How To Develop A Cosmetic Shopping App Like Sephora?

The beauty and cosmetics industry has undergone a massive digital transformation, with mobile apps playing a key role in reshaping how consumers discover, try, and purchase products. Among the top innovators in this space is Sephora, a global beauty giant that has set a new standard for personalized, tech-driven shopping experiences. From virtual try-ons to curated product recommendations, Sephora’s app seamlessly blends convenience with luxury.

 

If you’re planning for beauty or cosmetic store app development, taking inspiration from Sephora’s success is a smart move. But before diving in, it’s important to understand the key features that drive engagement and what it really costs to develop a sephora like app. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the must-have features, advanced functionalities, technology stack, business models, and estimated development cost for sephora app everything you need to create a standout beauty shopping platform.

 

What is Sephora?

 

 

Sephora is a globally recognized beauty and cosmetics retail brand, renowned for offering a wide range of products including makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and beauty tools. Founded in France in 1969 and now owned by the luxury conglomerate LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), Sephora has become a leading name in both physical and digital beauty retail.

 

The brand is known for its premium product curation, personalized beauty services, and technology-driven features like virtual try-ons, AI-based recommendations, and mobile shopping apps. With a presence in over 35 countries and thousands of stores worldwide, Sephora continues to shape the future of beauty commerce through its omnichannel strategy and customer-first innovation.

 

 

 

How Does a Sephora-Like App Make Money?

 

A cosmetic shopping app like Sephora generates revenue through a mix of direct sales, loyalty-based marketing, and tech-enabled monetization strategies. Here are the primary ways such an app makes money:

 

1. Product Sales (Direct Revenue)

 

This is the main source of income. The sephora app sells cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrances, and beauty tools from both in-house and third-party brands. Revenue is earned through:

• Retail margin on every product sold

• Exclusive product collaborations with higher markups
   

2. Affiliate or Marketplace Commission

 

Build an app like Nykaa that supports third-party sellers or independent beauty brands, it can charge:

• Commission per sale (typically 10–30%)

• Listing fees for products to appear on the platform

• Subscription fees for vendors to access platform features
   

3. Subscription-Based Beauty Boxes

 

Offering personalized monthly or seasonal beauty boxes is a popular way to generate recurring revenue. These subscription models:

• Increase customer lifetime value (CLTV)

• Encourage upselling and product sampling
   

4. Paid Brand Promotions & Advertising

 

Beauty brands often pay to get featured in:

• Homepage banners

• Push notification campaigns

• Sponsored product listings

• Influencer marketing within the app
   

This is a major monetization stream for high-traffic platforms like Sephora.

 

5. Loyalty Programs (Indirect Revenue)

 

While not direct monetization, Sephora’s Beauty Insider program boosts retention and increases order frequency. Higher-tier members often spend more, unlocking:

• VIP sales

• Birthday gifts

• Early access to product launches
   

These programs boost customer engagement and long-term revenue.

 

6. Private Label Products

 

Sephora has its own line of beauty and skincare products (e.g., Sephora Collection) which offers higher profit margins since it controls the manufacturing and branding. Beauty apps can replicate this by selling their own brand alongside third-party brands.

 

7. In-App Upselling & Cross-Selling

 

With AI and analytics, the app recommends additional products before checkout (e.g., “Complete the Look” or “You May Also Like”), increasing average order value (AOV).

 

8. Beauty Consultation Services

 

Some beauty apps like sephora monetize expert consultations or virtual try-on sessions. This may include:

• Paid one-on-one video consultations

• Personalized skin care routines

• AR-powered makeup styling packages
   

 

Essential Features of Cosmetic App Like Sephora

 

These features focus on delivering a personalized, immersive, and seamless shopping experience, key to standing out in the beauty eCommerce app development space.

 

1. User Features

 

These are the core features every beauty shopping app like Sephora must have to ensure smooth usability and customer satisfaction:

 

1. User Registration & Profile Management

• Sign up/in via email, phone, or social media

• User profile with preferences, saved addresses, order history, and wishlist
   

2. Smart Product Browsing

• Home screen with curated banners and new arrivals

• Category-based navigation (e.g., skincare, makeup, fragrance)

• Product sorting & filtering (by price, brand, skin type, etc.)
   

