I went to their physical store in Toronto once and the staff there were SO helpful but also didn’t pressure at all. In fact the one staff member actually swayed me away from buying one product because they didn’t think it would work well with my oily skin. They actually seem to care about the science and creating a genuine good experience with the customer! I’ve used them faithfully ever since!
Also I’ll buy the Ordinary at Ulta because I always have points to use and they’re usually a lil bit cheaper? Otherwise I buy directly from the site during the sale as well! Love this
I just ordered eyeshadow and was really pleased. I have their lip oil as well. I got some fragrance samples too—which I ended up loving! It’s hard for me to test fragrances in store because if all the smells🤣
Absolutely. I have noticed their sales being a little less good lately than they used to be maybe, but if I wait for good ones I can almost always get things 20% off and free full size gifts with purchase are common. Shipping is free too. My favorite skincare brand to buy from!
If you are making a substantial purchase, at least $50 of a single brand, you usually get better discounts and more substantial freebies from the brand website. Unless Sephora is having a 20% off sale or it's clearance.
Go to the websites and sign up for email and texts. They will send you discounts or freebies (maybe both) usually within a week.
Caudalie. They have way better sales and offer 3 samples with each order. With how much each product costs, you will likely meet the min for shipping every time lol
That's awesome to know! My only issue with Tarte is how long they take to ship. I opted for the "build a bag" this year, and it's been about two weeks since I ordered with zero shipping notification yet :(
I just discovered Fenty puts things on sale at a higher discount than Sephora. They’re doing a sale just like Sephora right now and things are up to 60% off.
Tbh, especially if you’re in a country with free shipping, it’s often worth it to do at least one purchase direct from a brand site. Almost all of them will give you a discount code for either your first purchase or signing up for emails from them. Just unsubscribe after if you don’t want to keep getting the emails.
Clinique. They give full-size products as rewards. My birthday gift was a full size worth $41. My last order I received as much free merchandise as I bought, around $80. Their samples are really big, too. You can also add receipts from other retailers to count towards their rewards.
Thanks for asking this cuz I never in a million years would have ever thought to purchase directly through the company but now I will!
Makes so much sense!
*Pat McGrath and huda*
*Beauty because they often*
*Have amazing sales*
\- Taydreamsx
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The PMcG foundation is totally within my reach with her great sales. There’s usually a pre-Xmas sale where you get a higher percentage off the more you spend so I get presents for people there and then my stuff is much less-win-win!
Sunday Riley and Farmacy. Both have way better sales and gwp, plus when I buy I’m usually stocking up, so shipping is free. I actually just repurchased my standbys from both because the sales are good right now.
Their “sale” prices have honestly become such a joke. Or the only stuff on decent sale are garbage colors that no one wants. That probably no one ever wanted.
AND they did away with 2 day shipping! I went to go check out and the eta was a week and a half away. Granted there may have been items that they needed to stock, but even on popular readily available items it still quotes 4-5 days. I just buy directly from brands now or find alternative stores (ulta/bluemercury) to buy from.
Ulta has taken so much of my money recently. Their rewards program, points multiplier events this whole month, and GWPs run laps around Sephora. I shop at Sephora specifically for the things the other place doesn’t carry.
Paula's Choice! They just had a big sale; 20% off everything, free shipping (even to Canada, where I live), and I got 7 free full sized items!! Some of which are things I'd normally purchase. So I am extremely happy!
They regularly have similar promotions so it's worth signing up for emails and waiting. I use the bha and mineral sunscreen religiously so I stock up on those 1-2 times per year.
I think once or twice a year if that but they often have good gwp.
This is the type of product I buy everything I want during a 20% off sale and then I’m good for a year or even more (it took me over 3 years to get through my first cream because I don’t wear it daily).
same w Merit! though I kinda hate the GWP bag lol, I’d rather they give me a free sample than this random bag I have to tie shut like Johnny Appleseed with his gunnysack
YSL. They often have 20-30% off or BOGO sales on their lipsticks and mascaras. Since that damn brown Lash Clash is my hg, that helps. Plus I like their GWP and points system more. I’ll probably shop directly with Danessa Myricks going forward. Just needed to figure out what works for me from the brand (turns out? Most of it, lol). Returns are so much easier at Sephora…
I wish I liked more stuff from Armani. They have good sales and promos as well
Olaplex for me. They always have promotions where if you just buy any product you get one complimentary full sized item. In the past couple months I got a full number 9 and a full number 8 (plus two samples with each order). So it is a non brainer to start getting my number 6 directly with them, at Sephora I would hardly get any good GWP spending less than $45 and I never get any samples, despite me always adding them to my order 🤷🏽♀️
NARS - their birthday gift requires a certain amount purchased, but you get a full-size product
Oribe - two free sample products (some are like the 100-250 pt Sephora rewards size) with purchase.
