Sephora

Full review
How can I describe Sephora.com? Well, it is just a huge site full of makeup, skincare, hair products, body products, nail polishes and you name it! It has higher-end products that you CANNOT find in drugstores. It has products you would find at Nortstrom or other products that are popular in Europe. One product line I have been intrigued by is Philosophy products. I usually can find Philosophy from the Philosophy website, Drugstore.com or even better yet, Sephora.com. I'll find that even Philosophy.com won't have something I'm looking for and Sephora.com will!

Sephora.com is easy to browse. You can search by term (in the search box), or search by category or brand.

A plus when you order from them is that they let you choose (from a limited sample choice) 3 samples to go with your order. Seems great, and it is. I got some stinky perfume that I ended up throwing out and some lotion and skincare samples. I didn't have much to choose from, though. They gave me about 12 choices and they weren't anything I was interested in. The samples I WAS interested in, were out of stock (which was upsetting, but it was a sample). So it can be a positive, or not (if you're not wanting more junk to clutter up your house). Mostly, I'm thinking they put them in there to try and "hook" you to that product, so you will come back and buy it (more like an advertising ploy). But it is generous in that they give you 3 samples and not just one. But if you go to the store, little do some people know, you can also ask for some free samples (if you are brave enough to).

A plus is that you can return items to Sephora stores. I'm big on or knowledgeable about returning makeup or skincare products at all. I feel that if I use it or open it, it's mine. You can also return your items online. I have no experience in returning to this site, I liked my items and used them. But they do give you 60 days with receipt. No receipt means you get store credit (or online credit) and over 60 days. The site says nothing about it being used or not (the products).

Shipping is reasonable and FREE over $50 (free!). A flat rate of $5.95 for under $50. They have free gift wrapping options. I will say that it's not really gift wrapping, but just a cheap black box and at least it's decent. But no one spent a bunch of time wrapping anything. But it's nice none the less.

I received my products in less than two weeks (anything over two weeks would seem like a long time). It was packaged nicely and in perfect condition. Sephora is not known for "sales", these products are usually at a set price. I like to browse their online store for cool new makeup or see what new products have been added.

One thing they've added recently is an "organic and natural" section. Cool, because that's what I like to use. I like to know what products are out there for me to purchase in the chemical-free realm. They also have pictures which make it nice to "see" what you are looking at to buy. They give a nice description of the products as well.

One faulty thing I think that Sephora.com (even as sophisticated as their site is) lacks is a review system. Women all over would most likely love to log on and review certain makeup, skincare and so on. I would love to see these reviews and that would help me decide where or not I want a product. Also maybe a blog with use of the certain makeup products (pictures of customers using the products). They also lack ingredients some lists. I love to see the ingredients in anything I buy for my skin or face. Some products DO have ingredients lists, however. The site doesn't have an "ingredients" link to push, it says "Learn More About This Product" about the product and that will show the ingredients (if there are any listed).

Sephora.com is also a great place to check if you don't see it on other websites or the physical store (if you don't see what you are looking for). I always find Sephora has the item, and rarely see them out of stock. It is difficult to sift through pages and pages, only because (not a Sephora flaw) soooo many products! The downside is that you don't get to test and try out products. I like to go to my Sephora (physical) store and touch, feel and try out products. Then I'll think about what I like (and get free samples) and then go online to buy it (only because I'm too lazy to run to the mall again to pick up what I want). Usually the physical store is out of that item anyway (yet has the tester) and I have to buy it online anyway.

Overall: Sephora is a great site to shop from and I like to use it more often than Beauty.com (I find it has more items I'm looking for).