3. Product Detail Pages

• High-quality images and videos

• Ingredient info, benefits, usage instructions

• Real-time stock updates

• Add to cart or wishlist
   

4. Reviews & Ratings

• Verified buyer reviews with photos/videos

• Q&A section for product-related inquiries

• Filter reviews by skin type, age, concerns
   

5. Seamless Checkout & Payments

• Multiple payment gateways (cards, wallets, UPI, net banking)

• Coupon code support and loyalty points redemption

• Address management and delivery options

• One-tap reordering for repeat customers
   

6. Order Management

• Real-time order tracking

• Push/email notifications for order status

• In-app return, refund, and cancellation management
   

7. Wishlist & Save for Later

• Add favorite products for future purchase

• Notify users of price drops or restocks
   

8. Loyalty & Rewards Program

• Tier-based membership (e.g., Insider, VIB)

• Earn points for purchases, reviews, or referrals

• Redeem points for discounts or exclusive products

 

2. Advanced Features (Inspired by Sephora)

 

These features elevate the user experience and provide a personalized, high-tech edge:

 

1. Augmented Reality (AR) Virtual Try-On

• Try makeup virtually using face-tracking AR

• Supports lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, blush, etc.

• See different shades in real-time before buying
   

2. AI-Powered Product Recommendations

• Personalized suggestions based on browsing and purchase history

• Machine learning-driven “You May Also Like” and “Trending Now” sections
   

3. Beauty Profile or Skin Quiz

• Users answer questions about skin type, tone, concerns, and preferences

• Tailored product recommendations generated based on profile
   

4. In-App Chat with Beauty Experts

• Real-time chat or appointment booking with certified beauty advisors

• Video consultations for skincare or makeup advice
   

5. Social Sharing & Influencer Integration

• Share wishlists or favorite products on Instagram, WhatsApp, or Pinterest

• Integrate with influencer reviews, tutorials, or social proof features
   

6. Subscription Box Feature

• Monthly/quarterly curated beauty boxes

• Auto-renewal and customization options for subscribers
   

7. Store Locator & Click & Collect

• Locate nearby physical stores

• Option to reserve online and pick up in-store
   

8. Multilingual & Multi-Currency Support

• Language and currency localization for global reach

• Geo-based recommendations and promotions
   

9. Smart Notifications

• Personalized push notifications for:

  • New arrivals

  • Restocks

  • Sale alerts

  • Birthday discounts

  • Beauty tips and tutorials
     

10. Virtual Beauty Community

• A user forum or feed where users can share tips, reviews, and makeup looks

• Like, comment, and follow other beauty lovers
   

11. Voice Search Integration

• Hands-free search for products or categories

• Supports natural language queries (e.g., “Show me red matte lipsticks”)
   

12. Admin & Vendor Panel (For Marketplace Models)

• Product & inventory management

• Sales analytics & performance reports

• Order and delivery tracking

• Promotions & discount control

 

Steps to Develop a Cosmetic Shopping App Like Sephora

 

 

1. Conduct Market Research & Define Your Strategy

 

Begin by analyzing beauty industry trends, user preferences, and competitors like Sephora and Nykaa. Define your target audience and choose a suitable business model whether it's a single-brand store, multi-brand marketplace, or subscription-based platform.

 

2. Finalize Features & Tech Stack

 

List must-have features like product catalogs, secure checkout, AR try-ons, reviews, and loyalty programs. Choose a scalable tech stack (Flutter/React Native for front-end, Node.js/Django for backend) and plan third-party integrations like payment gateways, AR SDKs, and analytics.

 

3. Design UI/UX & Build MVP

 

Design an elegant, user-friendly interface that reflects a premium beauty brand. Start development with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) focusing on core features to launch faster, gather early feedback, and validate your idea.

 

4. Test, Launch & Analyze

 

Conduct rigorous QA testing across devices to ensure functionality, security, and performance. Launch your app on app stores and monitor key metrics using analytics tools to track usage, sales, and engagement.

 

5. Iterate, Maintain & Scale

 

Use real user feedback to refine your app. Continuously update with new features, run promotional campaigns, and optimize performance. Invest in ongoing maintenance and marketing to scale successfully in the competitive beauty market.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like Sephora?

