We're reader-supported and only partner with brands we trust. When you buy through links on our site we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.
Move over Ulta; there’s enough room for two in the world of beauty sales. For two years in a row, Sephora not only matched many of the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale deals, but they also made them better! This year however, things are different, at least from what we are observing on Day 1 of Sephora’s Oh Snap! deals.
Historically one of the best beauty product sales of the year (Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty) has become even more appealing now that there’s another retailer competing. Sephora started selling many of the same half-price products as Ulta, but they also offer free shipping and open up Ulta’s Diamond/Platinum member exclusives to everyone. But on Day 1 of Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty, Sephora’s Oh Snap! sales zigged when we expected them to zag. Their deals are completely different from Ulta’s but still with an eye to bringing you half off some beloved brands like Tarte.
Just when we thought Sephora was using a completely different road map from Ulta during the Spring sale, they’ve fallen back in line with Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty steals. Find the current matches below!
We have all the Sephora sale hacks you need to know to save the big bucks. And be sure to download the KCL app to receive year-round updates for the best Sephora coupons and sales as soon as they happen.
The Sephora Oh Snap! Sale started March 12, 2023.
In previous years Sephora held their beauty sale (aka the Sephora Oh Snap! Sale) at the same time as Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty. This year that part of the equation stayed the same. Ulta’s spring sale is from March 12 – April 1, and Sephora kicked off Oh Snap! on March 12, too. Sephora’s Oh Snap! will run concurrently through April 1.
Why shop Sephora Oh Snap! deals instead of Ulta 21 Days of Beauty?
Well, in the past the answer to that question was a little different. If both stores used to have the same prices and deals, I’m sure you’re wondering why to bother shopping at one over the other. Each store has their own perks and fan following, but if you’re just looking for the best overall deals and savings — I hear you! In 2022 Sephora began offering Sephora Collection-branded items, and they’re doing the same again this year. If you love their house brand, that’s just one of the reasons why their sale may be better than Ulta’s. Here are the other benefits to the Sephora sale:
Previously, Sephora offered Ulta’s Platinum/Diamond exclusives to everyone.
So again, things are hitting a bit differently this year. But during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty sale, they offer select products like the Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter for 50% off, but that deal was only available to Platinum/Diamond members of the Ultamate Rewards program (aka people who spend at least $500 – $1,200/year at Ulta). Last year Sephora offered the exact same product during their sale at the same price, available for all of their customers. But you had to act quickly; this particular product sold out fast on Day 1 of the Sephora Oh Snap! Sale.
Now if Sephora continues to offer different deals from Ulta’s each day, you may find product markdowns here that you can’t get anywhere else. So it’s worth taking a peek to see how Sephora is trying to outdo their competitor.
Sephora is offering free shipping, regardless of how much you buy.
If you’re buying from Ulta.com, you have to spend at least $35 to get free shipping. Not the case with Sephora.com. Sephora is offering free shipping regardless of the order amount when you sign up for their Beauty Insiders loyalty program, which is completely free to join.
These are the Ulta deals Sephora is matching on April 1.
Don’t sleep on these; they’ll be gone in a flash.
Related: Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes of Cult Favorites in 2023
Shop in store at Sephora to get free samples.
Shop in store at Sephora to get free samples.
Although Sephora.com has a menu of freebies available for their Beauty Insider members, those free samples require a minimum purchase amount (usually $25 – $35) and a promo code — which you’re already going to use up in order to get free shipping.
If you want some freebies, shop in person at a Sephora store, where you can choose up to three samples per department: color (makeup), skincare, and fragrance. No purchase required.
This year Sephora is even matching Ulta’s “surprise steals.”
In the past we never saw Ulta’s Surprise Steals show up in the Oh Snap! sale at Sephora. For example, in the past Ulta offered Lancome Idole Eau de Parfum and Idole L’Intense Eau de Parfum for $29.50 (regularly $59) as their “Surprise Steal” of the day. Sephora didn’t have that particular product listed on their daily sale page. This year, however, Sephora put Ulta’s first Surprise Steal (a Dermalogica moisturizer) on sale, too. So this is definitely a year where the retailer is deviating from what they’ve done historically.
