Sephora has launched a new global initiative, Project Hearts Not Hate, dedicated to tackling appearance-based hate.
The LVMH-owned beauty retailer’s new long-term commitment aims to “champion a world of inspiration and inclusion, where everyone can celebrate their beauty”.
To tackle this issue, Sephora has commissioned nonprofit Right To Be to create the material for a dedicated ‘Sephora H.E.A.R.T.S. training’ scheme.
Starting in 2027, Right To Be will equip Sephora employees and local communities with practical tools to understand appearance-based hate, intervene when they witness it, and support people who experience it.
As part of the global launch, Sephora will also make a non-profit donation for every Sephora Collection product sold on 9 and 10 October 2026.
“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,” said Deborah Yeh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Sephora.
“As a global beauty leader, we have a responsibility to help shift a culture of judgement to a culture of acceptance and positivity.”
“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.”
To better understand the impact, Sephora commissioned public opinion consulting firm Ipsos to conduct a global study of more than 20,000 people, surveyed across ten markets.
This includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Mexico, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
What did Sephora uncover in its appearance-based hate research?
Ipsos’ research found that 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- to 24-year-olds affected in their lifetime.
Among those affected, 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%).
Ipsos found social media is seen as amplifying the issue, with 82% of respondents believing it has made these situations more frequent, but almost 90% of appearance-based judgement and exclusion happen offline.
Adélaïde Zulfikarpasic, Managing Director of the Society Division at Ipsos BVA, said: “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.”
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