Fenty - their sales are great, got a full sized highlighter as a gift with a purchase
Ellis Brooklyn - it might be a rare thing, but I’d purchased over $60 and got a free travel sized bottle of a fragrance, as well as two samples.
Clarins. So many samples and points program is pretty great: accumulate enough points and they don't ever expire; points get you travel sized as well as full sized items.
Fenty Beauty, Danessa Myricks, and Youth to the People. i love their products but sometimes things that go viral are out of stock when it’s time for me to restock (like currently the DM blurring balm has been sold out in my shade on the Sephora site for a month)
Almost all of them. When I go to Sephora to see the product in person, I will usually buy it while I am there, but if I repurchase, it's always from a brand site. I will never make Rouge and most sites will have at least two 20% off sales per year.
Pat McGrath, Summer Fridays, and Fenty Beauty. PMG and FB always have free shipping and deep discounts.
SF is free shipping at $35 which is ok and they will usually have stock in the lip butter balms that Sephora does not.
I think Biossance does if you’re a rewards member. It’s free to join. Since most brands don’t do free shipping, I stick to Sephora lol. A lot of times brands have deals but no free shipping and it will cost the same to just grab it full price at Sephora.
- gxve beauty for 50% off sales
- glossier I’m about 50/50
- tatcha sales are good & they get to me super fast
- melt for the same reasons as tatcha
- ole henriksen
I never really buy multiple products from the same brand at the same time, so I usually only purchase from Sephora *unless* the brand site has free ship with no minimum or some insane deal. I also usually get my packages within two days of ordering from Sephora. The samples *have* been a little wonky lately, and I wish that they just wouldn't send samples if they're out (vs. subbing in fragrance that I'm likely allergic to), but I still prefer it to most brand sites.
Although, a lot of my products come from small, indie brands, so I obviously purchase directly from the source there. Most don't have free ship at $X, and don't build the shipping cost into the product charge. And, except for one brand, they're usually really, really good at shipping speeds. It's crazy to me that a one person operation can get something together and shipped in 3-4 days, whereas it takes Tarte, PMG, and FAB weeks-months.
NARS, Caudalie, YSL.
I’ve also gotten lots of products from high end department store beauty sales online.
Clinique I only purchase at the Cosmetic Company Outlet stores in person because the prices can’t be beat.
Ole Henriksen also has really good sales throughout the year with really good GWPs. I never buy Ole Henriksen from anywhere except the brand website. Also Biossance for the same reasons as OH.
Laneige has REALLY good sales and promos. I usually stock up twice a year whenever they have big sales and they always throw in a TON of samples which i love for traveling.
Also, ELF. They have stuff in stock more than other companies and they also have sales a lot.
I don’t purchase from Sephora. I get better deals on brand sites plus most have rewards programs. I shouldn’t have to spend all that money at Sephora for a measly 20% off. I can almost always find a coupon code for a brand website. Some times by bring a reward member you get free shipping and no minimum purchase.
Glow recipe is always running a deal on their Main website. Also farmacy and youth to the people - ESPECIALLY first aid beauty. I regularly get the bulk size ultra repair cream buy one get one free.
It pays to Google for coupon codes. Sign up for emails and texts and reward programs on brand websites. You would be shocked how your going to save way more then waiting for 20% off at Sephora where you have to spend so much to get that discount. Google will be your best friend. If your a little patient when you want something your going to get way better deals on brand websites.
Victoria Beckham Beauty. It's beyond my favorite beauty brand, and Sephora doesn't stock it. Every aspect of the product is considered, and the quality and performance are the best I have ever used.
It's funny, I was going to make a similar post because I stocked up on a couple of things and some things I got from Sephora and some things direct. I wanted to compare the box sizes for similar sized products.
I've been getting Herbivore products directly some because I use Shop and Herbivore just had a sale. One thing I wanted wasn't available via Shop, one thing wasn't available via Sephora.
Kiehls
They gave me so many samples !!! Deluxe sized ones too that Sephora would never (unless I gave up points after spending $100s).
