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Sephora operates differently from big box giants. Instead of one off doorbusters, it relies on scheduled percentage off sales tied to its Beauty Insider loyalty program. The brand’s core promotions for 2025 revolve around the Fall Savings Event and a yet to be announced Black Friday campaign. Here’s a breakdown of how the sale works, which shoppers qualify for each tier of discount, and what categories are worth exploring.
Understanding the Savings Event
Sephora’s flagship sale is a two-week promotion that runs from October 31 through November 10. Rather than offering specific product markdowns, Sephora grants a percentage off your entire purchase depending on your loyalty tier. Membership in the Beauty Insider program is free; your tier is determined by annual spending. During the 2025 event, the discount structure looked like this:
- Rouge members (the highest tier) received 20 % off across almost everything during the full sale window, Oct. 31 - Nov. 10.
- VIB members got 15 % off from Nov. 4 - Nov. 10.
- Insider members (the entry-level tier) enjoyed 10 % off, also from Nov. 4 - Nov. 10.
- Every shopper, regardless of tier, could take 30 % off the Sephora Collection of in-house makeup and skincare products from Oct. 31 - Nov. 10.
These discounts were applied using a single promo code at checkout (“EVERYTHING” in 2025). The sale spans most categories-makeup, skincare, hair care, fragrance, tools and gift sets-but certain exclusions apply (e.g., Dyson tools often have limited discounts and may sell out quickly). Because the sale is tiered, Rouge members benefit from a longer shopping window and deeper cuts; Insiders must wait until the second week but still get meaningful savings.
Categories worth exploring
While Sephora doesn’t publish a catalogue of specific markdowns, some product categories consistently yield strong value during the Savings Event:
- Skincare: High-ticket serums, moisturisers and treatments (think retinol treatments, vitamin-C serums and LED face masks) can be costly. The site-wide percentage discount effectively reduces the price of luxury brands that rarely go on sale elsewhere.
- Makeup staples: Foundations, concealers and eyeshadow palettes from brands like Dior, NARS and Rare Beauty are perennial bestsellers. Purchasing during the event ensures you get a cut on items you’ll use regularly.
- Hair care and tools: Shampoos, masks and styling products from Olaplex, Kérastase and Oribe are popular picks. Hot tools like curling irons and blow-dryers see only modest discounts, so your membership tier makes a big difference.
- Fragrance: Perfume and cologne sets are popular holiday gifts. During the sale you can secure high-end scents from brands such as Tom Ford, Maison Margiela and Jo Malone at a percentage off.
- Gift sets and advent calendars: Sephora releases curated kits that bundle multiple products at a lower combined cost. Applying a Beauty Insider discount on top of these already value-packed sets can lead to significant savings.
What about Black Friday?
Unlike Target or Walmart, Sephora does not typically preview its Black-Friday offers weeks in advance. After the Savings Event concludes, the company launches a separate Black Friday Beauty Deals promotion around November 28. Details are sparse until the week of Thanksgiving; past years have included limited-time discounts on specific brands and doorbusters on Sephora’s in-house products. Shoppers should sign up for Sephora’s emails or monitor the website closer to the date for specifics.
Shopping tips
- Join Beauty Insider early. Enrollment is free and unlocks access to the fall sale tiers. Without membership you won’t receive a discount code at checkout.
- Plan your cart. Because high-demand items can sell out once the sale opens to VIB and Insider members, Rouge shoppers should prioritise their must-have products early in the window.
- Consider stacking with cash-back portals. Credit-card rewards or third-party cash-back sites can amplify your savings on top of Sephora’s percentage-off discount.
- Compare with brand-direct sales. Some beauty brands run their own promotions that match or exceed Sephora’s discount, especially during Cyber Week. Check the brand’s website before finalising your purchase.
- Watch for exclusions. Prestige brands or limited-edition items may be excluded from the promo code, so read the fine print and be prepared for some disappointments.
