Poor service unless you stand next to Sisley or Tom Ford cosmetics the sales associates don't bother to help...

I stumbled upon this beauty bazaar on my way somewhere else having time to spare so I popped in to browse. I had never heard of Blue Mercury and being a dedicated Sephora/Ulta girl I was curious too see how they stacked up. The store is very nicely laid out, the products beautifully displayed and the associate I talked to was quite friendly. I could see immediate differences that set Blue Mercury apart. First where as all of them have makeup brand reps that will do brows, lashes and make overs at their counters and just as Ulta has a full on hair salon, BM has a spa which is definitely cool. Also, BM is stocking brands you can only find in better department stores like Nordstrom and Saks. Brands like Tocca, Aerin, Claus, etc. And last, they have an amazing variety of candles and fragrance diffusers for your home. read more

See all

I came up to this area of town, specifically so I could shop at this Blue Mercury, the other one was undergoing renovations. Wow, what a beautiful, big, bright airy beauty supply store! I was given a gift card for my birthday, I was excited to use it and I left with an Oribe hair masque, I love Oribe and Blue Mercury carries a lot of it! I'm going to start checking out all of their other brands too, but I go there specifically for the Oribe haircare. The sales ladies who helped me were friendly, knowledgeable and courteous. I was very pleased with my shopping experience here and I checked out a few other local stores while in University City. It was definitely worth the trip from Center City and I would definitely come back again! read more

Ok, maybe 3 and 1/2 stars. I think if I had to chose between this place or Sephora I think I would chose Sephora. Yes, Blue Mercury does have a nice selection and I love running in here to get my wider range of Essie nail polishes, but really this place doesn't give me enough options in terms of prices. At least when you go to Sephora you know you can purchase Sephora branded products at a more reasonable price. This is important to me because I feel like I'm still experimenting with make-up and I like the freedom to try different colors etc without paying such crazy prices for it. Basically I'm looking for something above the drugstore and before I'm at that stage in my life where I have to drop some serious cash just to look decent because I'm lookin' old and gross. And here, you can easily drop $100 on three things. I went for a make-up tutorial for the Bobbi Brown Make-up party and I really loved the make-up artist. She put 30 different things on my face (she cleaned it and then put on lots of different moisturizers) and she really gave me the full work up. So I was glad for the opportunity. But to me this place exemplifies the stores that surround UPENN students--i.e. trying to suck out money from rich ivy league kids. And every time I walk in I feel the eyes of the sales associates constantly following me because there's barely anybody ever in this store and so they must be bored to death. And a little bit snobby. I hope this isn't overly harsh. But I would say, get some friendlier and not fake sales associates, and have more specials to draw those college kids in, and you'd be bangin'. read more

Bluemercury - front of store - Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is a relatively new beauty store opened right next to the Penn Bookstore. The original Philly Blue Mercury is in Center City, I believe. Unlike the Blue Mercury in Center City, this store has a more modern feel, is bigger, and carries more brands. I like how the store is organized and I think the products they carry are top of the line. In my opinion, the store is going for a more 'classy' feel compared to Sephora's glitz and the glam, and no, I'm not saying one is better than the other! I love both -- just an observation! =) Blue Mercury reminds me more of the Korean beauty stores, where the sales rep follows you around and tries to give you 'consultation.' lol. Sometimes, I want that sort of attention (mainly when I'm completely lost as to which product I should purchase) but most times it's a bit... much. I appreciate the initial, 'would you like some help?" but not someone to follow me around while I look at different products! Personally, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Anyway, I think that's just their way of providing customers that 'value-add' ...maybe. They don't do returns so one star off for that, and I'd probably dock another .5 stars for that pressure-cooker service but 3 stars seem too harsh so rounding up to 4 stars. Also, tip for y'all: the CEO of Blue Mercury has released her own skin care line apparently. Might want to go check that out since they're heavily promoting it with lots of samples and free face cleanser and such. I personally prefer sticking to one skin care line that works but if you're looking for a skin care line right for your skin, might want to check that out soon. I believe that deal will end soon (or ... has ended already? oops) Cheers to beauty! :) read more

i went in as a teenager, and i was constantly asked if i need help. i said no loud enough for all the workers to hear me but they kept asking. i was told "be careful of the liquids they get messy." and asked if i knew what primer even was by workers. and then i was told that "makeup isn't a toy be careful this is serious." and that was my breaking point. are young adults not allowed to express themselves through cosmetics? read more

Jasmine , from bluemercury spent time introducing me to new products as well as...showing me some fab.. makeup tips! She is the GAL to see! Will sample items for you to take with! She enjoys her gig as well has a great knowledge of products + what works with your coloring + style!! Fun time!!!! read more

