In today’s digital age, the convenience of online shopping has revolutionized the beauty industry, offering consumers an unparalleled selection of products at their fingertips. Whether you’re a skincare aficionado, a makeup enthusiast, or someone seeking the latest in hair care, online beauty stores provide a vast array of options to suit every need and preference. However, with so many choices available, finding the best online beauty stores can be overwhelming.
To help you navigate this expansive market, we’ve curated a list of the nine best online beauty stores. From niche brands to luxury retailers, these stores stand out for their exceptional product offerings, customer service, and overall shopping experience.
1. Credo Beauty
Credo Beauty is a pioneering online beauty store dedicated to clean beauty. Founded with a mission to transform the beauty industry, Credo offers a wide range of skincare, makeup, hair care, and body care products that meet rigorous standards for safety and sustainability. The company is committed to transparency, ensuring that all products are free from harmful ingredients listed on their “Dirty List” of over 2,700 substances. Credo also emphasizes ethical sourcing, cruelty-free practices, and sustainable packaging. The store features well-known clean beauty brands like OSEA, Ilia, and Moon Juice, and operates both online and through several brick-and-mortar locations across the United States.
Pros:
- High Standards for Clean Beauty: Credo rigorously vets all products to ensure they are free from harmful ingredients and meet high safety standards.
- Transparency: The company is committed to full transparency regarding ingredient sourcing and product safety, making it easier for consumers to make informed choices.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Credo promotes sustainable packaging and ethical sourcing, aiming to minimize environmental impact.
- Cruelty-Free: All products sold by Credo are cruelty-free, ensuring no animal testing is involved.
- Wide Range of Products: The store offers a diverse selection of skincare, makeup, hair care, and body care products from top clean beauty brands.
Cons:
- Higher Price Point: Clean beauty products often come at a premium price, which can be a barrier for some consumers.
- Limited Physical Locations: While Credo has some physical stores, they are limited in number, which may inconvenience customers who prefer in-person shopping.
- Stringent Standards May Limit Options: The rigorous vetting process might limit the availability of certain popular products that do not meet Credo’s strict criteria.
2. Eternal Beauty Outlet
Eternal Beauty Outlet is an online beauty store that offers a wide range of beauty products for skin, hair, and body care. Founded by Olivia Grace in 2020, the store aims to provide high-quality, affordable beauty products while promoting eco-friendliness and cruelty-free practices. The store prides itself on sourcing products with beautiful ingredients and maintaining transparency with customers. Eternal Beauty Outlet’s mission is to celebrate beauty in all its forms and to inspire customers to embrace their unique beauty. The store offers free shipping and guarantees the lowest prices, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious beauty enthusiasts.
Pros
- Wide Range of Products: Eternal Beauty Outlet offers a diverse selection of beauty products, including skincare, makeup, and hair care items, catering to various needs and preferences.
- Affordable Prices: The store guarantees the lowest prices, making high-quality beauty products accessible to a broader audience.
- Eco-friendly and Cruelty-free: The store prioritizes eco-friendly practices and cruelty-free products, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
- Free Shipping: Eternal Beauty Outlet offers free shipping on all orders, adding value for customers.
- Positive Customer Reviews: Many customers have praised the store for its excellent customer service, fast shipping, and high-quality products.
- Transparency: The store is committed to being transparent with customers about the ingredients and benefits of their products.
Cons
- Limited Brand Variety: While the store offers a wide range of products, it may not carry as many brands as larger beauty retailers, potentially limiting options for some customers.
- Shipping Issues: Although most reviews are positive, there have been occasional reports of shipping problems, such as receiving empty vials or delays.
- Website Navigation: Some users might find the website less intuitive compared to other major beauty retailers, which could affect the shopping experience.
- Inconsistent Stock: There have been instances where certain products were out of stock, which can be frustrating for customers looking for specific items.
- Limited Physical Presence: The store primarily operates online, which means customers cannot physically try products before purchasing, potentially leading to dissatisfaction with certain items.
3. Dermstore
Dermstore is a US-based online retailer specializing in professional-strength skincare, haircare, and beauty products. Founded in 1999 by a board-certified dermatologist, it was acquired by THG plc in 2021. Dermstore offers a curated selection of over 350 brands, many of which are typically only available through dermatologists’ offices or specialty boutiques.
Pros
- High-quality, professional-grade products: Dermstore focuses on dermatologist-recommended and clinical-grade skincare brands.
