Tag: health and beauty

‘Sephora Summer’ kicks off as first-ever Scottish store opens in Edinburgh

SEPHORA UK has officially arrived in Scotland with the opening of its first-ever Scottish store at Edinburgh’s St James Quarter. 

The landmark opening kicks off ‘Sephora Summer’, a major period of UK expansion that will see four new stores open in just eight weeks.

Spanning 4,961 sq ft, the Edinburgh store is Sephora UK’s 15th UK location and the third opening of 2026, with Glasgow Silverburn set to open in August. 

London’s Carnaby Street and Old Spitalfields Market will also open in the coming days. Together, the openings represent Sephora UK’s biggest period of physical expansion since returning to the UK in 2023.

Thousands of beauty fans queued to be among the first through the doors, before Sephora UK Managing Director Sarah Boyd officially cut the ribbon to open the retailer’s first Scottish store. 

The moment was celebrated with a parade through St James Quarter, featuring homegrown talent including DJ Lu, drag artist Sally Saint Scott and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Sephora UK, said: “Scotland has been one of the most requested locations from our community, so opening our first Scottish store is an incredibly exciting milestone for Sephora UK.

“Edinburgh is a city with an amazing beauty community, incredible creativity and visitors from all over the world, making it the perfect place to continue our UK expansion. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming both local customers and visitors into the Sephora experience for the very first time.

“This opening also marks the beginning of a hugely exciting summer for Sephora UK as we continue expanding our footprint across the country with both destination stores and new boutique formats, allowing us to bring prestige beauty to more communities than ever before.”

Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director for St James Quarter, said: “The opening of Sephora’s first-ever Scottish store is a landmark moment for both the brand and St James Quarter. 

“It’s exciting to see Sephora mark this significant milestone with a memorable launch event, from the ribbon-cutting ceremony to the performances taking place throughout the day. 

“Welcoming such an internationally recognised beauty retailer to the Quarter further strengthens the destination’s appeal and gives visitors the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most sought-after beauty brands right here in Scotland.”

Christina Hill, 40 from Fife travelled to the store launch with her husband, Kenny. She said: “This is the first time that I’ve ever been in a Sephora store but I have always wanted to visit.

“It’s amazing they’re finally here – I’ll be travelling into Edinburgh to shop here all the time now”

Her husband Kenny (50) was enjoying himself too: “This is quite an experience, I didn’t know what to expect.

“I enjoy a wee face mask now and then, so who knows, I might buy something as well as my wife.”

Chloe Hicks, 24, from Harthill and Paige McNaught, 19, from Breich got up at 4am to get glam for the store launch – but say it’s all in a day’s work for them.

Chloe said: “We’re both cabin crew and so make-up is an essential part of routine – in fact, I was on call this morning for work and I was so worried I’d get called up and miss this launch. We’ve been so excited about it.”

Paige continued: “It’s so brilliant to finally have Sephora here because we can finally go and see products that have never been in Scotland before.

“It’s been such a party atmosphere today, it feels like a party, everyone is dancing and singing.”

Following yesterday’s official opening (Thursday 9 July 2026), customers visiting throughout the weekend can enjoy a packed programme of exclusive experiences, entertainment and giveaways celebrating Sephora’s long-awaited arrival in Scotland. 

Highlights include:

●      A tartan-themed photobooth.

●      The chance to feature on a digital billboard outside the store by sharing queue selfies.

●      Surprise brand moments from Scottish-born brand BYOMA, as well as Inde Wild, Le Monde Gourmand, Kayali, Sephora Collection and more.

●      Treats for customers from Wingstop, Oakberry and local charity Coffee Saints.

As part of the celebrations, customers making any purchase between Thursday 9 July and Sunday 12 July 2026 (or while stocks last) will receive a Beauty Bonus Card, giving every customer an equal chance to instantly win prizes including goodie bags, Sephora merchandise, complimentary beauty services, exclusive products and discounts.

For the first time, Scottish beauty lovers can shop many of Sephora UK’s most sought-after and exclusive brands in person, including rhode, Haus Labs, Makeup By Mario, Merit Beauty, Half Magic, Yepoda and Tower 28, alongside viral favourites such as Tatcha, Tarte, Summer Fridays and Kosas.

