Beauty Divas Never Shop Without Their Reward Points.
Frequent shopper rewards programs give us the best bang for our buck. The stores invite us in to buy our favorite items time and time again, alluring us with delicious rewards and freebies gaining customer loyalty.
If you’re not subscribed to a rewards program, you should be. You can save money and enjoy some incredible perks.
With the rise of online shopping and the decline of trips to the mall due to higher prices, brick and mortar stores face tough competition with online shopping deals.
Passing the savings on to you, some manufacturers can go straight to the consumer online on their own websites offering deeper discounts to attract customers, reducing their costs and expenses, passing the saving on to you. Enter the new world of Amazon, taking over retail, leaving brick and mortar in the dust.
Shopping at a physical location is not dead.
Shopping at an online venue that has a physical store has great advantages. You can return or exchange my item at the store for an easier return experience. You may save a lot of time with returns because you are seeing exactly what you are buying
Returning items in the store are easy. You are likely to see another item you like and make an additional purchase- adding more point rewards faster. Sending an online item via the postal service is likely to take 7-10 days before you get a replacement or a refund. Check the online vendors return policy before buying. Nobody wants to stand in line at the post office and return an item.
Let’s start with Sephora and compare them to Ulta Cosmetics.
What’s great about Sephora is that they can be conveniently located close to your home and inside a mall, if you are in an urban, or suburban area. Sephora carries many of the same items as the department stores and more.
You’ll see new and upcoming products at Sephora first.
What I like about Sephora is that they carry new and upcoming brands not yet available in the department stores. Many of the new brands are holistic and healthy. They care about animal cruelty and the ingredients they use in the formulas.
Sephora “Beauty Insider Rewards” rewards you “after” you shop. You earn points to get rewards. If you do a full return on that item they take away the points earned. Reward points start at 100 points and go up to 20000 points.
- 100-250 Points: You get a mini sample of one item.
- 500-720 Points: Receive more brand options and some larger samples and more brand choices. Ordering online, use 750 points and over gets free shipping.
- 5000 -15000 Points: Various celebrity day events- influencer beauty parties-luxury beauty sets.
- 20,000 Points:
- 500 points: Multiple 5 mini samples of the same brand.
- 750-2500 points: Pro custom face chart by a famous makeup artist.
- 3000-4500 points: Usually a kit of some type of cosmetics or accessories.
- 50,000 points- International trips to distant lands outside the USA.
Spend and wait to earn is the way it is done at Sephora. If you have rewards of 750 points accumulated or more, you can order that reward online from your accumulated points. It’s your gift, use it. It also ships for free.
What I did not like at Sephora some of the choices presented to me by Sephora at the counter to redeem rewards. I cannot choose any item freely in the store. You can choose to save your rewards and wait another time when better offerings to your liking are presented.
The point reward offerings at the counter are sample sizes. If you don’t like them for yourself, they are great for the stocking stuffer gifts for friends and family at holiday time.
“Ulta Ultimate Rewards” work differently than Sephora’s beauty rewards programs. The coupons are available immediately for $3.50 on purchases over $15 or 20% off coupons send me running to the store. In most cases, if I can get it at Sephora, I would rather get it at Ulta, if that brand is eligible for the coupon program.
If you are on their mailing list, the coupon comes on the back of the mailer. They do expire, so hurry in. Lose the coupon? No worries, just type in Ulta Coupon on your phone and up pops the link to the coupon to use immediately.
For every dollar you spend, you earn a reward. Sign up for email and get 2X-5X bonus points towards purchases. Email signups get free birthday gifts and double points during the month of your birthday.
Ulta is like a Sephora, a hair salon, and CVS combined. One side of the store is upscale beauty brands sold at leading department stores. The other side mimics all or most beauty items sold at you favorite drugstores. Ulta also has a beauty salon. In some stores the offer facials by a licensed cosmetologist.
Ulta’s Rewards Points Program
100 Points = $3.00 towards a purchase.
250 Points = $8.00 towards a purchase.
500 Points = $17.50 towards a purchase.
750 Points = $30.00 towards a purchase.
1000 Points = $50.00 towards a purchase.
1000 Points = $3.00 towards a purchase.
2000 Points = $125.00 towards a purchase.
Remember, points do expire at the end of the calendar year.
