Beauty products don't have to break your budget, even if you like higher-end stuff. With some strategic shopping and timing, you can stock your makeup drawer for less.
Retailers like Ulta, Macy's, Kohl's, QVC, Sephora, CVS, and others regularly run deals on beauty items, as well as beauty freebies. But knowing when and where to look makes all the difference. Our KCL deal hunters know exactly when and where to find the best beauty bargains, and we're sharing all our top finds with you here, plus our tips for how to get beauty products on sale.
In addition to saving money on makeup and skincare, you can save on other personal care essentials, too. Check out our monthly drugstore deals roundup, as well as our guide to the best subscription box deals for beauty lovers.
Don't forget to download our free KCL app, so we can send you the best beauty deals from Ulta, Macy's, and more in real time.
Best Beauty Retail Deals Right Now
Our Top Tips for Saving on Makeup, Skincare, and More
In addition to shopping the deals above, follow these tips to find beauty deals on your own.
Know when major beauty sales happen
By knowing when major sales go live, you can stock up on essentials when they're at a lower price rather than paying full price when you run out. Here are a few sales you shouldn't miss:
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Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty sale happens twice a year (spring and fall) and offers 50% off different brands each day. We've seen Kiehl's, Too Faced, and Supergoop included in this sale.
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Sephora's One-Day Deals event always happens during Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty (spring and fall). So be sure to check out both sales to see who has the best deals. In addition to putting other brands on sale, Sephora also takes 50% off plenty of items in its Sephora Collection.
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Macy's 10 Days of Glam offers new 50% off deals twice a year (May and August) every day of their sale. We've seen Estee Lauder, Sunday Riley, and Shiseido marked down in the past.
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The CVS Epic Beauty sale runs twice a year (in the spring and late summer) for two weeks. In addition to discounts on products, you'll also find a digital coupon for $10 off $25.
Aside from the sales above, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime times for beauty deals. Kohl's traditionally offers a Black Friday coupon, valid for 15% - 20% off sitewide, for example. Sephora and Ulta, meanwhile, tend to offer free gifts with purchase. Last year, for example, one of the Ulta Black Friday deals was a free 9-piece beauty set with a $60 purchase.
Post-holiday clearance is another time that's perfect for grabbing lower-priced gift sets and limited-edition items. Macy's typically marks down holiday beauty sets by 50% or more in early January, and Ulta clears out seasonal collections with similar discounts.
Sign up for store loyalty programs and beauty memberships
Make a list of your go-to beauty retailers and join their rewards programs. You'll earn points toward free products and get exclusive member perks just by shopping for your usual products. And then, you can use those points toward future purchases.
Ulta Beauty Rewards, for example, gives you one point per dollar spent, and every 100 points gets you $3 off. Sephora's rewards program also gives you one point per dollar spent, and you can cash in your rewards for free products, starting at 100 points.
Don't overlook clearance sales and promo codes
The Kohl's clearance section often has gift sets, hand lotions, and seasonal beauty deals (like sunscreen at the end of summer). And be sure to check out the T.J.Maxx Yellow Tag Sale in January and late July for up to 75% off clearance beauty products.
Plus, check stores and sites that are known for their promo codes; even if a product you want isn't on sale, you can use a promo code to get it for less. QVC is a smart place to check, because you'll often find offers for $30 off a $60 order for new QVC customers.
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