Best Beauty Retailer 2026

1. LovelySkin

LovelySkin specializes in dermatologist-approved skincare, medical-grade treatments and professional beauty products designed to address a wide range of skin concerns. Founded by a dermatologist, the retailer emphasizes education, personalized recommendations and clinically backed solutions. Customers rely on LovelySkin for trusted advice, expert-curated brands and effective skincare products that support healthy, radiant skin.

2. Bluemercury

Bluemercury blends luxury beauty retail with personalized service, offering premium skincare, makeup, fragrance and spa-quality products. The retailer is known for knowledgeable beauty experts, carefully curated assortments and its proprietary M-61 skincare line. Customers enjoy individualized consultations and an elevated shopping experience designed to help them discover products tailored to their unique beauty goals.

3. Ulta Beauty

Ulta Beauty offers one of the industry's broadest selections of cosmetics, skincare, hair care and fragrance, blending prestige and affordable brands under one roof. In-store salons, a popular loyalty program and frequent promotions make it a favorite destination for beauty enthusiasts. Shoppers can explore new launches, receive personalized recommendations and discover products for every budget and beauty routine.

4. Sephora

Sephora has transformed beauty retail through its expansive selection of prestige brands, interactive shopping experiences and knowledgeable beauty advisors. Customers can test products, receive personalized recommendations and access exclusive launches across makeup, skincare, fragrance and hair care. A highly regarded loyalty program and innovative digital tools help make Sephora a destination for beauty lovers worldwide.

5. Amazon

Amazon has become one of the largest beauty retailers, offering everything from everyday essentials to luxury skincare, cosmetics, hair care and wellness products. Customers benefit from extensive product selection, customer reviews, fast shipping and convenient subscription options. Dedicated storefronts from leading brands help shoppers discover authentic beauty products across virtually every category and price point.

6. Credo Beauty

Credo Beauty is dedicated to advancing clean beauty through rigorous ingredient standards, transparent practices and carefully vetted brands. Its assortment spans skincare, makeup, hair care and personal care products that prioritize safety and performance. Educational resources, refill initiatives and sustainability efforts reinforce Credo's commitment to helping consumers make informed beauty choices with confidence.

7. Nordstrom

Nordstrom delivers a premium beauty shopping experience with luxury cosmetics, skincare, fragrance and hair care from leading global brands. Personalized consultations, beauty events and attentive customer service complement an extensive online and in-store selection. Flexible shopping options and generous customer policies have made Nordstrom a trusted destination for prestige beauty enthusiasts across the country.

8. Dermstore

Dermstore specializes in dermatologist-recommended skincare, professional beauty products and advanced treatments backed by science. The online retailer features respected clinical brands alongside hair care, cosmetics and wellness essentials. Educational content, expert recommendations and a focus on effective ingredients have helped Dermstore become a trusted destination for shoppers seeking results-driven beauty solutions.

9. Macy's

Macy's offers an expansive beauty department featuring luxury cosmetics, skincare, fragrance and hair care from many of the world's best-known brands. Beauty counters provide personalized consultations, product demonstrations and exclusive events throughout the year. Combined with convenient online shopping and frequent promotions, Macy's remains a popular destination for prestige beauty products and gifts.

10. Target

Target combines affordable beauty with stylish presentation, offering an expanding assortment of cosmetics, skincare, hair care and wellness products. Shoppers can browse trusted household brands alongside premium and clean beauty labels, often discovering exclusive collections. Convenient stores, digital shopping options and competitive pricing make Target a popular destination for beauty essentials and trending products.

FINALISTS
Beautylish
CosmoProf
CVS
The Detox Market
Frends Beauty
Glossier
Sally Beauty
Space NK
Walgreens
Walmart

About Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Julie Bielenberg

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

Gavin Booth

Gavin Booth of coupleinthekitchen.com specializes in recipe development, all things grilling, food- and wine-based travel and romantic destinations of the world. He has extensive travel experience, visiting all 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. He's a full-time recipe developer, photographer, videographer and writer.

Laurie Jo Miller Farr

An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.

Cherith Fluker

Cherith Glover Fluker is an Alabama-based freelance writer specializing in travel, self-care, and lifestyle content. With a blend of experience, creativity and Southern warmth, Cherith's writing resonates with readers seeking inspiration and authenticity. Her work has appeared in Food, Wine, & Travel Magazine, SheBuysTravel, LakeLife 24/7, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Motherly and more. She also shares her voice on her blog, WhatCherithinks. Cherith is the author of the book Secret Birmingham, set to be published in fall 2025. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association and the National Federation of Press Women.

Melissa Garcia

Melissa Garcia, known as the ConsumerQueen, is a full-time content creator with over 20 years of experience helping people save money and make savvy decisions. Her mission is to teach others to save where they can so they can spend on what they love. Melissa shares the best products to make life easier and also owns RoamingMyPlanet and The Oklahoma Homesteader, where she continues to inspire and educate her audience.

Jacky Runice

When Jacky took her first flight at age 17 to Spain, she hadn't stepped a foot outside of Chicago. As a broadcast journalist for 20 years, she always managed to bring her travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she has written for numerous outlets such as CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL, USA Today and others. Follow her on Facebook.

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.