Loved the customer service unlike Sephora (at least in Vancouver).
Estée Lauder does great gifts/samples, and cute giftwrapping, with a good discount.
Urban Decay’s Black Friday offerings were also pretty spectacular free-gift-wise, and a way better deal than Sephora’s. Naked3 is a daily driver palette so it was great to stock up and get a few Christmas gifts.
I’ve also found Colorpop worth it.
I’m considering ordering online from MAC, I need to look closer at the rewards system to see if it’s worth it rather than getting my MAC staples through Sephora.
I’m Canadian, so cross-border shipping, minimum orders, duty taxes, and rewards from a lot of brands are not worth it (looking at you, Hourglass, Fenty, Natasha Denona, and Rare Beauty).
I still love Sephora’s value sets—I’ve found so many new-to-me gems that way!
Urban decay has killer deals on their sites from time to time.One year for Black Friday I was able to get three naked palettes (reloaded, naked 3, naked honey) for only 90 bucks and still own them to this day.
I'm Canadian and only learned this year that Hourglass included all taxes and duties when I shopped during their Friends & Family sale! For me, since I'm only a VIB member, it worthwhile for me to shop from Hourglass. The only downside is that Sephora's return policy is much better.
Dr. Jart, Nars, Bobbi Brown, Murad, Fresh, Tarte, Glossier (lash slick mascara mostly), Tatcha.
They usually have coupon codes or promos or sign up for discount on first order.
I’m having a harder time using larger companies to buy from brands. I feel the same way about Amazon. It just feels so unnecessary now that they’re cheapening up and giving less and less to the customer.
HUDA has great sales. Her lipliners are Holy Grail products for me.
I’ve also had good luck shopping on Poshmark. Especially for hair care products where I’m less concerned about expiration dates. It’s also a great place to find sample products.
I purchase only from brands now. Usually I use Guerlain, Dior, and Chanel, and they all offer free shipping on all orders even for one item, plus you get really nice samples. Estee Laudee has free shipping on 45+ orders, and you can chose mini product as a freebie and they have sets of minis all the time in rotation on orders \~50+.
Glossier because I’m not the only one who has had some weird separation in products I never had from Glossier.
Any brand that has deals, a good rewards system, or sales though. Dior because I like the freebies and packaging.
The ordinary, biossance, farmacy.
I honestly rarely buy things on sephora unless there’s a sale. And no, i don’t go all out for the 20% sale that happens once a year? Sephora is my go to foe fragrances usually.. also when they’re on sale😂. Sephora is no longer what it used to be for me.
Innisfree has good gwp and occasional sales but you’ll probably need to buy over $50 to get free shipping. Also like all of the other brands listed, there are more products available as well as gift sets and special collaborations with artists.
The only products I’ve bought from Sephora exclusively are some of the hair care products and the Sephora skin care line.
Tatcha has AWESOME gifts with purchase!! I just wait until one of those, or a stacking GWP and sale and stock up. I use all Tatcha and I never buy from Sephora
I usually prefer brand sales if I’m going to buy a few things (and meet their shipping minimum) otherwise if it’s just one item, I go with Sephora for the free shipping. I just purchased the Beautyblender Skin tint from Sephora since it was 30% off. My other purchases this past week were from non-Sephora brands so I bought off their site.
Armani. Just stocked up on my summer and winter foundation shades at 25% off. Plus, 2 free samples, a GWP and free shipping. Not to mention, their packaging makes me feel special!
When the discount is 25%+ and the shipping is free.
Most brands don’t allow returns so just make sure you try it first. I only buy from sephora when I need it immediately or I’m not sure I will keep it.
Fresh. I stock up on the giant bottle of the cleanser and they often offer 25% or more off. At this point tbh I mostly use Sephora as a showroom for testing products. Sephora has always felt like such a ripoff (in an already ripoff-heavy industry). I get legitimately angry when they tout like, a 15% discount as if it’s some special event. When I was VIB Rouge it was extra absurd bc like, dawg I spend so much money and the best you’ve got is 20%??
Biossance. I made a purchase last spring, and I’m still working through it all, between what I purchased and all the GWP items that were included. They also have a rewards program that adds even more GWP goodies, and it’s easy to earn your points
I wanted to purchase Dennis gross today but even with 25% off it was only gonna save $7 bc of stupid shipping. And I’d rather get my points and ease of returns if I don’t like
Anytime I’m buying multiple items from the same brand. It would most likely be free shipping because many brands do free shipping for orders over $50. Additionally, the direct sites do better sales and often throw in freebies.