Among restaurants, many people seem to know me and dread a bad review from me. In the shopping domain, I'm a lot more anonymous, so here's my candid assessment of this store. I remember when this store was called Douglass and I liked its friendly staff. Girls would offer to assist you instead of looking at everyone as if they were a poor college student. I guess my not having a knapsack and my expensive sneakers from Philadelphia Runner didn't clue them in. My purchase was simple. The lady got my item and I paid for it. She shortchanged me a dollar ($40 minus $33.48 is $6.52, not $5.52). With Douglass, you didn't need to ask for free samples. They just gave them to you. Here, no samples. Not even a suggestion for free samples. Thanks for making me feel not welcome. Go to Sephora instead. read more

I came here because I didn't have time to go downtown to sephora to grab a couple of items. Despite the store being visibly empty, the staff did not greet me or help me until one realized that I was looking for something at the Nars counter that I couldn't find. She didn't offer any real assistance other than charging my card. Next time I will go to Sephora where the product selection is better and the customer service reps offer assistance beyond helping me pay. read more

This place is very conveniently located for me, but their poor customer service leaves me feeling ambivalent. I had two services done for my wedding: eyebrow shaping and makeup application. While the results were good and I looked good for the big day, I can't recommend their services to others because they made it unnecessarily stressful. 1. The whole time the eyebrow stylist was working, she was was telling me horror stories about the terrible marriages she's seen fall apart from infidelity and how kids ruin everything. A bride-to-be doesn't need that kind of negativity. 2.As for the makeup application; I made the appointment in person, weeks in advance, and then when I arrived, I was told that I was not on the schedule, and, in fact, they had no makeup appointments that day at all. I nearly had a heart attack! Luckily, the store was empty and they agreed to do the service anyway, only to find my name in the schedule book, after all. read more

I have lived in the city for 10 years and have tried many different spas for waxing services. June is by far the best in the city. Her eyebrow shaping/wax turns out magnificent every time, I always receive compliments on the shape. Her Brazilian wax is the least painful and speedy wax I've ever received. She is kind, skilled, experienced, and highly professional. Perfect location if you work at Penn or are a student. Highly recommend June!!! read more

I usually come to Blue Mercury for the services and not for products, like other reviewers. I am hesitant to write this review because I don't want other people to know how good their aesthetician, June, is. I've been going to her for several years and she shapes and tints my eyebrows. I've tried other places and even other Blue Mercury stores and I always come back to her. Recently, I had to bring my two girls to a waxing appointment. She was so understanding and nice to them. I usually pick up a product or two when I am there and always get free samples. read more

I made a first-time appointment to get my eyebrows waxed here. I came in with pictures of what I was looking for and made it as clear as possible that I only wanted a clean-up, not a shape change. (I get very anxious about my brows and getting them waxed, especially by someone new, but I had faith). The woman who waxed my eyebrows was kind, understanding, and friendly. But I left my appointment with uneven brows (she waxed off too much from one of my brows in the center and on the tail end), and now, even 12 days later, my skin is STILL irritated from the wax/whatever it is she used on my face. The space was clean and pretty walking in, but I would not recommend getting waxed here. read more

This was the best service I've ever received at a beauty store hands down. Store Manager Kimberly Santacruz is charming, intuitive, honest and personable. She answered all my questions and made relevant suggestions. She went straight to the top products that will work well with my skin and giving me full descriptions of every single product. This was such an enjoyable experience for me doing something I usually dread at chain beauty stores due to the usual inattentive, unknowledgable, blasé staff. Everyone here at the Philadelphia Bluemercury is super friendly and attentive. I could have spent an entire day here. Thank you to Kimberly and the team for everything. They're bright, knowledgable and a real find for Blue Mercury. They all went out of her way to take care of me. Truly the best place and vibe in Philadelphia to buy all your beauty and skincare needs. read more

