Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Sunday, November 3rd
Sephora is like a playground for beauty enthusiasts, a vibrant haven where the worlds of makeup, skincare, hair care, and fragrance converge in a dazzling array of colors and scents. Visiting the Sephora website feels like embarking on an adventure, with so many top-notch products from both beloved brands and emerging indie labels. Whether you're trying something new to tame an old hair care problem, or simply looking for your tried-and-true shampoo and conditioner, Sephora offers an immersive experience that invites you to discover, experiment, and indulge in the latest beauty trends.
Sephora has it all
To make an apples-to-apples comparison across all of the hair care product retailers on our list, we chose three products to find on each website: a salon-type shampoo, a hair treatment, and a styling tool. Here are the specific ones we chose, and how Sephora measured up with availability and price:
So, while Sephora might not do you any favors on pricing, you can typically count on them to have what you want in stock, and often in sizes that other stores might not carry.
Intuitive website
Overall, Sephora's inventory has over 1,700 options for hair care, and the site is super-smooth to shop. Whether you want to only see products that qualify as vegan, you've got curly hair that needs some special treatment, or you're hoping that your fave shampoo and conditioner come in a mini size perfect for travel, you'll have no trouble using those filters and sort tools right at the top.
Free in-store pick-up
Also, if there's a Sephora near you, make sure you've got that location entered in the dropdown box next to "pickup”. (The site automatically detected our closest store, so yours might already be there too.) That will make it even easier to order your favorite hair care products online and pick them up on your trip to the mall, or even more conveniently, have them same-day delivered right to you.
Take a look at product reviews
Sephora is one of the most popular beauty stores on the market, and it shows in the number of reviews on their hair care products. Those stars and comments can give you all of the insider tips you need to try something new. One of Sephora's most-rated hair care items, with over 1,300 ratings, wasn't exactly a hair care product: OUAI's St. Bart's Hair and Body Mist is probably better classified as a fragrance, but with notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose and musk, we'd buy it.
Loyalty program is worth signing up
When we visited the Sephora site this time around, we spotted an offer to save 10% if we signed up for text updates as a new subscriber. And, if you join Sephora's complimentary loyalty program, Beauty Insider, you'll get free standard shipping on any order. (Non-loyalty members have to spend at least $50 for no-cost delivery, FYI.) Every purchase you make earns rewards points that can be redeemed for discounts on future orders (500 points = $10 off). Depending on how much you spend at Sephora each year, you may qualify for their two higher tiers of loyalty, VIB ($350/year) and Rouge ($1,000+/year). You'll be notified of special savings events, with discounts of 10-20% or 2x-4x the points-per-dollar, based on your tier. Finally, as a Rouge-level insider, you'll be able to exchange 2,500 points for a savings of $100 on a purchase. But, that's not all: loyalty club members earn free birthday gifts, can exchange points for product samples, and receive invitations to exclusive events. It's free, so why not?!
30-day returns, even on "gently used” products
How about returns? Sephora lets you get a refund on new and "gently used” products returned within 30 days of purchase. If your return is within 31-60 days, you can still get store credit.
"A-” from the BBB
The Better Business Bureau gives Sephora an "A-” rating, short of a perfect grade mostly because of the nearly 900 complaints filed with the BBB in the last three years. But, that's really no cause for concern: most big-name beauty stores, especially the ones with lots of brick-and-mortar locations, get their fair share of unhappy customers. Fortunately, that BBB grade means they think Sephora is doing an admirable job of managing issues when they come up.
Big problems with online orders
Sadly, while you may have nothing but love for your local Sephora store, your online hair care product orders might be a big disappointment. We looked at what people were saying on Trustpilot, shocked to see that 70% of the 2,400+ ratings there were the lowest possible 1-star score. So many of the rants were specifically for online orders: products were missing from many people's deliveries, and they got a much-less-than-helpful response from Sephora's customer team (if they were able to get a response at all). We read more than one complaint like this: "My order with Sephora was over $1,000 and to not reimburse me for or resend the missing items is beyond low, especially when the store makes it somehow my fault that the products were missing.” While it's true that a majority of the customers with delivery problems were from outside of the US (which would open up more opportunities for items to "walk away” during customs inspections), there were still numerous problems with Sephora orders and customer service within the US too.
Disappointingly average
It pains us to say it, but we can only give Sephora a "just average” rating. The in-store experience is so vastly different from the (often disappointing) online one that you might wonder if you're even shopping at the same retailer. You might be able to find your way around that by ordering your faves online for in-store pickup (which would solve the "items missing” issue we saw so many times). But, because that's not possible for every Sephora shopper, we can't put this store at the top of our list for hair care products anymore. (*sniff*) It's not the worst place to shop, but Sephora, we expected better from you!
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