Live Perfume Bottle Engraving at Sephora at Kohl’s Edwardsville, Illinois
A Mother’s Day brand activation that turned everyday shopping into something memorable
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to provide live engraving at Sephora at Kohl’s in Edwardsville, Illinois, as part of a nationwide Mother’s Day activation.
Across the country, select Sephora at Kohl’s locations offered complimentary engraving on fragrances and lipsticks, giving customers the chance to personalize their purchases in real time. At our location, the response was immediate.
The Sephora team created such a welcoming environment from the start, it felt like walking into something special before the event even began.
What started as a simple shopping trip quickly became something more.
A strong foundation that only grew
From the moment I arrived, the energy inside Sephora at Kohl’s in Edwardsville was already high.
The team was warm, upbeat, and genuinely welcoming. You could tell they were excited to be there, and that kind of energy sets the tone for everything else. It felt like one of those days where you just know things are going to go well.
As the event unfolded, that energy didn’t shift, it expanded.
The addition of live engraving, along with the gift bags, iced coffee, and in-store experiences, gave customers even more reason to stay, engage, and participate.
What started as a great atmosphere turned into something even more interactive.
A surprise that turned into a moment
Customers were welcomed with thoughtful touches, iced coffee, curated gift bags filled with beauty samples, and the option to have select items engraved on the spot.
For many, the engraving was unexpected.
I heard variations of the same reaction throughout the day,
“I’ve never seen this done before.”
“This is so cool.”
“I need to call my friend.”
That moment of discovery is where everything changed. Guests weren’t just browsing anymore, they were engaging, staying longer, and becoming part of something.
How personalization changed customer behavior
One of the most interesting things to watch was how quickly engraving influenced purchasing decisions.
After receiving their first engraved item, many customers went back to shop for more.
Some chose additional fragrances.
Others picked out lipsticks.
Many began thinking about gifts, especially for Mother’s Day.
And then there were more personal moments,
customers selecting fragrances for their wedding day, adding initials, dates, or meaningful names.
Personalization gave each item a purpose.
It wasn’t just a product anymore, it became something worth keeping.
The power of word-of-mouth in real time
Throughout the day, I watched customers text friends and family, inviting them to come in before the experience ended.
You could feel the momentum building.
More guests arrived specifically for the engraving, often already knowing exactly what they wanted. That kind of organic buzz is something brands can’t always manufacture, but it happens naturally when people feel like they’ve found something special.
Why this worked so well
This activation brought together a few key elements:
A clear entry point, complimentary engraving
A reward, gift bags and refreshments
A personalized takeaway, engraved keepsakes
A strong in-store team that kept the experience welcoming and engaging
The Sephora team and brand ambassadors played a huge role in connecting with customers and introducing them to the Sephora Beauty Insider program, creating an experience that felt both elevated and approachable.
More than a service, an experience
Live engraving naturally creates a moment of pause.
Guests slow down, watch the process, ask questions, and connect with what they’re receiving. It adds a layer of intention that you don’t typically find in retail environments.
For brands, that translates into:
Increased dwell time
Stronger emotional connection to products
More memorable in-store experiences
Built-in shareability, both in person and online
A first for this location, and hopefully not the last
This was the first time Sephora at Kohl’s in Edwardsville offered live engraving, and based on the response, it’s easy to see the impact it made.
It brought people in.
It kept them engaged.
And it gave them something to take home that felt personal.
For me, it was a reminder of why I love what I do. Getting to witness those reactions in real time never gets old.
Planning a similar event?
Whether it’s a retail activation, brand launch, or private event, live engraving offers a thoughtful way to elevate the experience and leave a lasting impression.
If you’re exploring ways to incorporate personalization into your next event, I’d love to connect!