- Authorized retailer: All products are guaranteed authentic, as Dermstore is an authorized retailer for every brand they carry.
- Detailed product information: The website provides in-depth descriptions and ingredient lists for each product.
- Rewards program: Customers can earn points on purchases and by writing reviews, which can be redeemed for discounts.
- Generous return policy: Dermstore offers a 30-day return policy on most items.
Cons
- Higher price point: Many products are on the expensive side due to their professional-grade nature.
- Limited makeup selection: While Dermstore excels in skincare, its makeup offerings are more limited compared to Sephora.
- Occasional shipping delays: Some customers have reported delays in order processing and shipping.
- Website navigation: The site’s layout and search functionality may not be as intuitive as some competitors’.
4. Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the United States, offering a comprehensive range of beauty products, including cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, haircare, and salon services. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Ulta Beauty operates over 1,200 retail stores across all 50 states, as well as an e-commerce website and mobile applications. The company provides a unique shopping experience by combining a wide selection of products from more than 600 established and emerging brands with in-store salon services. Ulta Beauty also offers a robust loyalty program, Ultamate Rewards, which enhances customer engagement and satisfaction.
Pros:
- Extensive Product Range: Ulta Beauty offers over 25,000 products from more than 600 brands, catering to a wide variety of beauty needs and preferences.
- Convenient Shopping Options: Customers can shop in-store, online, or through the mobile app, with multiple fulfillment options such as buy online pick-up in store and curbside pickup.
- Loyalty Program: The Ultamate Rewards program is highly praised for its generous points system, frequent promotions, and exclusive offers.
- In-Store Salon Services: Every Ulta Beauty store features a full-service salon, providing a range of beauty services including hair, skin, makeup, and brow services.
- Philanthropy: Ulta Beauty is actively involved in charitable initiatives, such as raising funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Cons:
- Limited International Shipping: Ulta Beauty does not accept orders outside the United States, which limits its accessibility for international customers.
- Customer Service Variability: Some customers have reported inconsistent in-store customer service experiences, which can vary by location.
- Return Policy: While Ulta Beauty has a good return policy, some customers feel it is not as generous as competitors like Sephora.
5. Beautylish
Beautylish is an online beauty retailer founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company focuses on providing a curated selection of high-quality beauty products, including makeup, skincare, haircare, and beauty tools. Beautylish is known for its exceptional customer service, personalized shopping experience, and educational content such as makeup tutorials and product reviews. The company prides itself on sourcing unique and exclusive brands from around the world and packaging orders with great care to ensure customer satisfaction.
Pros:
- Curated Product Selection: Beautylish offers a carefully curated selection of global beauty brands, ensuring high quality and uniqueness.
- Exceptional Customer Service: The company is renowned for its top-notch customer service, with a dedicated team ready to assist customers and resolve any issues promptly.
- Educational Content: Beautylish provides valuable educational content, including makeup tutorials and product reviews, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions.
- Free Shipping: Beautylish offers free shipping on orders over $35 within the United States, making it an attractive option for frequent shoppers.
- Personalized Experience: The company emphasizes a personalized shopping experience, with expert advice from makeup artists and careful packaging of orders.
Cons:
- Limited Product Range: Compared to larger retailers like Ulta Beauty, Beautylish has a more limited product range, focusing on a curated selection rather than a wide variety.
- Shipping Restrictions: Beautylish currently does not ship to P.O. boxes and has specific shipping policies for APO/FPO addresses and U.S. territories, which may be inconvenient for some customers.
- Higher Price Point: Some customers may find Beautylish’s products to be on the pricier side compared to other beauty retailers, although this is often justified by the quality and exclusivity of the brands offered.
6. Sephora
Sephora is a leading multinational retailer of personal care and beauty products. Founded in France in 1970, it has since expanded globally and is now owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH. Sephora.com offers a vast selection of cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, haircare, and beauty tools from nearly 340 brands, including its own private label, Sephora Collection.
Pros
- Extensive product range: Sephora offers a wide variety of beauty products from popular and niche brands, catering to diverse customer needs.
- Beauty Insider program: Sephora’s loyalty program allows customers to earn points on purchases, which can be redeemed for rewards or exclusive perks.
- Free samples: Online orders often come with free samples, allowing customers to try new products before purchasing.
- User-friendly website: The site features detailed product information, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations.