Spend $450 or more and you are eligible for Platinum rewards. Instead of 1 point for every dollar, you will earn 1.25 and the points last forever. You also get a $10 certificate to use at Ulta at Holiday time. “Platinum Perks” get you secret offers.
Beauty divas, if you make your larger purchases at Ulta including blow dryers, curling irons and the upscale hair care and skin care lines the rewards add up. The best thing about Ulta? You get to choose your products and are not limited to what you have purchased once you redeem your rewards.
The winner is Ulta
Drugstore Rewards
CVS Extra Care Beauty Club
For every $50 you spend when you get CVS Extra Care Beauty Club you will get $5.00 off the next Big Beauty purchase you make. Coupons galore arrive in your inbox with many brand name items you love like L’Oréal, Maybelline, Almay, Cover Girl, and more.
CVS now carries expensive brands like Fekkai Shampoo, Paul Mitchel, and Keraste. Get the CVS phone app and all your discounts get loaded to your CVS card on your phone. At checkout, the cashier scans your “CVS Extra Care Card” barcode on your phone and voila the discounts are ringed up right off your purchase. It’s easy and fast. CVS is always adding to your account and on the receipt new rewards.
CVS also offers “Extra Bucks” which randomly shows up on your phone app or on your receipt when making a purchase. Sometimes they are as high as $5 or $10 and are based on your previous buys. “Extra Bucks” is used for anything at the store. Postal mailers will come to you for 25% or 30 % off an entire purchase. Love those coupons! They offer big savings but are not eligible sometimes for items on sale, so check with the cashier.
The Winner is CVS
Rite Aid Plenti Rewards Program
Rite Aid has the “Plenti Rewards Program.” You can get 30 Percent off many items at Rite Aid by signing up for the rewards program via the Rite Aid website or directly at the store. The rewards for 30% are usually one-day special offers. Rite Aid rewards are pretty straightforward across the entire store. Some of the savings are higher than CVS when they release a 30 % off to shop on a specific day. Via email or on the site you can view specific coupons on items. For beauty items, like CVS, they do have a buy two get one for 50% off.
Walgreens Beauty Enthusiast Points
Walgreens works on a point system to earn dollar rewards for items you choose to buy. The “Beauty Enthusiast” rewards program gives you 5,000 points for every $50 dollars you spend on beauty. The reward equals $5.00 to spend in the store or online. You will get a personalized profile and beauty picks just for you, and free samples.
You get exclusive beauty promotions and in-store sample events. Rewards do get adjusted when a return is made that equal the value of the return. When you are completing a return from a transaction that went towards points but did not result directly for the issuance of the 5000 Balance Reward points, the points will stay in your account, but the amount required to reach the next beauty enthusiast bonus will be commensurately increased equal to the value of the return.
Department Store Rewards
The winner is Bloomingdales
Bloomingdales
Bloomingdales Loyalist Rewards are top of the line. You spend, you earn, and you earn nicely. Rewards on the high-end cosmetic lines are usually excluded from certain products at Ulta, so I head over to Bloomingdales for most of my high-end cosmetic lines.
Rewards are throughout the store. When you sign up for rewards, you will get email rewards information that looks like this. Spend a $100 and they give you $25 reward card to spend on a purchase or towards another purchase. When it’s time for my $100 Chanel creams, I add mascara. All brands are eligible. You will also get regular sale events at Bloomingdales for 25% on a large selection of items.
- At Bloomies you get one point for every dollar you spend.
- You earn double points on all shoes, cosmetics, and fragrances every day.
- Perks of the month straight to your inbox. Earn double, triple and power points when shopping an exclusive event.
- Free shipping, and no minimum purchase.
- Accumulate 5,000 points and get a $25 rewards card you can use the next day and beyond.
If you have a Bloomingdales American Express credit card you will earn reward points when shopping outside of Bloomingdales in another store. Spend $3500 or more and you get four points for every dollar you spend. You can pick four days in the year to earn triple points by calling 866-404-8787 or in the store with a sales associate.
Nordstrom’s
Nordstrom’s has always been about exceptional customer service with a great return policy. If you have a Nordstrom’s credit card you can earn some whopping rewards that are enough to satisfy any beauty diva. Reward programs are also good at Nordstrom’s Rack, HauteLook, and TrunkClub.
