I go to santa rosa's location a lot but went to this one out of the blue and love this location way more. They have better brands (at least my personal opinion) and the customer service was amazing. I'm not sure if i'm writing her name correct but Catia helped me and was 100% awesome. I'll probably just accept the longer drive and go to this one for now on. read more

Ask for Alyssa, she has bright green hair too And shes amazing, she gives great information about the products and is very friendly. I needed a new skincare routine and my skin feels so much better from the products she recommended! Also great staff, always greet and ask if me if I need help very neat and a lot of product read more

I buy all my products here but recently I've been pretty disappointed, now I'm not the best person at putting on makeup and that's part of the reason why I'm not giving 1 star but I walked in asking for a non oily, not cakey looking foundation and obviously a color match, the girl who helped me was very sweet but the foundation she gave me is way to light for my skin tone and looks horribly oily after it's been on my face for more then 3 hours. I don't know what I'm doing wrong because my face is not oily, ever. read more

I love sephora! macys makeup counters are cheaper but you dont get nearly as many options

This location is actually better than those in San Francisco! Megan and Stephanie have always been more than helpful and patient with me to find the products that suit me best! They're usually not out of stock of much and the store is spotless and very big selection! Love this store !!! read more

I love sephora its the only place i buy make-up now..even before i lived in novato i drove there just for the great service and suggestions on multiple brands and products unlike in the mall where the best product for u is always the both your standing at they really help you find the best fit for you, plus you get a point for every dollar you spend and if you save them they add up fast i always get free stuff and gifts and coupons in my email by far the best place to buy make-up. read more

Stephanie Least and Nini are amazing!!! I love them both. Came in to get some lashes and boom, Stephanie put them on me in a matter of seconds and touched up my make up to make me look and feel vintage for my event later that night. Nini is even more amazing. Last October for Halloween I got cougared up by her amazing making artistry talent. Ask for these gals if you wana get that professional result of looking like the hot model you truly are inside. read more

This is so embarrassing, but I use Moroccan Oil a lot, I even carry one around in my purse, I got one for someone and she said it made her hair greasy so I returned it, only the bottle I gave her wasn't the new one it was the basically empty one that I use! I was horrified because it probably seemed I was trying to scam her, the cashier was gracious and told me not to worry. Thank you for not assuming the worst and for returning my item. read more

We had a great sephora experience! My sisters and I came here to get our makeup done for prom and all three of us got the exact looks we were hoping for. Our makeup artists were very talented and friendly and kept up their explanations of what they were doing throughout the makeover process. Special thanks to Rory, Joey, and Norma for their beautiful work and all their help! read more

The 5 stars in for Andy. The store is normal like any other Sephora but no Sephora employee has ever stuck out to me like Andy did. She's super nice and was super helpful the whole time with my picky perfume search. Really appreciated her customer service. read more

Great place to shop for all the best products! The service is great and the employees are great at helping with application of new products.

2 stars because this location is usually well stocked and well organized. Minus three stars because every time I come to this location I am never greeted when I walk in. Also, every time I visit I am never offered any help. I constantly see employees helping other customers, but I have never been approached by an employee and have been asked if I need help with anything. Every other Sephora I go to has excellent customer service. read more

Leigh (at Novato) was incredible!!! She was the most knowledgable employee I have ever encountered when buying skin care and make-up products. I am always impressed with the employees at Sephora, but Leigh went above and beyond. I walked in with a long list of needs. I was greeted at the entrance and directed straight to Leigh. She was knowledgeable, friendly, warm, welcoming and extremely professional. First she helped me identify my skincare needs with the "tablet" then she suggested additional products that I could benefit from. I tried three products and made my decision. We went through this process three times, for each product I needed. She was incredibly patient with me. Next we moved onto the makeup I needed. We browsed her favorite choices for my complexion and needs. She helped me choose 6 different tinted moisturizers. I then was seated at a "beauty station" where she applied the different tinted moisturizers to my cheek, so I could compare. She guided me to make my own choices, rather then push me towards any specific product. She even went to pull more products while I was seated. As I began making my final choices, she had already begun applying my tinted moisturizer and concealer. The man at checkout, Oniel was very kind too and make me feel that Sephora genuinely appreciated my purchases. I walked out of Sephora loving the new look and feeling confident in my purchases. Leigh listened to my needs and delivered the perfect products to me. She couldn't have been better! I will definitely call ahead next time I go to Sephora to make sure that Leigh is in. I am excited to tell my friends and family about how talented Leigh is at color-matching and product selection. I was very impressed with her today and am already looking forward to my next visit! read more