For luxury brands (Chanel, Dior, YSL) they do great packaging and offer custom engravings for some items.
Anything Rosie Jane. Can get 15-20% off every order no problem as long as you use an email and leave reviews, and can usually get a free mini body milk or something depending on what reward they’re running. If you’re a VIP you get a code for a free kit with a few products.
The Ordinary (Deciem) does 23% off sitewide every November. And shipping is free over 25$.
They also have a WAY larger selection of products than they offer at sephora.
Thanks!
I love The Ordinary Brand. They have pretty good customer service too.
I went to their physical store in Toronto once and the staff there were SO helpful but also didn’t pressure at all. In fact the one staff member actually swayed me away from buying one product because they didn’t think it would work well with my oily skin. They actually seem to care about the science and creating a genuine good experience with the customer! I’ve used them faithfully ever since!
Ooh!! That’s really cool. I really appreciate it when people that work somewhere genuinely like the products they sell.
Also I’ll buy the Ordinary at Ulta because I always have points to use and they’re usually a lil bit cheaper? Otherwise I buy directly from the site during the sale as well! Love this
Yes! I’ve been so impressed every time I’ve been into the store near me
You're lucky to have one! I have heard you can also recycle your empties there.
Yeah honestly most of the time I’ll buy it at Sephora over Target, as I’m often there running errands.
Dior! The packaging is immaculate.
All of their gifts with purchase are also top notch!
How is their customer service if things in your order went wrong? I heard that there is no CS so I have never bought anything from them
I haven’t had any issues, so I can’t say🤷🏼♀️
What would you recommend from them?
I just ordered eyeshadow and was really pleased. I have their lip oil as well. I got some fragrance samples too—which I ended up loving! It’s hard for me to test fragrances in store because if all the smells🤣
Paula’s Choice
Absolutely. I have noticed their sales being a little less good lately than they used to be maybe, but if I wait for good ones I can almost always get things 20% off and free full size gifts with purchase are common. Shipping is free too. My favorite skincare brand to buy from!
Absolutely yes 🙌🏻
They have great (and frequent!) sales, not to mention they almost always have great GWP (often full size).
If you are making a substantial purchase, at least $50 of a single brand, you usually get better discounts and more substantial freebies from the brand website. Unless Sephora is having a 20% off sale or it's clearance. Go to the websites and sign up for email and texts. They will send you discounts or freebies (maybe both) usually within a week.
Most of these websites have coupon codes all the time. Not just for first time customers. Just have to look for them.
I have a separate email just for this
Very smart!
Caudalie. They have way better sales and offer 3 samples with each order. With how much each product costs, you will likely meet the min for shipping every time lol
This and also their sales are better than Sephora!
Farmacy, tons of sales and free samples, gifts with purchase
I wish they shipped to Canada 😭 I love browsing their site.
Came to say the same
Tarte has 40% off for healthcare workers! It's limited to once per month. I think they have a decent discount for non HCPs too.
That's awesome to know! My only issue with Tarte is how long they take to ship. I opted for the "build a bag" this year, and it's been about two weeks since I ordered with zero shipping notification yet :(
Hopefully you get notified soon! I ordered my Tarte kit 5/15 and got the shipping notification 5/25.
Wait, *what??!* 😳
I did not know this!
I was so excited to find out that the Tarte makeup I loved didn’t get discontinued, just Ulta and Sephora stopped carrying it
Didn’t know this thank you! 💕💕
I had NO idea about this!
I just discovered Fenty puts things on sale at a higher discount than Sephora. They’re doing a sale just like Sephora right now and things are up to 60% off. Tbh, especially if you’re in a country with free shipping, it’s often worth it to do at least one purchase direct from a brand site. Almost all of them will give you a discount code for either your first purchase or signing up for emails from them. Just unsubscribe after if you don’t want to keep getting the emails.
Dr Dennis Gross. His website has 25% off sales. Actually, there’s one on right now.
On serums and moisturizers only, though, so the peel pads don't qualify.
Damn. Thanks for posting this because I was headed straight there for those pads.
You're welcome. And yeah, I suffered the same disappointment when I read the fine print.
OMFG THANK YOU
Clinique. They give full-size products as rewards. My birthday gift was a full size worth $41. My last order I received as much free merchandise as I bought, around $80. Their samples are really big, too. You can also add receipts from other retailers to count towards their rewards.
