The 9 Best Places to Buy Beauty Products Online

As a young model who lives and breathes makeup, I’m always on the hunt for the best beauty products to keep my look fresh and camera-ready. Trust me, I’ve spent countless hours scrolling through online beauty stores, comparing prices, and reading reviews to find those holy grail items that make me feel confident on and off the runway. 

Whether you’re a fellow makeup enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of beauty, I’m excited to share my top picks for the 9 best online beauty stores that have never let me down. 

From luxe brands to budget-friendly finds, these sites have everything you need to create stunning looks that’ll turn heads.

1. Bluemercury

Bluemercury is a luxury beauty retailer founded in 1999 that offers a curated selection of high-end skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance products. The company operates both physical stores and an e-commerce website. Bluemercury carries a wide range of prestige beauty brands like La Mer, Augustinus Bader, Tom Ford, and Chanel, as well as their own in-house brands M-61 and Lune+Aster.

Pros

  • Extensive selection of luxury and prestige beauty brands
  • Offers free samples with every order
  • Free shipping on orders over $50
  • Loyalty program (BlueRewards) allows customers to earn points on purchases
  • Detailed product descriptions and ingredient lists
  • Expert beauty advice and tutorials available on their blog

Cons

  • Higher price point for most products
  • Limited affordable options compared to other retailers
  • Shipping can be slow during peak seasons
  • Customer service responsiveness can be inconsistent

2. Eternal Beauty Outlet

Eternal Beauty Outlet is an online beauty retailer founded in 2020 by Olivia Grace. The company focuses on providing a wide range of beauty products, including skincare, makeup, hair care, and body care items. Eternal Beauty Outlet aims to challenge traditional beauty industry norms by offering eco-friendly products that cater to diverse customer needs and personalities.

 

The company’s mission is to celebrate the power of beauty and redefine beauty standards through its products and campaigns. Eternal Beauty Outlet sources products from around the world, prioritizing safety, cruelty-free practices, and eco-friendliness in their brand partnerships.

Pros

  • Extensive selection of beauty products from various brands
  • Focus on eco-friendly and cruelty-free products
  • Free worldwide shipping on all orders
  • Loyalty program that offers points for discounts
  • Detailed product descriptions and ingredient lists
  • Customer reviews and photos available for most products
  • Commitment to challenging traditional beauty standards

Cons

  • Relatively new company, established in 2020
  • Higher price point for some products
  • Limited physical presence (online-only store)
  • Shipping times may vary, with an estimated delivery time of around 2 weeks
  • Some users report inconsistent customer service experiences
  • Limited information available about the company’s reputation and track record

3. Kosas Cosmetics

Kosas is a clean beauty brand founded in 2015 that focuses on creating makeup and skincare products with nourishing, skin-friendly ingredients. While not exclusively an online retailer, Kosas has a strong e-commerce presence through their own website and partnerships with other beauty retailers. They are known for their innovative formulas like the Tinted Face Oil foundation and Air Brow tinted gel.

Pros

  • Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulations
  • Products cater to a wide range of skin tones
  • User-friendly website with detailed product information
  • Offers bundle deals and value sets
  • Free shipping on orders over $35
  • 30-day return policy

Cons

  • Limited product range compared to multi-brand retailers
  • Higher price point for some items
  • Occasional stock issues with popular products
  • Shipping limited to certain countries
  • Less frequent sales or promotions compared to larger retailers

4. Herbivore Botanicals

Herbivore Botanicals is a natural skincare and beauty brand founded in 2011 in Seattle. They offer a range of plant-based, cruelty-free products including facial oils, masks, serums, and body care items. Herbivore is known for their minimalist packaging, clean formulations, and use of natural ingredients like botanical extracts and essential oils.

