to break the bank,” this dedicated article in Glamour says. “Even if you’re drawn to luxury makeup, it’s never too late to discover a holy grail lipstick or setting spray that fits squarely into your budget.” In other words, big corporations really need to recoup their colossal marketing budgets, not always caring about quality.

    Many people in the comments also deeply agreed with the original poster, noting that they, too, are not particularly fond of the most popular names from the store. However, a significant number of the responders simply asked the OP to share the brands that she prefers herself. “Then drop what is actually good give us names please,” someone asked in the comments. And what names do you, our dear readers, personally prefer?

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    People in the comments mostly agreed with the author, asking her to unveil the names she prefers herself

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    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    What do you think about the claim that expensive makeup brands like Sephora charge more for packaging than actual product quality?

    Agree, packaging often drives up costs

    Disagree, quality is worth the price

    Not sure, it depends on the product

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    Oleg Tarasenko

    Oleg Tarasenko

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

    Read less »
    Oleg Tarasenko

    Oleg Tarasenko

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    After many years of working as sports journalist and trivia game author and host in Ukraine I joined Bored Panda as a content creator. I do love writing stories and I sincerely believe - there's no dull plots at all. Like a great Italian composer Joaquino Rossini once told: "Give me a police protocol - and I'll make an opera out of it!"

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

    Read less »

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no problems if people want to wear makeup/use skincare products, but I cannot tell you how much happier I (and my bank account) have been since I stopped giving a sh!t about wearing makeup XD I do have a small number of cosmetics that I wear on special occasions (going to theater/concerts with my family, etc.) I always hated the cultural obligation that a woman "needs" to wear makeup every day/in public or else she's trashy/uncouth or something. Of course, my mother was born in 1944 and is of the "women must wear makeup every day (even if you're not going outside) or else you're an uncivilized, lazy peasant" club, so I am a continual daily disappointment to her :D

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hear Sephora has a problem with little 12 year olds going in and making a nasty mess of their samples. I've been in one once. I got snubbed, and it smells like a rancid blend of every horrible perfume and body spray ever made, and the aroma trailed throughout the mall. It's all overpriced c**p.

    Load More Replies...
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    jameelarid
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no problems if people want to wear makeup/use skincare products, but I cannot tell you how much happier I (and my bank account) have been since I stopped giving a sh!t about wearing makeup XD I do have a small number of cosmetics that I wear on special occasions (going to theater/concerts with my family, etc.) I always hated the cultural obligation that a woman "needs" to wear makeup every day/in public or else she's trashy/uncouth or something. Of course, my mother was born in 1944 and is of the "women must wear makeup every day (even if you're not going outside) or else you're an uncivilized, lazy peasant" club, so I am a continual daily disappointment to her :D

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hear Sephora has a problem with little 12 year olds going in and making a nasty mess of their samples. I've been in one once. I got snubbed, and it smells like a rancid blend of every horrible perfume and body spray ever made, and the aroma trailed throughout the mall. It's all overpriced c**p.

    Load More Replies...
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    jameelarid
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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