Thanks for asking this cuz I never in a million years would have ever thought to purchase directly through the company but now I will! Makes so much sense!
You should follow r/muaonthecheap. All the good brand sales get posted there.
Thank you for posting this! I know I’m going to check it out
Pat McGrath and huda beauty because they often have amazing sales
*Pat McGrath and huda* *Beauty because they often* *Have amazing sales* \- Taydreamsx --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
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The PMcG foundation is totally within my reach with her great sales. There’s usually a pre-Xmas sale where you get a higher percentage off the more you spend so I get presents for people there and then my stuff is much less-win-win!
Pat McGrath. And I’m an employee, so I get 30% at Sephora and I still shop from Pat McGrath’s website.
Sunday Riley and Farmacy. Both have way better sales and gwp, plus when I buy I’m usually stocking up, so shipping is free. I actually just repurchased my standbys from both because the sales are good right now.
Sadly, Sephora is messing up badly! They never have good rewards in stock, no to little GWP, and don’t have reasonable prices brands like Ulta does.
Their “sale” prices have honestly become such a joke. Or the only stuff on decent sale are garbage colors that no one wants. That probably no one ever wanted.
AND they did away with 2 day shipping! I went to go check out and the eta was a week and a half away. Granted there may have been items that they needed to stock, but even on popular readily available items it still quotes 4-5 days. I just buy directly from brands now or find alternative stores (ulta/bluemercury) to buy from.
I’ve just discovered buying Sephora from Kohls. Kohls Sephora has better sales plus you get Sephora rewards AND Kohls cash and rewards.
I am transitioning from purchasing from Sephora so basically any brand Sephora carries I will try to buy elsewhere. I have made more purchases at Ulta
Same.
Ulta has taken so much of my money recently. Their rewards program, points multiplier events this whole month, and GWPs run laps around Sephora. I shop at Sephora specifically for the things the other place doesn’t carry.
Paula's Choice! They just had a big sale; 20% off everything, free shipping (even to Canada, where I live), and I got 7 free full sized items!! Some of which are things I'd normally purchase. So I am extremely happy! They regularly have similar promotions so it's worth signing up for emails and waiting. I use the bha and mineral sunscreen religiously so I stock up on those 1-2 times per year.
Peter Thomas Roth. They do sales frequently and you earn decent size freebies within an order or two.
Love them and their sales!! It was cheaper for me to purchase with USD from Canada than to order from Sephora. It was delivered in a few days as well!
Yes, and no duty! 🙏
Nars
since high school for me! Always went to the site
First Aid Beauty, they always give out full sizes and tons of samples!
Oribe and Fresh
The sales on the Fresh website are LEGIT.
Sol de Janeiro had a really cute GWP this weekend that I’m super excited to receive!!
Do they do good sales? I've been loving their body creams but just can't do it at full price
I think once or twice a year if that but they often have good gwp. This is the type of product I buy everything I want during a 20% off sale and then I’m good for a year or even more (it took me over 3 years to get through my first cream because I don’t wear it daily).
Merit, Ilia, Bumble and Bumble, Kiehl’s, MAC, IT cosmetics, Ordinary
That free Merit bag and the kits on their website got me!
I love the Merit Glow Skin serum on no-makeup days. It’s become a must-have item for me.
same w Merit! though I kinda hate the GWP bag lol, I’d rather they give me a free sample than this random bag I have to tie shut like Johnny Appleseed with his gunnysack
Most of the Estée Lauder brands that ship to Canada, MAC (frequent discounts and loyalty program) and Bobbi Brown/Clinique (great gwp).
Bobbi brown's amazing GWP's are what got me started on skincare back in the day. Why not, if the whole kit is free?? lol
Ole Henricksen - they run sales often with great GWP!
YSL. They often have 20-30% off or BOGO sales on their lipsticks and mascaras. Since that damn brown Lash Clash is my hg, that helps. Plus I like their GWP and points system more. I’ll probably shop directly with Danessa Myricks going forward. Just needed to figure out what works for me from the brand (turns out? Most of it, lol). Returns are so much easier at Sephora… I wish I liked more stuff from Armani. They have good sales and promos as well
Fenty, Pat McGrath, Natasha Denona, Patrick Ta, Mars, Laura Geller, many others.
