Sephora Affiliate Program Review [2024] Pros and Cons

We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

$30,000. That’s the amount of money I think a certain beauty influencer missed out on because she wasn’t part of the Sephora affiliate program when her video went viral.

I’ll explain in a bit, plus give you the pros and cons of the Sephora affiliate program.

Look, beauty products are everywhere. Your friends are using them. You’re probably using them. Rihanna and a million other celebrities are selling them.

All this attention has turned into an industry worth over $500 billion.1 

There’s money to be made here!

In this Sephora affiliate program review, I’ll explain why the program is legit. I’ll also help you decide if it’s worth it for someone with your online following. 

What is The Sephora Affiliate Program?

The Sephora affiliate program is a way to earn money by promoting beauty products online. All you have to do is share links to products on the Sephora website, and you’ll earn a commission whenever someone clicks your link and buys something.

Influencer Lindsay Silberman promoting beauty products online.
Lindsay Silberman is a beauty influencer with over 200,000 Instagram followers who makes money online with the Sephora affiliate program through Rakuten.2

Currently, Lindsay is promoting the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm and Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask on Instagram through the Sephora affiliate program. 

Sephora, as you probably know, is a big player in the beauty industry. They sell all sorts of beauty-related products, including:

  • Makeup
  • Skincare products
  • Hair products 
  • Perfume
  • Tools and brushes
  • Smooth lotions and gooey creams

Think your website, blog, or social media accounts relate to those types of products? Then, you could boost your income with the Sephora beauty affiliate program.

The Sephora affiliate program lets bloggers and influencers earn a commission when they sell products like make up and skincare.
The Sephora affiliate program is a great way for beauty influencers and beauty bloggers to make money online. 

Is The Sephora Affiliate Program Legit?

Here’s something my Sephora affiliate program review should make 100% clear: The program is totally legit!

Are you guaranteed to get rich? Of course not. Affiliate marketing takes hard work, and not everybody succeeds at it. But the Sephora affiliate program can be trusted.

Remember, Sephora is a massive company. It has over 3,000 physical locations around the world and Sephora partners with more than 200 brands. 

Sephora also has a solid reputation that it doesn’t want to lose. If you say to a random person on the street, “Hey, what’s a major beauty retailer?” There’s a pretty good chance they’ll answer “Sephora.” 

A company with that kind of brand recognition isn’t going to risk its good standing by running a scammy affiliate program. 

Is The Sephora Affiliate Program Worth It / Is Sephora Affiliate Worth It?

The Sephora affiliate program is worth it for anyone with a real interest in beauty products. 

In the world of affiliate marketing, you make money by attracting an audience, and then introducing those audience members to relevant products through your special links. The key is to promote products that your audience will actually want.

Beauty influencer Amy Chang promoting Sephora products online.
Amy Chang is a beauty influencer with over half a million followers on Instagram. She would crush it with the Sephora affiliate program. I see that she uses Ulta, Amazon, and ShareaSale.3

Let’s say you run a blog, website, or social media account about fashion and beauty. In that case, signing up to be a Sephora affiliate is a total no-brainer!

Or maybe you have a website where you post pictures of yourself traveling and having fun. Sure, your site isn’t specifically devoted to beauty, but if looking good is part of your appeal, you could still promote Sephora products on the side.

But what if your website or social media page is all about carpentry… or cars… or tropical fishkeeping? In that case, you might want to give the Sephora affiliate program a pass. 

Whether you join the Sephora beauty affiliate program or not, you can still make money online. For more ideas, check out this article on how to double 10k quickly.

How Does The Sephora Affiliate Program Work?

It’s time for this Sephora affiliate program review to get more specific and describe exactly how the program works. 

Here are the first steps to take:

  1. Head to the “affiliates” page of the official Sephora website.
  2. Click the link to register at the bottom of the page.
  3. Create an account with Rakuten Advertising (the main platform Sephora uses to manage its affiliate program).
  4. Provide some information about your website and online presence.
  5. Wait for approval from Sephora.

Not everyone can be a Sephora affiliate. You need an existing website to have a shot, and then Sephora representatives will decide if you seem like a good fit.

Here’s a Sephora haul video by Kyla Nicole. It has over 260,000 views. Kyla didn’t ask me, but I’d advise her to join the Sephora affiliate program ASAP! She could’ve monetized her video to make money by simply dropping her Sephora affiliate link in the video description.

Instead, she gave Sephora a lot of free advertising. That’s cool and all, but I’m sayin’, “Don’t work for free. Get paid, girl! 

In fact, Kyla might’ve missed out on $30,000 dollars!

Warning, math, but it’s money: Kyla had over 250,000 video views from her video that went viral. If she had an affiliate link and only 3% of those people buy from her link, and she gets 4% commission, and the typical purchase is $100, she’d make $30,000 dollars.

Kyla, $30,000!!!

(Math: 250,000 YouTube views X 3% of people buy X $100 typical purchase X 4% commission equals $30,000.)

