As a pianist, I’ve always been fascinated by the harmony between music and beauty. Just as my fingers dance across the keys, creating melodies that touch the soul, I believe that the right beauty products can orchestrate a symphony of self-care and confidence. However, finding the perfect beauty products can be as challenging as mastering a complex concerto. That’s why I’ve embarked on a journey to discover the best online beauty stores, where fellow artists and beauty enthusiasts alike can find their perfect ensemble of skincare, makeup, and self-care products.
In this article, I’ll share my top 10 picks for online beauty stores that strike the right chord between quality, variety, and customer experience. Whether you’re looking for a moisturizer to soothe hands tired from hours of practice, a long-lasting foundation for those marathon performances, or simply a new lipstick to make you feel like a star on stage, these online beauty havens have got you covered.
1. Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant has gained a cult following in the skincare world for its clean, effective formulations and colorful packaging. Founded by Tiffany Masterson in 2012, the brand focuses on using biocompatible ingredients that work well with the skin. Drunk Elephant’s philosophy centers around avoiding what they call the “Suspicious 6” – essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS. Their products are designed to be mixed and matched, allowing customers to create personalized skincare routines.
The brand offers a wide range of products, from cleansers and serums to moisturizers and sunscreens. Some of their most popular items include the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, C-Firma Day Serum, and Protini Polypeptide Cream. While Drunk Elephant’s products are on the pricier side, many customers find the results worth the investment. The brand’s website provides detailed information about each product’s ingredients and benefits, making it easy for shoppers to make informed decisions.
2. Eternal Beauty Outlet
Eternal Beauty Outlet is an innovative online beauty store that aims to revolutionize the way customers shop for beauty products. Founded in 2020 by Olivia Grace, this e-commerce platform offers a wide range of skincare, makeup, hair care, and beauty tools, all curated with a focus on quality, affordability, and eco-friendliness.
The company’s mission is to celebrate the power of beauty and redefine beauty standards through its products and campaigns. Eternal Beauty Outlet is not just a store but a movement dedicated to changing how the world perceives beauty. Their “Beauty &” campaign encourages customers to embrace their unique beauty, promoting inclusivity and self-acceptance.
One of the standout features of Eternal Beauty Outlet is its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. The company adheres to a strict “against animal testing” policy, ensuring that none of their suppliers test materials on animals. Additionally, they prioritize eco-friendly packaging, with many products designed to be solid and sold without excessive packaging.
Eternal Beauty Outlet offers a user-friendly shopping experience, with products categorized into Body Care, Hair Care, Makeup & Nails, Skin Care, and Tools & Brushes. This organization makes it easy for customers to find exactly what they’re looking for, whether they’re beginners in skincare or looking to upgrade their beauty routine.
The company prides itself on providing excellent value for money, offering high-quality products at competitive prices. They also emphasize customer education, helping shoppers connect with the appropriate products for their specific needs. This approach not only benefits customers but also promotes sustainable consumption by reducing the purchase of unnecessary products.
3. Credo Beauty
Credo Beauty is a pioneer in the clean beauty movement, offering a curated selection of products that meet their strict standards for safety and efficacy. Founded in 2015, Credo has become a go-to destination for those seeking natural and non-toxic beauty products. The company has developed the “Credo Clean Standard,” which bans over 2,700 ingredients and requires full transparency from their brand partners.
Credo’s online store features a wide array of products across skincare, makeup, haircare, and body care categories. They carry both well-known clean beauty brands and emerging indie labels. What sets Credo apart is their commitment to education and transparency. Each product page includes a full ingredient list with explanations of key ingredients, making it easy for customers to understand what they’re putting on their skin. Credo also offers virtual consultations with beauty experts, helping customers find the right products for their needs.
4. Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty is one of the largest beauty retailers in the United States, offering a vast selection of both prestige and drugstore brands. Their online store provides a one-stop-shop experience for beauty enthusiasts, with categories ranging from makeup and skincare to haircare, fragrance, and tools. Ulta’s website is user-friendly, with detailed product descriptions, customer reviews, and helpful filters to narrow down search results.
One of Ulta’s standout features is its rewards program, Ultamate Rewards, which allows customers to earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for discounts on future orders. The company frequently runs promotions and sales, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious shoppers. Ulta also offers a salon services section on their website, where customers can book appointments for hair, skin, and brow treatments at their physical locations.
While Ulta carries a wide range of products, including clean and natural options, they don’t have as strict standards as Credo Beauty when it comes to ingredient safety. However, their extensive selection and competitive pricing make them a popular choice for many beauty shoppers.
5. SkinStore
SkinStore has established itself as a premier destination for premium beauty products over the past 24 years. As one of the first online retailers to offer dermatologist-created and recommended products worldwide, SkinStore has built a reputation for quality and expertise in the skincare industry. The website boasts an impressive selection of over 8,000 products from more than 300 brands, covering categories such as skincare, haircare, cosmetics, and fragrances.
