Discover the best sites to buy makeup online so you can avoid stores and find new and affordable products.
Sephora – Its stores and online site have over 250 brands ranging from makeup and nail polish, to hair products and styling tools Best Sellers
Common brands
Ulta – This chain of US beauty stores has a large and easy-to-use online site that has everything from mascara to men’s products Editor Choice
Common brands
Amazon – Both low and high-end brands sell on the site that offers free 2-day shipping to its Prime members and free and easy returns Best Values
Common / rare brands
Birchbox – This NYC-based company offers a subscription service that sends its customers a box of personalized beauty products monthly Worth a Try
Makeup samples
Target – This department store has a vast beauty section that has a large selection of affordable and quality brands and makeup products Worth a Try
Affordable brands
Dermstore – On top of free shipping and returns, the site offers professional skin solutions selected by doctors and beauty experts Worth a Try
Researched products
Materiae – High-end showcase of hand-picked fragrances, cosmetics, and skincare Worth a Try
Artisanal brands
Find the Best Beauty Products Online No Matter What You’re Looking For
Do you want to start buying makeup online but aren’t sure which sites offer what you want or how returns work?
Online shopping has taken over, so much so that more and more stores are closing because of the rise in Ecommerce sites. Everything can be bought online today, even items that people are particular about, like makeup. Not only do online beauty stores offer incredible return policies and competitive pricing, but they also have recommended product lists and even advanced technologies to help you choose the right shade for your skin. Where do you start if you’ve never purchased makeup online?
The Best Online Makeup Stores
Before attempting to find the right products and buy makeup online, you will need to know what you’re looking for. Every site offers something different, and it can get frustrating browsing the web for hours on end only to come out empty handed.
There are 2 makeup sites in particular that are known by makeup lovers and MUAs as being one-stop-shops: Sephora and Ulta, which are known to have tons of products for different needs. You can go to their websites and, in one visit, find all the nail polish, creams, masks, hair products and styling tools you need.
Sephora
Sephora has detailed filtering options that let you sort through its products and find what you’re looking for by price, finish, brand, skin type, and even ingredient preferences. Sephora also offers a lot of information about the brand behind the product so you know what you’re buying and the ethos of the company. Another bonus about Sephora is that it lets you explore products by looking through pictures posted by people who have purchased that same product, speak with other Sephora shoppers via live chat, and watch tutorials and videos.
Ulta
Ulta, which is a chain of beauty stores in the US, also offers in-depth filtering options. Like Sephora, it stocks products for all over the body, as well as having hair tools, fragrances, and men’s products. Ulta often has promotions running, offers nice discounts on many of its products, and has an incredible return policy. Don’t like the product you bought or bought the wrong shade? Just send it back to the warehouse or return it in store and get your money back.
Amazon
Of course there is also the always reliable, Amazon. Though it’s not known as a beauty site, many makeup companies sell their products on Amazon. So if you know what you want and your exact shade, it’s a great place to make your order. Plus, Amazon offers free 2-day shipping to prime members, an excellent customer support team, and free returns.
Birchbox
If you have the makeup you need and are looking for a fun subscription service, check out the wildly popular, Birchbox. Birchbox is a month-to-month program that sends its subscribers a box of 4 to 5 personalized makeup samples to try. The fun part about it is that you never know what you’re going to get, whether it’s haircare, makeup, or skincare products. The boxes are delivered right to your door, making it extremely easy and hassle-free.
Best Beauty Websites For the Price Conscious
Two of the best online beauty stores known for their affordable and good makeup products are Target and Dermstore.
Target
Target offers more basic brands, and you can expect to find a wide range of products by Revlon, Loreal, and Sonia Kashuk. Target also offers a great return policy, the ability to return online or in-store, and free 2-day shipping on eligible items when you spend over $35.
Dermstore
Dermstore has a similar offering, with a slightly more ‘clean-makeup’ feel. It sells authorized skin care that has been selected by doctors and beauty experts. The site has free shipping and returns on all orders, sends you free samples with every order, and has an award-winning customer service department. Making it even better is that Dermstore has products ranging in price so that anyone, no matter their budget, can find what they’re looking for.
Luxury Beauty Websites
For those of you that will only leave your skin in the best hands, there’s Nordstrom, which is a celebrity favorite.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom sells some of the best and most famous brands in the world, including Chanel, La Mer, Tom Ford, and Yves Saint Laurent. You can shop its site by brand, or by makeup or skin type. This is great for someone looking for a product that is not quite sure about exactly what they need. Nordstrom has top brands, but rarely offers discounts.
Other beauty product sites that offer the best of the best when it comes to makeup brands and products are Le Vert Beauty, Space NK, and Materiae.
Le Vert Beauty
Le Vert Beauty is a site with luxurious, eco-friendly makeup, skincare, and body products. It assures its customers that all of the products it sells are made to be pure and nontoxic, and that they’re stripped of questionable ingredients found in most other beauty products. You can even find what you’re looking for by using its specialty search function that lets you search for products made in the USA, ones that are vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and haven’t been tested on animals.
Space NK
Space NK also offers extremely high-end products, like primers for $79 and $98, and lipsticks for $30 and up.
Materiae
Materiae, meanwhile, is the brainchild of trendsetter David Pirrotta. Combining luxury products with beauty lines from artisanal up-and-comers, Materiae serves as a who’s-who depository of cosmetics, fragrances, hair products, and bath and body brands from both the leading names and rising stars in the beauty industry.
All the Beauty Minus the Lines
Consumers opt for online shopping because it’s fast, convenient, and stress-free. So if you’re one of the people that used to avoid buying makeup online for fear of the wrong shade or hue, fear no more. There is a site and online store for you, not to mention customer service reps who are ready and eager to help you find your perfect matte lip!
