Ulta Beauty Rewards vs. Sephora Beauty Insider: Which is better?

• Ulta and Sephora both offer free, tiered rewards programs based on annual spending.
• Ulta's points act as cash discounts, while Sephora's points are mainly for samples and exclusive items.
• Higher tiers in both programs offer perks like better point multipliers, birthday gifts, and early sale access.
• Store credit cards can accelerate earning points and provide initial purchase discounts at both retailers.

Let’s be real: Shopping for beauty products can really add up and kill your budget. It’s usually one of the biggest chunks of a monthly budget, which is why I’m a huge believer in having a game plan for how you spend your money at your favorite beauty store retailer.

The absolute best way to save some cash is to actually learn the ins and outs of the Sephora Beauty Insider and Ulta Beauty Rewards programs. Both of these reward programs offer a ton of perks, and in some cases, hidden ways to save on your next beauty purchase to help make your favorite makeup and skincare products way more affordable.

This ultimate guide dives into the nitty-gritty of how to earn points, how to redeem them for the best value and whether or not their credit cards are actually worth the hype. Let's make sure you’re getting the most out of every dollar spent.

Here's what to know:

• Ulta vs. Sephora: How do their rewards programs work?
• What are my points actually worth at Ulta and Sephora?
• What additional perks do I get beyond points?
• How do I stack sales, points and credit card perks?
• Ulta vs. Sephora: Which program is actually right for you?

Ulta vs. Sephora: How do the rewards programs work?

Both programs are free to join and work on a 'point-per-dollar' system—the more you spend, the higher your status gets. While the goal is the same (saving you money!), they differ in how you actually use those points: Ulta treats them like cash toward your total, while Sephora focuses more on curated samples and exclusive perks.

Ulta Beauty Rewards

The Ulta’s Beauty Rewards program is famous for being "cash-equivalent." You aren't just earning points for samples; you're earning literal dollars off your next purchase. Here is a breakdown of the tiers:

• Member (Spend $0–$350 per year): You earn 1 point per $1. Points expire after one year if you don't reach Platinum. You get a free birthday gift and 2x points during your birthday month.
• Platinum (Spend $350 per year): You earn 1.25 points per $1. Your points never expire, and you get an extra $10 birthday coupon plus exclusive early access to sales.
• Diamond (Spend $1,200 per year): You earn 1.5 points per $1. You get all the Platinum perks plus free shipping on orders over $25 and an annual $25 beauty service reward.

Ulta Beauty Rewards

Joining Ulta Beauty Rewards is a game-changer because it lets you earn points on every dollar spent—and it's free to join! Sign up for Ulta Beauty Rewards

Sephora Beauty Insider

Sephora’s Beauty Insider program is focused on "exclusivity." While they do have a cash-off option, most fans use their points for high-end samples and "money-can't-buy" experiences. Here is a breakdown of the tiers:

• Insider (Spend $0–$350 per year): You earn 1 point per $1. You get free standard shipping on every order, a birthday gift, and 10% off during their big seasonal sales.
• VIB (Spend $350 per year): You earn 1 point per $1. You get slightly better seasonal discounts (usually 15% off) and access to "full-size" point redemptions in the Rewards Bazaar.
• Rouge (Spend $1,000 per year): You earn 1 point per $1 (but you get higher multipliers during events). You get the best seasonal discount (20% off), first dibs on new products, and exclusive invitations to brand events.

For all Sephora Beauty Insider tiers, points only expire if your account is inactive for 12 consecutive months.

Sephora Beauty Insider

Joining the Sephora Beauty Insider program is a major win for beauty lovers because it offers immediate rewards like unlimited free shipping on every order—and it's free to join! Sign up for Sephora Beauty Insider

What are my points actually worth at Ulta and Sephora?

It’s a bit of a 'girl math' situation because each store does things differently. Here is a breakdown of what your points are worth at each store:

• Ulta: Your points are literally cash. 100 points = $3 off, but the value goes up the more you save. If you hold out until you hit 2,000 points, they’re worth a whopping $125.
• Sephora: Your points are mostly for treats. You can trade 500 points for $10 off (Beauty Insider Cash), or save them for the "Rewards Bazaar" to snag deluxe samples and trial sets.

What additional perks do I get beyond points?

The points are great, but the extra perks are what make you feel like a beauty VIP. Both stores treat you on your birthday with a free gift, but they also offer a few unique benefits that make shopping a bit more fun:

• At Ulta: The biggest 'hidden' perk is their in-store salon. You can actually earn points on your haircuts, brow waxes and skin treatments. Then, you can spend those points on your favorite products. Plus, if you hit Platinum or Diamond status, your points never expire and you get a $25 beauty service gift card every year.
• At Sephora: You can trade your points for deluxe samples, limited-edition sets or even 'one-of-a-kind' experiences like virtual classes with brand founders. They also offer free shipping on all orders for members, which is a lifesaver when you just need to restock that one single small purchase.

Pro-Tip: If you're a high-tier member (Diamond at Ulta or Rouge at Sephora), keep an eye out for 'early access' emails. You’ll often get the chance to shop new product launches or major sales a full 24 hours before the general public.

How do I stack sales, points and credit card perks?

Beyond the basic rewards, my favorite way to really boost your savings is to time your shopping around multiplier events. Instead of buying products as you run out, try to wait for those 2x, 5x or even 10x point days. Just keep an eye on your email or check the app and remember to "activate" the offers as you receive them. If you can stack these multipliers with your birthday month or a seasonal sale, you’ll rack up enough points for a massive shopping spree without spending an extra dime.

If you’re a true "regular," you can take things even further by opening a store credit card to double your points on every purchase. Both are total game-changers for hitting rewards faster. The main thing to consider is how you'll use it:

• Ulta Credit Card: Available in two versions: a store-only card or a Mastercard, which you can use anywhere. When you first open an Ulta credit account, you'll get 20% off your entire first purchase. Then, you'll earn double points on every dollar spent at Ulta. Plus, if you have the Mastercard, you earn 1 point for every $3 spent on everyday things like groceries and gas, essentially turning your bills into free makeup.

• Sephora Credit Card: Available in two versions: a store-only card or a Visa that you can use anywhere. When you first open your credit account at Sephora, you get a massive 25% off your first purchase, which is the best discount you can get at Sephora, hands down. After that, you’ll earn 4% back in Sephora Credit on everything you buy, and that’s on top of your regular 4% in Beauty Insider points. If you go with the Sephora Visa card, you’ll also earn 1% back on your outside spending.

Pro Tip: At Ulta, you can actually use your reward points and a coupon on the same order, which is huge. Sephora is a bit stricter—usually, you have to choose between using a promo code for a discount or a code for bonus points, so always do the 'beauty math' to see which one saves you more.

Ulta vs. Sephora: Which rewards program is right for you?

At the end of the day, the best rewards program for you really depends on how you shop and like to treat yourself.

Go with Ulta Beauty Rewards if you love a good deal and want your points to act like cash. If you’re buying everything from shampoo and cotton balls to high-end foundation, those points add up fast and can be used to pay for your next haul (or your next haircut!). It’s the best choice for the 'strategic saver.'

Go with Sephora Beauty Insider if you live for luxury and love trying new things. Sephora is less about 'money off' and more about the experience. It’s perfect if you want free shipping on every order, exclusive access to high-end brands you can’t find anywhere else, and a constant stream of deluxe samples to play with.

Of course, there’s no rule saying you can’t have both! Just pick the one that fits your 'must-have' brands and focus your big spending there to hit those higher reward tiers and enjoy those perks as they roll in.

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