How a Wirecutter Deals Writer Saves at Sephora and Ulta

New York Times

25-03-2025

Sephora and Ulta have sales throughout the year—in Ulta's case, nearly monthly—but not every sale is as good as the next.
Ulta's National Lash Day sale, for example, was largely underwhelming. And as a base-level Beauty Insider, I don't shop Sephora's November holiday sale because I get only 10% off. Instead, I wait for the Gifts For All event in early December, when members of all levels get 20% off.
Knowing what sales are coming up can help you plan ahead. I build up wish lists that I can easily scan for price drops, and I set reminders for time-sensitive deals I don't want to miss. Here are the most worthwhile sales to watch out for:
March: Biannually, both Sephora and Ulta throw three-week-long sales events involving rotating one-day 50%-off sales on a variety of items; this is the first such time of the year. Ulta typically announces its 21 Days of Beauty sales lineup in advance, and Sephora's simultaneous One-Day Deals event tends to price-match any Ulta offerings that Sephora also carries, in addition to discounting a few non-overlapping products each day.
April: During Sephora's Spring Event, VIB and Rouge members save 15% and 20%, respectively, on most purchases, but Beauty Insiders save only 10%, so it's best for them to wait for a better sale, if possible. But Ulta's Spring Haul can be a good opportunity to stock up on basics; in 2024, for example, we saw a buy-one-get-one-50% deal on our lengthening mascara pick from Maybelline.
June: In addition to discounts on jumbo-size hair-care products, you can expect to see sun and skin-care markdowns during Ulta's Big Summer Beauty sale.
July: Ulta's Glow Up Savings Event is worthwhile only for Platinum and Diamond members, who save 15% and 20%, respectively.
August and September: Ulta's 72-Hour Beauty Sale begins in early August, and it can be decent if something you need is among the 50%-off options. It's typically followed by Ulta's second 21 Days of Beauty event, alongside Sephora's second One-Day Deals sale.
November: This month brings the possibility of big savings, but you need a sharp eye and a game plan. For Sephora's Holiday Savings Event, higher-tier members can save 15% and 20%, but if you have a base-level Insider membership, you're better off waiting for December sales. Rouge members also get early access and a single-use 20% discount to share with a friend. At Ulta, the Hello Holidays Sale overlaps with the Early Black Friday sale, and the Black Friday Beauty Deals sale is followed by a Cyber Monday sale. All four can be valuable opportunities if something you need is among the select items marked 50% off.
December: This is when entry-level Sephora members can take best advantage: For the Gifts for All sale, all members get a single-use 20%-off-one-order coupon, plus 30% off the Sephora Collection. The retailer's after-Christmas sale usually runs December 26 through January 1, just in time for you to return any holiday gifts you don't love and grab things you do. Ulta's Big Holiday Beauty Sale begins after Cyber Monday, historically bringing drops as much as 50% on pricier items such as our favorite foundation brush and eyeshadow palette gift pick.