*Note: You can also sign up for the Sephora affiliate program through FlexOffers [affiliate link] if you don’t yet have a website. FlexOffers specifies, “Promote Sephora’s products on your website, blog, or social media channels to engage beauty enthusiasts.” 

Once you’re approved, you can promote Sephora’s products to your audience. There are lots of ways to do this, including:

  • Product reviews
  • Tutorials
  • Product comparisons
  • Videos where you use the products yourself

When someone clicks a link to Sephora and buys a product within a certain period, you’ll earn a commission. The exact rate varies, but Rakuten users have reported earning 2% to 10% of the purchase.  

FlexOffers pays a 4% commission on Sephora sales you make through your affiliate links.

These details are pretty standard for an affiliate program. But there’s a reason my Sephora affiliate program review is so positive: Sephora gives affiliates some incredible perks! 

Here are my favorite features that the Sephora beauty affiliate program offers:

  • Free shipping if you spend over $50 on a Sephora order
  • Free samples sent with every order
  • Exclusive newsletters
  • “Sneak peaks” at new products
  • Access to special promotional materials
  • Special offers that only affiliates get

So, if you’re someone who already loves Sephora, you’ll get a real kick out of this easy access to products from your favorite brands. 

Rare beauty, LANEIGE, and Gisou products on sale at Sephora.
As a Sephora affiliate, you can earn commission on over 13,000 products including honey infused hydrating lip oil which is way better than the cayenne pepper infused lip oil I previously used.

Here are more ways how to make more money. And if you’re a mom, check out these Affiliate programs for moms.

What is The Catch With The Sephora Affiliate Program?

The only catch with the Sephora affiliate program is that you need to be approved to join. This means you should already have a website and a following that you could easily promote beauty products to. So if you’re just starting out, you should build up your site before applying. 

Or, sign up for the FlexOffers version of the Sephora affiliate program, which doesn’t require you to have a website.

If you want to research about building your website and email list, check out:

Is The Sephora Affiliate Program Safe?

The Sephora affiliate program is definitely safe to use. Not only is Sephora a legitimate company, but it runs its main affiliate program through Rakuten Advertising, a reputable advertising platform that’s been around for years.

Check out these fast facts about Rakuten Advertising:

  • Over 25 years in the industry
  • Rewards from mThink and other organizations
  • More than 1.2 billion customers reached (a significant portion of the global population!)

Rakuten Advertising is a company that knows how to go about its business.

Sephora runs an alternate affiliate program through FlexOffers, which is also safe. I personally use Rakuten Advertising AND FlexOffers for my affiliate relationships. So I can tell you 100% that the Sephora affiliate program is safe.

In this Sephora affiliate program review, I can’t guarantee you’ll get rich (or even get approved as an affiliate), but I can guarantee that you’ll stay safe.

Pros and Cons of The Sephora Affiliate Program

It’s time for the most important segment of this Sephora affiliate program review – the part with the pros and cons!

Pros

  • Sephora is a popular company with over 3,000 physical stores. Most people are probably familiar with the brand, which makes it easier for affiliates to promote the company’s products.
  • The main affiliate program is managed by Rakuten Advertising. This is good news because Rakuten Advertising is a legit advertising company with decades of experience in the affiliate marketing industry. The alternate affiliate program is with FlexOffers which is also legit. I use both.
  • You can access free samples as an affiliate. Sure, the goal is to help with product promotion, but there’s no rule against enjoying the samples, too!

Cons 

  • There are rumors of a short “cookie duration.” Some people say you’ll only get your commission if someone makes a purchase within 24 hours of clicking your link, but the reports on this vary. 
  • There’s no guarantee you’ll be accepted. Anyone can apply to be a Sephora affiliate, but not everyone is actually let into the program.
  • You’ll probably need an existing website to get approved. If you’re new to the game and you don’t have a website yet, read this article on how to make money online for beginners. The FlexOffers version of the Sephora affiliate program says specifically that you do NOT need a website. You can be approved just by having social media.

Sephora Affiliate Program Reviews

Finding a Sephora affiliate program review online isn’t as easy as you might think. Maybe that’s a good thing. It suggests Sephora affiliates don’t have much to vent about online!

That said, a few people have mentioned the program on Reddit. 

I found one thread where someone said they were getting a lot of people to click their Sephora links, but they weren’t driving many sales. 

A Sephora affiliate program review from someone on Reddit claiming they haven't made any sales despite high traffic.
In this Sephora affiliate program review, the person complains that people aren’t actually buying products which means they’re making no money. Yes, you need an audience who wants to buy beauty products or else you won’t make sales.

Someone commented that they’d had a similar experience with the Sephora beauty affiliate program, getting lots of clicks but no sales. 

Another person on Reddit sharing that they tried hard to get people to shop through their Sephora affiliate links, but didn't produce any sales.
A Redditor describes how they got clicks but not sales with the Sephora affiliate program. My recommendation is to skip the Sephora affiliate program unless you are focused on creating beauty content.

