The endless aisles of personal care products, mile-long receipts, and the fact that it’s one of the few places where you can pick up your prescriptions, snacks, and passport photos under one roof? We’re talking about CVS — specifically, the iconic drugstore’s Epic Beauty sale, which is officially underway now through March 28. (And if you’re in the mood for a full month of beauty deals, it’s worth noting that Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty is also happening right now.)
While big beauty sales from specialty retailers tend to get all the hype, CVS’ Epic Beauty Sale is a bit of an insider secret among savvy shoppers. Think limited-time coupons on bestselling drugstore staples, markdowns on forever favorites, and opportunities to stack savings through CVS’ ExtraBucks rewards program — meaning your haul could earn you cash back for your next trip down those familiar aisles.
So if you’ve been meaning to restock your tried-and-true skincare or try a buzzy new lip oil, now’s the time. Ahead, see exactly what Refinery29 editors are adding to their carts during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
TRESemmé Dry Texturizing Spray
"I had the chance to try this out when celebrity hairstylist and TRESemmé ambassador Koni Bennett did my hair for a recent Unilever event in Miami. The result was easily the best my lob has ever looked: wavy, textured, with plenty of body — and it held up all night long, thanks to TRESemmé’s Dry Texturizing Spray. A couple strategist spritzes of this stuff was enough to add piecey, effortlessly cool texture that withstood heat and humidity for hours on end. Plus, it doubles as a hair fragrance thanks to warm, yummy notes of vanilla and sandalwood." — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
TRESemmé A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray, Golden Vanilla, $, available at CVS
Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat Supernatural
"With the summer on the horizon, I’m already thinking about a strong game plan to combat humidity. One of the best tools in my beauty arsenal is Color Wow’s Dream Coat spray. Flyaways and frizz are kept at bay thanks to this smoothing formula. What’s even better? It leaves hair with a glossy shine on top of the humid-reducing benefits. That’s a win-win." — Alexis Bennett Parker, Director, Shopping Partnerships
Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, $, available at CVS
Crest 3D Whitestrips Dental Whitening Kit
"People always ask me how I keep my teeth so white. Well, Crest Whitestrips are part of my oral care equation. Yes, they are quite an investment, but this beauty sale makes it easier to stock up on. Pro tip: I like to use them as touch-ups (you can visibly see a difference after just one use), so one package can last a long time." — Alexis Bennett Parker, Director, Shopping Partnerships
Crest 3D Whitestrips Dental Whitening Kit, Glamorous White, $, available at CVS
Bask Invisible Gel Sunscreen SPF 40
"Bask's sunscreen gel is one of my personal go-tos, and it’s 25% off during CVS’ Epic Beauty Sale, bringing it down to $20 and change. The texture and finish remind me a bit of Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen (which retails for nearly double at $38), but with a more hydrating texture, thanks to squalane and aloe leaf extract. As the name hints, the chemical SPF 40 formula is crystal-clear, ensuring an invisible result on all skin tones. Plus, it dries down with a soft-matte finish, making it an ideal primer for makeup, as well!" — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Bask Daily Invisible Gel Sunscreen, SPF 40, $, available at CVS
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray
"For the price, L’Oréal’s Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray can’t be beat. It reminds me a lot of One Size’s On 'Til Dawn setting spray because of its cooling, super-fine mist — but for a fraction of the price. (Makeup artist Alexandra French even used it on Katy Perry during the all-female Blue Origin flight last year, so if it can withstand a trip to outer space, I think that’s as solid an endorsement as any.) If I’m traveling and forgot to pack a setting spray, I’ll run to the nearest CVS and pick up a mini size of this stuff. I’m getting a backup during the Epic Beauty sale while it’s $3 off, because I can never be too prepared, right?" — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
L'Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, $, available at CVS
L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Lip Oil
"This lip oil isn’t like the others. Most just coat my lips in a greasy slick without actually hydrating, but this one packs hyaluronic acid and tripeptides — the building blocks of strong, resilient skin. That’s great for me, a chronic lip picker prone to dryness. The texture is oil-meets-gloss, so it’s not too thin and actually feels like it’s working. My favorite shade is Nude Macaron, a barely-there pink, and the diamond-shaped applicator hugs the lips perfectly, so you can apply it without a mirror." — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
L'Oreal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil, $, available at CVS
Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray
"I’ve gone through more cans of Avène’s Thermal Spring Water Spray than I can count — it’s my favorite mist to soothe, hydrate, and wake up tired skin. (I like to keep mine in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.) And this isn’t your plain old drinking water; it’s specially sourced from thermal hot springs in France, and has therapeutic benefits that range from calming irritated or inflamed skin to supporting the skin barrier thanks to its unique, low-mineral, pH 7.5 composition. (I also love it for soothing itchy bug bites on my body.) I’ll be repurchasing while it’s $5 off during CVS’ big beauty sale." — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
"I live in London, but my first port of call whenever I’m in the US is a trip to CVS to stock up on this sunscreen. If you ask me, not much else beats it — and it’s all thanks to the lighter-than-light texture. It sits somewhere between a gel and a cream, so it glides on and absorbs in next to no time — no battling to rub it in. While the star of the show is, of course, its broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, I love that it’s filled to bursting with skincare ingredients, so I can skip my moisturizer and not overwhelm my acne-prone skin. Think glycerin, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants that boost UV protection and shield against dulling pollution. Even better, it’s non-comedogenic and less likely to cause breakouts. I’m due a top-up!" — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Neutrogena Hydro Boost SPF 50 Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, $, available at CVS
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave In Conditioner
"I’m always on the hunt for the best hair care products. This leave-in conditioner has become a constant in my beauty cabinet for two reasons: First, it leaves my curls unbelievably juicy without a greasy, oily residue. And second, the pomegranate and honey scent profile smells absolutely yummy." — Alexis Bennett Parker, Director, Shopping Partnerships
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave In Conditioner, $, available at CVS
Living Proof Dry Shampoo
"My bathroom cabinet is basically a retirement home for dry shampoos I’ve used once and never touched again. Most are thick and chalky, smell off, or do nothing for greasy roots — but this one truly deserves its flowers. Between me and my partner, who also has long hair, we go through multiple bottles a year. The nozzle is powerful, covering oily roots without leaving white residue. It’s easy to massage in, and once you brush it through, hair feels genuinely brand new, like it’s been washed. It even banishes that sweaty scalp smell instantly. Nothing compares." — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, $, available at CVS
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