The Edinburgh store will also feature Sephora’s latest Beauty Scan technology. Powered by an advanced lens attached to a Beauty Advisor’s phone, the service analyses hydration levels, oil levels and foundation shade matching to deliver personalised product recommendations tailored to each customer’s individual skin needs.

Customers can also enjoy Sephora UK’s growing range of redeemable beauty services, alongside access to the MySephora loyalty programme, which offers free delivery for every member, points on every purchase, early access to launches, exclusive rewards and invitations to special events through the Sephora UK app.

Today’s opening marks the beginning of ‘Sephora Summer’ – Sephora UK’s biggest period of expansion since returning to the UK in 2023. 

Following Edinburgh, the retailer will open a second Scottish store at Glasgow Silverburn before launching its first-ever UK boutique stores at Carnaby Street and Old Spitalfields Market later this month, bringing the Sephora experience to even more beauty lovers across the UK.

Bucking the beauty trend

Self-contained, separately ventilated salons offer a more controlled approach, ensuring an uplift in post-pandemic treatments

According to the National Health and Beauty Federation, the beauty industry has suffered approximately £1.75b in losses since the beginning of the pandemic*.

With government guidelines being relaxed and reintroduced daily, businesses are at a loss to know which services to offer and how to host clients safely.  However, the Salon Studios business model offers the perfect solution to post-pandemic pampering for COVID anxious and higher risk categories, as well as those who simply wish to have more control: by reducing their exposure to the masses whilst completely personalising the experience. 

A reinvention of the traditional salon ownership, Salon Studios offers self-contained, separately ventilated, move-in ready salons, for self-employed salon professionals who would like to provide a one-to-one service for clients.

This standard has allowed salonpreneurs to get back to work quicker and easier, without the massive overheads, and feel safe in their salon as they operate a one-salon-one-client model. Short leases and low weekly fees have meant an influx of interested parties contacting Salon Studios founder, Roz Colthart, so much so the first location in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, is filled and there is a significant waiting list.

Roz Colthart explained: “When the pandemic hit, we at Salon Studios, like everywhere else, were worried about how this would impact the industry.  However, the demand we have witnessed has been completely unprecedented.

“Not only have we had enquiries for new locations from over 20 cities across the country, but we have had so many more enquiries in Edinburgh  that we have started looking for another two venues within Edinburgh and Glasgow.

“As a businessperson – and someone who has worked incredibly hard to get this concept off the ground – it is hard for me to turn salonpreneurs away because we currently don’t have the space. But location is key and so until I find the right places to build our next Salon Studios location, those on the waitlist will be offered help via our Salonpreneur website and with tips and tricks from our active social media.”

Continuing to build on the success of not only the Salon Studio physical location, but also the growth of the ‘salonpreneur’ community, Roz Colthart is developing an app that will support people in the business. The app will be used in conjunction with the website which unites self-employed salon professionals, inviting them to share insight amongst each other whilst utilizing tools provided by Salon Studios.

Current salonpreneur and Salon Studios tenant, Tammy, comments on why this all works: “It is the most amazing concept I’ve ever come across and don’t know why anyone hasn’t thought of it before!

“It is so modern, bright and airy. The individually vented rooms are absolutely perfect for the safety guidelines that we have to adhere to during these strange times. I love every part of it, and what makes it even better is the amazing owner Roz! She has been so amazing from the get go! Anything I’ve needed help with, she has been there, and I appreciate every little piece of help I’ve received.”

2021 is set to be a big year with the ongoing growth of the salonpreneur community, as well as search for locations two and three. On top of this Ms Colthart is now set to offer franchising opportunities from her third-year trading, which is almost unheard of, let alone in the midst of a pandemic.

“The way our units are set up promotes luxury, wellbeing and most of all, safety; that is something we can no longer take for granted and has been the driving force in our exponential growth.”

Based in Corstorphine, each salon studio  includes  water and electricity costs, a PPL music licence, health and safety assessment, fire management program, rubbish collection, high-speed wifi, public area cleaning, CCTV security and 24-hour access as standard.

For more information visit www.salonstudios.co.uk