Sephora Visa Credit Card review: Only for Sephora devotees

Sephora Visa Credit Card overview

The Sephora Visa Credit Card offers a strong return on Sephora purchases. However, its limited earning rates outside of Sephora and its restrictive redemption options make it a poor choice for most shoppers. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Typically, we advise against store credit cards here at TPG. While store cards usually have decent earning rates for their specific store, most shoppers are better off skipping these cards and keeping a more general cash-back or travel rewards credit card in their wallets instead.

The Sephora Visa Credit Card is no exception. As tempting as it is to sign up for the card when a salesperson or online checkout asks if I want to save 25% on my Sephora purchase, I always decline.

It is important to note that there are two versions of the Sephora Card: the Sephora Credit Card and the Sephora Visa Credit Card. The first is a closed-loop option, meaning you can only use (and earn rewards on) it at Sephora. The Sephora Visa Credit Card, meanwhile, can be used and earns rewards anywhere Visa is accepted.

Since the Visa version is the most similar to other cards we cover at TPG, I'm focusing this review on it rather than the closed-loop card.

This Sephora Visa has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670 or above. Now, let's dive into the card details to see why it's not a fit for me but could be for you.

The information for the Sephora Credit Card and the Sephora Visa Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Sephora Visa Credit Card pros and cons

Sephora Visa Credit Card welcome offer

New cardholders will get 25% off their first Sephora purchase when they use their card at Sephora within the first 30 days of account opening. There are no product or service exclusions to this discount, so it's possible to get significant value from it if you're spending a lot at Sephora at once.

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Finally, new cardholders can earn a $20 Sephora Credit Card Reward after spending $500 in the first 90 days of account opening on purchases outside of Sephora. Even though this card isn't ideal for non-Sephora shopping, if you're a frequent Sephora shopper, this part of the welcome offer may be worth making some purchases at other stores.

It's not hard to find a more valuable welcome offer on a cash-back card, but you can get decent value from the Sephora Visa by earning the welcome offer and taking advantage of the 25% discount. This is a great time to apply for this card, considering the limited-time benefit cosmetics gift that's part of the current welcome offer when you apply in-store.

Related: The best credit card welcome offers currently available

Sephora Visa Credit Card benefits

The most significant benefit of the Sephora Visa is that it allows cardholders to earn double Beauty Insider points on Sephora purchases.

Beauty Insider, Sephora's loyalty program, is free to join and allows members to earn points on Sephora purchases. Members can cash in 500 points for a $10 discount.

Noncardholders earn one Beauty Insider point per dollar spent, but cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent, giving them a 4% return in Beauty Insider points on top of the credit card rewards they earn.

Additionally, those with a Sephora credit card receive exclusive discounts and promotions.

While these benefits can offer additional savings for cardholders, the Sephora Visa does not offer the purchase protection you'll find on other cards. If you plan on purchasing electronic tools from Sephora, like a Dyson Airwrap or a red light therapy tool, you may want to put your purchase on a different card that offers additional protection.

Related: Best cash-back credit cards

Earning and redeeming rewards on the Sephora Visa Credit Card

Sephora Visa cardholders earn 4% back on Sephora purchases and 1% back on all other purchases. Note that purchases made at Sephora locations inside other stores, such as Kohl's, will only earn 1% back.

The 4% you'll earn in Sephora Rewards are on top of the 4% you'll earn in Beauty Insider rewards, so cardholders earn an effective 8% return on Sephora purchases.

Sephora Credit Card Rewards are calculated at the end of each billing cycle and issued in $5 increments for every 125 Reward Dollars you earn. If you have not reached a $5 increment, your rewards will stay in your account and be issued once you reach the $5 amount.

However, there are some restrictions on how you use your rewards. They can only be used at Sephora. These rewards expire 90 days from the date of issue and cannot be combined with any other discounts other than a Beauty Insider redemption.

While the 8% return I could earn on the Sephora Visa is impressive, the redemption restrictions are the deal breaker for me. I like to wait for sales and stock up on my favorite items at a discount, but I wouldn't be able to use my Sephora Reward Dollars with those sales.

Plus, I would have to use any rewards I earned within the next 90 days— shopping I likely wouldn't do otherwise.

I prefer instead to put my Sephora purchases on a good flat-rate cash-back credit card, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees). I still earn 2% back in Beauty Insider rewards by being part of Sephora's loyalty program, plus cash-back credit card rewards that I can use toward Sephora purchases or anything else I want.

I also keep an eye out for merchant offers (I can regularly take advantage of a 5% or 10% Sephora offer from Chase) and shop through Rakuten to earn additional rewards.

Related: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category

Which cards compete with the Sephora Visa Credit Card?

If you want more flexible rewards, one of these may be a better fit:

• If you want to earn 2% back on everything: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) has no annual fee and earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (1% as you buy and 1% as you pay). Like the Sephora Visa, it doesn't have an annual fee. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
• If you want bonus rewards on online shopping: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), making it a good option if you're doing your Sephora shopping online. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
• If you want to earn travel rewards: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all eligible purchases. This card gives you the option to redeem your miles for travel in a variety of ways. While it has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), it can be offset by the card's perks. To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

For additional options, see our full list of the best credit cards.

Related: Why the Citi Double Cash will always have a place in my wallet

Is the Sephora Visa Credit Card worth it?

If you spend a significant amount at Sephora and won't have any issues using your Reward Dollars before they expire, the 8% you'll earn with the Sephora Visa might be worth it. However, those who aren't as consistent in their Sephora spending or who want more flexible rewards will want to go with a different card.

Bottom line

If the black and white stripes of a Sephora store are your siren song, the Sephora Visa may be a good option. It allows you to earn an 8% return on your Sephora purchases — 4% in rewards and 4% through Beauty Insider points — and gets you exclusive cardholder discounts.

If, however, you have only a moderate beauty shopping habit, you'll be better off using a more general cash-back card instead.

Related: Store vs. cash-back credit cards: Which one should I get?

For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday, click here.