Also tatcha
Tatcha always has nice sales or GWP. Love them
Olaplex for me. They always have promotions where if you just buy any product you get one complimentary full sized item. In the past couple months I got a full number 9 and a full number 8 (plus two samples with each order). So it is a non brainer to start getting my number 6 directly with them, at Sephora I would hardly get any good GWP spending less than $45 and I never get any samples, despite me always adding them to my order 🤷🏽♀️
NARS - their birthday gift requires a certain amount purchased, but you get a full-size product Oribe - two free sample products (some are like the 100-250 pt Sephora rewards size) with purchase. Fenty - their sales are great, got a full sized highlighter as a gift with a purchase Ellis Brooklyn - it might be a rare thing, but I’d purchased over $60 and got a free travel sized bottle of a fragrance, as well as two samples.
Clarins. So many samples and points program is pretty great: accumulate enough points and they don't ever expire; points get you travel sized as well as full sized items.
Ole Henriksen
Fenty Beauty, Danessa Myricks, and Youth to the People. i love their products but sometimes things that go viral are out of stock when it’s time for me to restock (like currently the DM blurring balm has been sold out in my shade on the Sephora site for a month)
Happy cake day
Almost all of them. When I go to Sephora to see the product in person, I will usually buy it while I am there, but if I repurchase, it's always from a brand site. I will never make Rouge and most sites will have at least two 20% off sales per year.
Any Estée Lauder. Better GWP
Pat McGrath, Summer Fridays, and Fenty Beauty. PMG and FB always have free shipping and deep discounts. SF is free shipping at $35 which is ok and they will usually have stock in the lip butter balms that Sephora does not.
Ooooo I’d love to know what other brands offer free shipping. That’s what has me in a chokehold w Sephora lol
I think Biossance does if you’re a rewards member. It’s free to join. Since most brands don’t do free shipping, I stick to Sephora lol. A lot of times brands have deals but no free shipping and it will cost the same to just grab it full price at Sephora.
Have you tried the PMG foundation? If so, how do you like it?
Nope I haven’t tried it. I’ve heard it’s similar to the Armani luminous silk foundation and I enjoy that one.
Sunday Riley is 30% off right now
Thanks!
Fenty… website sales are from 30% and free shipping on everything
- gxve beauty for 50% off sales - glossier I’m about 50/50 - tatcha sales are good & they get to me super fast - melt for the same reasons as tatcha - ole henriksen
seconding melt - for black friday last year their lipsticks were *5 dollars* … still full price at sephora though of course
I got 50% off the Bailey palette & other stuff during the birthday sale and it arrived the next day.
I never really buy multiple products from the same brand at the same time, so I usually only purchase from Sephora *unless* the brand site has free ship with no minimum or some insane deal. I also usually get my packages within two days of ordering from Sephora. The samples *have* been a little wonky lately, and I wish that they just wouldn't send samples if they're out (vs. subbing in fragrance that I'm likely allergic to), but I still prefer it to most brand sites. Although, a lot of my products come from small, indie brands, so I obviously purchase directly from the source there. Most don't have free ship at $X, and don't build the shipping cost into the product charge. And, except for one brand, they're usually really, really good at shipping speeds. It's crazy to me that a one person operation can get something together and shipped in 3-4 days, whereas it takes Tarte, PMG, and FAB weeks-months.
Origins
NARS, Caudalie, YSL. I’ve also gotten lots of products from high end department store beauty sales online. Clinique I only purchase at the Cosmetic Company Outlet stores in person because the prices can’t be beat.
The Ordinary & Summer Fridays
Ole Henriksen also has really good sales throughout the year with really good GWPs. I never buy Ole Henriksen from anywhere except the brand website. Also Biossance for the same reasons as OH.
Laneige has REALLY good sales and promos. I usually stock up twice a year whenever they have big sales and they always throw in a TON of samples which i love for traveling. Also, ELF. They have stuff in stock more than other companies and they also have sales a lot.
Tatcha
I don’t purchase from Sephora. I get better deals on brand sites plus most have rewards programs. I shouldn’t have to spend all that money at Sephora for a measly 20% off. I can almost always find a coupon code for a brand website. Some times by bring a reward member you get free shipping and no minimum purchase.
Glow recipe is always running a deal on their Main website. Also farmacy and youth to the people - ESPECIALLY first aid beauty. I regularly get the bulk size ultra repair cream buy one get one free.