I write this with a naked face, washed bare because of-- well. I will begin at the beginning. First, I am not a makeup person. I wear it because it makes me look better, more awake, whatever. Rather than spend time and money trying out drugstore stuff that may not work with my skin tone, I invest in a yearly makeover, good brushes and quality products. I made an appointment during one of BM's "parties," or the times when the makeup reps from specific brands come to do makeovers and sell products. I attend the Bobbi Brown party at BM in Rittenhouse each year, primarily to re-up products and purchase interesting new ones that have been introduced with the line. But I missed the "party" dates for Rittenhouse, and I work nearby, so I went to the University City location. I prefer to use one line-- again, I don't like makeup/playing with it/remembering colors/etc., so I stick with one line to avoid hassles when it's time to replace products. I asked SPECIFICALLY whether a Bobbi Brown rep would be there and was told yes. There is a 3-product minimum, which has never been an issue because I wait until the "parties" to re-purchase items I've run out of and usually buy others too. When I arrived early, the store staff could not find my appointment, though I had called the week before to confirm. There was a lovely woman and her daughter (who both had GREAT makeup looks but who were not permanent at the store) representing another line, but they noted that they could not use products not in their lines to do the makeovers. They told me that I would have to work with a regular store sales rep if I wanted to only use the other line. Fine, right? Wrong. I should have walked away when I saw the store rep's (Jasmine's) face: orange GLITTER- actual glitter, not shimmer) eyeshadow, dark red lipstick, obvious pink blush, HUGE FAKE EYELASHES and caked-on foundation. But I'd requested a professional work look-- and in fact came in wearing what I usually wear during the workday--so I figured maybe she'd understand. Nope. She began to contour and highlight. (Note: The BB rep in past years said that they don't contour because BB is known for a more subtle look.) The rep said, "I just want to show you what's possible." I was specific in that I hoped for a polished, natural work look, and said so numerous times. But the rep used a total of 16 products, including products that I was clear (and stated!) I would not use, such as lipliner, while basically ignoring the products I wanted to replace. Instead she caked on foundation and gave me wet-looking eyebrows. From a distance, I looked...okay. Up close, I looked like someone with a heavy, heavy, makeup hand and no self-awareness. It was like my face was an older version of myself for Halloween. I left, over an hour and a half later, with only ONE of the three products I'd gone in to replace, plus the required two others that I didn't want. I want to stress that I get a makeover each year and have never had this experience until coming here to the university city location. I use this as a treat for myself and, even though I'm not a "makeup person" enjoy the day and typically leave with between 5-6 products from my preferred line and maybe a lipstick from another. What was usually a fun quick makeover day ended with me scrubbing makeup off in my office bathroom. TL:DR= Don't go to the University City location. Staff is deeply disorganized (they lose appointments; lied about the available rep); they're not knowledgeable about different makeup looks; don't listen to their customers; and they took forever. I'll stick to other locations. read more

Sales associate Kimberly was great! She greeted us warmly and wonderfully helpful. I signed up to get Bluemercury emails because she was so nice! read more

I was apprehensive after reading the reviews about aggressive sales people but I didn't have that experience at all. The sales person greeted me, answered my question, and let me shop in peace. This location is much bigger than the Rittenhouse location. They have a good selection of brands: NARS, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Estee Lauder, Kiehl's, Fresh, and Essie were some that I noticed. The overall experience is much less trendy and more relaxing than Sephora. I didn't buy anything since I'm broke after Christmas but I'll definitely go back. read more

I experienced some of the worst customer service of my life at this store two weeks ago. I generally use the Center City store but since I work in the area I popped into the UC one in the mid-afternoon. It was practically empty. One person waited on me promptly but she directed me to another person who would check me out. I stood there for 10 minutes and no one even acknowledged me. They were trying to figure out a problem for someone but were, I felt very rude. All it would have taken is to say I apologize we will be right with you. I put my item down and left. I will not use the store again. read more

Lol people who work here are like so rude and unhelpful. Also their products are like old and kinda gross. Go to sephora!!!

Succinctly, rude employees who would aggressively upsell other products. I intended to purchase a Clinique concealer and initially, the lady suggested me the wrong shade. It was clearly too pale for my tan. After correcting the shade, she tried to sell me a $15 concealer brush (3 times) AFTER I STATED THAT I ALREADY HAD A BRUSH. Then she looked at me with a belittle glare and prejudice. She's in the service industry but was incompetent to fulfill the Fundamental of her job. Go to Sephora. read more

June is fabulous for eyebrow waxes and the shape of my eyebrows has turned out great each time. I haven't gone to her for facials but am planning to soon! read more

Nice selection of higher-end cosmetics and products, but the salespeople are so pushy I hesitate to go in anymore. When asked if you need help and state that you're just looking, you shouldn't be approached about products you have no interest in. Rude and annoying. read more

The Sagemore store has the rudest sales help I have ever encountered. I was in the store on a day when there were zero customers. The woman I spoke to was barely civil as she told me a product was not available and then flew out the door before I had a chance to inquire about an alternative. The second person I tried to talk to scurried over to the cash register to chat with her colleagues. Last month, I purchased a $250 gift card as a present.. It will be my last purchase at this store read more

I had my eyebrows done by June and I seriously think she is the best esthetician in University City. She does it better than anyone!

