Almost every beauty lover has gotten lost in the aisles of Sephora, a true wonderland of makeup, skincare, and fragrance from hundreds of amazing brands. It's the go-to spot for swatching the latest eyeshadow palettes or restocking on holy-grail favorites.
But sometimes you're looking for something a little different - maybe a store with more drugstore finds, a site focused on clean beauty, or brands with a super specific vibe. If you love the Sephora experience but are ready to explore, here are 17 other beauty brands and retailers perfect for every makeup enthusiast.
Ulta Beauty is like Sephora's fun cousin who knows all the best deals. It's a one-stop shop that brilliantly mixes high-end luxury labels with your favorite affordable drugstore staples. You can grab a Fenty foundation and an e.l.f. concealer in the same trip, which is a major win for any beauty budget.
Unlike Sephora, which focuses more on premium brands, Ulta has a much wider price range and even features in-store salons for hair and brow services. Their loyalty program and frequent coupons also make it a smart choice for anyone who loves trying new products without the guilt.
Shop now at ulta.com
If you're a serious makeup lover who appreciates the artistry behind beauty, Beautylish is for you. This online retailer curates a selection of exclusive, high-end, and hard-to-find indie brands. They pair their products with helpful tutorials and expert advice, making it feel less like a store and more like a community.
While Sephora has a massive inventory, Beautylish offers a more edited collection of luxury and niche brands. It's the perfect place to discover your next obsession, especially if you're looking for limited-edition collaborations and brands that aren't available everywhere.
Shop now at beautylish.com
Based in the UK, Cult Beauty lives up to its name by offering a meticulously curated selection of the most buzzed-about, innovative products in the beauty world. They have a strong focus on clean, sustainable, and cutting-edge brands, making it a hotspot for discovering the next big thing in skincare and makeup.
Compared to Sephora's department-store feel, Cult Beauty is more like a boutique where every product has earned its spot. If you're tired of sifting through thousands of items and want a list of proven, cult-favorite winners, this is your destination.
Shop now at cultbeauty.co.uk
For trend-lovers on a budget, ColourPop is an absolute dream. This brand is known for its incredibly affordable, playful, and high-quality makeup. Known for dropping frequent collaborations with everyone from Disney to influencers, there's always something new and exciting to grab.
While you can find ColourPop at Sephora, shopping directly from their site gives you access to the full range of their vibrant eyeshadows, fun lip products, and limited-edition collections. It’s perfect for experimenting with bold colors without committing to a high price tag.
Shop now at colourpop.com
Glossier is the queen of the minimalist, "skin first, makeup second" philosophy. Their products are designed to enhance your natural beauty with dewy finishes, sheer formulas, and chic, simple packaging. Think effortless, cool-girl beauty in a bottle (or tube).
Whereas Sephora offers a maximalist approach with options for every possible look, Glossier has a tightly curated line of easy-to-use products that create a fresh, natural glow. If you love the idea of looking like you, but better, Glossier's famous Boy Brow and Cloud Paint are calling your name.
Shop now at glossier.com
When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty, she changed the game with a foundation range that included 40 (now 50+) shades, putting inclusivity at the forefront of the industry. The brand is known for its high-performance formulas, bold color payoffs, and stunningly chic packaging.
Sephora is a major carrier of Fenty, but the brand’s own identity is so strong it stands as a destination in itself. It's for the makeup enthusiast who wants innovative products that work for every skin tone and isn’t afraid to rock a vibrant lip or a blinding highlighter.
Shop now at fentybeauty.com
NYX proves you don't have to spend a fortune to get professional-grade results. Famous for its huge catalog of products, trendy formulations, and bold colors, NYX is a playground for makeup artists and beginners alike. Their lip liners and setting sprays are legendary for a reason.
If you love the variety at Sephora but wish the prices were a little lower, NYX delivers. They offer exceptional value, making an entire face of high-impact makeup accessible to everyone.
Shop now at nyxcosmetics.com
Kosas sits at the perfect intersection of clean beauty and high performance. Their products are basically makeup and skincare hybrids, packed with nourishing ingredients that are actually good for your skin. The vibe is polished yet effortless - think a radiant, healthy glow.
You can find Kosas at Sephora, but the brand stands out for its firm commitment to non-toxic, skin-loving formulas. For anyone wanting that natural, radiant look with the bonus of clean ingredients, Kosas is the ultimate choice.
