Sephora Shopping Tips: The Ultimate Guide to Sales, Rewards & Savings
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Looking to maximize your Sephora savings? Whether you’re a casual Beauty Insider or a seasoned Rouge member, these expert Sephora shopping tips will help you save money, earn rewards, and take advantage of exclusive beauty deals. From annual sales and promo codes to insider strategies, this is your complete guide.
When to Shop Sephora’s Annual Sales for the Best Deals
Sephora’s two biggest sale events—the Spring Sale and the Fall Sale—offer excellent opportunities to stock up on favorites or try new products. Discounts vary by Insider tier.
Spring Sale (April)
Ideal for a seasonal refresh.
Rouge Members: 20% off
VIB Members: 15% off
Beauty Insiders: 10% off
Bonus: 30% off all Sephora Collection products
Expected Date: Typically takes place in April each year.
Pro Tip: Stock up on best-sellers from the Sephora Collection, especially skincare and makeup tools.
Fall Sale (November)
Great for pre-holiday shopping or restocking essentials.
Expected Date: Usually begins in early November.
Same tiered discounts apply.
How to Get a $100 Gift Card with Sephora Rouge Rewards
If you're a Rouge member with at least 2,500 points, you can redeem them for a $100 Sephora gift card.
How to Redeem
Eligibility: Must be a Rouge member with 2,500 points in your account
Availability: Rewards are released on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 9 AM PST
Pro Tip: Log in early and refresh the Rewards Bazaar page at release time. These go fast, so act quickly.
Save More with Sephora Promo Codes and Beauty Offers
Before completing your order, visit Sephora’s Beauty Offers page to find:
Free deluxe samples
Exclusive discounts
Free shipping codes
Where to Look: Search the Beauty Offers tab on Sephora’s website or Google “Sephora promo codes” before checkout.
Why Value Sets Are a Must-Have
Sephora’s Value Sets often include a curated mix of mini and full-size products at a reduced price. They’re ideal for:
Trying new brands
Gifting
Travel-sized essentials
Many sets offer products that would cost significantly more if purchased individually.
How to Redeem Your Sephora Birthday Gift
If you're a Beauty Insider, you're eligible for a free birthday gift every year.
How to Claim It
Sephora will email you with available gift options during your birthday month
Choose your gift online or in-store
Make sure you’re logged into your Beauty Insider account to access it
Other Smart Sephora Shopping Tips
Save Your Points: Skip the mini samples unless you really want them—save points for 500+ point rewards or Rouge offers.
Shop the Sale Section: Check the clearance section regularly and combine discounts with promo codes for maximum savings.
Try Checkout Minis: These are great for sampling skincare, makeup, and haircare without committing to a full-size product.
Advanced Sephora Shopping Hacks for Maximum Rewards
Use Cashback Platforms
Sign up for Rakuten before shopping at Sephora to earn around 2% and up to 10% back on purchases. Plus, when you use my Rakuten referral link and spend your first $30 upon activating Rakuten, you’ll get a $30 Rakuten bonus! These savings really add up over time. I recommend downloading their browser extension — it's the easiest way to remember to use Rakuten on each purchase. Plus, the extension automatically shows the latest promo codes for many eligible online stores, helping you save even more without the extra effort.
Shop During Point Multiplier Events
Sephora offers 2x, 3x, or 4x point events throughout the year. Use these to stock up on big-ticket items or quickly reach Rouge status.
Explore ‘Just Arrived’ and ‘Only at Sephora’
These sections feature exclusive products and early launches that you won’t find anywhere else. They often sell out quickly, so check them regularly.
Use a Credit Card with Beauty Perks
Credit cards like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Preferred offer additional rewards points or beauty-related perks.
Split Larger Orders Strategically
Place smaller orders if you want to use multiple promo codes or collect more free samples across separate checkouts.
Follow the Beauty Insider Community
Get real reviews, product dupes, restock alerts, and user-generated recommendations directly from Sephora’s shopper community.
Use the Sephora App
Download the app for app-only launches, exclusive discounts, and early sale access notifications. You’ll also get alerts for Rouge Reward drops.
Create Custom Loves Lists
Organize your Sephora wishlist by categories such as skincare, travel, or future gifts. This makes sale shopping faster and more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Sephora’s next sale?
Spring sales usually happen in April, and Fall sales typically begin in early November.
How do I get free samples at Sephora?
Check the Beauty Offers page before checkout or use an active promo code to claim deluxe samples.
Can I stack Sephora promo codes?
Sephora only allows one promo code per order, but you can place separate smaller orders to use multiple codes.
Final Thoughts
With these Sephora shopping tips and hacks, you’re ready to save more, earn smarter rewards, and get the most out of every sale. Whether you're restocking essentials or splurging on new launches, you now have the insider knowledge to shop smarter and spend wiser.
Do you have any Sephora shopping hacks of your own?
Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear your favorite ways to save.