My Personal Guide to the Best Beauty Shops

Hey there! I'm Emily, and I've curated this list of my go-to online retailers to help you find exactly what you need without the endless scrolling. Think of this as your personal cheat sheet to the best places to shop for beauty.

My Favorite Places to Shop

Makeup

These are my go-to's for everything from a perfect foundation match to the latest trendy eyeshadow palette. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Sephora ↗ I'm not kidding when I say this is my happy place! It’s the ultimate spot for all the high-end brands like Fenty, Rare Beauty, and Dior. They have a fantastic return policy and a great rewards program that gets you free stuff! Ulta Beauty ↗ What I love about Ulta is that it's a one-stop-shop for everything. You can grab your favorite drugstore mascara and a luxury serum in the same order. Their Ultamate Rewards program is so generous, you'll be swimming in coupons. Target ↗ For my budget-friendly finds, nothing beats Target. The beauty section has gotten so good, especially for brands like e.l.f., NYX, and Milani. Plus, their easy returns mean I can try new things without any stress.

Skincare

Taking care of my skin is a non-negotiable! I've found that these stores offer the best selection of products for every skin type and concern.

Dermstore ↗ When my skin is acting up, I go to Dermstore. They carry so many professional and dermatologist-approved brands that actually work. It feels like shopping at a high-end spa, but from my couch! The Ordinary ↗ This brand completely changed my routine. They have single-ingredient products that are shockingly affordable. I love how transparent they are about what’s in each bottle, which makes it easy to build a routine that works for me. Bluemecury ↗ This is where I go when I'm ready to splurge on myself. Bluemercury has an incredible collection of luxury skincare brands, and their team is so knowledgeable. I've found some of my holy grail products here.

Haircare

From shampoos to heat protectants, I’m always on the hunt for products that keep my hair healthy. These stores have a great variety for every hair type.

Sally Beauty ↗ I’ve been shopping at Sally's since high school! It's amazing for professional-grade hair color, tools, and salon brands that won't break the bank. It's my secret weapon for DIY touch-ups. Sephora Hair ↗ Sephora’s haircare section is a gold mine. They have all the viral products and trending brands like Olaplex and Dyson. It’s my first stop when I want to try something new. Ulta Hair ↗ Like with their makeup, Ulta has a massive selection of salon-quality haircare. I especially love shopping here for brands like Redken and Pureology, and the rewards points just add to the fun.

Fragrance

A good perfume can make you feel so confident. These are my top picks for finding authentic scents, whether I'm looking for a classic or something new and exciting.

Macy's ↗ Macy's is a classic for a reason. Their fragrance department is huge, and they always have great gift sets around the holidays. It’s where I go for all the iconic designer scents. Nordstrom ↗ Nordstrom is my favorite for a stress-free experience. Their customer service and return policy are unmatched, so I feel confident ordering a new fragrance online. They have a fantastic mix of both classic and niche brands. Sephora Fragrance ↗ Sephora has become one of the best places to explore fragrances. They have a great selection of bestsellers and exclusive scents, and you can get free samples with every order to try out new things.

Nail Care

Nothing feels better than a fresh manicure! For all my at-home nail needs, I swear by these three stores for everything from polish to tools.

Ulta Nails ↗ Ulta's nail section is seriously impressive. They have everything from Essie and OPI to more professional brands. I love how easy it is to find all the polishes, treatments, and tools in one place. Sally Beauty Nails ↗ If you’re serious about your nails, Sally's is the place to be. They have a wide variety of gel polishes, acrylic supplies, and professional-grade tools that are hard to find anywhere else. OPI ↗ OPI is a classic for a reason! I go directly to their site when I'm looking for the latest collection or need to restock a favorite shade. The colors are always stunning, and the quality is amazing.

Tools & Brushes

The right tools make all the difference! These are my top spots for finding high-quality brushes, blenders, and applicators that help my makeup look flawless.

Sephora Tools ↗ Sephora has some of the best brushes on the market. From their own collection to brands like IT Cosmetics and Fenty, the quality is worth every penny. I always check here for new sponges and applicators. Real Techniques ↗ If you’re looking for high-quality brushes that are also affordable, you have to check out Real Techniques. I’ve used their sponges and brush sets for years—they are a fantastic value and work perfectly. Morphe ↗ Morphe is known for their huge selection of brushes, and they're perfect if you're building up your collection. You can get a ton of brushes without spending a fortune, and they are incredibly soft and easy to use.

Natural & Clean Beauty

I've been trying to switch to cleaner products, and it's so hard to know what's legit. These are my trusted sources for natural, non-toxic, and effective brands.

