Sephora VIB Rouge Beauty Before Brunch Event

It's that time of the year again - Sephora spring sale time! If you're a VIB Rouge, you recently received this email or invitation in the post:

The spring Rouge event is a closed door shopping event for VIB Rouge members to kick off the spring sale, which has been referred to as "chic week" in the past. This year, Rouge members get access to their discount four days before VIB members, who get access on the 16th. VIB members also get 15% off their purchases as well. Regular Beauty Insiders will receive 10% off starting on the 17th. (If you are not currently a Beauty Insider, it is free to sign up!)

The event at my store had contouring lessons, mini makeovers, and mini facials. I did not avail myself of any of these, since I had business after the shopping time and I didn't want a red face or an overly warm contoured face. There was coffee, water, fruit, and small pastries available. It looked like the store had its full force of sales associates working, all wearing bright red lipstick to celebrate the Rouge title. I spoke with two vendors, one from Stila, and one from Benefit. The Benefit rep was quite pushy, but I managed to walk away with no product, as I'm not a huge fan of Benefit products.

The Sales Associates were all friendly and helpful, although I was asked about a thousand times if I needed anything. One came over while I was examining swatches and we had a nice chat about which shade would look better on me, and I let her know that no matter which one I got, I'd have a dupe at home - I'm Rouge for a reason! I got a few samples made:

• Josie Maran Argan Milk
• Too Faced Hangover Rx
• Make Up For Ever Smoothing primer
• NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Finland

When I checked out, the Sales Associate thanked me for being a Rouge member. Something I know ALL SAs are supposed to do, but doesn't always happen - I'm sure they were specifically reminded that today was not a day to forget. I got the goodie bag, and here's what it had in it:

• Formula X nail polish in Tornado
• Benefit Puff Off! foil sample
• Nude Omega Treament Milk foil sample
• Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream perfume sample
• Shiseido Ultimune foil sample
• Alterna Caviar Repair Shampoo and Conditioner foil samples
• Buxom Full On Lip Cream mini in Pink Lady

I'm not too thrilled with the nail polish color, and I know other people who got other shades. I have a feeling it was a grab bag of slow moving shades. 

My main gripe with Sephora this time around is the discount. Why, if VIB Rouge is the top tier for rewards, do we get the same discount as VIB, who spend $650 less in a year (to qualify)? Why are we not getting a larger discount? Or at least, some other perk other than a few foil samples and a nail polish? Sephora really does need to step up their top tier rewards. Either up discount for sales so there's some differentiation between the top tiers, allow Rouge to have more than one promo code per order (I can only get the discount but not anything else?) or maybe allow me to have a discount on point perks? I really have to spend 100 points, technically 100 dollars, on a mini mascara?

Unfortunately, since sales on high end brands such as YSL come so rarely, of course I will still buy from there. However, I have not yet requalified for Rouge yet, when I had already requalified and then some at this time last year.

I'll be posting my sale haul at the end of the sale - there's still a week left!