For every 2.000 points you accumulate, you will earn a $20 Nordstrom Note. You will earn one point for every dollar you spend. For the holiday 2017 until December 24th you can sign up and get a Nordstrom’s personal 10 point day.
How the 10 point day works:
Earn 10 points for every dollar you spend on that day using your Nordstrom credit or debit card purchases made at the stores or online at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or HauteLook.
- Level 1 card members can pick a day from December 1–17.
- Levels 2–4 card members have more date flexibility for shopping and can choose dates between November 24 and December 24.
- If you don’t have a Nordstrom’s credit card, if you apply on the Personal 10 Points Day’s available and get approved between December 1 and 17 feel free to shop and get the 10 point rewards for every dollar spent. Now here is the big bonus!! Spend $100 on your new card on the day you’re approved and get a $40 Nordstrom’s Note.
- Bonus #2- If you already have a Nordstrom’s credit card you will earn 6 points per dollar during Triple Reward Points events. Spend $334 and get a $20 Nordstrom’s Note.
Macy’s
Macy’s offers Plenti Rewards. It’s free to sign up and you start earning reward points when you spend accumulate 200 points- the points are available for savings at the register. 1000 Plenti Points earn you $10.00 of your purchase. You can link your Macy’s credit card to their rewards program. You can pay cash at the store and use your phone number with no credit card required. You may also use any credit card as your information Plenti rewards number is linked to your account for easy lookup.
Beauty Supply Rewards
Sally’s beauty has a great rewards program. For every $50 you spend you get a free item as long as it’s under $10.00. That includes any item in the store. Wow, what a great perk!
New members get their first item for free. For every $1.00 you spend, it equals 10 points- allowing you to accumulate 50 points to get that free item over time. Rewards however only have a 60 days lifespan.
“Sally Beauty Rewards” replaced the Beauty Club Card that had a $5 annual fee which had to be renewed every year. Sally’s does not carry high-end cosmetics like Ulta, and Sephora, but they carry many top hair color brands you can’t get at those stores. They are a hot spot for hair care and carry great brands for shampoos and conditioners. Sally’s Beauty Supply also sells their own brands. They have a large selection of blow dryers and straight irons. Notably, they have a big selection of nail care items, one of the best, and a huge selection of combs and brushes. Sally’s Beauty Supply also carries a large selection of hair extensions.
If your purchases total $150 or more in a 12-month period, you’ll become eligible for the Elite tier, which gets you extra perks, like a 5% everyday discount and a beauty box filled with products for your birthday. Elite Tier benefits are calculated for the following year.
Discount Stores
Target is one of the largest suppliers of big brand beauty items. The target app has been updated and once you factor in the Red Card 5% discount off your bill on checkout, you can save really big here.
I just opened my new Target App. It has been updated for an easier, more pleasant experience. I pressed the beauty icon and up came 20-25%- off coupons on hair care items like Tresseme, Nexus, Pantene, Biolage and more. Notably, a Chi Air Classic Flat Iron came up with a 20% off coupon. For cosmetics, I am looking at a 35% off for Rimmel Foundations and 50% off Rimmel concealer. Covergirl cosmetics Peacock mascara has a $3.00 off coupon.
I have to say for these brands I am better off shopping at Target than Ulta. Target items, in general, are cheaper than most other stores on their regular store pricing. Yah! I am a fan.
Specialty Beauty Brands
M-A-C Cosmetics M∙A∙C SELECT
The cult of Mac Cosmetics lives on. Located mostly inside department stores, you will now see a stand-alone Mac Store within the shopping mall as a second location. There are three reward programs to choose from. They are all great deals.
Members-only program- “Get Seduced” gets you Exclusive members-only products.
- Anniversary gift
- Back-to-M∙A∙C expanded
- Convenient Back-to-M∙A∙C tracker
- Complimentary samples at the checkout counter
- Free shipping on online orders.
- Spend $1Complimentary M∙A∙C Select 30-minute makeup application
- Cut the line to shop selected collections
- Exclusive members-only products
- Anniversary gift
- Back-to-M∙A∙C expanded
- Convenient Back-to-M∙A∙C tracker
- Two complimentary samples at online checkout
- Free 2-Day shipping ($50 minimum)
Get “Devoted” plan has more options.
