Okay real talk.

I spent way too much money figuring this out, so you don't have to.

Last month I literally walked into all three stores on the same day (yes, I'm that person) because I was so tired of buying the wrong stuff at the wrong place. Like, why did I spend $45 at Sephora when Target had basically the same thing for $12?

Ugh.

So here's what I learned about where to actually shop for what. No fluff, just the truth about these three beauty giants.

Sephora: When You Want to Feel Fancy (And Spend Accordingly)

Look, I love Sephora. The vibes? Immaculate. The samples? Chef's kiss. But my wallet? Crying.

Here's when Sephora is actually worth it:

Luxury Skincare
If you're investing in the good stuff - think Drunk Elephant, Tatcha, or La Mer - Sephora's your spot. The return policy is incredible (you can literally return used products within 60 days), and the staff actually knows their stuff.

I once returned a $68 serum that broke me out, no questions asked. Try doing that at Target.

Prestige Makeup Brands
For brands like Fenty, Rare Beauty, and Charlotte Tilbury, Sephora often has exclusive shades or launches first. Plus, you can test everything in-store which is huge for finding your perfect foundation match.

The Perks Program
If you're already spending money on beauty (no judgment), the points system is legit. I've gotten free full-size products, early access to sales, and birthday gifts that aren't total garbage.

But here's the thing...

Sephora's drugstore section? Skip it. You're paying a markup for stuff you can get cheaper elsewhere. Those $15 NYX products at Sephora are like $8 at Target.

Not cute.

Ulta: The Goldilocks Zone

Ulta is honestly where I shop most now, and here's why.

They have literally everything. High-end next to drugstore. Fancy hair tools next to $3 nail polish. It's chaotic but in the best way.

Best for Hair Everything
Ulta's hair section is unmatched. Professional brands like Redken, Paul Mitchell, and Olaplex are all here. And the sales? Incredible. I got a professional protein treatment for 40% off last month.

Their stylists can also help you pick products, which is super helpful when you're staring at 47 different purple shampoos wondering what the difference is.

The Points System is Better
Hot take: Ulta's rewards program destroys Sephora's. You earn points faster, and they actually convert to real money off your purchase. I regularly get $20-30 off just from points.

Plus, they have those 21 Days of Beauty sales where prestige products are 50% off. I stock up on everything during those.

Drugstore + Prestige in One Trip
This is huge. I can grab my fancy Clinique moisturizer and cheap drugstore mascara favorites in one go. The selection of affordable makeup is way better than Sephora.

Downsides? The stores can be messy (looking at you, destroyed eyeshadow testers), and the staff knowledge is hit or miss. Some are amazing, some seem confused about what aisle things are in.

Target: The Secret Beauty Weapon

Wait, hear me out.

Target's beauty section has gotten ridiculously good, and I'm not just saying that because I go there for toilet paper anyway.

Korean Beauty Heaven
Target has the best K-beauty selection outside of specialty stores. COSRX, Peach & Lily, Good Molecules - all the TikTok favorites are here. And usually cheaper than buying online.

I found my holy grail snail mucin essence at Target for $15. Same thing was $22 on Amazon.

Clean Beauty That's Actually Affordable
Brands like Versed, Pacifica, and Naturium are Target exclusives or widely available there. If you're into clean beauty but don't want to spend $60 on a retinol serum, Target's got you.

The Drugstore Classics
Everything from CeraVe to Maybelline to e.l.f. is here, usually on sale. Plus, you can use your Target Circle rewards and RedCard for extra discounts.

I once got $40 worth of beauty products for $22 by stacking sales with my RedCard. Felt like a genius.

Dupes Galore
Target is where I find most of my affordable alternatives to luxury products. The e.l.f. Halo Glow? Basically Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Filter for $14 instead of $44.

Wild, right?

The only downside is you can't test anything (sealed packaging), and returns are stricter than Sephora. But honestly, for the prices, I'm willing to risk it.

My Actual Shopping Strategy

Here's how I actually shop now that I've figured this out:

Sephora:
- High-end skincare investments
- Foundation matching (then sometimes buying it elsewhere, oops)
- Exclusive launches
- When I have points to burn

Ulta:
- All hair care products
- Prestige makeup during sales
- Tools and devices
- Fragrance (better selection than Sephora honestly)

Target:
- Drugstore beauty essentials
- K-beauty and clean beauty
- Replenishing basics (cotton pads, makeup wipes, etc.)
- When I'm testing new trends without commitment

The Real Money-Saving Hacks

Okay, so after months of strategic shopping, here's what actually saves money:

Wait for the Sales
Sephora's twice-yearly sale (spring and fall) is when you stock up on expensive stuff. Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty is non-negotiable. Target has weekly beauty deals in their app.

I literally have calendar reminders for these.

Join All the Rewards Programs
Yes, all of them. Even if you don't shop somewhere often, having the account means you'll get sale notifications and birthday perks. Free stuff is free stuff.

Price Match Like a Pro
Ulta price matches competitors. So if Sephora has something cheaper (rare but happens), bring proof and Ulta will match it. Plus you'll earn Ulta points on the purchase.

Genius.

Check the Clearance Sections
Target's beauty clearance is insane. I've found $20 serums for $7 just because the packaging changed. Ulta also has a clearance section that's worth checking every visit.

When to Splurge vs Save

This took me forever to figure out, but here's my rule now:

Splurge at Sephora/Ulta:
- Skincare with active ingredients (retinol, vitamin C, acids)
- Foundation and concealer (shade matching matters)
- Eyeshadow palettes (pigmentation is noticeably better)
- Hair treatments and tools

Save at Target:
- Mascara (it dries out in 3 months anyway)
- Eyeliner and brow products
- Setting sprays and primers
- Sunscreen for daily wear
- Makeup removers and cleansers

The difference in quality for some products just isn't worth the price gap. A $7 mascara from Target works just as well as a $28 one from Sephora.

I said what I said.

The Bottom Line

Look, you don't need to pick just one store. That's the beauty of having options (pun intended).

I probably spend 50% of my beauty budget at Ulta, 30% at Target, and 20% at Sephora now. It's all about knowing what each store does best and shopping strategically.

My bank account is way happier, and honestly? My makeup bag looks just as good as when I was dropping $200 at Sephora every month.

The key is mixing high and low, knowing when to invest and when to save, and not being loyal to one store just because their packaging is prettier.

Also, never underestimate Target's beauty section. It's gotten scary good, and I'm here for it.

What's your go-to beauty store? And am I the only one who gets weirdly excited about finding a good dupe at Target?

Let me know if I missed anything major. I'm always down to talk beauty shopping strategy.