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Monday, December 2nd
Sally Beauty, founded in 1964, is a well-known retailer specializing in professional beauty supplies and products for hair, skin, and nails. With over 3,700 stores worldwide and a comprehensive online platform, Sally offers a vast selection of products, including hair color, styling tools, skincare, and salon equipment, catering to both professionals and everyday consumers.
Missing some major brands
Sally didn't do so well when we looked for the three products used as a comparison among the different hair care retailers in our review:
That really surprised us, because in general Sally has a broad inventory of nearly 2,000 products to choose from. But, as we looked through the brand list, we noticed that Sally tends to offer a few products from many different labels with a strong emphasis on textured/curly hair. For example, there were 21 options in the All About Curls line, 10 in the Flawless by Gabrielle Union line, 4 from Made for Locs, and so on. There were also a handful of hair care products from traditional salon brands like Nexxus, Matrix, and TiGi. But, overall, you might have a tougher time finding specific brands you're used to when you shop at Sally, or with getting a broad range of options within those brands.
Still some good reasons to shop here
That's not to say that there aren't some perks to getting hair care products at Sally. The retailer does a great job of letting you see which products prioritize sustainable, mindful ingredients (just look for the "mindful” label), which ones come from women-owned/founded, Black-owned/founded, or Hispanic-owned/founded manufacturers, and so on. And, at the time of our visit, Sally had a Buy 3 Get 1 Free promo going on that let us mix-and-match among all of the hair care products on our shopping list.
Lots of product reviews to consider
When you click on any hair care product, you'll see a detailed description of what it is and how it works, plus a list of all of the ingredients, usage instructions, plus pro tips and FAQs. Sally also has lots of loyal customers - which you can appreciate when you look at the number of reviews left on most of the products. We didn't see many that had under 100 ratings. For instance, if you want to know if Sauce Beauty's Guacamole Whip Deep Moisture Hair Mask is worth $14.29, turn to the reviews. (By the way, it got 4.5 stars out of 5 across 1,400+ ratings.) You might want to avoid Ouidad's Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel, though: it barely averaged 3 stars.
Free rewards program
You'll also get Sally Beauty Rewards when you create your free account. You get $5 for every $50 you spend and other VIP benefits. There's also an Elite tier, but Sally is pretty quiet on the details of the rewards program overall and of what it takes to reach the higher level (or what benefits come with it). You may just have to roll the dice on this one; at least it won't cost you anything to join.
Plenty of free shipping options
Shipping is free on any Sally order of at least $40 being delivered within the continental United States. But, if you've got a Sally location near you, watch for extra savings if you choose to place your order online and then pick it up in store: at the time of our recent visit to the Sally website, there was a promo featured at the top for getting 15% off any online orders with in-store pickup. Also, your local Sally may offer 2-hour delivery on certain items: just enter your address on any product page and you'll see if what you're ordering will be eligible.
Return policy isn't very generous
Although Sally says they have a "Love It or Return It” guarantee, it doesn't really seem to offer much. They don't specify how long you have to make a return on items ordered online (in-store purchases have a 60-day window, for what it's worth), and they have to be "in original condition and in original packaging”. That sounds like you can't try out a new conditioner, decide it left you feeling greasy, and then return it for a refund. Our research indicates that some brick-and-mortar Sally locations might accept returns like that, but you're at the mercy of your local Sally's policies.
Reputation is mostly positive, despite "D-” from the BBB
Does Sally have a good reputation? Not according to the Better Business Bureau, who gave the company a "D-” rating for not responding to 27 of the 122 complaints filed against Sally in the last three years. On the other hand, Sally's overall rating elsewhere is 4.6 stars out of 5, spanning more than 22,000 reviews. Many of those come from online customers who say that everything was delivered on time or that in-store pickup went off without a hitch. (One comment even said "I had an online order that was ready in 20 minutes. Everything was perfect, with a cute little note written on my bag!”)
Above average for hair care products
At the end of the day, we'd say Sally is above average when compared with rival stores on our list. The selection is pretty solid, and in general most customers leave satisfied whether they buy their hair care products online or in-store. Yes, Sally could go a bit farther to move up on our list, like doing a better job of explaining their rewards program or allowing shoppers to return products that don't deliver the expected results. Still, with so many 5-star reviews on the various hair care items they carry and for the company as a whole, Sally comes in with an above-average rating from us.
Shopping for hair care products online can be both convenient and overwhelming due to the vast selection available. When browsing, it's essential to consider a few key factors. First, identify your hair type and specific needs; this will help narrow down your choices. For instance, curly hair might benefit from sulfate-free products, while fine hair might need volumizing formulas.
Pay attention to the ingredient list: natural and organic ingredients are often preferred for their gentle, nourishing properties. Customer reviews and ratings can provide valuable insights into a product's effectiveness and potential downsides. Look for clear descriptions and usage instructions to ensure the product is suitable for your routine.
Hair care has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with practices and products evolving significantly over time. In ancient Egypt, people used a mixture of animal fats and natural oils to maintain their hair, while ancient Greeks and Romans favored elaborate hairstyles held in place with beeswax and other natural substances.
During the Renaissance, elaborate wigs and hairpieces became popular in Europe, symbolizing status and wealth. The 20th century saw a revolution in hair care with the introduction of shampoos, conditioners, and a plethora of styling products designed to cater to every imaginable hair type and style.
Today, the market is brimming with a diverse array of hair care products. Shampoos and conditioners form the foundation of any hair care routine, with formulations targeting specific needs such as hydration, volume, color protection, and dandruff control. Styling products like gels, mousses, and sprays help shape and hold hairstyles, while serums and oils add shine and combat frizz. Treatments such as hair masks and leave-in conditioners provide deep nourishment and repair. Additionally, there are products aimed at promoting hair growth and maintaining scalp health.
Moreover, be mindful of the brand's reputation. Established brands often have a track record of quality and safety, while niche brands might offer innovative solutions. Price is another consideration - while higher-end products might offer premium ingredients, there are many affordable options that deliver excellent results. Lastly, keep an eye out for special deals and bundles which can offer better value for your money.
When deciding where to shop online for hair care products, keep these criteria in mind to save time (and maybe money too):
From buzz cuts to bobs, every hairstyle deserves great hair care products. To help you take care of your tresses, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked today's most popular online options for getting your preferred shampoos, conditioners, brushes and more. Happy shopping - and styling!
Select any 2 Hair Care Products to compare them head to head