It’s so convenient to shop for beauty items at Sephora online, but some things, you just want to go into the store for; like new launches that you want to see the packaging and size in person, and of course to get the right foundation shade for your skin tone. But since all product swatching has been discontinued, it’s been a challenge for stores to draw the customers back in. This month, Sephora Singapore’s flagship store at ION has implemented a slew of new measures and tools to try and address these issues, including a way for foundation matching. Read on.

FIND YOUR SHADE

When you decide on a foundation you want, the beauty advisor will pick 3 suitable shades close to your skin tone. Then the advisor wears gloves, sanitises every single product before using it, and swatches the product onto disposable tools and sheets before handing it over to the customer.

above: Swatching the foundation onto a clear, disposable card.

above: 3 shades are chosen.

above: it’s handed over to the customer.

above: The transparent card is held against the skin at exposed areas like the forehead. NOTE: Do not remove your mask to hold it against the jawline or cheek.

This method of finding the right shade has been found to be useful and accurate since Sephora started it. And it’s really the only legal and hygienic way to get a foundation match without bringing samples home.

SCAN CODES FOR INFO

Throughout the store, you’ll see QR codes next to products. You can scan these using the camera on your smartphone and it’ll bring you straight to the product page for more information on it. The whole idea is so that the customer becomes self sufficient and doesn’t need to interact with store staff unless necessary. It’s not exactly a breaking concept, but it’s great to see these touches within the store that make things just that little bit more convenient and safe.

Above: Using the camera in a smartphone to scan a QR Code.

Above: The QR code brings you straight to the product page on Sephora Singapore’s website for more information.

VIRTUAL BEAUTY CHATS

If you still want to stay home but wish to browse what’s in-store, Sephora ION has a new “virtual beauty chats” service, where you can book an appointment with a beauty advisor who will do a one-on-one zoom chat with you live from the store.

Appointments are made through the Sephora website here, and you can choose from a 15-minute chat on beauty, or a 30-minute Q&A on makeup or skincare. It’s a great way to ask all your questions about the products you’re interested in, and to get the advisor to show you the actual product on screen.

Above: These are 3 types of chats you can have — a quick 15 min one, or a 30 min chat on Either makeup or skincare.

Above: The calendar will show available slots.

Above: once booked, you will receive a confirmation with zoom meeting details to log in to.

Here’s a look into my virtual chat with Kate, a Beauty Advisor at the Sephora ION store: (Click on the images to enlarge and read.)

Here is Kate showing me around the store. The advisors can also have a nice, quiet chat with you in the store room where you can ask them all your burning beauty questions with no interruptions.

Walking down the aisle at Sephora ION.

Kate went straight for the Dr. Jart+ counter and showed me this rubber face mask that she says is a new launch and is very cooling. She then proceeded to show me the rest of the range.

She also brought me to the MAKE UP FOR EVER counter and introduced this new concealer, which has a velvety smooth texture.

When I asked her about her current personal favourite items in store, she went straight for this Sephora Collection liquid eyeliner that she swears by. It is gel-based so will not smudge and stays put, is extremely pigmented, and comes in 12 shades.

Her other current favourite is the Charlotte Tilbury Walk Of No Shame makeup collection — the eyeshadow palette in particular, that she says complements Asian skin tones well.

TEXT & COLLECT

For Gold and Black Sephora members, you can send a WhatsApp message to 81671844, to order and reserve products, and then once you get the confirmation, you can pick it up at the Gift Bar at Sephora ION. This service probably works best for people working in or near ION.

Sephora ION Is located at 2 Orchard Turn #B2-09 ION Orchard, S238801, tel 6341 9017.