Hundreds camp overnight for Liverpool's Sephora

Hundreds of people camped overnight outside Liverpool's new Sephora store.

One person in the queue told the BBC those near the front joined the queue at about 21:00 BST on Wednesday with the store due to open at 09:00 the next day

Sephora was previously only an international brand, but has branched out to the UK with stores in Manchester and London.

Sephora has promised the first 500 customers through its doors will get a free gift.

Gabriel told BBC Radio Merseyside she and her friends had been camped outside the store since 23:30 BST on Wednesday.

She said: "A lot of the brands here in Sephora, we don't have in other beauty shops. So whether you're the palest person going, or like you're super dark, they have everything for everyone.

"I haven't slept, I've had one bottle of energy drink, but apart from that, I've actually been ok."

Cedra said queuing for eight hours with her friends had been a "fun experience" and she was excited to try the products.

The new store occupies a 6,727 sq ft (2,050 sq m) space formerly occupied by the shoe and sportswear brand Footlocker on South John Street.

Last month similar early morning queues formed when Uniqlo opened up in Liverpool ONE.

Sephora stores don't just sell make-up, but also offer fragrances, skincare and hair products from brands including Rare Beauty, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga and Make Up by Mario.

It is owned by LVMH Group and soared in popularity thanks to TikTok and Instagram users who often film themselves in stores.

Some fans will travel to different cities just to get their hands on Sephora products in person.

It operates more than 2,700 shops in 35 countries worldwide, after it was first founded in France in 1970.

The rise of TikTok videos has led to Sephora having a strong following from a much younger audience - with some parents even bringing their children to queue with them.

Sidra Ilyas, who travelled from Middlesborough with her child, said children "shouldn't worry too much" about skincare or make-up.

"I've heard a lot about Sephora and children and obviously skin care, make-up it is more to do with the adults."

"I know that obviously the milder range would be more suitable to the little ones but there is so much product out there that they don't need as their skin is so fresh and doesn't need healing," she said.

Claire Davies from Wallasey in Wirral, brought her child with her to queue, she told the BBC it is important "what is inside products".

"I think there are some important messages that can be given to children early about looking after your skin."

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