This is probably the best make up and beauty store that I have ever been in simply because of the customer service I experience every time I walk through the doors. The sales associates are helpful and attentive. When I walked in, I was immediately greeted by a sales associate. He asked me if I was looking for something in particular. When I told him that I was looking for a new foundation. He paired me up with another extremely helpful and patient beauty advisor named Stephanie. She matched two foundations for me and asked me a series of questions to help me narrow down my decision. We looked at the foundation on my skin in studio light and natural light. She packaged up foundation for me to sample and even wrote down the brand and color on my Sephora beauty profile so I would know which color to purchase. I did not know that could be done, but it was helpful when I came back a week later to purchase the foundation after testing out the sample. A sales associate pulled up my Sephora account and went and got the foundation for me that Stephanie had saved during my previous visit to Sephora. I'm always so impressed with the customer service and helpful advice I receive for the associates and beauty advisors. They seem to really work together and communicate well with each other to create a great experience for customers like me. read more

I took my daughter to get her makeup done for her senior pictures , the makeup artist by the name of Stephanie was very helpful,friendly and professional she did a great job with her makeup and her pictures came out great from what I was able to see from our photographers camera since I won't be able to get pictures for about a week or two .... The photographer was kept asking her were she got her make up done the light is catching perfectly!!! She made my daughters feel like the princess she is .... she asked me mom can we have her do my prom makeup lol which is over 10 months away all and all I highly recommend her makeup services. The staff at the Monterey Sephora were all very pleasant and accommodating as well...I will definitely be booking future appointments as well as referring friends and family!!Great People doing great work!! read more

Whoaaaaa. So I wrote my review about how I like this Sephora but the girls makeup is terrible. I stand by the makeup thing but I'm seeing so many reviews of people saying their customer service is terrible, they're unhelpful, or they only help light skinned people. My eyes rolled in the back of my head on that last one. I go in here alllll the time. They're probably sick of me and I make returns all the time because I'm picky and if I'm paying $60 for a foundation I better love it. Through all my returns, various questions on products, and numerous samples no one has EVER been unhelpful. I'm always greeted and have never had anyone be rude to me. You ladies keep up the good work and thank you for never giving me a problem on all my returns. And I'm not sure if I'm "light skinned" but I don't think we need to turn everything into a race issue. Rouge for life. Lol read more

I made a make-up appt last minute for a wedding in Monterey and they were able to accommodate me no problem. Viet was the make-up artist and she was very professional and sweet. She did such an amazing job that I was getting so many compliments on my make-up. I was really happy with her and her work. Definitely I would recommend Viet for your appt. read more

I loved this sephora! Everyone was so nice and even my bf enjoyed going because of the huge selection of colognes. I went with my cousin last week and Jess encouraged us to buy lolita which we do not regret at all. They didn't have it in store but she ordered it for us online. She was super helpful and very friendly. Julie or julia..dont remember her name but she was also very helpful and friendly. It felt like we were shopping with friends. I will definitely be shopping there instead of the sephora in salinas even though I live in salinas but its worth the drive read more

This place is the worst! Go to the Sephora in San Jose; u'll have a better experience. SJ peeps get busy but I always feel taken care of in a genuine way. Monterey: Small store, limited items, but it's the workers that make this place so bad. EVERY time I go in, wether they r busy or not, I see multiple staff in various parts of the store gossiping (about eachother or other stores). I heard a worker tell a customer not to go get her makeup done by someone@Macy's because the woman was a drug addict. Here's my biggest complaint: the workers always approach and ask 'Can I help u?', and any time I say yes, they r sooooo unhelpful. As if I have stumped them. Basically when they say 'Can I help u?' they really mean 'How r u doing today?' So don't ask for their help, they have better things to do than actually be helpful. The impression I am left with: the workers@this store get paid to wear cute uniforms, put on a TON of makeup, have their hair coiffed, and could care less about being professional. I really do hate this store :-( read more

Amazing customer service, the girls are all super friendly and helpful. They not only gave me honest opinions about the pink lipsticks I was trying on, but they also suggested several shades that they thought would look nice on me. I got the perfect pink shade and I am a happy customer. :) read more