 

The cost of developing a beauty and cosmetic shopping app like Sephora depends on several factors such as feature complexity, technology stack, design quality, development location, and platform choice (iOS, Android, or both). On average, a fully-featured app like Sephora development costs anywhere between 15,000 and $50,000+.

 

 

 

Key Factors Influencing the Development Cost of Sephora App

 

1. App Features & Functionality

• Basic features (product catalog, search, cart, checkout, reviews) cost less.

• Advanced features like AR virtual try-on, AI recommendations, loyalty programs, and in-app consultations significantly increase costs.
   

2. Design & User Experience

• High-end UI/UX design tailored for premium beauty shoppers involves more time and budget.

• Custom animations, smooth transitions, and elegant product displays raise the cost.
   

3. Platform Choice

• iOS or Android (single platform): lower cost.

• Both platforms or cross-platform development: higher cost but greater market reach.
   

4. Backend Development

• Includes product management, order handling, analytics, vendor dashboards, and more.

• More robust backends (especially for multi-vendor apps) increase cost.
   

5. Third-Party Integrations

• AR SDKs, payment gateways, social login, analytics tools, and email/SMS APIs all add to the development cost.
   

6. Development Team Location

• USA/Canada: $80–$150/hour

• Eastern Europe: $40–$70/hour

• India/Southeast Asia: $20–$40/hou

 

 

Top 5 Beauty and Cosmetic Apps Like Sephora

 

With the rising demand for online beauty shopping, several brands have built powerful mobile apps that rival Sephora’s in terms of product variety, personalization, user experience, and digital innovation. Let’s take a closer look at five standout cosmetic shopping apps that are redefining the beauty retail experience in their own unique way.

 

1. Nykaa

 

 

Nykaa is one of India’s most trusted and dominant beauty and lifestyle eCommerce platforms. What started as an online beauty store has now become a beauty-tech ecosystem, featuring thousands of international and Indian brands across skincare, haircare, makeup, wellness, and fashion. The Nykaa app offers a seamless and intuitive shopping journey, enhanced by beauty content, reviews, and expert recommendations.

 

2. Purplle

 

Purplle has carved a niche in the online beauty market by offering high-quality beauty and personal care products at highly competitive prices. The app caters to a broad audience by promoting affordability without compromising on quality. It also houses a mix of well-known and emerging D2C brands, making it a favorite for budget-conscious beauty lovers.
 

3. SUGAR Cosmetics

 

SUGAR Cosmetics is a bold, modern, and fast-growing Indian cosmetics brand with a strong digital presence. Its mobile app delivers a vibrant, edgy, and personalized shopping experience that reflects the brand’s identity. With a focus on high-performance products designed for Indian skin tones and weather, the app offers direct access to the latest collections, content, and exclusive offers.

 

4. RENÉE Cosmetics

 

RENÉE Cosmetics is a rapidly growing Indian beauty brand known for its innovation in product design, especially its multi-purpose makeup sticks and clean formulations. The app offers a chic and minimalistic shopping experience, targeting users who seek convenience, style, and versatility in their beauty routines. RENÉE focuses heavily on user-friendly design and curated collections.

 

5. KIKO MILANO

 

KIKO MILANO, headquartered in Italy, is a globally celebrated beauty brand known for its colorful, high-quality makeup and skincare products. The KIKO app reflects the brand’s luxurious yet accessible philosophy, offering a premium mobile shopping experience. With a focus on visual aesthetics and performance, KIKO appeals to a wide range of users—from professional makeup artists to casual beauty lovers.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Building a cosmetic shopping app like Sephora is more than just creating a beauty eCommerce platform, it's about delivering a personalized, immersive, and tech-savvy beauty experience. With features like AR-powered try-ons, smart recommendations, loyalty programs, and influencer-driven content, you can transform casual shoppers into loyal brand advocates. Whether you’re a beauty startup or an established retailer looking to scale digitally, investing in a feature-rich, user-centric app can unlock long-term customer engagement and revenue. Partnering with a trusted mobile app development company like IMG Global Infotech ensures your vision is brought to life with the right strategy, technology, and support. Now’s the time to innovate and lead in the digital beauty space.