Re-reading this thread and I am realizing something. I think one of the reasons why I love the VIB Rouge program is I'm in Canada (specifically Toronto). So, right off, that free shipping deal suddenly means *a lot* more, as shipping from any US company to Canada is always more expensive than you US-based ladies are used to (I'm an expat from the States, so I know). I've removed myself from countless mailing lists from other companies advertising free shipping for whatever promo/holiday/etc. only to have the fine print almost invariably read "US only". And numerous US companies (like Birch Box) do not ship to Canada at all -- and the ones that do often arrive with customs charges on top that you have to pay on arrival, something Sephora has avoided by partnering with a company that handles their cross-border shipping for them with no additional charge to me at the end. (Of course, that's partly buried in the higher product price points, but hey, it's Canada, we're sadly used to paying 15% or more on top of US prices for everything.)
Also, as far as Rouge-only access to events goes, I got a Rouge-only gift ticket (plus one for a non-Rouge friend) to the CAFA (Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards) Gala After-Party here in Toronto @ the Royal York Hotel, where we got free full-size BITE lipsticks (I got two, a red that I can't find a BITE dupe for and one that looks suspiciously similar to the newly-launch Rouge-only Lilac color, both labelled 'BITE Loves CAFA'), full makeovers from Sephora Senior Stylists flown in from all over Canada (mine was from Vancouver and was a wizard with a Naked 3 palette), hairstyling by a local partner salons with deluxe Bumble and Bumble samples -- not to mention a free/open full bar & roaming caterers feeding us hors d'oevures.
And, did anyone else get two large-deluxe/travel-size samples (a Shiseido serum and a Lancome double-ended wand with a lip gloss on one end and mascara on the other) along with the bag of foils in their Chic Week canvas bag, or was that just us north of the border? I've also had Sephora staff in-store toss extra deluxe or fragrance samples in my shopping bag with even small purchases & say 'Thanks for being Rouge." Not to mention that the BITE mini-lippie from 2013 and the SephX polish that is this year's renewal gift are -- gifts. Like they promised we'd get. I count those, given that they are both things I'd at least consider spending 100 points on and don't have to. (Speaking of points, I had trouble logging in to RSVP for that early-access shopping day and I got, without asking, 250 points added to my account as an apology. That's pretty witchin' CS, right there.)
Seriously, I had no idea that other Rouge members in other cities did not have it as good until I started reading the forums & I do not feel that my experience in any way misaligns with the expectations set out. I also qualified at launch, so I did not spend up to get Rouge access and I imagine I'll re-qualify this year, too, without trying, as my aging skin care routine is a bit intense *and* I have flat-out addictions to nail polish and lip products.
If anything, I'm actually really bummed to learn that so many others are having such notably less-awesome experiences. Open bar parties with free full-size lipsticks for all! C'mon Sephora, let's make Rouge be something we're all *happy* to be!
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