- Exclusive online discounts: Sephora.com frequently offers promotions and deals not available in-store.
Cons
- Higher prices: Some products may be more expensive compared to other retailers or drugstores.
- Limited availability of certain items: Popular products can sell out quickly online.
- Shipping costs: Free shipping is only available for orders over a certain amount or for Beauty Insider members.
- No in-person testing: Unlike in-store shopping, customers can’t physically test products before purchasing online.
7. Lookfantastic
Lookfantastic is a leading online beauty retailer based in the UK, offering an extensive range of beauty products including skincare, makeup, hair care, and fragrances. The platform features over 400 premium beauty brands such as NuFACE, Dermalogica, Eve Lom, and Stila. Lookfantastic is known for its competitive pricing, frequent discounts, and special offers like free gifts with purchases. The store also offers a monthly beauty box subscription, providing customers with a curated selection of beauty products to discover new brands and trends. Lookfantastic has a strong presence in the UK and has expanded its reach internationally.
Pros:
- Extensive Product Range: Lookfantastic offers a vast selection of products from over 400 premium brands, catering to a wide variety of beauty needs.
- Competitive Pricing: The store is known for its competitive prices and frequent discounts, making high-quality beauty products more accessible.
- Monthly Beauty Box: The beauty box subscription service allows customers to try new products and brands at a reduced cost, enhancing the shopping experience.
- International Shipping: Lookfantastic ships internationally, making it accessible to customers worldwide.
- Frequent Promotions: The store often provides special offers, including free gifts with purchases and discount codes, adding value for customers.
Cons:
- Customer Service Issues: Some customers have reported issues with customer service, including delayed responses and difficulties with order resolutions.
- Shipping Delays: There have been occasional reports of shipping delays and missing items, which can be frustrating for customers.
- Mixed Reviews: While many customers have positive experiences, there are mixed reviews regarding the reliability and consistency of service.
8. Glossier
Glossier is a direct-to-consumer beauty brand that has gained significant popularity since its launch in 2014. The company started as a beauty blog called “Into The Gloss” before evolving into a full-fledged beauty brand. Glossier’s philosophy is “Skin First. Makeup Second™,” emphasizing skincare as the foundation for makeup. The brand is known for its minimalist aesthetic, natural-looking formulas, and cult-favorite products.
Pros
- Natural-looking makeup: Glossier products are designed to enhance natural features rather than mask them.
- Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly options: All Glossier products are cruelty-free, and many are vegan.
- User-friendly formulas: Products are easy to apply and blend, making them suitable for makeup beginners.
- Aesthetic packaging: The brand’s minimalist and Instagram-worthy packaging is appealing to many customers.
- Affordable luxury: Prices are generally more affordable than high-end luxury brands.
- Global shipping: Glossier now ships to many countries worldwide.
Cons
- Limited shade range: Some products may not cater to a wide range of skin tones.
- Minimal coverage: Those seeking full-coverage makeup may find Glossier products too sheer.
- Hit-or-miss skincare: While some skincare products are popular, others may not be suitable for all skin types.
- Shipping issues: Some customers have reported delays or problems with shipping.
- Inconsistent customer service: Experiences with customer support can vary.
9. Nordstrom
Nordstrom is a well-established American luxury department store chain that has successfully transitioned into the online retail space. While not exclusively a beauty retailer, Nordstrom offers a wide range of beauty products from various brands, making it a popular destination for beauty shoppers.
Pros
- Wide product selection: Nordstrom offers a vast array of beauty brands and products, from drugstore to high-end luxury.
- Nordstrom Rack option: The Nordstrom Rack website provides discounted beauty products.
- Free shipping and returns: Nordstrom often offers free shipping and has a generous return policy.
- Loyalty program: The Nordy Club rewards program allows customers to earn points on purchases.
- In-store pickup option: Customers can buy online and pick up in-store for added convenience.
- Beauty services: Some physical Nordstrom locations offer beauty services, which can be booked online.
Cons
- Inconsistent customer service: Recent reviews suggest a decline in customer service quality.
- Shipping delays: Some customers have reported issues with slow shipping times.
- Inventory discrepancies: There have been instances of wrong items being sent or items being out of stock after ordering.
- Higher prices: As a luxury retailer, some products may be more expensive compared to other beauty stores.
- Overwhelming selection: The vast product range might be overwhelming for some shoppers.
- Website navigation: Some users may find the website less intuitive compared to dedicated beauty retailers.