Buying makeup from a store sounds easy, but it’s not that simple. Most of the products and prices are the same, but where can you get the best deal? Who has the best rewards for you giving them your business? These are the best places to shop for all your cosmetic needs.

Ulta

If you don’t know where your closes Ultas are, you need to find them. Ulta is the only cosmetic store that gives you cash value discounts based on how much you spend. Although you have to spend a lot of money to get a lot back, no other store has a program that gives you any discount based on how much you spend.

Another great thing about Ulta is that they sell high-end (they call it prestige) brands and drugstore brands. So, you can buy your hair products and makeup products from Ulta to earn more discounts. They also have the Benefit Brow, which is the best place to get have your eyebrows professional done. The employees are always helpful and nice. In the back of each store there is a hair salon, which is another way you can earn discounts.

Sephora

Instead of offering cash value discounts, Sephora offers a samples and select sales for “beauty insiders”. The way the program works is you get points for every dollar you spend. You can redeem the points for free samples. There are 100 points, 250 points, and 500 points gift options. The samples are usually from high-end brands. They also have skilled makeup artist that will apply your makeup if you make a $50 purchase. At some locations, the artists are really talented. They are suitable to do your makeup for a prom or a wedding, but see how they do makeup first.

Makeup Counters

In terms of the best price, makeup counters are the worst place to purchase makeup. The benefit of buying makeup at a counter is that you get individual customer service with detailed instructions on how to use products. For the best service, go when the store first opens. Want to learn how to contour, choose a foundation, or do a cut crease? A makeup counter representative may be a professional makeup artist that can teach you these things. They may also be an esthetician and be able to give you skincare tips. Take everything with a grain of salt, because at the end of the day they are still sales people.