One of SkinStore’s key strengths is its commitment to customer satisfaction. They offer free, fast shipping on orders over $30, making it convenient for customers to try new products. The company also provides exclusive free gifts and significant discounts, enhancing the overall shopping experience. SkinStore’s dedicated team works closely with brands to provide customers with the best advice possible, and their daily updated blog offers valuable tips, advice, and beauty news.
6. Beauty Bay
Beauty Bay, founded in 1999 as ‘Fragrance Bay’, has evolved into a major player in the cosmetics e-commerce space. Based in Manchester, the company rebranded and relaunched in 2007, expanding its product range beyond luxury fragrances. Today, Beauty Bay offers an extensive selection of over 10,000 products from both UK and international brands.
What sets Beauty Bay apart is its own line of makeup, skincare, and other beauty products. This in-house brand allows the company to offer unique, high-quality products at competitive prices. Beauty Bay’s wide range of offerings caters to diverse customer needs, from affordable options to high-end luxury items. The company’s strong online presence and marketing strategies have helped it build a loyal customer base in the competitive beauty e-commerce market.
7. LOOKFANTASTIC
LOOKFANTASTIC, part of THG Beauty, has made a significant move by launching its first-ever concept store in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. This physical store represents a bold step in bridging the gap between online and offline retail experiences. The concept store is designed to be an immersive beauty destination, offering over 90 beauty brands, including exclusive lines like Dr Loretta.
The store’s layout and features are carefully crafted to educate and engage customers. It includes a color-coded zoning system for easy navigation, in-store beauty experts, and dedicated skin health professionals. LOOKFANTASTIC has also incorporated unique elements such as the world’s first Color Wow salon, a personalized ‘The Box’ beauty box service, and a recycling station to support sustainability efforts.
What truly sets LOOKFANTASTIC’s concept store apart is its focus on community and education. The store hosts monthly beauty pop-ups, weekly beauty events, and even offers ‘quiet hours’ for a more inclusive shopping experience. The Beauty Bar provides a space for beauty services, events, and social experiences, turning the store into more than just a retail space – it’s a leisure destination for beauty enthusiasts.
8. Glossier
Glossier has revolutionized the beauty industry with its minimalist approach and focus on enhancing natural beauty. Founded in 2014 by Emily Weiss, Glossier began as a beauty blog called “Into The Gloss” before evolving into a direct-to-consumer beauty brand. The company’s philosophy centers around simplicity, inclusivity, and celebrating individuality.
Glossier’s product line is carefully curated, emphasizing quality over quantity. Their offerings include skincare, makeup, and body products designed to enhance natural features rather than mask them. The brand’s commitment to transparency is evident in their detailed product descriptions and ingredient lists, making it easy for customers to make informed decisions.
One of Glossier’s key strengths is its strong community engagement. The brand actively encourages customers to share their experiences and showcase their natural beauty using Glossier products. This user-generated content not only serves as a powerful marketing tool but also creates a sense of inclusivity and authenticity. Glossier also offers personalized recommendations through their Skin Quiz, helping customers find products tailored to their specific needs.
9. Beautylish
Beautylish is an online beauty retailer that offers a wide range of premium beauty products from various brands. Founded in 2010, Beautylish has established itself as a go-to destination for beauty enthusiasts seeking high-quality skincare, makeup, haircare, and beauty tools.
What sets Beautylish apart is its commitment to customer education and experience. The platform provides detailed product information, customer reviews, and educational content to help shoppers make informed decisions. Beautylish also offers a unique “Lucky Bag” promotion, where customers can purchase mystery bags containing products worth significantly more than the purchase price.
Beautylish’s business model focuses on direct-to-consumer sales, allowing them to build strong relationships with their customers. The company also emphasizes e-commerce innovation, continuously improving its online shopping experience to meet the evolving needs of beauty consumers.
10. Kosas Cosmetics
Kosas Cosmetics is a natural makeup brand founded in 2015 by Sheena Yaitanes. The brand has gained popularity for its innovative approach to combining high-performance makeup with skincare benefits.
Kosas’ philosophy centers around “next-level clean beauty,” formulating products that are free from harmful ingredients while incorporating nourishing, active components. This approach results in makeup that not only enhances appearance but also contributes to skin health. The brand offers a range of products, from foundations and concealers to lipsticks and eyeshadows, all designed to be comfortable, effective, and beneficial for the skin.
One of Kosas’ standout products is their Tinted Face Oil foundation, which blends makeup and skincare in a unique formula. The brand also emphasizes inclusivity, offering a wide range of shades to cater to diverse skin tones.
Kosas engages with its audience through social media and collaborations with beauty influencers. The brand focuses on authenticity and encourages customers to embrace their natural beauty while using Kosas products to enhance their features.