- Complimentary M∙A∙C Select 30-minute makeup application
- Cut the line to shop selected collections
- Exclusive members-only products
- Anniversary gift
- Back-to-M∙A∙C expanded
- Convenient Back-to-M∙A∙C tracker
- Two complimentary samples at online checkout
- Free 2-Day shipping ($50 minimum)
Spend $500 or more and get “Obsessed”
- Two complimentary M∙A∙C Select 60-minute makeup applications
- Be the first to shop selected collections
- Exclusive members-only products
- Deluxe anniversary gift
- Early access to new products
- Back-to-M∙A∙C expanded
- Convenient Back-to-M∙A∙C tracker
- Two complimentary samples at online checkout
- Free 2-day shipping ($50 minimum)
My favorite perks are the free samples and the complimentary makeup sessions. One of the beauty experts will apply the makeup and you will learn techniques on the application because the makeup artists will go into detail on how to apply and the colors that are best for you. I like to take advantage of this one for holidays and special occasions. You will look runway gorgeous complimentary of M-A-C. All rewards are based on a calendar year.
The winner is Lancôme
Lancôme Loyalty Program
Lancôme offers a beauty reward program for buying their products and for leaving reviews on their social media pages like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Many beauty brands are doing this to increase engagement for their fan pages. Following the Facebook pages of your favorite brands helps you keep up with the latest events, new products, and sales. When you join you get 50 points for free. Get 10 points for every dollar you spend.
Lancôme has three plans, Rose Gold, Gold, and Platinum
- ¨ Rose Gold: 1-1,1999 points free shipping on ordered $49 or more, VIP access, full-size products and birthday gift
- ¨ Gold: 2,000-6,499 points. All of the Rose Gold, and you get free gift wrapping and Complimentary Shoprunner™ Membership
- ¨ Platinum: All of the Gold points perks plus special event access.
- Check out the Lancome website for specifics on the program and to sign up.
Social Media Perks:
- ¨ Earn 5 points to write a review
- ¨ Earn 5 points add your gender
- ¨ Earn 5 points add your mailing address
- ¨ Earn 5 points add your birthday
- ¨ Earn 5 points follow on Twitter
- ¨ Earn 5 points use the Lancôme Hashtag
- ¨ Earn 5 points follow on Snapchat
- ¨ Earn 5 points use Lancôme’s hashtag
- ¨ Earn 50 points connect with Lancôme on Facebook and Instagram
- ¨ Earn 150 points Sign Up for Lancôme Auto-Replenish Service
Perk on the Lancôme Auto- Replenish Service receives free shipping and a deluxe mini gift. Checkout Lancôme rewards https://www.lancome-usa.com/about-elite-rewards
Murad
Murad’s loyalty reward program certainly has benefits. The skincare brand and its salons carry high-quality products coupled with facials and treatments. Like Lancôme, they reward points for social media use. You received 2 points for every dollar spent, with a $22 minimum purchase. Rewards are redeemed for your next purchase. Points will expire at the end of 12 months if you have not made a purchase. Rewards are redeemed at 250 points and above.
Murad also has special skincare events where you may get a chance to meet Dr. Murad.
- Earn 50 points for creating a new account and earn an additional 50 points for subscribing to their newsletter.
- Earn 30 points connecting to Murad on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google Plus.
- Earn 30 points sharing a product via social media
- Earn 50 points reviewing a product on social media.
- Earn 100 points sharing their products with friends resulting in a purchase.
- Earn 50 points answering product questions on social media from other fans.
Social media rewards are only eligible if you click the social media links from their website and adding them from your social media account.
Murad’s products are not cheap, but they are not overly expensive either. You can buy a complete regimen of skin care for under $250 dollars. The points add up quickly to get the rewards. Rewards are also redeemable for their other brands, www.resurgence.com, and www.livespotless.com
Check out https://www.murad.com/murad-beauty-rewards/
- Reward programs are always changing so make sure to check the websites for their current reward programs. So you have a rewards program you like that we did not mention? Contact us and we may include it in our next update about reward programs after the holiday season.
- Your views and thoughts about rewards are important to us. Please share this article and comment below.
- Reward programs are always changing so make sure to check the websites for their current reward programs.
- Do you have a rewards program you like that we did not mention? Contact us and we may include it in our next update about reward programs after the holiday season.
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