Credo Beauty ↗ Credo is my holy grail for clean beauty. They have a very strict ingredient policy, so I know anything I buy is safe and non-toxic. They carry a lot of unique brands I can't find anywhere else. Goop ↗ I'm a huge fan of Goop's curated approach to clean living. Their beauty section is full of high-end, effective products with transparent ingredients. It's my go-to when I want to treat myself. Follain ↗ Follain is another fantastic spot for clean beauty. Their site feels so well-curated, and they have a great selection of skincare and makeup. I appreciate their "follain standards" that ensure every product is vetted and safe.

Suncare

SPF is the most important step in my routine, no matter the weather. These are my top picks for reliable, effective sunscreens and after-sun care.

Supergoop! ↗ This brand is my absolute favorite for sunscreen. Their formulas are lightweight, feel great on the skin, and they have so many different options for face and body. It's the only SPF I actually look forward to wearing. Dermstore ↗ Dermstore offers a huge selection of medical-grade sunscreens recommended by dermatologists. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, this is the place to find a high-quality SPF that won't cause breakouts. Ulta Suncare ↗ Ulta has a fantastic range of suncare products from both high-end and drugstore brands. They're a great resource for everything from daily moisturizers with SPF to self-tanners and after-sun lotions.

Bath & Body

I love transforming my shower into a mini-spa experience. These are my favorite places to shop for luxurious lotions, body washes, and scrubs that make me feel pampered.

The Body Shop ↗ The Body Shop is my top pick for indulgent and ethical body products. Their body butters and shower gels smell incredible, and their products are cruelty-free and made with ethically sourced ingredients. Lush ↗ For a truly unique and fun experience, Lush is the best. Their bath bombs, bubble bars, and fresh face masks are handmade and smell amazing. Plus, their packaging-free options are a great way to reduce waste. Sephora Body ↗ Sephora has expanded their body care selection to include some incredible brands. From firming creams to scented lotions and body oils, it's a great place to discover high-end body treatments.

Supplements & Wellness

True beauty starts from within! I've recently gotten into wellness, and these are my top sources for supplements and products that help my skin and hair look their best from the inside out.

Goop ↗ Goop's wellness section is my favorite for discovering new, high-quality supplements and powders. Their products are always well-researched, and I've found some amazing products to help with hair and nail health here. Sephora Wellness ↗ I was so excited when Sephora launched their wellness category! They have a great selection of beauty-focused supplements, from ingestible collagen to vitamin gummies. It's a great way to add an extra step to your routine. Revolve Beauty ↗ Revolve is a surprise hit for me. They have a curated list of trendy beauty and wellness brands. I've found some of my favorite "glow-up" supplements here, perfect for that extra boost of radiance.

Contact Lenses

As someone who wears contacts daily, I know how hard it can be to find the right place to buy them. These sites have been lifesavers for finding great prices and service.

ContactsCompare ↗ This is my number one secret for saving money. ContactsCompare is a free tool that finds the cheapest price for your specific contacts by comparing dozens of online retailers. I always check here first to find coupon codes from places like 1-800 Contacts and others. GlassesUSA ↗ I've been a loyal customer for years. GlassesUSA is great because they offer a wide variety of brands, and I can often find a good deal on my favorite monthly lenses. Their customer service is fantastic if you have any issues. Warby Parker ↗ While they're famous for glasses, their contact lens brand, Scout, is what I love. They have a trial option so you can test them out, and the subscription service makes reordering so easy. Their clean design and friendly service make the whole process stress-free.

Earrings

I believe earrings are the perfect way to finish any look! These are my favorite places to find everything from classic studs to the latest statement pieces.

Etsy ↗ For unique and handmade earrings, Etsy is my go-to. You can find so many one-of-a-kind pieces from independent artists, whether you're looking for something minimalist or a bold, artistic design. BaubleBar ↗ BaubleBar is perfect for fun, trendy earrings that don't cost a fortune. They always have the latest styles and a huge selection of colorful and playful options that are great for any occasion. Gorjana ↗ Gorjana is my favorite for delicate, everyday jewelry. Their earrings are high-quality, lightweight, and perfect for layering. I love their simple gold designs that are timeless and can be worn with anything.

A Little About Me

Hey there! My name is Emily, and I've always been obsessed with all things beauty. I found myself constantly searching for the best online stores and getting overwhelmed by the options. So, I decided to build a simple, no-fuss guide to share all my favorite finds with you. This isn't a massive directory—it's just a personal list of the places I genuinely love and trust. My hope is that it helps you find exactly what you're looking for without the headache!