- Sephora launches its first global signature cause
- New global Ipsos study commissioned by Sephora across 10 countries finds 7 in 10 adults have experienced appearance-based discrimination
- 81% of people agree that people often do not know what to do when they witness this type of situation
- Sephora has commissioned nonprofit Right To Be1 to create the material of the dedicated “Sephora H.E.A.R.T.S. training” on appearance-based harassment, developed exclusively for Sephora to equip bystanders and allies
- As part of the global launch, Sephora2 will make a non profit donation for every Sephora Collection product sold on October 9 and 103
Paris, 25 September, 2026 – Sephora, the global leader in prestige beauty retail today, announces the launch of Project Hearts Not Hate, its first-ever global corporate cause dedicated to tackling appearance-based hate. The initiative marks a new step in Sephora’s longstanding commitment to championing a world of inspiration and inclusion, where everyone can celebrate their beauty. At its heart lies a simple belief: appearance should be a source of self-expression, not a reason for judgement, exclusion or hate.
To better understand the scale and impact of the issue, Sephora commissioned Ipsos to conduct a global study of 20,001 people surveyed across 10 markets: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Mexico, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The findings reveal both the scale of appearance-based hate and the impact it can have on people’s everyday lives. Seven in ten adults have experienced some form of discrimination or judgement because of their appearance in their lifetime. The figure rises sharply among younger adults, with 85% of 18–24-year-olds affected in their lifetime.
For many, these experiences shape how they live and express themselves. Among those affected globally, 76% say they have restricted their everyday lives in at least one way:
- 45% avoided situations where they might be looked at
- 55% avoided certain people or groups
- 45% avoided certain places
- 39% avoided social events
- 34% changed how they behave
When asked what drives appearance-based judgement and exclusion, respondents identify a broad mix of factors, led by body type, weight or size (37%); skin tone, ethnicity or origin (35%) and sexual orientation (29%). Social media is seen as amplifying the issue, with 82% believing it has made these situations more frequent but almost 90% of appearance-based judgement and exclusion happen offline.
“Beauty has the power to help people express who they are and feel confident in their identity, but appearance is instead unfortunately too often a source of judgement or exclusion. As a global beauty leader, we have a responsibility to help shift a culture of judgement to a culture of acceptance and positivity,” said Deborah Yeh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Sephora. “Humbly, we are launching Project Hearts Not Hate, to bring visibility to the issue, equip employees and communities to respond, and contribute to a more inclusive world. This is the beginning of a long journey, and as we embark on it, we will listen, learn, and adapt to deliver tangible support everywhere we operate.”
“This research brings a rare unprecedented cross-market view to an issue that can take many forms. What stands out is not only how widespread these experiences are, but how they can shape people’s everyday behaviour : where they go, how they feel and how freely they express who they are. It also highlights a clear gap between recognising the problem and knowing how to respond and support.” said Adélaïde Zulfikarpasic, Managing Director of the Society Division at Ipsos BVA.
The Ipsos research also highlights the specific reality of appearance-based hate in the United States, including:
- 70% of people in say they have personally experienced appearance-based hate
- The top three most signficant piercieved consequences of appearance based hate are psychological, including: the loss of self-confidence, anxiety/stress, decreased mental wellbeing
- 40% say they have witnessed someone being targeted because of their appearance in the last 12 months
- 21% say that, in the last 12 months, someone made a comment that they would look better if they changed something about their appearance
Sephora H.E.A.R.T.S. Training
Ipsos research also pointed to an important gap between awareness and action. While 57% have witnessed someone else being judged, bullied or excluded because of their appearance, 81% agree that people often do not know what to do when they witness this type of situation.
In addition, three-quarters of respondents believe beauty brands have a specific role to play through their influence on beauty standards, representation and communication. Closing this gap between awareness and action is a central ambition of Project Hearts Not Hate.
As part of its first-ever global cause, Sephora has missioned Right To Be, a global nonprofit dedicated to combating hate and harassment, to create the material of the dedicated “Sephora H.E.A.R.T.S. training”, a comprehensive methodology to prevent, intervene, and follow up when somebody experiences hate because of how they look, developed exclusively for Sephora. Starting in 2027, Right To Be will deliver training across markets, equipping Sephora employees and local communities with practical tools to better understand appearance-based hate, intervene when they witness it, and support people who experience it.
To mark the global launch of Project Hearts Not Hate, Sephora will mobilize its community on World Mental Health Day (October 9 and 10) with its own brand Sephora Collection. For every Sephora Collection product sold on these two days, Sephora4 will make a donation5 to Right To Be and other local non-profit charities that support communities who are the most impacted by appearance-based hate.
“This partnership represents a historic investment in the movement to end appearance-based hate once and for all. We are profoundly grateful to Sephora for their visionary leadership and for proving that making the world a more beautiful place starts with making it safer, more inclusive, and filled with humanity. Together, through Project Hearts Not Hate, we are equipping millions of people with the tangible tools they need to turn allyship into action and ensure everyone can express who they are without fear,” said Emily May, Co-Founder, President, of Right To Be.
Methodology of the study
20,001 people (women and men) aged 18 and more, surveyed online between 12th to 31st August 2026 across Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Mexico, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each national sample is representative of the population aged 18 and older.
###
About Sephora
Sephora is the world’s leading global prestige beauty retail brand. With 55 000 passionate employees operating in 37 markets, Sephora connects customers and beauty brands within the world’s most trusted and dynamic beauty community. We serve a highly engaged community of hundreds of millions of beauty followers across our global omnichannel network of more than 3 400 stores and iconic flagships, and our e-commerce and digital platforms, offering personalized and immersive seamless experiences across every touchpoint. With our curation of close to 500 brands and our own label, Sephora Collection, we offer the most unique and diverse range of prestige beauty products, tailored to our customers’ needs from fragrance to make-up, haircare, skincare and beyond, as we constantly reimagine the world of prestige beauty.
