As a middle-aged teacher, I’ve always believed that beauty is ageless. But let’s face it, keeping up with the latest trends and finding the right products can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling lesson plans and grading papers. That’s why I’ve become a bit of an expert in online beauty shopping. It’s my secret weapon for staying fabulous without sacrificing precious time.
Whether you’re looking to revamp your skincare routine, experiment with new makeup looks, or simply treat yourself to some self-care, these 10 best online beauty stores have got you covered.
From budget-friendly finds to luxurious splurges, I’ve curated this list to help fellow teachers (and anyone else who wants to feel pretty) navigate the vast world of online beauty shopping.
1. Beautylish
Beautylish has established itself as a premier destination for beauty enthusiasts seeking high-quality, curated products from around the world. This online retailer offers a carefully selected range of makeup, skincare, and haircare items from both well-known and niche brands. Beautylish stands out for its exceptional customer service, with makeup artists available to provide expert advice and personalized product recommendations.
The website features a user-friendly interface that makes browsing and purchasing products a breeze. Customers appreciate Beautylish’s attention to detail, from the beautifully packaged orders to the handwritten notes included with each shipment. The company also offers fast shipping, with many customers reporting receiving their orders within just a few days.
2. Eternal Beauty Outlet
Eternal Beauty Outlet is an emerging online beauty store that aims to revolutionize the way customers shop for beauty products. Founded in 2020 by Olivia Grace, this e-commerce platform offers a wide range of skincare, makeup, hair care, and body care products, all curated with a focus on quality, affordability, and sustainability.
The store’s mission is to celebrate the power of beauty and redefine beauty standards through its products and campaigns. Eternal Beauty Outlet strives to create a community that encourages everyone to embrace their unique beauty. This inclusive approach is reflected in their product selection, which caters to diverse skin types and beauty needs.
One of the key features of Eternal Beauty Outlet is its commitment to eco-friendliness and ethical practices. The company adheres to a strict “against animal testing” policy, ensuring that none of their suppliers test materials on animals. Additionally, they prioritize products with minimal packaging to combat overpackaging in the cosmetic industry.
3. Lookfantastic
Lookfantastic is a leading online beauty retailer based in the UK, offering a vast selection of over 660 beauty brands encompassing skincare, haircare, makeup, and fragrances. The company is known for its competitive pricing and frequent promotions, making high-end beauty products more accessible to a wide range of customers.
In an exciting development, Lookfantastic is set to open its first physical concept store in September 2024. Located in Altrincham, Cheshire, the store will showcase 90 popular brands and offer personalized beauty services, allowing customers to experience products in person before making a purchase. However, it’s worth noting that some customers have reported issues with customer service and delivery times, particularly for international orders.
4. Kylie Cosmetics
Founded by reality TV star and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner, Kylie Cosmetics has quickly become a major player in the online beauty space. The brand is best known for its iconic Lip Kits, which include a matching liquid lipstick and lip liner. Kylie Cosmetics offers a wide range of makeup products, including eyeshadow palettes, highlighters, and blushes, all featuring vibrant colors and high-performance formulas.
Kylie Cosmetics operates through Shopify, a top e-commerce platform, which allows for a user-friendly interface and clear product categorization. The brand’s online store is designed to provide a seamless shopping experience, with diverse payment methods and shipping options. However, some customers have reported issues with customer service and product quality, so it’s advisable to read reviews before making a purchase.
5. Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty has established itself as the largest beauty retailer in the United States, offering a vast selection of over 25,000 products from more than 600 established and emerging brands. The company’s online store provides a comprehensive shopping experience, featuring cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrances, and beauty tools.
Ulta Beauty stands out for its unique “All Things Beauty, All in One Place®” concept, which combines mass-market and prestige beauty products under one roof. Their e-commerce platform offers a user-friendly interface with detailed product descriptions, customer reviews, and helpful filtering options. The Ulta Beauty Rewards program is particularly popular, allowing customers to earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for free products.
One of Ulta Beauty’s strengths is its omnichannel approach, seamlessly integrating online and in-store experiences. Customers can shop online and pick up in-store or use curbside pickup options. The company also offers virtual try-on tools for makeup, allowing customers to experiment with products before purchasing.
