JCPenney Salon in Tuscaloosa, AL

Recent needs to restock took me to Sephora. Amazed at new products. Even more impressed with the young lady that helped me find exactly what I needed for my completion.  Her name was Mary Ruth.  Must be new!  Friends, I've told y'all LOOK her up. It's time we started putting on pretty and get out and shine!!!!  Thanks Mary Ruth!

Went in Saturday to get a few things. The girl working the counter never spoke or asked if I needed any help. I was the only one in the store.  I don't think I'll be going back to this sephora.  Since covid, you have no idea what color any makeup is anyway.  Might as well shop online.

I had such a good experience here and am so pleased with the customer service! Despite not being a stand-alone Sephora, this store is pretty sizable. It offers the newest makeup palette releases, top-of-the-line skincare, and has a great selection of travel-sized products. The employee was very knowledgeable, greeted me as soon as I walked in, and helped me to find the right foundation shade. She even gave me free samples of products I wanted to try!

THEY DO NOT ACCEPT SEPHORA.COM EXCHANGES OR RETURNS and do not offer the same customer service as the full size Sephora stores. No one working there seemed willing to help me. The employees were talking or hanging out at the counter. When I asked where a product was they pointed across the store but did not offer to show me the product or help me select a shade. I had plans to purchase several items but received no help and ended up leaving without purchasing anything. I had rather drive to Birmingham than use this location.

I'm glad that Tuscaloosa has a Sephora in town. I'll be frank- I'm not too interested in the JC Penney, but it's nice to have the Sephora to pick up staples that I use when I'm too impatient to wait for shipping, or if I want to quickly browse around. I've always had good experiences at this location. At a SiJCP, there will of course be limitations to what brands/stock is offered, so I know to expect that. At the same time, there are also exclusive curated sets sold in these stores, especially around the holidays, so I like to look out for those (much like what the standalone Sephora stores offer). I like being able to pick up staples like my MUFE setting powder, an ABH eyebrow pencil, etc., and they tend to have a good stock of those items. I also like that their selection of VIB perks, for what it's worth, tends to be fairly good. The last one I picked up was a full size Clinique eyeliner for 100 pts.-- a great deal!

The people that work here have always been friendly and have been helpful in providing samples any time I ask- and with generous amounts, too, so I can really test out a product. I'll admit that I like the Sephora 'experience' much more than Ulta, and that this location is decent enough, with friendly folks. While I don't tend to need much help or assistance, I can find what I need and generally leave happy.