Memorial Day weekend can hit hard for many beauty shoppers. Your inbox is flooded, and every brand swears that its sale promo is the one to beat. You scroll past discounts on products you’ve wanted and others you barely recognize. Some offers seem smart while others feel rushed. It’s easy to fill a cart before you’ve had time to think. The pressure builds fast and so does the risk of wasting money. That’s where Memorial Day beauty sales get overwhelming.
Dozens of retailers launch competing discounts at once, all pushing limited-time deals with countdown clocks and last-chance alerts. If you’ve been waiting to try something new or restock a favorite, this weekend offers the right moment to buy. However, not every promotion deserves your attention. What follows is a breakdown of the sales that matter and the ones that don’t.
Memorial Day Beauty Sales: The Smart Way to Shop This Weekend
Memorial Day beauty sales come in different formats, and not all of them are easy to navigate. Some retailers offer short-term deals that disappear fast. Others give you a discount tied to your account level. This guide walks through the biggest events first, then covers which promotions to skip and how to avoid wasting money on products you won’t use.
1. Nordstrom’s Spring Beauty Sale: Luxury That Doesn’t Always Wait
Nordstrom’s sale includes rare discounts on high-end products. Right now, you’ll find 15% off brands like Augustinus Bader, Armani Beauty and La Mer. That includes The Rich Cream, often praised for smoothing dry skin and giving it a plumper look. Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation and La Mer’s Moisturizing Soft Cream are also marked down. Both are known for performance but rarely go on sale.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, if you’ve been waiting to try these brands or already use them. But if you’re stocked up, skip it for now. Even a luxury deal isn’t helpful if it ends up unused.
2. Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty: High-Impact Discounts If You Plan Ahead
Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty runs from March 7 to 27. Each day the retailer features a different best-selling product at 50% off, but each deal lasts for just 24 hours. This year’s lineup includes picks like Benefit’s Precisely, My Brow Pencil, which helps fill in sparse brows without looking heavy, and Lancôme’s Advanced Génifique Serum, a formula many people use to add moisture and make skin feel smoother and more even.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, if you’re organized. Check Ulta’s calendar and make note of the days that feature products you already use or want to try. Avoid buying something just because it’s marked down. If you wouldn’t have paid full price for it that’s a sign to pass.
3. Sephora’s Savings Event: A Rare Chance to Save Across Your Routine
Sephora’s annual spring event gives Beauty Insider members up to 20% off nearly everything in-store and online. Rouge members get the highest discount while VIBs and Insiders get 15% and 10% respectively. Popular picks like Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter, Drunk Elephant’s Protini Moisturizer and Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush are all included. These are known for staying power and solid reviews.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, especially if you’re restocking favorites or buying something you’ve been eyeing for months. The discount rates may vary by tier but the opportunity to save on full-price staples doesn’t come around often.
What’s Not Worth Buying
Not every Memorial Day beauty deal is worth grabbing. Some retailers bundle leftover products into mystery boxes and mark them down to clear inventory. These sets often include discontinued items or unpopular shades that didn’t sell well the first time. Others bring back holiday collections that have been sitting in storage for months. These are often close to expiring, especially when it comes to foundation or skincare. Subscription boxes can also be misleading. While they might offer a short-term discount they usually lock you into a multi-month plan filled with items you wouldn’t have picked on your own. Before buying anything, especially those involving bundles or blind boxes, ask yourself why it’s being discounted. Then ask if you’d actually use what’s inside.
Final Tips for Shopping Smart
Before you start adding things to your cart, set a clear budget. Sales make it easy to overspend, especially when prices look lower than usual. Decide what you’re comfortable spending then stick to it. Signing up for rewards programs can also help, as most are free and give you early access or extra discounts during events like these. Finally, don’t buy anything blindly. If you haven’t tried the product before, look up reviews or head to a store where you can test it in person. Even if the price is low, it’s not a deal if the product sits unused in your drawer.
So, What’s Actually Worth It?
If you’re shopping Memorial Day beauty sales, focus on Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty, Sephora’s spring event and Nordstrom’s rare discounts on luxury brands. These sales give you a real chance to save on products that usually stay at full price. The best approach is to restock what already works for you instead of trying something random on impulse. If you wouldn’t buy it at full price or if you’re not sure it’ll work for you, leave it in the cart.
FAQs: Memorial Day Beauty Sales
Q: When do Memorial Day beauty sales start?
A: Most sales start a few days before Memorial Day and last through the holiday weekend. Some, like Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty, begin earlier.
Q: Which stores have the best beauty deals?
A: Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, and Amazon usually have the best discounts on high-end and drugstore beauty products.
Q: Are beauty sales better on Memorial Day or Black Friday?
A: Black Friday usually has bigger discounts, but Memorial Day sales offer better deals on skincare and summer essentials.
Q: Is Sephora’s Savings Event worth it?
A: Yes, if you are a Rouge member or if you plan to stock up on high-end products that rarely go on sale.
Q: How can I make sure I’m getting the best deal?
A: Use price trackers like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon or check past prices on the brand’s website before buying.
