Retail giant Sephora is to expand its social impact strategy Sephora Stands after a stellar first year, with the program now inviting open applications in both the new sustainability category and the technology category.

The Sephora Stands initiative was created in 2016 focusing on three core programs: Sephora Accelerate for women entrepreneurs, Classes for Confidence to support local communities, and Sephora Stands Together for Sephora employees, each of which are said to express the company’s values.

The LVMH-owned company exceeded expectations in the first 12 months by offering ‘over 300 hours of mentorship through Sephora Accelerate, conducting over 200 Classes for Confidence and inspiring over 4,000 Sephora employees to connect with their local communities.’ 

To develop the program further, the company is launching two further Sephora Accelerate categories – sustainability and technology – and is looking to support more than 50 women-led beauty businesses by 2020. Likewise it is also expanding its Classes for Confidence program with the launch of the Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer class.