As a woman working long hours in investment banking, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to maintain a beauty routine that keeps your skin glowing and your appearance polished. Between early mornings, late nights, and high-stress situations, it’s easy to let skincare and makeup fall by the wayside. But looking and feeling your best can be a powerful confidence booster in a demanding career.
That’s why I’ve become a bit of an expert in online beauty shopping. With limited time to browse stores in person, I’ve discovered that the best way to keep my beauty game strong is through carefully curated online retailers. These virtual beauty havens offer a wide range of products, expert advice, and the convenience of doorstep delivery – perfect for busy professionals like us.
In this article, I’m excited to share my top 9 picks for the best online beauty stores. Whether you’re looking for that perfect foundation to last through marathon meetings, a hydrating serum to combat office air conditioning, or a luxurious face mask for some much-needed self-care, these online beauty destinations have got you covered.
1. Nordstrom
Nordstrom is a well-established luxury department store that offers a wide range of beauty products from high-end and premium brands. Their online beauty store features an extensive selection of makeup, skincare, fragrance, and hair care products. Nordstrom is known for its excellent customer service, including free beauty consultations and samples.
Pros
- Extensive brand selection: Nordstrom carries a vast array of luxury and premium beauty brands, giving customers access to a wide variety of high-quality products.
- Free shipping and returns: Nordstrom offers free shipping and returns on most beauty purchases, making online shopping convenient and risk-free.
- Excellent customer service: The company provides free beauty consultations and samples, allowing customers to try products before committing to a purchase.
- Nordstrom Rewards program: Customers can earn points on purchases and receive exclusive perks and discounts.
- In-store services: For those who prefer an in-person experience, Nordstrom offers complimentary makeovers and skin care consultations in their physical stores.
Cons
- Higher price point: Many of the beauty products offered at Nordstrom are from luxury brands, which can be expensive for some consumers.
- Overwhelming selection: The vast number of products and brands available may be overwhelming for some shoppers, especially those new to beauty products.
- Limited focus on natural or clean beauty: While Nordstrom does carry some natural beauty brands, it’s not their primary focus.
2. Eternal Beauty Outlet
Eternal Beauty Outlet is an online beauty retailer founded in 2020 by Olivia Grace. The company aims to challenge traditional beauty industry standards by offering a wide range of cosmetic and beauty products that are eco-friendly and cruelty-free. They sell various beauty products for skin, hair, and body care at affordable prices. The store emphasizes clean beauty, sustainability, and inclusivity in its product offerings and brand philosophy.
Pros
- Wide product range: Offers a variety of beauty products including skincare, makeup, and hair care items.
- Eco-friendly focus: Prioritizes sustainable and eco-friendly products and packaging.
- Cruelty-free policy: Adheres to a strict “against animal testing” policy.
- Affordable pricing: Aims to provide quality products at competitive prices.
- Free worldwide shipping: Offers free shipping on all orders, regardless of location.
- Inclusive approach: Strives to cater to diverse beauty needs and skin types.
- Educational content: Provides information to help customers make informed choices about beauty products.
- Secure website: Uses SSL security to protect customer information.
Cons
- Limited physical presence: Operates primarily as an online retailer without brick-and-mortar stores.
- Relatively new company: Founded in 2020, it may have less established customer reviews and long-term product performance data.
- Potential shipping delays: Estimated delivery time is around 2 weeks, which may be longer than some competitors.
- Limited brand recognition: As a newer player in the market, it may not have the same level of brand recognition as larger beauty retailers.
- Potential trust issues: Some online tools flag the website as potentially untrustworthy, which could be a concern for some customers.
- Limited customer reviews: There appears to be a lack of extensive customer feedback on independent review platforms.
3. 100% Pure
100% Pure is an online beauty store specializing in organic, natural, and cruelty-free beauty products. The brand is committed to using fruit-pigmented makeup and natural ingredients in all their formulations. 100% Pure offers a range of skincare, makeup, hair care, and body care products.
Pros
- Natural and organic ingredients: All products are made with natural, organic ingredients, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
- Cruelty-free and vegan options: The brand is entirely cruelty-free certified, and most of their products are vegan.
- Innovative formulations: 100% Pure uses unique ingredients like fruit pigments for their makeup products, setting them apart from conventional beauty brands.
- Eco-friendly packaging: The company focuses on sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging options.
- Transparency: 100% Pure is open about their ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes, building trust with consumers.
Cons
- Limited brand selection: Unlike Nordstrom, 100% Pure primarily offers their own branded products, which may limit choices for some consumers.
- Higher price point: Due to the use of natural and organic ingredients, some products may be more expensive than conventional alternatives.
- Potential performance issues: Some users have reported that certain products, like their shampoo and conditioner, may not perform as well as conventional alternatives.
- Limited availability: While available online, 100% Pure products may not be as easily accessible in physical stores compared to more mainstream brands.
4. Beautylish
Beautylish is an online beauty retailer that offers a curated selection of high-end and luxury beauty brands from around the world. They carry makeup, skincare, haircare, and beauty tools from both well-known and niche brands. Beautylish is known for its excellent customer service, detailed product information, and exclusive collaborations with beauty brands.
Pros
- Curated product selection: Beautylish carefully selects high-quality brands and products, making it easier for customers to discover new and effective items.
- Excellent customer service: Many customers praise Beautylish’s responsive and helpful customer support team.
- Fast shipping: Orders are typically processed and shipped quickly, with many customers receiving their items within a few days.
- Flex pay option: Beautylish offers interest-free installment payments on many orders, making luxury beauty more accessible.
- Free samples: Orders often include free product samples, allowing customers to try new items.
Cons
- Limited brand selection: While Beautylish offers many high-end brands, their overall selection is more limited compared to larger beauty retailers.