I love this place. I am literally in the store at least once a week! I am obsessed with makeup. I love all the selections. I love that they help you without trying to push you since they don't make commissions. I love the points system to redeem for different little products. Ask for Stephanie she always knows what i like and what new things are out. I must say I live at that store!!! I will always go there for my cosmetics I wont go anywhere else! read more

I frequent this Sephora at least once a week. Great selection of cosmetics and fragrances. Benefit & Smashbox are my favorites and they carry both. The cashiers are usually friendly and everyone I've met here has been incredibly helpful in finding what I'm looking for. read more

TERRIBLE!!! STAFF SUCKS!! RUDE!! They are super nice to older or old people and super rude to young people. I was watching and listening as I walked through the shop. Just because we are young doesn't mean you can treat us like we don't have money or any less of a person. I didn't get ask once if I need help, I had to ask a staff member for help and when I did she was rude about it and gave me attitude. This blonde, medium weight, short girl. DON'T ASK HER FOR HELP! I was going to talk to the manager but she was the one that ringed me up and she was rude as well. Answered with a "what" instead of a "I'm sorry" or "sorry, I didn't catch that" when she didn't hear the last number of my phone number. Mexican lady, mid-age. RUDE RUDE RUDE! Luckily they have lovely make up product or else half the people wouldn't even bother to come back with the rude, disrespectful service. read more

Bad experience at the Novato store. Staff member uninformed and gave inaccurate info. about products. I attempted to return a broken eyelash curler, which I purchased at this location. I was told by sales person that eyelash curlers need to be replaced EVERY 6 mos. and that store would not replace this broken item. This information is incorrect! Who has ever heard of replacing a $20 eyelash curler every six months....really???? I suggest that staff receive further customer service training, as well as product training! Shopping experience much better on-line or via telephone with Sephora! I will not return to this store! read more

I am so glad I decided to read the reviews here on Yelp, because I too was followed & watched as if I was a shoplifter simply beause I spent a lot of time shopping in the store & being very conscientious about testing, reading about, & picking out new makeup. And- it wasn't the first time in this particular store. I am an almost 60 yr old caucasion female. I carry (always) a very large purse, & I do enjoy the experience of shopping. Picking out new makeup takes time. I read everything that is in it. I try it out on my hand or face. I browse & get totally immersed in the experience, It is fun & exciting & a happy thing to do & I generally truly enjoy that experience in most stores- BUT- never again in the Novato Sephora. There is a small/medium height African-American man who works there (manager? security?) with very long braids/dreads who seems very nice at first, but spend more than 30 minutes shopping there, & he starts staring at you, following you down the isles, & looking generally displeased & suspicious. He will stand there with his arms crossed & whisper comments to the other employees, who will then look at you & have a distinctly negative attitude change. He will watch the transaction closely *WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY BUYING SOMETHING* with an unpleasant expression, & then stand at the door glaring at you when you leave! This has happened to me 4 times! Many of the other workers here are very wonderful- lovely, helpful, fun, sweet. Have had much fun with many of them. Until then man I described whispers something to them (which, btw, is so obvious & apparent) & their attitude & demeanor completely changes. It is really horrible. There is no excuse for this. Are the higher-ups at Sephora not reading these reviews? Why is this being allowed? Why aren't good management & customer service skills not being promoted here?? I would give this store a big fat zero if there was an option to do so, because that is how shopping here made me feel... but there is not... I will now spend my money at Nordstom's. You get the customer service, the samples, & the respect & the dignity- without the humiliation. I suggest you spare yourself & do the same. read more

First off I want to say I LOVE sephora. Secondly... I HATE this particular one. Aweful service and I do mean AWEFUL and very rude staff. I live in Petaluma so it is the closest one around. However I will definitely take my business to the sephora in the city, @ least they smile. read more