Since our inception in 1969 in Limoges, France, and as part of the LVMH Group since 1997, we have been disrupting the prestige beauty retail industry. Today, we continue to break with convention to drive our mission: champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty.
About Right to Be
Right To Be is a nonprofit, registered in the USA, working to build a world free of hate and harassment and filled with humanity. We are a team of educators, motivators, and facilitators who are listening, guiding, and cheering you on. Every day, we train hundreds of people to respond to, intervene in, and heal from harassment. We hold space for people experiencing harassment to share their stories for affirmation and support. And we prepare new leaders to create workplaces, schools, and communities around the world that are filled with humanity. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.righttobe.org. Follow Right To Be on social media at @righttobeorg.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.
“Game Changers” – our tagline – summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our rapidly changing world.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120, Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com
1 Right To Be is a registered non-profit in the USA. They have worked globally with 5 million people across 40+ countries and 20+ languages.
2 Including the following companies: Sephora SAS for Europe (participating countries: France, Luxembourg, Monaco, Belgium, United Kingdoms, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Croatia), Sephora USA Inc. for United States of America, Sephora Beauty Canada, Inc. for Canada, Sephora Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. for Mexico, Sephora Hong Kong Limited for Hong Kong, Sephora Asia Pte Ltd for Thailand, Sephora New Zealand Limited for New Zealand, Beauty in Motion Sendirian Berhad for Malaysia, Avenue Hoche Comercio Varejista de Produtos LTDA. for Brazil, Sephora Australia Pty Ltd for Australia, Sephora Singapore Pte Ltd for Singapore
3 Donations are subject to regional minimums and maximums, including a maximum total donation of €200,000 in Europe, of USD $350,000 in the United States (USD $300K max US donation; USD $50K max Sephora at Kohl’s), with a minimum donation of USD $200,000 , a maximum donation of CAD $150,000 in Canada, of 120,000 MXN in Mexico, of $4,500 in Hong Kong, of ฿113,225 in Thailand, of RM25,758 in Malaysia, of 1,220 NZD in New Zealand, of BRL 50,000 in Brazil, of AUD 18,486 in Australia and of SGD 8,493 in Singapore.
In participating markets, Sephora will donate:
– either to Right To Be Inc. based on the following amounts per Sephora Collection product sold: €1 in France, Monaco, Luxembourg, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria and Croatia; £1 in the UK, its territories, commonwealths and possessions; 10 DKK in Denmark; 10 SEK in Sweden; 1 CHF in Switzerland; 10 RON in Romania; 100 RSD in Serbia; 5 PLN in Poland; and 25 CZK in the Czech Republic, CAD $1 in Canada, 20 MXN in Mexico, $1 in Hong Kong, ฿35 in Thailand, RM 4.5 in Malaysia and 2 NZD in New Zealand;
– or in the United States. to the Sephora US Impact Fund, a fund administered by Tides Foundation, for recommended distribution to Right To Be; $1 per Sephora Collection product sold,
– or in Brazil, to Instituto Think Olga per Sephora Collection product sold: BRL 1,
– or in Australia, to Bully Zero per Sephora Collection product sold: AUD 1,
– or in Singapore, to Society for WINGS per Sephora Collection product sold: SGD 1.5.
Global Cause press release – FINAL US CLEAN.docx
4 Including the following companies: Sephora SAS for Europe (participating countries: France, Luxembourg, Monaco, Belgium, United Kingdoms, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Croatia), Sephora USA Inc. for United States of America, Sephora Beauty Canada, Inc. for Canada, Sephora Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. for Mexico, Sephora Hong Kong Limited for Hong Kong, Sephora Asia Pte Ltd for Thailand, Sephora New Zealand Limited for New Zealand, Beauty in Motion Sendirian Berhad for Malaysia, Avenue Hoche Comercio Varejista de Produtos LTDA. for Brazil, Sephora Australia Pty Ltd for Australia, Sephora Singapore Pte Ltd for Singapore.
5 Donations are subject to regional minimums and maximums, including a maximum total
donation of €200,000 in Europe, of USD $350,000 in the United States (USD $300K max US donation; USD $50K max Sephora at Kohl’s), with a minimum donation of USD $200,000 , a maximum donation of CAD $150,000 in Canada, of 120,000 MXN in Mexico, of $4,500 in Hong Kong, of ฿113,225 in Thailand, of RM25,758 in Malaysia, of 1,220 NZD in New Zealand, of BRL 50,000 in Brazil, of AUD 18,486 in
Australia and of SGD 8,493 in Singapore.
In participating markets, Sephora will donate:
– either to Right To Be Inc. based on the following amounts per Sephora Collection product sold: €1 in France, Monaco, Luxembourg, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria and Croatia; £1 in the UK, its territories, commonwealths and possessions; 10 DKK in Denmark; 10 SEK in Sweden; 1 CHF in Switzerland; 10 RON in Romania; 100 RSD in Serbia; 5 PLN in Poland; and 25 CZK in the Czech Republic, CAD $1 in Canada, 20 MXN in Mexico, $1 in Hong Kong, ฿35 in Thailand, RM 4.5 in Malaysia and 2 NZD in New Zealand;
– or in the United States. to the Sephora US Impact Fund, a fund administered by Tides Foundation, for recommended distribution to Right To Be; $1 per Sephora Collection product sold,
– or in Brazil, to Instituto Think Olga per Sephora Collection product sold: BRL 1,
– or in Australia, to Bully Zero per Sephora Collection product sold: AUD 1,
– or in Singapore, to Society for WINGS per Sephora Collection product sold: SGD 1.5.
