I Went Undercover in the Sephora Beauty Insider Community, and Here's Everything You Need to Know

You know what my favorite part of being a beauty editor is? Being the person everyone in my life turns to for the tips and advice. When my boss wants a product recommendation she usually peeks her head from the other side of the cubicle. When my mom needs to know exactly "what all this contouring business" is, she gives me a call. When my best friend needs to know who's the best colorist in the city, I'm happy to assist. So on and so forth. That being said, there have been a few questions that have left me stumped, and I've left my own questions unanswered because I didn't know where to turn.

I had heard a few rumblings about the Sephora Beauty Insider Community and I decided to join to see if it was really better than Google when it comes to answering my biggest beauty questions and conundrums. So I signed up and went undercover for a week, and here is what I learned.

1. Community members are LEGIT

I was amazed at the amount of knowledge these men and women have when it comes to all things beauty. I was particularly invested in the skincare threads where the advice was on-point. As a beauty editor, I could internally fact-check some of their claims and the majority of the advice was thoughtful and knowledge-driven. I was even able to learn a thing or two about some interesting ingredients and products that I had been curious about.

2. Everyone is there to help

Members are there to guide and encourage. It's truly a judgement-free zone. Everyone seems very aware that what works for them might not work for another person, so the advice and reviews are always cushioned with some helpful context: "I have an oily T-zone so this was a bit too thick for me!" or "Some people loved this, but I found the smell overwhelming." I love that no one is there just to troll.

3. Almost every question has been asked and/or answered

There are no dumb questions, and this sentiment holds particularly true inside the Community. I just used the search bar on the Conversations homepage and was able find answers for every question on-demand.

4. There are some awesome perks

Want to chat in real time with your favorite YouTube vlogger? What about the founder of your favorite makeup brand? The Community is constantly hosting live chats that allow you to get product advice straight from the people who make them!

5. The tips are insane

Yes, I went for the advice, but the tips are what made me stay. I thought I was pretty well versed in beauty hacks, but I knew nothing compared to these Community members. For instance, did you know you can use concealer to pre-shape your eyebrows before filling in with a pomade or pencil? That one was a big game changer.

All-in-all, my time in the Sephora Beauty Insider Community has been well spent. I feel like I found "my people." Everyone from professional makeup artists to hairstyle enthusiasts are all joined together with one common goal — spreading the beauty love! So whether you follow a strict 12-step skincare routine or are just wondering what the heck is a skin essence, I seriously recommend you checking it out.