Let me start by saying that I normally love Sephora - in fact, it is a rare occasion that I purchase my beauty products anywhere else. My horrible experiences started when I wanted to exchange a face moisturizer. When I had bought it (only two weeks before) the woman helping me said that if I didn't love it, then I could bring it back. I used it for about a week and didn't end up liking it, so I brought it back into the store for an exchange (not even a return). They started telling me how I had "used too much of it", when the container didn't have a lot to begin with. They should have been more clear about returns and exchanges, and definitely could have lightened up on the attitude, because after all, I am the customer. I will not be coming back to this one, but would totally recommend the one on Union street in SF. They are always great there and I have always had positive experiences. read more

I get followed around this store every time I come here, as if they are expecting me to steal something. I usually ignore it but this last instance was particularly ridiculous. My mom and I were in the store for all of 15 minutes. We were followed up and down the aisles to the point of feeling uncomfortable. Then, two security guards walked into the store and the clerks started clapping and saying "THANK GOD YOU ARE HERE." I dropped my things and left. Won't be shopping here, ever. read more

Sucks that the location is so far away but its the only place I can find near by that carrys Bare Essentials. I would have to say they mostly always have it in stock. Only 2 times in the last 4 years have they not had any. Great selection of everything in that store and the guy(s) who work there anlways have flawless makeup!! I will say that i did go in there a few times to check out the new Kat VonD line and they were out of it. I mean bare walls with it. Sucked cause it looked like good stuff. THink they need to stock up on certian items. read more

Poor service if you are well dress you will get great service but if you go there after work nobody is going to help you.

Olivia is the nicest sales rep, she took extra time to make sure our exchange went as smoothly as possible. Over all a great experience.

I love going to Sephora in Vintage Oaks Novato staff is friendly and helpful. its awesome you can try on the make up before you decide to buy it. Their return policy is awesome too!! Today I was helped by Rory very nice girl. And another time by Ana. Thank you for your great customer service!! read more

I felt very welcomed and valued by the people in this store. They were there t ok help without pushing you to buy something. They answered all of questions regarding their rewards program giving me the opportunity to compare to ultas. Very impressed with their service. It is much appreciated. read more

My first experience of Sephora was great, thank to the help of the lovely Christina. I was looking for a suitable foundation for my dry, acne prone skin and she was absolutely amazing. She came up with great suggestions and was super nice. She also helped my mom on finding some blushes and my mom was very happy with her findings. Overall, my first experience of Sephora was made better by the great customer service that I received. Planning to be back again and again and again. read more

I came into the store today makeup free and needed a color match for a foundation I had came down to the store to buy after doing online research.I was matched but then was asked if I had ever bought foundation before or if this was my first foundation purchase in a kind of condecending tone.I am almost 30 years old yes I have bought makeup before.I don't know if it was because I wasn't wearing makeup or my acne scars,but I got the vibe she thought I was like a 10 year old girl new to makeup and was asked if I knew what primer,concealer and color correcting was.yes I do thanks. read more

Some girls are so rude! I honestly just loved going there because of erit . She was amazing and very knowledgeable in skincare! Always gave me great products to try that actually worked for my skin type. Only reason why I give them 2 starts. Unfortunately she is no longer there so I won't be shopping here anymore! Try Ulta in San Rafael its amazing!!! read more

I love this Sephora! They have the best selection and great customer service. I really love the fact you can get samples of perfume or lotion or shampoo. I even got a sample of Exfolikate exfoliating scrub which is awesome. The staff are always so helpful and nice here and I totally love this location. You can just pop in between Costco and Target visits, it's real convenient. I love that they carry so many different brands of cosmetics. I love Tarte products especially their blush and mascara but I also love Urban Decay's Love Potion Eyeshadow primer and brow box. I am in love with Bare Minerals Buxom lip gloss too. I can get all of my favorites from one store. It's a one stop shop. I especially love Christmas time at Sephora; the complimentary gift wrapping is such a great touch. My ultimate favorite things from Sephora are the gift sets. I just got the mascara gift set for Christmas and I can't wait to try them all. They are such a great bargain; the mascara gift set includes 1 full size mascara and 9 smaller ones and a small bottle of makeup remover all for only $45, and let me tell you that the small mascaras last a long time. The staff are always so helpful and friendly, they know their stuff and they are honest too. I asked questions about a particular brand/product and I got the pros and the cons which was such a great help. I trust their opinions also because of the way they present themselves; professional. The employees' makeup is always well done, tasteful, and professional unlike some of the other cosmetic stores and counters. The store is always organized and clean and the staff are always there to help but they also give you space and don't hover over you the whole time. You can always find what you are looking for whether it's a great eyeliner brush or something glittery and cute like a hello kitty compact or a great OPI nail polish. Sephora is a cosmetics wonderland. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