6. 100% Pure
100% Pure is a brand that focuses on organic and natural beauty products, committed to formulating cruelty-free skincare and makeup. The company’s online store offers a curated selection of products that are free from synthetic ingredients, artificial fragrances, and chemical preservatives.
What sets 100% Pure apart is their innovative approach to product formulation. Their makeup products are pigmented using fruits and vegetables, which not only provide color but also offer antioxidant benefits. The brand’s commitment to sustainability extends to their packaging, which is printed with soy ink and is largely recyclable.
100% Pure’s online store features a wide range of products, including skincare, makeup, body care, and haircare. Customers appreciate the brand’s transparency about ingredients and their dedication to natural formulations. However, some reviews indicate that customer service experiences can be inconsistent.
7. Space NK
Space NK is a luxury beauty retailer based in the UK, known for its carefully curated selection of high-end beauty brands. The company’s online store offers a premium shopping experience, featuring over 100 innovative and boundary-pushing beauty brands across skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance categories.
Founded in 1991, Space NK has grown from a single store in London to an international beauty destination with locations in the UK, Ireland, and the US. Their online platform reflects the brand’s expertise in luxury beauty, offering detailed product information, expert advice, and exclusive brand launches.
Space NK’s website is designed to provide a personalized shopping experience, with features like product recommendations and a loyalty program called N.dulge. The company is known for its excellent customer service and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, allowing returns within 28 days for unopened products.
One of Space NK’s strengths is its focus on emerging and niche brands alongside established luxury names, giving customers access to a unique and diverse product range. The company also offers regular promotions and gift-with-purchase offers, enhancing the value for customers shopping high-end beauty products.
8. Cult Beauty
Cult Beauty has established itself as a premier destination for beauty enthusiasts seeking curated, high-quality products from around the world. The online retailer offers a carefully selected range of makeup, skincare, and haircare items from both well-known and niche brands. Cult Beauty stands out for its exceptional product curation and customer service.
The website features a user-friendly interface that makes browsing and purchasing products a breeze. Customers appreciate Cult Beauty’s loyalty program, which adds value to each purchase and keeps shoppers coming back for more. The company also offers fast shipping, with many customers reporting receiving their orders promptly.
However, it’s worth noting that some customers have reported issues with order fulfillment and customer service responsiveness. While many shoppers have positive experiences, others have faced challenges with delayed orders or difficulties in resolving issues.
9. Sephora
Sephora is a global beauty retail giant that has successfully translated its in-store experience to the digital realm. The company’s online platform offers a vast selection of products from over 340 brands, covering makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrances. Sephora’s website and app provide customers with a personalized shopping experience, leveraging data to offer tailored recommendations.
One of Sephora’s strengths is its omnichannel approach, seamlessly integrating online and in-store experiences. The company offers innovative features such as virtual try-on tools, allowing customers to experiment with products before purchasing. Sephora’s Beauty Insider loyalty program is particularly popular, with over 34 million members enjoying customized rewards and promotions.
Sephora’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity is evident in its product offerings and marketing campaigns. The company has also invested in technologies like Color IQ, Skincare IQ, and Fragrance IQ to help customers find personalized products suited to their needs.
10. Fenty Beauty
Founded by music and fashion icon Rihanna, Fenty Beauty has quickly become a major player in the online beauty space since its launch in 2017. The brand is best known for its groundbreaking approach to inclusivity, offering a wide range of foundation shades to cater to all skin tones. This commitment to diversity has sparked what’s known as the “Fenty Effect,” inspiring other brands to expand their shade ranges.
Fenty Beauty operates through its own website and is also available on platforms like Sephora. The brand offers a wide range of makeup products, including foundations, concealers, lipsticks, and highlighters, all featuring high-performance formulas. Fenty Beauty has been praised for its product quality and innovative formulations.
The brand’s success is evident in its sales figures, with reports indicating that Fenty Beauty generated nearly €500 million in its first full year of business. Customers appreciate the brand’s commitment to inclusivity, product quality, and reasonable pricing. However, some reviewers have noted issues with certain products, such as lipsticks fading quickly.