I agree with the previous reviewers about the employee(s). In particular, the bobbed brunette is particularly unpleasant--she's brusque to the point of rudeness, like she's being bothered by customers asking her questions. I hate it when she's the one to walk over to "help" me...The gentleman who did a make-over for me once (short hair, blonde, does makeup for A.Gutmann?) was, however, very nice. However, in terms of product selection, Blue Mercury is excellent. They have all of the more luxurious/upscale brands and are definitely the place to go if you're looking for specific items or just like treating yourself to nice toiletries/makeup. That being said, expect to pay ~20/30 per basic item on average (e.g. eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow, deep conditioner). It's also nice that they keep a log of all of your purchases in the computer so you can compare new purchases to what you've already bought--useful in terms of colors. In comparison to the Blue Mercury in Center City, yes it is bigger, but the employees at the CC store are SO much nicer. If the University City store would just hire some new employees, or at least one*, I would definitely go in there much more frequently... read more

I visited Bluemercury after I need it a lipgloss and end up leaving with a full set of make up and a fantastic facial ! The staff was amazing , they are the guru of make up! the esthetician was fantastic gave me a facial and explained me all the wrong things I was doing! Kerri is the best with make up , gave me a make over and I was in love with the eyelashes she made me wear! The place is huge, clean and so many different choices and I loved it! I will be back soon! read more

So the only reason why i'm giving this blue mercury 2 stars is because of Janet. She is brilliant with make up, chose an awesome lipstick for me, and brightened up a day that up to that point had been pretty sour. I give no stars for Stephanie's customer service. I almost gave up on this store because of her. Every time I go she has an attitude, does not seem to care and makes it extremely clear that she's only doing this because she has to. I understand that customer service is difficult and tiring, and I wouldn't mind if it was once in a while that she was just in a bad mood. But this woman manages to put me in a sour mood every time I leave this shop. I had a really awful day today, and when my days are bad my speech goes out the window. So I was having a hard time describing what I want and she told me that I was doing terribly with my adjectives today. It would have been funny if she said it jokingly, but she said it with such disdain and judgement that I felt immediately like an idiot. I cannot thank Janet enough for the experience she gave me. I will come back only for her, and only if I can't make it to sephora. read more

University City Blue Mercury - purchased 2 bars of $20 soap for gifts. Although I explained how I wanted it put in the little plastic bag with ribbon - 1 bar of soap in each bag - the sales woman put them both together. When I told her, VERY nicely, she got some big attitude and made a mess out of both little gifts. The only reason I go there at all is because I work close by. Had a bad experience at the Walnut St. store, too. Blue Mercury sales people please brush up on your customer service. read more

The worst shopping experience ever! This is my third time at this store and I just can't hold back anymore. The first time the sales woman was rude and demeaning basically told me helping me choose lipstick is a waste of her time. The second time I came looking for a foundation and was sold the wrong product - not what I tried on and liked. The third time I was criticized for 'not putting enough work in' to have good skin'. All I asked for was foundation that actually matches my skin color. This store is the worst ever! read more

The employees have some problems... If you don't buy the products they recommended. They would have a extremely bad attitude. And the product they recommended is not necessarily good. They just do it for promotion. If you go there often u will realize that whatever kind of product u ask for, they will always recommend this one brand that they are promoting about. No matter what.... Make up remover... Body lotion... Basically that brand has the best product of everything lol read more

This Blue Mercury has a lot of products, but you should walk in with earphones! The staff are EXTREMELY pushy and will NOT leave you alone, even after you explain to them you know exactly what you are there to buy and don't want to buy anything else. They will circle back and HARASS you with "suggestions" repeatedly! I have never experienced staff as pushy as this. Only 1 time have I walked in there and been left alone because there was only 1 lady working! read more

I stopped by this store a week ago to have my eye brows waxed and to purchase some new makeup and hair products. The staff was so friendly and very helpful! The women who waxed my eyebrows did a great job. I would highly recommend this store. read more

I rarely write reviews, and this is coming a bit late as I unexpectedly landed in the hospital this past weekend with appendicitis - but my experience with Ricky at Blue Mercury earlier this month was so overwhelmingly positive that I had to write something. To give the context, I am someone who generally wears no make up and doesn't no anything about it. However, I'm having my wedding in a few months and wanted to wear some make up for that occasion. I teamed up with a friend (who's also very knowledgeable about make up) and together we went to Blue Mercury. As someone who's not into make up, before walking into the store I was sure I would dislike the entire experience, but Ricky completely changed that. He greeted us soon after we walked in, quickly understood what our goals were, and got to work helping us to figure out what would like right on me, what would be a good look for me, etc. He very selflessly, and without being pushy at all, spent a bunch of time advising us in an extremely helpful way. It's clear that Ricky is a total expert in this industry, and beyond that delivered phenomenal customer service - I was honestly totally blown away by his skill and kindness. Thank you, Ricky, for turning something I thought would be challenging into such a caring and thoughtful experience! You have earned a customer for life! Best, Giselle read more