I have always loved Sephora and shop at the Novato store. Usually when I walk in, about 10 salespeople pounce on me and ask if I need help (slightly annoying). Sometimes I walk out; usually, I just decline. Today I went in and actually needed help with a foundation. I asked someone who worked there for help; there were multiple employees who didn't seem to be waiting on anyone. She said she would send someone over, but she never did. She saw me again and asked if anyone had come to help. I said no, so she sent over the first person she saw. The person was very unhelpful. I needed help with a foundation. She herself didn't give a very good impression for the store with her messy blue hair, foundation that didn't match her skin, and general unhelpfulness. She tried a color on me, had no opinion, and then the sample in the color I wanted was apparently empty. She tried to get some foundation out of it, but gave up and said they had no sample for that color. Why didn't she just open the one for sale? I would either have bought it or they could have used it as a tester. I said I would wait on it. I went to Ulta, and the service was great! read more

I absolutely LOVE Sephora and have shopped there far too often this year. This store is a little over 30 minutes away from my house so I was fine with the drive. I'm surprised at the negative reviews regarding customer service because I thought the reps at this store were fantastic. I was asked if I needed assistance several times (but not to the point of it being annoying) and a rep even looked up a product on the website for reference to see if they had it in the store. The store feels a little smaller than other ones I've been to, but they still carry all the products/brands I was looking for so that's not really a big deal. All-in-all, a great store and I would more than likely go back. read more

So I could totally get why people have reviewed this place as they have, having lived all of my life in Marin and experiencing similar poor customer service. The few times I have been into this Sephora, however, I have gotten awesome help and advice, most recently from Tony, who helped me deal with a problem I had with my VIB card. I usually feel like I am burdening SAs when I do things like this, other than buying products I mean, but she was super sweet about it and super helpful. The managers are a bit scary though, I won't lie. I love Sephora and mostly shop online, but I've had good experiences in this particular shop so I'll be back for sure :) read more

Third time was not a charm. 1st visit was good customer service but the in stock availability of Bare Minerals was disappointing, but they did take my name and # and called when it came in later in the week. . 2nd visit was really good customer service, but again they were out of the Bare Minerals I needed; foundation and original prime time. I was offered something I had never been offered, and that was to take the nearest option to what I did want and they would call me when what I had wanted came in. I asked the young lady to explain, and I was told that I could buy the foundation and then exchange it for the other (oil control) when it came in. Awesome! They called later in the week to advise the one I did want was in, and I asked "so I just bring in the other and exchange it?" I was advised no. Oh well, maybe I miss understood, as it did seem to good to be true that you can buy something to hold you over and then exchange it for what you wanted when it does come in. 3rd visit was only so-so customer service and the music seemed really loud but it was a very windy day and the front doors were open... so they probably didn't notice it after a couple of hours of work. Again they were out of the Bare Minerals "Prime Time" foundation and eye lid primers and the moisturizer. Took the oil control foundation primer that is my back up choice, and when the young lady who was checking me out asked if I found everything I said no, that I really wanted to prime time original for foundation and for lids, I decided to try a different moisturizer. She was very nice about going to double check, and came back with no luck on the foundation prime time but had found the last eye lid prime time. She asked if I wanted it and I said yes, it was 1 of the 3 things I came in for. So she dropped it in my bag, I didn't check it before she dropped it in the bag and that was a big mistake. What I didn't know was that it was "urban nature" primer shadow. When I found this out, which was after I opened it and squirted some out on my finger, I was not a thrilled camper. I did go back but nothing more than an "oh sorry" was all I got. Shame on me for trusting people. I will go back but not for Bare Minerals, probably just get eye lash curler or make up brushes. I will stop at Bare Essentials in Corte Madera for my other needs. So, 2 stars are the Yelp equivalent of "Meh. I've experienced better" rating, and I have! read more

Rochelle at the Benefit Brow Bar is amazing. She takes her time, she's super friendly and funny and I always walk out of the store looking better than I did walking in. Can't recommend her enough! read more