In another thread, someone asked if the Sephora affiliate program was dead. Apparently, they were having a hard time accessing the program through Rakuten Advertising.

*Note: I can confirm the Sephora affiliate program is not dead. But it’s useful to know that, in the past, people have had some trouble finding it. As an alternative, you can apply for the Sephora affiliate program through FlexOffers.

A person on Reddit asking if the Sephora affiliate program is even alive.
Someone on Reddit asks if the Sephora affiliate program is dead. It’s alive! 

In a comment, someone said that the program was showing up for them.

Someone on Reddit sharing their affiliate commission rates for products at Sephora.
A Redditor confirms the existence of the Sephora affiliate program. That’s exciting.

Sephora Affiliate Program Reviews BBB 

Sephora gets an A- grade from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). What does this mean? Basically, the BBB thinks consumers can trust Sephora to treat them fairly. 

There are also some Sephora customer reviews on the BBB website – and honestly, they’re kind of grim. They give the company an average of 1 star. 

But it’s worth remembering that people usually go to the BBB when they have a complaint, not when they’re happy. So I don’t think it’s a cause for concern. 

Besides, these reviews are about Sephora in general, not the affiliate program.

What matters here is that the BBB has found Sephora to be a trustworthy company. That means you can refer your online audience to Sephora with a clean conscience and with hopes of earning an easy income!

Common Questions About The Sephora Affiliate Program

Sephora Affiliate Program Competitors / Alternatives To Sephora Affiliate Program / Similar To Sephora Affiliate Program? 

Here are alternatives to the Sephora affiliate program:

Being a beauty influencer is one of the best ways how to make money as an attractive female  or how to make money as an attractive male. 

It’s also something you can do without having to hide from your family as opposed to how to make money on OnlyFans, or how to make money OnlyFans as a couple, or how to make money OnlyFans as a guy.

Sephora Affiliate Program Commission? 

The Sephora affiliate program through FlexOffers is 4%.

Sephora doesn’t have a consistent commission rate through Rakuten. I’ve seen people report rates as low as 2% and as high as 10%. It also seems to vary by location, product, and brand. 

Marketing Sephora is a great way to make money through your website or social media. Here’s how to make money on Pinterest, how to make money on X, and how to make money on Facebook. 

Sephora Affiliate Program Requirements? 

When you sign up for the Sephora affiliate program through Rakuten Advertising, you’ll have to share some details about your online presence – meaning you need to have a website already. And to get approved, it’s better if your site has something to do with fashion or beauty. 

The version of the Sephora affiliate program through FlexOffers doesn’t require you to have a website.

You don’t have to be an LLC, but I highly recommend that you make your online business into an LLC (I recommend ZenBusiness – you can learn more in Bizee vs ZenBusiness). In this post, I explain Why do you need an LLC. I’ve done that myself because it protects my personal finances and makes my business more legitimate. Here is the best LLC service. And to help you get started, I created this helpful LLC checklist and LLC 101 guide.

Is The Sephora Affiliate Program a Scam?  

The Sephora affiliate program definitely isn’t a scam. Not only is Sephora itself a reputable company, but the main affiliate program is run by Rakuten Advertising, a well-known advertising platform. Plus, I can’t find any reports of affiliates being scammed. 

If you’re wondering what can I sell for money, consider joining the Sephora affiliate program to sell beauty products online. 

Affiliate marketing is a great online business to start with 10k or with no money at all if you know how to attract an audience.  

Affiliate marketing is a legit way:

How Much Does Sephora Pay Affiliates / How Much Does Sephora Affiliate Program Pay?

The Sephora affiliate program through FlexOffers pays a 4% commission. So if you sell $5,000 worth of Sephora products in a month, you’ll receive $200.

There’s another version of the Sephora affiliate program through Rakuten Advertising. Here, Sephora doesn’t publish a fixed commission rate, but some users report earning 2%-10%. Let’s say you get a 10% rate. If someone clicked from your website to Sephora and spent $150, you’d make $15. Get 100 people to do that, and you’ll earn an easy $1,500. Not bad!

Even if you only post about beauty and cosmetics for fun, it can be one of those fun hobbies to make money.

Affiliate marketing is an outstanding low-cost business ideas with high profit. And it’s one of the most profitable online businesses you can start.

Once you start making money with the Sephora affiliate program, think about investing some of your profits. Check out Betterment vs Acorns to learn more.

I worked for a couple who ran an affiliate marketing blog about travel. When they put their online business for sale, they profited millions of dollars. 

If you’re new to affiliate marketing or want to start slowly, take a look at referral bonus apps and how to earn 20 dollars per referral.

Related:

Sources:

1 – https://gitnux.org/beauty-industry-statistics/

2 – https://www.instagram.com/lindsaysilb/?hl=en

3 – https://www.instagram.com/amychang/?hl=en