If you love beauty—and a great deal—the Sephora Beauty Insider program is one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to stretch your budget while trying the latest products. Here’s your complete guide to how it works today—tiers, sign-up, samples, birthday gifts, early access to sales, how to use points, app perks, and a simple game plan to get the most out of your rewards.
Quick note on naming: Sephora’s middle tier is called VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider)—not “VIP.” You’ll see the correct name below.
The program at a glance
Sephora Beauty Insider has three tiers based on annual spend:
- Insider (free to join)
- VIB (spend $350 per year)
- Rouge (spend $1,000 per year)
Your status lasts through the calendar year you qualify plus the full following year, and then renews annually based on your new spend.
Earning points: All tiers earn 1 point per U.S./CAD dollar on eligible items, with regular bonus-point events that multiply earnings. Points expire after 12 months of inactivity—so be sure to shop or redeem once a year to keep them alive.
How to sign up (it’s free!)
- Create a Sephora account via the Beauty Insider page and opt in during checkout or profile setup—it only takes a minute. You can also join in store.
- Link your account to partners like Sephora at Kohl’s, Instacart, DoorDash, or Uber Eats to earn points when you shop there too.
Monthly sample perks (and how to claim them)
1) Two free samples with online orders
Almost every Sephora online order includes two free samples of your choice from a rotating selection at checkout. The options change frequently (and sometimes pause during peak events), so it’s worth checking back if you don’t see them available right away.
2) Rewards Bazaar drops (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
The Rewards Bazaar refreshes every Tuesday and Thursday with new deluxe samples, bundles, and even experiences. The best rewards tend to sell out fast—set a reminder and shop early when drops go live.
Real examples of past sample rewards
- Kérastase Day-to-Night Hero Essentials appeared as a 1,500-point reward—an example of Sephora’s limited “Premium Rewards.”
- Sephora has also offered curated sample bag events (now retired) that were perfect for travel or trying new brands.
Tip: When redeeming online, Standard Rewards (under 750 pts) require a $25 purchase minimum. Premium Rewards (750 pts or more) ship free—no purchase needed.
Birthday gifts (the easiest freebie of the year)
Every Beauty Insider member can claim a free birthday gift during their birthday month. In store: no purchase needed. Online: a $25 minimum is required at checkout (Sephora.com or Sephora.ca). Gift options change yearly and sometimes vary by tier.
Past examples: Mini sets from Dior, Glow Recipe, ILIA, and OUAI—a glimpse at the kind of quality Sephora offers.
Early access to sales (and bigger discounts as you level up)
Sephora’s major Savings Events roll out in waves: Rouge shops first, followed by VIB and Insider, with discounts typically scaling down by tier. Percentages and timing shift each event, but the best way to get in early—and maximize savings—is simply to be a member and check the live Savings Event page.
How points redeem (Beauty Insider Cash, Rouge Reward & more)
You can use your points in two main ways:
- Beauty Insider Cash
- 500 pts = $10 off (all members)
- 1,000 pts = $20 off (Rouge only)
- You can use one Cash redemption per order. The subtotal must meet or exceed the discount value. If you return items, Sephora refunds only what you paid—points and Cash credits aren’t restored.
- Rewards Bazaar
- Redeem 50–100,000+ points for samples, sets, or experiences.
- Standard Rewards (under 750 pts) require a $25 minimum; Premium Rewards (750 pts+) ship free and don’t need a purchase.
Rouge Reward: Rouge members can turn 2,500 points into $100 (limited quantities, valid for 90 days). It’s a favorite for big splurges or restocks.
Bonus-point promos: Keep an eye on the Offers page and app banners—Sephora regularly runs brand-specific multipliers like 4X points weeks.
Exclusive events and special experiences
Beyond discounts, Sephora hosts exclusive events for members—like brand masterclasses and Rouge-only celebrations. Some rewards even include one-of-a-kind experiences through the Rewards Bazaar, such as meet-and-greets or beauty workshops.
Mobile app perks worth using
- Fast access: The Sephora app makes it easy to track offers, redeem Cash, add samples, and scan your barcode in-store.
- Real-time order updates: Choose Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) for same-day pickup and push alerts when your order’s ready.
- Exclusive alerts: Opt in for Sephora texts to get 10% off your first message sign-up and instant deal notifications.
- Beauty Offers hub: Check the in-app Offers section for current promo codes, gifts-with-purchase, and sample bundles before you check out.
What each tier really gets you
- Insider (free)
- Access to all Savings Events and the Rewards Bazaar
- Free birthday gift
- Beauty Insider Cash ($10 off for 500 pts)
- Free standard shipping with qualifying orders
- VIB ($350/year)
- All Insider perks
- Early access during major sales
- Expanded Rewards Bazaar access and seasonal exclusives
- Rouge ($1,000/year)
- All VIB perks plus first access to sales, Rouge Reward ($100 for 2,500 pts), and Rouge Cash ($20 for 1,000 pts). Expect occasional Rouge-only events and bonuses.
Step-by-step: how to make the most of Beauty Insider
- Join free and download the app to access offers, your barcode, and alerts. Turn on texts for an extra 10% off welcome deal.
- Check “Beauty Offers” before every checkout. Stack promo codes and don’t forget your two free samples.
- Plan big hauls around Savings Events—Rouge shops first, then VIB, then Insider—for best product selection.
- Watch for points multipliers. Events like 4X points weeks make major purchases pay off faster.
- Redeem points wisely:
- Rouge members: save for the $100 Rouge Reward (2,500 pts).
- Everyone else: use Beauty Insider Cash for reliable $10/$20 savings.
- Remember the $25 rule: Online rewards under 750 pts need a $25 cart minimum; Premium ones don’t.
- Check Rewards Bazaar every Tuesday/Thursday for fresh drops—deluxe samples go fast.
- Claim your birthday gift in store (no purchase) or add it to a $25+ online order.
- Use BOPIS to grab launches same-day and skip shipping delays.
- Keep activity going: Points expire after 12 months of inactivity—make a small redemption if needed to reset the clock.
- Plan Cash redemptions carefully—if you return a purchase, the points and discount aren’t refunded.
Example “max value” month
- Week 1: Wait for a 4X points promo. Place an order with a Beauty Offer, add two samples, and use Cash if you’re confident in your picks.
- Week 2: Check Rewards Bazaar on Tuesday/Thursday for a deluxe mini or Premium Reward with free shipping.
- Birthday month: Pick up your birthday gift in store (no purchase) or add it online with your order.
Final tips & fine print
- Program perks can change, so check Sephora’s Beauty Insider hub or Terms before every haul.
- Earn points on eligible purchases at Sephora stores, Sephora at Kohl’s, Sephora.com/Sephora.ca, and linked partners (excluding taxes, shipping, and gift cards).
- If you’re close to Rouge, watch for Rouge-only perks and events—they’re worth the splurge.
TL;DR
- Join free, download the app, and enable texts/alerts.
- Always add two samples and a promo offer at checkout.
- Time major buys for Savings Events and points multipliers.
- Use points smartly: Rouge Reward for big value, Cash for flexibility.
- Check Rewards Bazaar often and never skip your birthday gift.
Follow this routine and every Sephora trip feels like a mini celebration. Happy hauling!