Shop now at kosas.com
Pat McGrath Labs is pure, unadulterated luxury. Created by the legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, this brand is known for its otherworldly pigments, innovative textures, and artistic edge. The products feel like treasures and deliver runway-worthy results every time.
While Sephora carries plenty of high-end brands, Pat McGrath Labs is in a league of its own. It's for the beauty collector and serious artistry lover who wants to invest in statement pieces that are truly spectacular.
Shop now at patmcgrath.com
With its sleek packaging and multi-tasking formulas, Milk Makeup is made for the on-the-go creative. The brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, with a focus on creamy, easy-to-apply sticks for blush, highlight, and contour. Their modern, edgy vibe screams cool without trying too hard.
Milk Makeup’s innovative, fuss-free approach is what sets it apart. While Sephora has hundreds of options, Milk's products are designed for versatility and speed, making them ideal for someone with an active, urban lifestyle.
Shop now at milkmakeup.com
If you're obsessed with lip products, Bite Beauty is your heaven. This brand specializes in clean, vegan, and nourishing formulas that deliver incredible color payoff. Their Agave+ Lip Mask has reached icon status, and for good reason.
Instead of trying to be everything to everyone like Sephora, Bite laser-focuses on creating perfect lipsticks, glosses, and balms with high-quality, food-grade ingredients. It's the place to go when you want a signature lip color that feels as good as it looks.
Shop now at bitebeauty.com
Huda Beauty is synonymous with full-glam, Instagram-ready makeup. Founded by influencer Huda Kattan, the brand offers everything from intensely pigmented eyeshadow palettes to full-coverage foundations and legendary liquid lipsticks. This is bold, transformative makeup at its best.
While Huda is sold at Sephora, the brand’s global cult following is a testament to its powerful, statement-making products. If you love to experiment and aren't afraid of a dramatic look, Huda Beauty has exactly what you need.
Shop now at hudabeauty.com
Juvia’s Place is celebrated for its incredibly vibrant, richly pigmented eyeshadows inspired by African culture and beauty. The brand offers pro-level performance at a surprisingly affordable price, making it a must-have for anyone who adores color.
What makes Juvia's Place a standout is its focus on deep, statement pigments that show up beautifully on all skin tones. If you find some palettes at larger retailers chalky or underwhelming, Juvia’s Place will be a refreshing and colorful discovery.
Shop now at juviasplace.com
Great makeup starts with great skin, and that's where The Ordinary comes in. This skincare powerhouse offers science-backed, ingredient-focused formulas at unbelievably low prices. Their no-frills approach means you pay for what works, not for fancy packaging.
The Ordinary is available at Sephora, but its philosophy is unique. It empowers you to build a custom skincare routine to address your specific needs - whether it's blemishes, dryness, or fine lines - providing the perfect canvas for your makeup.
Shop now at theordinary.com
Known as the definitive brand for brows, Anastasia Beverly Hills has since expanded to create some of the most popular contour kits and eyeshadow palettes on the market. ABH is all about professional-quality formulas and precision application for perfectly sculpted, defined looks.
While many brands at Sephora offer brow products, ABH is the original expert. Their dedication to creating the perfect arch is why artists and enthusiasts alike swear by products like Dipbrow Pomade and Brow Wiz.
Shop now at anastasiabeverlyhills.com
Morphe carved out its space in the beauty world with massive, affordable eyeshadow palettes and a professional-grade brush lineup that didn’t break the bank. Known for its strong ties to the influencer community, Morphe is all about giving you the tools to create bold, artistic looks.
If you're a beginner looking to build a kit or an expert who loves experimenting, Morphe is for you. They offer a huge variety of shades and finishes, making them a go-to for unleashing your creativity.
Shop now at morphe.com
Dose of Colors is a cruelty-free brand that excels at creating high-impact color with a luxury feel. They're especially celebrated for their long-lasting matte liquid lipsticks and blendable eyeshadows that are pigmented, wearable, and always on-trend.
Where Dose of Colors shines is in its balance of bold and everyday wear. Their shades are modern and fun, yet formulated for reliability and longevity, making them a perfect addition to any makeup lover's collection.
Shop now at doseofcolors.com
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