Sneak peek inside make-up store Sephora ahead of opening day at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe
A much-missed make-up store has returned to a Kent shopping centre and the excitement is high.
The highly-anticipated opening of Sephora at Bluewater in Greenhithe took place on Wednesday (November 27).
The French company, which was founded in 1969, specialises in make-up, skincare, hair, fragrance, travel-sized products and wellness.
News about the arrival was originally announced in August and the opening date was confirmed at the beginning of the month – just in time for Black Friday.
Eager fans have been quick to point out this is the second time Sephora has had a branch in the shopping centre.
The retailer launched its very first store there in 2000 and over the next five years opened a further six nationwide.
However, they were eventually closed due to a lack of demand against their competitors such as Boots and Superdrug.
Sephora US briefly shipped products across the pond but eventually stopped due to GDPR complications.
Sarah Boyd, managing director for Sephora UK, told KentOnline she is “very excited” to launch the Kent branch once again.
The 48-year-old has been a part of the UK team for two years but used to live in Singapore running the Asia-Pacific division.
Her family are originally from Kent and she remembers going to Sevenoaks School for sixth form.
She said: “The population here doesn’t have that many options when it comes to big shopping areas, so Bluewater is very important.
“I remember it from many years ago as a lovely place to shop.
“We wanted to make sure that we could be within an hour or so's drive of the majority of the population.
“I think we're going to have great loyalty and a regular customer base here, which will be really nice.”
She added: “I hope that the consumers that come and visit us will love the experience that will be provided.
“I feel like the mall itself has also undergone a bit of a revamp in the last few years.
“The management has done a brilliant job and there's some great new retailers.”
The store will stock Makeup by Mario, GXVE by Gwen Stefani and Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, as well as Glossier, Rare Beauty, Kayali and Glow Recipe.
It offers nearly 340 local and global brands alongside its private label, the Sephora Collection.
In the centre of the store lies a beauty station, where customers can receive expert advice and services that they can book in advance.
Bluewater is set to be the seventh branch to launch since the retailer returned to the UK in 2022.
It follows locations in London’s Westfield White City and Westfield Stratford, Manchester Trafford Centre, as well as Newcastle Eldon Square, Gateshead Metrocentre and Birmingham Bullring.
There were 500 goodie bags on offer for the first customers through the doors on openig morning.
“When we opened in Westfield, we had about 5,000 people and we had 3,000 in both Stratford and Trafford,” she explained.
“This mall feels slightly different – everyone has to drive to get here and we're not in a city centre.”
The store is not only going to bring fresh new products but more jobs to the area.
Shannon Coleman and Amber Pooley both work at the store and are gearing up for the masses doing their Christmas shopping.
“Sephora has changed in the last year and grown massively,” Shannon said.
“I had an office job for a short time but I missed interacting and talking with people.
“I love to play with products and recommend my favourites.”
Shannon always had a passion for make-up and studied beauty therapy for three years before becoming a part of the team, whereas Amber has been in the industry for nine years and formerly worked for Mac and Chanel.
“There’s a lot of excitement at the moment, a real buzz,” Amber added.
“We have so many exclusive brands. This is really going to shake up the beauty industry.”
The store is on the ground floor opposite Bershka.
