French cosmetics giant Sephora has announced the opening date of its first store in New Zealand. Located on Queen Street in Auckland, the flagship will open on Saturday, July 20.

The announcement, made via billboards across the country, comes during the retailer’s promotional ‘Beauty Bus’ tour, which will end in Auckland two days before the store opening, giving Auckland locals an early taste of the brand. 

“I can’t wait to meet the crowds at the Sephora Queen Street, Auckland opening,” Sephora’s national artistry lead Alphie Sadsad said. 

“I can’t imagine a better way to spend a Saturday morning than grabbing a few beauty-die-hard friends and heading down to Queen Street to join the Sephora street party. 

“I might even treat the first in line to a special flash makeover.”

Customers can arrive at the store from 7am on July 20, and the first 500 customers to be there will walk away with a complementary eyeshadow palette worth $49. Free Sephora samples will be given away until the doors officially open at 9am. 

Sephora Asia president Benjamin Vuchot said the New Zealand launch is part of a larger push into the Asia region, which will also see stores open in Hong Kong and Korea. 

“This expansion to a new market will allow Sephora to continue to amplify global beauty trends locally, elevate what our clients expect of the in-store experience and bring fresh, digital touch points to the retail environment,” Vuchot said.