Horrible service. Was racially profiled and nonstop asked if I needed anything and also was hovered over the entire time. Make us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. read more

I walked in when it was relatively busy, so I didn't expect anyone to approach me to ask if I needed help. However, after walking around a bit and trying a few products, I noticed a few employees just walking around and not really stopping to greet customers. I searched the store for a good 15 min before I found the product I was looking for (no one helped me find it). When I went to go pay it was a bit chaotic at he registers, and my cashier seemed really eager to make me pay and leave. She hastily asked me how I was doing and didn't even allow me the time to answer before telling me what my total was. Overall, it wasn't a horrible experience, but it was uncomfortable, and will definitely make me think twice about going there again. read more

I don't feel comfortable going into this store. Every time I've been in here, I've been met with side eye. Really bad customer service. Completely unhelpful and unfriendly. I'm a huge makeup fanatic, but I will certainly take my business elsewhere. read more

This Sephora is *almost* perfect. It is on the smaller side, but any product not in store they can ship to your house for free. If you need help with skincare, talk with Giselle specifically! She is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and also just such a warm person, doesn't make me feel intimidated or uncomfortable. There is also a really nice red-haired woman who works there, she helpful and sweet as well. She's usually a greeter. (I will try to get her name next time I'm in) Pretty much everyone is so helpful and friendly, but those two specifically have stood out to me over the several times ive been to the store...except one exception: The store manager. She always has a "don't bother me" look on her face, super intimidating and (atleast seems like) she's always in a bad mood or grumpy about something. Anyways...I go to Sephora often. Atleast once every two weeks (if not more often). Frequently enough that Giselle remembers me and what we have talked about. Recently, I had an issue with a return. I bought some items at Sephora in JCPenney, and they were on my beauty insider. I've *always* been told that if you keep receipt OR have it on beauty insider that's proof of purchase. Well not this time. (And this could have been my fault/been misinformed previously)..anyways The cashier is newer and calls manager for help because she wasn't sure what to do..she could "see" the purchase on my beauty insider but couldn't/system wouldn't allow her to process the return. Manager tells me I need the actual JCPenney Sephora receipt to process the return. I tell her I thought insider was proof of purchase and she said not for jc penny..I then asked her if she could just treat it as a non receipt return for store credit or allow me to exchange for a different item. Manager says no. (I guess their return policy just changed a month or so ago that they no longer give store credit for non receipt returns). I am still standing there a bit perplexed, not so much at the situation (policy is policy and I understand options can be limited sometimes) but at the manager (who sees me in the store 3-5 times a month atleast). She didn't even try to help a "regular". Didn't try to think of some other route or solution. Basically had a "not my problem" attitude. I don't even recall her apologizing. Something like "sorry I really can't do anything let me call Sephora and see if we can work something out" or "so sorry for the problem here's some samples" etc. she just had a "nope can't do it" attitude. No effort at all. Which would have made all the difference. If you can't process the return, you can't, but you can act like you care about repeat customers and put in effort. So I end up calling Sephora customer service. They saw the purchase I made and issued me store credit online, which was totally fine with me! they were not combative or unhelpful at all, and even told me to keep the products for the inconvenience caused by the store. TLDR; everyone is great (especially Giselle for skincare concerns) except the manager. Has major attitude and is unhelpful, even with "regulars" she sees in store many times a month. read more

If you are one who is overwhelmed with make up and what to choose this is the place to go. Sierra was amazing! She did a skin IQ test on me...it's free so they take a few pictures of your skin and it shows what kind of foundation is best for your skin type. Sierra was so patient...make up is overwhelming and there is so much to choose from. She helped from eye shadow to mascara and lipstick. You share what you like and then they do all the work. read more

Nolan was super helpful when I stopped in recently, just kind of browsing but feeling a little down. Nolan pointed me in the direction of some super yummy, uplifting scents and I left feeling happy, beautiful and inspired. Looking forward to stopping in again to purchase some fun gifts for the holidays, to share that feeling. read more

I don't know why they have all the negative reviews but I've lived here for 9 months and go here to get my makeup and never have issues!

