Best overall
Sephora
8.4Largest prestige beauty retailer with 500+ brands
Best forShoppers who want exclusive access to brands like Fenty Beauty and Rare Beauty under one roof and spend enough annually to unlock Rouge-tier perks ($1,000+/year).
Scores — click any row to see our rationale
Brand Selection & Exclusivity▼10/10
Pricing & Loyalty Rewards▼7/10
Return Policy & Satisfaction Guarantee▼9/10
In-Store Expertise & Consultations▼8/10
Shipping Speed & Convenience▼8/10
Pros
✓Exclusive home to Fenty Beauty, Rare Beauty, and Glossier — you genuinely cannot buy these at Ulta or Target
✓500+ brands span skincare, makeup, hair, and fragrance, covering drugstore-adjacent to ultra-luxury price points
✓Rouge members (those spending $1,000+/year) get first access to new product launches and free custom shipping
✓Returns accepted on used or opened products within 30 days for a full refund — no 'it must be unused' fine print
✓Free same-day delivery through Instacart in select metros — useful when you run out of foundation before an event
✓In-store staff are trained to do foundation shade matching and skincare consultations at no charge — no appointment needed at most locations
✓Shop-in-shop presence inside 1,100+ Kohl's locations means you can access Sephora even without a standalone store nearby
Cons
✕Beauty Insider points are worth roughly $0.01 each — Ulta Ultamate Rewards earn at 1 point per $1 with 100 points redeeming for $3.00 (3× the Sephora cash value per dollar), so heavy spenders get more direct cash value at Ulta
✕Free shipping requires a $35 minimum — smaller orders under that threshold incur a fee
✕Rouge tier requires $1,000/year in spending — most casual shoppers never unlock the best perks
✕No salon services in-store, so you can't combine a haircut or blowout with your beauty shopping the way you can at Ulta
✕Store staff quality varies by location — some locations are well-staffed, others can feel understaffed during peak hours
✕No mass-market or drugstore brands — if you want to mix a $12 NYX product with your prestige haul, you'll need a second stop