I received three Sephora gift cards for my birthday in September and couldn't stop checking my balances between purchases afterward. It began getting a little out of hand, but then I discovered the ideal solution that I preferred best.
As with most beauty fanatics, I have experienced my fair share of frustration at being at checkout and not knowing my gift card balance. I tried all options to check Sephora card balance through several trials and errors, including checking via its website and app and even in-person at its stores.
In this article, I’ll share my experience and explain the best ways to check your Sephora gift card balance.
Key takeaways
- The app is the best way to check gift card balance. Log in, navigate to My Wallet, and your balance will instantly appear. You don't need to enter the digits on your card manually.
- You can access your balance in three convenient options: through Sephora's website, in Sephora's app, or at any Sephora store location.
- Attaching your gift card to your Beauty Insider account will simplify checking your balance and enable you to track your spending and earn rewards for your purchases.
- When you get your card, photograph your PIN and gift card number. It’s great when your physical card is lost or you want to check your Sephora card balance quickly.
- The Sephora app will allow you to stack different gift cards and see them in one place, allowing easier tracking of your overall value accessible in your pool of cards.
Three ways to check your sephora gift card balance
I’ve tried out different options to check my Sephora gift card balance. I'll explain in detail how each one works.
Online on the Sephora website
- Visit Sephora.com.
- From the menu, hover over Gifts & Gift Cards, then click on Gift Card.
- Click on Check Your Balance.
- Enter your 16-digit gift card number and your 8-digit PIN.
- Once done, click Check Balance.
- Your current balance will then appear on the screen.
This process takes less than a minute, and you don't need to create an account to check your balance.
Via the Sephora mobile app
- Download Sephora on your phone’s app store.
- Open the app and log in to your account (or create an account).
- Click on My Account in the menu at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Click on Offers and vouchers from the menu options.
- From here, click on My Giftcards.
- Under the My Giftcards section, you’ll see the page where you can add your Sephora gift card. Enter the number on your gift card.
- Click on Submit.
- It adds your gift card to your Sephora app. From there, you can see your balance.
After adding your Sephora gift card to the mobile app, you can quickly check your balance with a simple two-tap process.
In-store at Sephora locations
- Redeem your in-person Sephora Gift Card at any Sephora store.
- Go to the checkout counter.
- Have one of the Sephor staff confirm your balance.
- Hand over your gift card to them.
- They will scan and notify you of its current value
This method is handy when I’m already at the store and plan to shop for some things.
What worked best for me: my go-to method
The Sephora app revolutionized my Sephora gift card management. In September, I had three birthday gift cards, and I first tried all of the traditional options: checking online, keeping the physical cards in my bag, and asking store representatives. But they just didn't work.
Everything changed when I installed the app. On a lunch break run through a store, I saw I could save all my gift card information in the app's wallet—no fumbling with several cards and attempting to recall which one had a specific balance any longer. I’ll get my Sephora app balance with a simple tap on my phone.
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When I'm in stores, buying and purchasing through the web, checking my balance is a breeze. I'm a big lover of having my Sephora app, and I use it a lot when deciding whether I can splurge and buy that new limited edition palette or save my balance for future holiday sets. At this point, I could not switch to another method to check my Sephora gift card balance.
Common challenges you might encounter and how to solve them
Based on my experiences with Sephora gift cards, I have encountered several stumbling blocks in my journey. Fortunately, I have discovered simple workarounds for all of them.
- Misplaced Gift Cards or PIN Codes
I have experienced having a physical gift card go missing and being unable to scan my PIN. Since then, I have started taking a picture of my PIN and card number when I get my gift card and storing them in a passworded file on my phone, which has saved me numerous times.
If you lost your card and don't have your information stored, Sephora's customer service can help. All you need is your original purchase receipt.
- Technical Errors on the Website or App
Occasionally, your app or website reports errors when checking your balance. Clearing your web browser cache and updating your app will correct most of these errors. If you're accessing an app and have an issue, log out and log in again. For recurring mistakes, I have uninstalled and reinstalled my app with success.