Sandra was awesome in assisting me with facial products. She was very helpful and patient..she gave me samples to try..thanks.

I don't know a lot about makeup so I trusted the people who work there to help match my skin color. The first time the lady ended up giving me a color that I thought looked fine in the store but went home and looked like a ghost. I went in a year or so later to try again and with a different brand and person ended up looking orange. I also have to hunt down a sales associate willing to help me. It feels like they all don't want to talk to customers which i get because im in custom service but also it's your job and I came in just being curious. I wont be shopping there anymore. read more

Sierra was fantastic in helping find the perfect gifts. She knew the skincare lines as well. The whole staff was very helpful. I had stopped shopping Sephora after the horrible experiences I had at the Salinas store but after today I will be back to the Monterey store and am once more a Sephora fan thanks to Sierra and staff. read more

I am a huge fan of Sephora, I have been a customer for a long time. I was in town for the holidays visiting family and I decided to check out this location. Very clean store and fantastic staff! They are attentive and very knowledgable of the products they carry. I will definitely be back and I recommend it to everyone. By the way the manager is great! read more

Stock issues seem to be getting better. Samples and offers still better for shopping online... baby steps.

Line is supper slow and only two cash registers. Won't be coming to this sephora unless I have an extra hour to spare standing in line.

This was one of the worst experience at this store ever ! I went in with my sister and my sister just got off of school so she looked a little out of it . When we first got into the store there was no greeting by any of the workers there they were all at the beauty studio . My sister and I then went to the the fragrances and I needed help no one came to even ask me if I was doing okay when clearly I was looking around for a worker . My sister then got frustrated then when to the makeup sections to try some products on. She then noticed that this lady was following her everywhere she went . And I guess what the worker at the cash rep did was called LP which they are in disguise and thought my sister was trying to steal something . It was very irritating because no one ever came to help us and then to think my sister was stealing is another thing . Everyone that was working clearly were in over there heads and don't care about the customers ! And remember makeup is not what makes you beautiful it's your attitude read more

a worker whispered to another worker and then they both looked at me and giggled at eachother. ok. I felt really uncomfortable here. so uncomfortable that I didn't even want to browse for too long. they wouldn't let me return something because it was used but their policy says you can return something as long as it isn't more than half empty. read more

I have come to this location twice in the past month. Each time I have come in, expecting my experience to be similar to other Sephora stores. These past two experiences have been very different than any Sephora I have shopped at. I got the feeling like I was being eyeballed the ENTIRE time. After a long day of work I want to have a relaxing and fun experience; I felt so extremely uncomfortable. There were multiple girls in the store just following my friends and I around. Usually when I go into a Sephora store there is a girl there to help me out right away..."Do you need help? Here is a basket." That type of thing, but not here. I honestly felt like I could have possibly been tasered at any moment for testing something. I understand loss prevention, but this is completely ridiculous, not everyone is going to steal from your store, so catch the ones that do and provide the full Sephora experience to those that are loyal. read more

I had to walk outside the store to make sure I was in Monterey and not Salinas, the woman standing in front of the make up as you walk in looked as high as a Kite, she was eye balling me while I looked at the product and when she was not looking deep into my soul she was running around with kids like it was a day care center, she approached me and asked me why I was opening boxes I politely let her know that I was just looking she did not understand the concept of buying makeup that is not damaged, she is rude and I will turn the other cheek and my credit card and take my business to Macy's, very disappointed. read more

I love this sephora so much ! Everytime I go in there I always feel at home they make sure I'm satisfied, the girls are super nice and professional. The service is so amazing !!! I never had a problem at this store highly recommend read more

Store wise: Incredible. Employee wise: not that good. A few people are very helpful, but over half the staff acts like you are trying to steal something. I understand theft is an issue, but they alienate their customers. You can see them talking to each other about you. If you are waking around with a product as you continue to shop they make you want to go home. I would suggest better training on customer service skills because these people are lacking. read more

Aliah was excellent! She stepped up when sales person Chelsea vanished into some lip gloss or whatever other experience was more important than customer service. Please Sephora, be better than mediocre indifferent to your customer base. This shopping center is dreary enough (even on a sunny day) for any customer to want to leave due to apathetic indifference. Entitlement of sales people is exhausting. read more

