How To Shop the Sephora Sale with Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

So, I thought I’d do my traditional Sephora Sale Hack post that gives you tips, tricks, and ways to use the sale to your advantage! As you likely already know it’s that special time of the year when Sephora VIB Members get 20% Off. That means 20% Off everything and anything! Throw up your hands and run in circles! It’s an exciting time of the year because although many brands have great discounts available from now until the Holidays there are some brands that never, ever go on sale like Dior, Chanel, etc…! I mean, come on, have you ever seen Dior or Chanel saying, “Hey, 20% Off ya’ll!” No, doesn’t happen! This is why makeup lovers love when Sephora offers up 20% off. For many years, it was just the Sephora Friends and Family Sale and it had a generic code that most people “knew” on the down low. Typically the code was FF2012, FF2013, and it changed to reflect the year and even if you didn’t work at Sephora or knew someone that worked there you could still use the promo code!

But Sephora got smart….

About three or four years ago they stopped using the generic promo codes and started producing unique ones that were available to Sephora employees and those they gifted them too. Out of this the Sephora VIB Shopping Event evolved and Sephora started having a tier based sale that was available for Rouge, VIB, and BI members. The program evolved even further because at this point BI Members aren’t even included in the sale! This actually worked out in our favor because those who don’t want to shop online, don’t have too as now you can get the discount in stores or online!

Nonetheless, the sale starts tomorrow and here are some hacks to get the best bang for your buck!

Check it!

Get Money Back for Shopping!
Yes, that’s right! Get money back for shopping! If you haven’t sign up for ebates.com and you’ll get 4% to 8% back on purchases made at Sephora (or MANY, many other shops).

Shop the Sale During the Sale
My oldest and most beloved hack is to shop the sale during the sale! Sephora has a massive sale section with already reduces prices from 20-75% off which you can in fact use your code on. That means if something is 50% off and already on clearance you can get an additional 20% off that product! So, don’t forget to visit the Sephora.com sale section to grab some mega steals. Also, Weekly Wows are now in effect and those are also eligible for an extra 20% off.

When does it happen? What times does it start?
The Sephora 20% VIB Rouge Sale Event starts on November 3rd through November 6th that means you get 20% off your total during that time. After it ends? You don’t get 20% off! However, this year Rouge Members can shop a second time starting November 10th through the 15th using promo code 20FORROUGE. I don’t know the exact time that the code will go live but it is a safe bet that it’ll be live at 3AM EST as Sephora is on the West Coast. Set your alarm for 3:15ish if you’re on the East Coast and you can check to see if it is working.

I guess there were complaints last year that the time frame was too short because they have an extra few days to take 20% Off which starts November 10th and ends the 15th for Rouge Members.

For those that are VIB you’ll use promo code 20FORVIB starting on November 10th and ending on November 15th and BIs are also included this year (last year they were not for the first time) and get 15% on those dates as well.

Is it in store? Online? At JCPenny stores?
It’s online at Sephora.com and also in stores as well as in Sephora stores at JCPenny. Typically you’ll get a card in the mail which can be presented in store to get 20% off. It should have already arrived via snail mail but if it hasn’t you can go in store, confirm your VIB Rouge status, and they will likely give you the 20% in store without an issue. If they don’t? Call the VIB Rouge Hotline while you’re in store and tell them what’s going on and I’m sure they’ll help! Keep in mind shopping online is the best bet because there are so many brands that stores don’t carry!

Don’t Shop All Brands
Don’t get drawn in by 20% Off! It sounds awesome but in reality you can get much, much better deals through the Holiday season and on Black Friday and Cyber Monday from brands directly. Like Philosophy has up to 40% off during the Holidays, Dr Gross also has some great sales up to 30% off during the Holidays, as does brands like Stila, Tarte, etc…When you’re shopping remember to ask yourself, “Is this brand going to have a better sale later this season?”

Get Your Cart Ready Right Now and Shop Early
Wait, did I just suggest waking up early? Do it! You won’t regret shopping early. Even 6AM is a good time to get in your haul! Why? Because things sell out fast and also because the site gets SLAMMED with traffic. Although, you might want to wait because unlike last year there are two dates for Rouge Members to shop so if you don’t get what you want the first time around no problem, the second time it’ll probably restock!

My item sold out now what?
Check back! I see a lot of things go out of stock only to be restocked within a day or sometimes the last day of the sale! So, bookmark it and visit later! And as I said Rouge Members have two separate weeks to shop this year so it’ll restock for sure by the time you get around to shopping the second sale!

Can I use the promo code more than once? Do they limit what I buy? Are their exclusions?
I’ve always been able to use the promo code more than once. Last year, I used it four times I think! I don’t THINK this has changed so, I’m going to say you’ll likely be able to use the code again and again over the course of the sale. They have never had a limit on items that I know of. So, if you want to stock pile five of your favorite Chanel blushes I don’t think they’ll stop you from doing just that. There are no exclusions, everything qualifies for 20% off.

Is there a free makeup bag? A holiday tote?
Yes, on the first day of the sale you can bring a friend in to save 20% with you and you’ll also get a Holiday tote.

What will sell out? When will it sell out? Should I get it before it sells out?
If you think it’s going to sell out, likely it will so don’t hesitate! Get it! If you have buyer’s remorse later you can always return it but if it sells out you’ll be sobbing over your keyboard about the miss. Everyone always asks me what will sell out, how fast will it sell out, etc…etc..I haven’t a clue. Some items that I think are SUPER hot end up sticking around well into the New Year where as items I didn’t even think would disappear do quickly, never to return. Unfortunately, Sephora doesn’t keep me informed about stock, restocks, etc..so, I haven’t a clue what will be restocked. I’m not even into taking guesstimates about what will sell out because lately it’s all super random!

But, I’m not VIB Rouge now what?
You can’t get 20% Off unless you’re VIB Rouge. Putting the coupon in the promotional box isn’t going to work unless you have qualified for Rouge Status. VIB Members will have their chance to save at a later date as referenced above! Also, unlike last year the sale will also include BI Members who get 15% Off. For some reason, last year that was off the table for BIs but this year Sephora brought it back!

I hope these ticks and trips help you during the sale!

Remember, the sale starts tomorrow for Sephora Rouge Members at Sephora.com.

Good Luck and Happy Shopping!