Pros

  • All-natural, plant-based formulations
  • Aesthetically pleasing minimalist packaging
  • Cruelty-free and vegan products
  • Unique ingredients like blue tansy and bakuchiol
  • Detailed product descriptions and ingredient lists on website
  • Free shipping on orders over $50

Cons

  • Higher price point for most products
  • Some users report products going bad quickly due to lack of preservatives
  • Limited shade ranges for makeup products
  • Occasional stock issues with popular items
  • Some products may not be suitable for very sensitive skin

5. Credo Beauty

Credo Beauty is a multi-brand retailer specializing in clean beauty products. Founded in 2014, Credo has physical stores as well as an e-commerce platform. They carry a wide range of brands that meet their “Credo Clean Standard,” offering makeup, skincare, haircare, and wellness products.

Pros

  • Extensive selection of clean beauty brands
  • Strict standards for ingredient safety and sustainability
  • Knowledgeable staff provide personalized recommendations
  • Offers samples with purchases
  • Recycling program for empty beauty containers
  • Free shipping on orders over $50

Cons

  • Higher price point for many products
  • Some users report inconsistent customer service experiences
  • Limited international shipping options
  • Website can be overwhelming due to large product selection
  • Some popular items may sell out quickly

6. YesStyle

YesStyle is an online retailer founded in 2006 that specializes in Asian fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. While they offer a wide range of items, their beauty section is particularly popular for Korean and Japanese skincare and makeup brands. YesStyle provides international shipping and carries both well-known and niche Asian beauty brands.

Pros

  • Extensive selection of Asian beauty products, including hard-to-find brands
  • Frequent sales and promotions
  • Loyalty program that offers points for discounts
  • Detailed product descriptions and ingredient lists
  • Customer reviews and photos for most products
  • Free shipping on orders over a certain amount

Cons

  • Shipping can be slow, especially for international orders
  • Some products may be more expensive compared to buying directly from Asia
  • Occasional quality issues with certain items
  • Limited shade ranges for makeup products
  • Customer service responsiveness can be inconsistent
  • Return process can be complicated for international customers

7. Cult Beauty

Cult Beauty is a UK-based online beauty retailer founded in 2008. They curate a selection of high-end and niche beauty brands from around the world, focusing on products with proven efficacy. Cult Beauty is known for introducing innovative and cult-favorite products to the market.

Pros

  • Carefully curated selection of high-quality beauty brands
  • Exclusive product launches and limited-edition items
  • Detailed product information and ingredient transparency
  • Expert beauty advice and tutorials available on their blog
  • Free samples with every order
  • Loyalty program (Cult Beauty Rewards)
  • International shipping available

Cons

  • Higher price point for most products
  • Shipping can be expensive for international customers
  • Limited affordable options compared to other retailers
  • Some popular items may sell out quickly
  • Customer service response times can be slow during peak periods
  • Return policy may be less flexible for international customers

8. The Detox Market

The Detox Market is an online retailer specializing in clean beauty and wellness products. Founded in 2010, it curates a selection of natural, non-toxic skincare, makeup, haircare, and lifestyle products from various brands. The Detox Market is known for its strict standards, ensuring all products are free from harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.

Pros

  • Extensive selection of clean beauty brands
  • Strict standards for ingredient safety and sustainability
  • Offers samples with purchases
  • Free shipping on orders over $80
  • Loyalty program that offers points for discounts
  • Recycling program for empty beauty containers

Cons

  • Higher price point for many products
  • Some users report inconsistent customer service experiences
  • Limited international shipping options
  • Website can be overwhelming due to large product selection

9. Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant is a skincare brand that also operates as an online store. Founded in 2012 by Tiffany Masterson, the brand is known for its “clean-clinical” approach, formulating products without what they call the “Suspicious 6” – essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS.

Pros

  • High-quality, effective skincare products
  • Free from potentially irritating ingredients
  • Aesthetically pleasing packaging
  • Detailed product descriptions and ingredient lists
  • Free shipping on orders over a certain amount
  • Loyalty program available

Cons

  • Higher price point for most products
  • Limited product range compared to multi-brand retailers
  • Some products may not be suitable for very sensitive skin
  • Occasional stock issues with popular items
  • Never offers sales (except for one annual Black Friday sale)