I visited this store today and had the worst experience. We waited over an hour to get color matched for Fenty Beauty (we were also skipped over a couple times) so we roamed around the store trying new products in the mean time. After we purchased everything we needed Kaitlin checked us out at registers and she didn't give me my gift with purchase so I politely asked about the gwp I was supposed to receive. She told me to wait while she helped someone else, which I though was kind weird. Anyways, my friend also purchased something which was only $34 and she also wanted the free gift however Kaitlin didn't mention that my friend needed to spend an extra dollar in order to receive the free gift. I had mentioned that to Kaitlin and she snapped back at us by saying online and in store are different so no she wouldn't have been able to receive the gift with purchase. I'm just really annoyed that she had the nerve to talk back to us especially when the email we received says it's valid for online and in store. She didn't try at all to make our experience a good one. read more

I love this sephora store over the one in salinas! It's big it's clean and the employees actually look like they know what they're doing. I talked to Olivia at the counter (she's cashier) and she gladly helped me out during the time she didn't have customers. As she was helping me find things I needed I noticed a manager with white hair from a far staring at her and talking into her microphone. I'm assuming she was mad that I asked Olivia for help and she was out of her area. What was she supposed to do? Direct me to someone who was staring at me like I'm shoplifting? No I'm definitely glad Olivia helped me and I'm sorry if I got her in trouble or anything. I've had an issue with my bare minerals foundation looking too pink on my skin and she matched the right color to me and I LOVE it! SHE ALSO took the time on her break to show me a couple of her personal favorites in skin care. I bought the Kores tinted lip balm and the Dr jart gel cream. During the time she was helping me she was very attentive and passionate about what she was showing me. Her makeup looked so beautiful & she knew so much about these products that I trusted her with my choices! She should be one of their makeup artists she's so great! I love the products I bought. Last time I was at sephora I had been helped by Jaclyn who is some sort of manager. She is the only manager who didn't make me feel like I was being stared at for browsing around.. maybe they should have a training sesh on how to make people feel welcome instead of guilty. Lol its only a few of the employees that do that but I'm pretty sure they are managers... overall my experience at sephora with the people that have helped me was fantastic Olivia and Jac are great at what they do. Thank the TWO of you for making me feel welcome and appreciated. read more

Love this sephora. Although it was busy on a weekend at lest 3 employees helped me. They were on their A game and I loved it. The make up artist were very helpful and gave very useful make up advise. Cant wait for more Holiday Collections to come out! read more

So happy Sephora came to Monterey. Knowledgable employees and a great variety of products and brands!

After a nightmarish experience at another make up store this week. I greatly appreciated the wonderful experience I had here. I was immediately greeted by a friendly saleslady. I wish I got her name so I could give her a shout out, but she asked me what I was looking for in this case it was a new make up and eye shadow primer. She showed me several brands and allowed me to test them out. She never rushed me, she asked questions about what I was looking for, and when I was done she graciously let me explore the store. When I was rung up, another sales lady helped me out and gave me a free sample of some night cream. I wish more makeup stores could be like this they were so pleasant, nice, the store was clean, the sales people were knowledgeable without being pushy, and I felt like for what I bought the prices were reasonable. I will definitely be coming here again even though its a bit of a drive from Santa Cruz because it was such a great experience. More makeup stores could learn from your great example. read more

Some of these reviews are shoking. Sephora monterey is by far one of the most amazing Sephora's I have been to. The longer they are around, the better their customer service has become. Everytime I go in there no matter who it is that helps me, they are all friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. I have learned alot, and my needs are always met. They have a good thing going in Sephora in Monterey! read more

Loooove this store. Shop here obsessively. The staff is very helpful and I haven't really had anyone have trouble answering my questions. They are very knowledgeable and helpful here. read more

I like this Sephora. It's well stocked with products and with knowledgeable employees. Jess helped me with foundation and bronzer. She did a great job applying the products, and I actually felt pretty when I looked in the mirror. I'll be back to see Jess. :) read more