- Higher prices: Some customers note that prices can be higher than other retailers, especially when considering currency conversion for international orders.
- Potential shipping issues: A few customers have reported occasional problems with lost packages, though the company generally resolves these issues promptly.
5. Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant is a skincare brand that has gained popularity for its “clean clinical” approach, focusing on effective formulations without potentially irritating ingredients. While primarily known for their own branded products, Drunk Elephant’s online store offers their full range of skincare items.
Pros
- Clean formulations: Drunk Elephant products are free from the “Suspicious 6” ingredients (essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS), making them suitable for sensitive skin.
- Effective products: Many customers report positive results from using Drunk Elephant skincare, particularly for addressing skin concerns like dryness and signs of aging.
- Innovative packaging: The brand uses airless pump packaging for many products, which helps preserve ingredient efficacy.
- Cruelty-free: All Drunk Elephant products are certified cruelty-free.
Cons
- High price point: Drunk Elephant products are generally expensive, which can be a barrier for some consumers.
- Limited product range: As a single brand store, Drunk Elephant offers a smaller selection compared to multi-brand retailers.
- Potential for initial breakouts: Some users report experiencing “purging” or initial breakouts when first using Drunk Elephant products due to their potent formulations.
- No sales or discounts: Drunk Elephant rarely offers sales or discounts, making it difficult to purchase products at lower prices.
6. The Detox Market
The Detox Market is an online beauty retailer specializing in clean, natural, and organic beauty products. Founded in 2010, the company started as a pop-up shop in Venice Beach and has since grown into a prominent player in the green beauty industry. The Detox Market offers a curated selection of high-quality skincare, makeup, haircare, and wellness products from various brands that meet their strict standards for clean and sustainable formulations.
Pros
- Extensive clean beauty selection: The Detox Market offers a wide range of natural and organic beauty products from multiple brands.
- Strict ingredient standards: They maintain a comprehensive list of banned ingredients, ensuring all products are free from harmful chemicals.
- Expert curation: Products are tested and approved by green beauty experts, including makeup artists, facialists, and naturopathic doctors.
- Educational focus: The company aims to educate consumers about the benefits of clean beauty products.
- Multiple shopping options: Products are available online and in physical stores in Toronto and Los Angeles.
Cons
- Higher price point: Many products offered are from premium clean beauty brands, which can be more expensive than conventional alternatives.
- Limited brand selection: While the selection is curated, it may not offer as wide a range of brands as larger beauty retailers.
- Potential for overwhelm: The extensive focus on clean ingredients may be overwhelming for those new to natural beauty.
7. Rare Beauty
Rare Beauty is a makeup and beauty brand founded by singer and actress Selena Gomez in 2020. While primarily known for its own branded products, Rare Beauty’s online store offers a full range of makeup items. The brand focuses on creating makeup that celebrates individuality and promotes mental health awareness.
Pros
- Inclusive shade range: Rare Beauty offers a wide range of foundation shades (48 tones) to cater to diverse skin tones.
- Ethical and sustainable practices: All products are cruelty-free and vegan, with a focus on sustainable packaging.
- Mental health initiative: 1% of all sales goes to the Rare Impact Fund, which supports mental health services in educational settings.
- User-friendly products: Many items are designed for easy application, catering to both makeup novices and enthusiasts.
- Positive brand philosophy: The brand promotes self-acceptance and embracing one’s unique beauty.
Cons
- Limited product range: As a single-brand store, Rare Beauty offers a smaller selection compared to multi-brand retailers.
- Exclusive distribution: Products are only available through Sephora and the official Rare Beauty website, which may limit accessibility for some consumers.
- Relatively new brand: Being a newer brand in the market, it may have less established customer reviews and long-term product performance data.
- Potential for initial skin reactions: Some users report experiencing initial breakouts when first using certain products due to potent formulations.
8. Kosas Cosmetics
Kosas Cosmetics is a clean beauty brand founded in 2015 by Sheena Yaitanes. The brand focuses on creating makeup products with skincare benefits, using nourishing ingredients and innovative formulations. Kosas offers a range of makeup products including foundation, concealer, lipsticks, and eyebrow products, all designed to enhance natural beauty while providing skincare benefits.
Pros
- Clean formulations: Products are free from over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients
- Skincare benefits: Makeup products contain nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides
- Inclusive shade range: Offers a wide variety of shades to cater to diverse skin tones
- High-performance products: Many items receive positive reviews for their effectiveness and longevity
- Cruelty-free and vegan options: Appealing to ethically-conscious consumers
Cons
- Limited product range: As a single brand, Kosas offers fewer options compared to multi-brand retailers
- Higher price point: Products may be more expensive than drugstore alternatives
- Availability: May not be as widely accessible as larger beauty retailers
- Newer brand: Less established customer base and long-term product performance data
9. Sephora
Sephora is a multinational beauty retailer founded in France in 1970. It offers a wide range of makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products from various brands, including its own private label. Sephora operates both physical stores and an extensive e-commerce platform, providing customers with a comprehensive beauty shopping experience.
Pros
- Extensive product selection: Offers a vast array of brands and products
- Beauty Insider program: Loyalty program with rewards and exclusive perks
- In-store services: Offers makeup classes, consultations, and makeovers
- User-friendly website: Features like Skincare IQ help customers find suitable products
- Free samples: Often includes product samples with online orders
Cons
- Higher prices: Many products are from prestige brands, which can be expensive
- Overwhelming selection: The vast number of products may be daunting for some shoppers
- Potential for counterfeit products: Has faced issues with fake products in the past
- Customer service issues: Some customers report problems with online orders and returns
- Pushy sales tactics: Some shoppers find in-store staff overly aggressive in selling products