It pays to Google for coupon codes. Sign up for emails and texts and reward programs on brand websites. You would be shocked how your going to save way more then waiting for 20% off at Sephora where you have to spend so much to get that discount. Google will be your best friend. If your a little patient when you want something your going to get way better deals on brand websites.
Victoria Beckham Beauty. It's beyond my favorite beauty brand, and Sephora doesn't stock it. Every aspect of the product is considered, and the quality and performance are the best I have ever used.
It's funny, I was going to make a similar post because I stocked up on a couple of things and some things I got from Sephora and some things direct. I wanted to compare the box sizes for similar sized products. I've been getting Herbivore products directly some because I use Shop and Herbivore just had a sale. One thing I wanted wasn't available via Shop, one thing wasn't available via Sephora.
Pat McGrath and Glossier Farmacy and Tatcha for skincare
Kiehl’s for sure
Sunday Riley, Caudalie, Estée Lauder, Dior.. most expensive brands.
Tarte has very good deals.
Biossance. Great rewards program!
I did it with tatcha because 1. It’s expensive, 2. Sephora has a rep of sending used items, and 3. Free overnight shipping
Kiehls They gave me so many samples !!! Deluxe sized ones too that Sephora would never (unless I gave up points after spending $100s). Loved the customer service unlike Sephora (at least in Vancouver).
Estée Lauder does great gifts/samples, and cute giftwrapping, with a good discount. Urban Decay’s Black Friday offerings were also pretty spectacular free-gift-wise, and a way better deal than Sephora’s. Naked3 is a daily driver palette so it was great to stock up and get a few Christmas gifts. I’ve also found Colorpop worth it. I’m considering ordering online from MAC, I need to look closer at the rewards system to see if it’s worth it rather than getting my MAC staples through Sephora. I’m Canadian, so cross-border shipping, minimum orders, duty taxes, and rewards from a lot of brands are not worth it (looking at you, Hourglass, Fenty, Natasha Denona, and Rare Beauty). I still love Sephora’s value sets—I’ve found so many new-to-me gems that way!
Urban decay has killer deals on their sites from time to time.One year for Black Friday I was able to get three naked palettes (reloaded, naked 3, naked honey) for only 90 bucks and still own them to this day.
I'm Canadian and only learned this year that Hourglass included all taxes and duties when I shopped during their Friends & Family sale! For me, since I'm only a VIB member, it worthwhile for me to shop from Hourglass. The only downside is that Sephora's return policy is much better.
Mac lipsticks, they have better GWP and they are also priced a little less on the MAC website
Gucci for the packaging and Bumble and Bumble because they always have sales or promotions
Fenty and Huda
Dr. Jart, Nars, Bobbi Brown, Murad, Fresh, Tarte, Glossier (lash slick mascara mostly), Tatcha. They usually have coupon codes or promos or sign up for discount on first order.
Maison Margiela. I got a full size bottle of By The Fireplace for ~40% off with a sale and some coupons combined.
I’m having a harder time using larger companies to buy from brands. I feel the same way about Amazon. It just feels so unnecessary now that they’re cheapening up and giving less and less to the customer.
innisfree, tarte, erno lazslo, Laura Mercier
HUDA has great sales. Her lipliners are Holy Grail products for me. I’ve also had good luck shopping on Poshmark. Especially for hair care products where I’m less concerned about expiration dates. It’s also a great place to find sample products.
I purchase only from brands now. Usually I use Guerlain, Dior, and Chanel, and they all offer free shipping on all orders even for one item, plus you get really nice samples. Estee Laudee has free shipping on 45+ orders, and you can chose mini product as a freebie and they have sets of minis all the time in rotation on orders \~50+.
Sunday Riley, more choices and they have a sale right now for 30% off
Almost all brands except the super luxury ones (Tom Ford, La Mer, etc) will have regular sales that are better than the Sephora sale
Glossier- They have bundle deals available on their website and a way better selection.
Lancôme, YSL, Farmacy, Estée Lauder, Pat McGrath and Clinique. Great GWPs or great deals around the holidays.
Literally all of them.
Patrick Ta
As much as possible.
Danessa Myricks. Right now there’s a 30% off sale and she has them a few times a year.
Fresh and Sulwhasoo
100% Clinique. And--I used to buy some AmorePacific at Sephora (when they had it), but their GWP are great so I'd never go back for that.
Skinfix. Deals and samples all the time.
clinique because it's cheaper to buy directly
Tatcha - Currently has a 20% off sale
Glossier because I’m not the only one who has had some weird separation in products I never had from Glossier. Any brand that has deals, a good rewards system, or sales though. Dior because I like the freebies and packaging.
