I think its sketchy that Blue Mercury only gives store credit. Return policy tells you a lot about a company; one of the reasons i am a Nordstrom loyalist.

I got Sephora Play as a birthday gift last fall, which has been hit and miss for me. But its brought me to their store more in the past year.

Anonymous wrote:I prefer Sephora because of their rewards system. Will be trying the new Sephora at Crown Farm tomorrow armed with my 15% off coupon that only members get.

On the scale of things for me -

Ulta > Sephora > Blue Mercury for rewards

For product (I like luxury)

Blue Mercury = Ulta > Sephora

I prefer Sephora because of their rewards system. Will be trying the new Sephora at Crown Farm tomorrow armed with my 15% off coupon that only members get.

My typical experience at Sephora is:

"Can I help you find something?"
"NO thanks, I'm just looking."

12 seconds later:
"Can I help you find something?"
"NO thanks, I'm just looking."

12 seconds later:
"Can I help you find something?"
"NO thanks, I'm just looking."

Repeat approx 25 more times.

However, the new store at Pike and Rose in Rockville is always empty and quiet and the staff are not pushy.

I purchased over $200 items from Blue Mercury as a gift for my Mom She was not interested in the products I purchased so I returned them at a different location and purchased a gift card for full amount. Mom went to use the gift card which had a zero balance!!!!! I physically went to the stores and they said they have no record of purchase, return or gift card! What?????? I called corporate and emailed several times with someone who ended up doing nothing. I was a constant customer at Blue Mercury Montclair, NJ, Millburn, NJ and Ridgewood, NJ but will NEVER shop there again!! Your Loss Blue Mercury!!!

Blue Mercury has my Laura Mercier and it is two blocks from my house. It's a peaceful experience.

I go to Sephora the few times I am in a mall.

I do think Blue Mercury feels higher end--but I'm about price.

I only go to blue mercury for bikini waxes since they use cold wax. But for makeup I only go to sephora (or ulta. Or target. ;-p)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the experiences of others are, and if I'm missing something other than a smaller, more "local" option and local chain. The times I've been to Blue Mercury, the staff are either extremely rude and bitchy, or extremely pushy - or both. I never feel like the staff are sincere in helping, and mostly just want to sell sell sell. They carry some great product lines, but I just hate going to the store. Plus their return policy sucks (no returns, even for unopened items - store credit only). Is there something I'm missing about the store and its appeal?

I would say that Sephora is more "one stop shop", lots of brands and products for all beauty related needs whereas Blue Mercury is more "boutique-ish" higher end products with less offerings. I actually think Sephora sales people are quite pushy. Neither are bitchy.

This has been my experience as well.

I prefer Blue Mercury because it's smaller and I can get in and out faster. But really I don't much care and will go to wherever is more convenient, which might be online or Bloomingdales too. I don't need an experience, I just need some mascara (or blush, or whatever).

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the experiences of others are, and if I'm missing something other than a smaller, more "local" option and local chain. The times I've been to Blue Mercury, the staff are either extremely rude and bitchy, or extremely pushy - or both. I never feel like the staff are sincere in helping, and mostly just want to sell sell sell. They carry some great product lines, but I just hate going to the store. Plus their return policy sucks (no returns, even for unopened items - store credit only). Is there something I'm missing about the store and its appeal?

I would say that Sephora is more "one stop shop", lots of brands and products for all beauty related needs whereas Blue Mercury is more "boutique-ish" higher end products with less offerings. I actually think Sephora sales people are quite pushy. Neither are bitchy.

I have such a hard time at any Sephora b/c those stores are always packed, the music is too loud, and I can rarely find anyone interested in helping me.

Sephora at Friendship Heights is professional and friendly.

I LOVE the one in Fairfax Corner. I am a devoted Bobbi Brown user. It's much easier to pop in there vs the mall. They also carry Kiehls which I use as well. I think if you know the brand you like it's perfect for that. If you need a lot of options to try Sephora is good. I've never had anything but great service.

Blue Mercury seems more upscale to me...sophisticated.
Sephora seems more for teens to me...but also adults...

Wondering what the experiences of others are, and if I'm missing something other than a smaller, more "local" option and local chain. The times I've been to Blue Mercury, the staff are either extremely rude and bitchy, or extremely pushy - or both. I never feel like the staff are sincere in helping, and mostly just want to sell sell sell. They carry some great product lines, but I just hate going to the store. Plus their return policy sucks (no returns, even for unopened items - store credit only). Is there something I'm missing about the store and its appeal?