Sephora just announced a week of 50% off beauty deals, putting it head-to-head with Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty sale.
I’m not going to lie: I’m usually more of an Ulta girl. In my experience, Ulta typically has better deals, promotions, and rewards. But I shop at both because each retailer carries brands and products that the other doesn’t — and right now, there are some really good deals worth comparing before you buy.
There’s also another reason Sephora deserves a look this week: eligible shoppers may be able to stack Sephora’s 50% off deals with the Paze Spend $10, Get $10 statement credit promotion.
And the timing couldn’t be better. The Paze promotion ends September 10, 2026, so Sephora’s sale gives you an opportunity to use any remaining Paze credits on something that’s already deeply discounted.
Here are the deals I’m watching and how Sephora compares with Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty.
YSL Libre L’Eau Nue Is 50% Off
One of the first standout deals is Yves Saint Laurent Libre L’Eau Nue Alcohol-Free Perfume with Green Mandarin & Bergamot.
Right now, you can find it at both Sephora and Ulta:
Sephora: $77.50 (Original Price $155)
Ulta: $80 (Original Price $160)
The $2.50 difference alone isn’t enough to make me choose one retailer over the other, but Sephora has another deal you may be able to stack on top of the sale price.
What Is Paze?
Paze is a digital wallet offered through participating banks and credit card issuers that allows you to check out online using eligible cards already linked to your account. Through September 10, 2026, eligible cardholders can earn a $10 statement credit on qualifying Paze purchases, up to $100 per eligible card. Participating issuers include Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, PNC, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, among others.
If you have eligible cards from more than one issuer or multiple eligible cards, check your offers because you may have credits available across multiple cards.
Stack Sephora’s 50% Off Deals With the $10 Paze Credit
If you still have an eligible Paze Spend $10, Get $10 statement credit, Sephora becomes the better choice! The Paze promotion runs through September 10, 2026, so these 50% off beauty deals come at the perfect time to use your available credits before the promotion ends.
For example, the YSL Libre L’Eau Nue is currently $77.50 at Sephora. If you’re eligible for the $10 Paze statement credit and haven’t used that offer yet, your effective cost could be: $77.50 sale price – $10 Paze credit = $67.50
Want to try it without committing to the full-size bottle? Sephora is also offering the travel-size YSL Libre L’Eau Nue for 50% off at just $18. If you still have an eligible $10 Paze credit, that could bring your effective cost down to just $8 for an item that normally retails at $36. Shop the $18 travel size at Sephora
That’s what I love about stacking offers. Instead of using your $10 credit toward a full-price purchase, you can potentially combine it with a product that’s already 50% off.
If you haven’t used Paze before or aren’t sure how the promotion works, read my complete guide:
Best Sephora Products to Buy with the Paze $10 Statement Credit
The Paze promotion ends September 10, so don’t wait until the last minute if you still have credits available.
Paze offers are subject to eligibility and applicable terms. Check your eligible card and offer terms before you buy.
Sephora vs. Ulta: Which Sale Is Better?
If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably already know that I shop at both Sephora and Ulta.
But if I had to choose? I’m usually Team Ulta.
In my experience, Ulta tends to have better promotions and more opportunities to save. But I don’t think there’s a universal winner because Sephora and Ulta don’t carry the same brands.
For example, Cécred is available at Ulta but not Sephora.
On the other hand, Sephora carries brands such as KAYALI, EADEM, and Influxious that I can’t simply pick up at Ulta.
And those are products I actually use. EADEM makes one of my favorite lip glosses right now, while KAYALI and Influxious are brands I regularly use at home and keep in rotation when I’m traveling.
That’s why I don’t automatically shop one retailer just because they’re advertising the bigger sale. My strategy is simple: compare the exact product at Sephora and Ulta, check the rewards and promotions available to you, look for stackable credit card offers, and buy wherever the final cost is lowest.
In this YSL example, Sephora wins for me if you still have an eligible Paze credit.
More Sephora 50% Off Beauty Deals Are Coming
YSL isn’t the only brand included.
Sephora is rolling out additional 50% off beauty deals throughout the week, including products from brands such as:
- Too Faced
- MAC Cosmetics
- Drunk Elephant
- Grande Cosmetics
- fresh
- amika
- ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr
- Living Proof
- CLINIQUE
I’ll be watching the upcoming offers because some of these could become even better deals when combined with an eligible Paze credit.
See all of Sephora’s upcoming 50% off beauty deals
Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Is Happening Too
Let the battle of the brands begin!! Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty is also underway, with different beauty products discounted throughout the event.
They often include the same products in the sale. If the same product is included in both sales, compare the final price after rewards, promotions, and any statement credits you have available.
Shop Ulta 21 Days of Beauty deals
Bottom Line: Don’t Forget Your Paze Credits
Sephora’s new 50% off deals are worth checking even if, like me, you generally prefer shopping at Ulta. But the biggest opportunity right now is for anyone who still has an eligible Paze $10 statement credit to use.
With the Paze promotion ending September 10, 2026, this is a great time to use those remaining credits on something that’s already discounted instead of letting them expire.
I’ll keep watching both Sephora’s 50% off event and Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty and share the deals I think are actually worth buying.
Shop the sales:
And if you haven’t used your Paze credit yet, learn how you can save up to $100 per eligible card with my guide below!
Paze Spend $10, Get $10 Back: How to Earn Up to $100 Per Eligible Card (Complete Guide)