- Balance Discrepancies
I have seen differences between my purchases and my balance a few times when I purchased many items at one location. I have developed a routine of taking a picture of my receipt for any purchase with a Sephora gift card and periodically checking my purchase record in my Sephora account to track my spending.
- Multiple Sephora Gift Card Management
Managing several gift cards can become a burden. I accidentally used the wrong card for a purchase because I had different balances to track. After that incident, I always included all my cards in Sephora's app and assigned them names. Having such an easy and efficient hack has prevented future mix-ups during checkout.
- Expired or Inactive Cards
I recently tried to use a Sephora gift card I'd stored in my dresser for a few months, but it won't work. Sephora gift cards don't have an expiration date, but if you don't use them for an extended period, they become inactive.
I've discovered that a quick phone call to Sephora's customer service will reactivate your card when you confirm your information. Therefore, I now review my cards, even when I don't intend to make a purchase.
Tips for managing your Sephora gift card
- Make your gift cards part of your Beauty Insider account. You'll receive reward points for purchases and efficiently track spending. Having your card information there even quickens checkout.
- Hold your Sephora gift card for major Sephora sales events. I used my Sephora gift card during Sephora's VIB sale in November to buy skincare items, getting my Sephora gift cards to go even further.
- Snap both sides of your gift cards and store them safely on your phone. Access to card and PIN information at your fingertips saved me during various store trips.
- Organize your Sephora app with labels for each card and record their respective balances. Simple organization helps when using several cards at a time.
- Make it a routine to check your balance beforehand when planning to go out and shop. It is simple with your mobile app—a quick scan can prevent embarrassing situations at checkout.
- Store gift card details in your Sephora account for faster online shopping. It eliminates the need to enter card information repeatedly.
- Turn on the Sephora app notifications to receive updates about sales and discounts when you have Sephora gift cards to use.
FAQs about Sephora gift cards
Can I check my Sephora gift card balance without logging in?
Yes. You can check Sephora card balance on Sephora.com without creating an account. Simply visit the gift card balance page, enter your card number and PIN, and your balance will display instantly.
How do I reload my Sephora gift card?
You cannot reload your Sephora gift card. When your fund runs out, you must replace it with a new one. However, you can load several gift cards onto your Beauty Insider and use them together.
What should I do if my card balance is incorrect?
If you have discrepancies in your balance, contact Sephora's customer service with your most current transaction activity and gift card number. Have them review your account and make any necessary corrections.
Can I combine multiple gift card balances?
No. You cannot merge gift card balances onto a single card. But you can pay for one purchase with several gift cards. You can use various gift cards to pay for your overall purchase online or through an app.
Does my Sephora gift card expire?
Yes. Sephora gift cards don't expire, but if you haven't used your card for a long time, you will need to contact customer service to reactivate it.
Can I use my Sephora gift card at the JCPenney Sephora locations?
Yes. You can use your Sephora gift card at both stand-alone Sephora stores and Sephora in JC Penney stores. Remember to store your physical card or card information in your app.
Final thoughts: make the most of your Sephora gift cards
My experiences with Sephora gift cards have convinced me that having a proper strategy can make a significant impact. Having researched various options for checking my gift card balance, I found the mobile app was my go-to method for all Sephora-related transactions. It has made a tedious task into something I barely think about and stress over anymore.
Aside from checking your balances, I've discovered that getting the most out of your Sephora gift cards is about developing a system that works for you. That could mean connecting your cards to your Beauty Insider, holding onto them for big sales, or simply tracking your spending in a manner that works for you. Whatever it is, it's about discovering what works for your shopping style.
Don't forget to take advantage of all Sephora can provide, including its Beauty Insider program and mobile app. After all, your Sephora gift card isn't just store credit; it's your ticket to enjoying your Sephora shopping experience with no balance-checking headaches getting in your way.