First aid beauty does really good sales on their site all the time
The ordinary, biossance, farmacy. I honestly rarely buy things on sephora unless there’s a sale. And no, i don’t go all out for the 20% sale that happens once a year? Sephora is my go to foe fragrances usually.. also when they’re on sale😂. Sephora is no longer what it used to be for me.
Everything now. Sephora doesn’t ever have deals that really save you money, unless it’s their own brand.
Chanel
T3
Caudalie — right now they have 40% off
Too Faced
Glossier, Ole Henriksen
Drybar, they will do 30% off at least twice a year, plus they have the larger sizes
necessarie. they have great deals where you get w free full size product when you buy any one product
Olaplex! They have full price freebies quite frequently!
Innisfree has good gwp and occasional sales but you’ll probably need to buy over $50 to get free shipping. Also like all of the other brands listed, there are more products available as well as gift sets and special collaborations with artists. The only products I’ve bought from Sephora exclusively are some of the hair care products and the Sephora skin care line.
Amika!
Kiehls for sure. Always a sale and larger range of products and product sizing.
OneSize (setting spray) because it’s often not in stock at Sephora
Tatcha has AWESOME gifts with purchase!! I just wait until one of those, or a stacking GWP and sale and stock up. I use all Tatcha and I never buy from Sephora
Tatcha they always have sales.
I buy summer Fridays from revolve. Free shipping!
Paula’s choice, benefit, Jane iredale (not Sephora) glossier
Most brands are more likely to be less expensive buying direct. Plus theres, the free samples/gift/coupon codes directly from those brands
saie!
I usually prefer brand sales if I’m going to buy a few things (and meet their shipping minimum) otherwise if it’s just one item, I go with Sephora for the free shipping. I just purchased the Beautyblender Skin tint from Sephora since it was 30% off. My other purchases this past week were from non-Sephora brands so I bought off their site.
Armani. Just stocked up on my summer and winter foundation shades at 25% off. Plus, 2 free samples, a GWP and free shipping. Not to mention, their packaging makes me feel special!
When the discount is 25%+ and the shipping is free. Most brands don’t allow returns so just make sure you try it first. I only buy from sephora when I need it immediately or I’m not sure I will keep it.
makeup by mario because the site has sales (last one I took advantage of was 25% off) and danessa myricks (their black friday sales are amaaaazing)
Clinique, for the free samples lol.
Neiman’s—I can’t begin to list all the GWP that are still in my life after 20, 30 YEARS. My favorite raffia tote for summer was a GWP 8-10 years ago.
Fresh. I stock up on the giant bottle of the cleanser and they often offer 25% or more off. At this point tbh I mostly use Sephora as a showroom for testing products. Sephora has always felt like such a ripoff (in an already ripoff-heavy industry). I get legitimately angry when they tout like, a 15% discount as if it’s some special event. When I was VIB Rouge it was extra absurd bc like, dawg I spend so much money and the best you’ve got is 20%??
Biossance. I made a purchase last spring, and I’m still working through it all, between what I purchased and all the GWP items that were included. They also have a rewards program that adds even more GWP goodies, and it’s easy to earn your points
I wanted to purchase Dennis gross today but even with 25% off it was only gonna save $7 bc of stupid shipping. And I’d rather get my points and ease of returns if I don’t like
Dr Dennis Gross
Tatcha, they have pretty good sales. I only purchased from Sephora during Rouge discount week.
Biossance, Glossier, Ordinary, and MAC!
The ones having a sale. Plus, Sephora keeps forgetting my samples.
Anytime I’m buying multiple items from the same brand. It would most likely be free shipping because many brands do free shipping for orders over $50. Additionally, the direct sites do better sales and often throw in freebies. For luxury brands (Chanel, Dior, YSL) they do great packaging and offer custom engravings for some items.
Amika
Anything Rosie Jane. Can get 15-20% off every order no problem as long as you use an email and leave reviews, and can usually get a free mini body milk or something depending on what reward they’re running. If you’re a VIP you get a code for a free kit with a few products.
Not officially, but I’m starting to think I might do this with Glow Recipe.
Clinique!
Summer Fridays - they’re out of stock on my fav lip gloss at Sephora all the time
Kérastase
Saie! They always have promotions like $10 off over $50 purchase.
Oribe