Sally Beauty is a chain of beauty supply stores that sells professional-grade and consumer hair, skin, and nail products
Sally Beauty operates over 3,000 locations across North America and the UK, selling products you would find in a professional salon — shampoos, dyes, styling tools, nail supplies, and wigs — directly to consumers and licensed professionals. Unlike department stores, Sally Beauty focuses entirely on beauty supplies rather than clothing or general merchandise. You can walk in without an appointment, browse the aisles, and buy individual items or bulk quantities.
The stores are organized by product type: hair care in one section, color in another, nail supplies in a third. Staff members are trained on product use and can answer questions about which dye shade matches your hair type or how the process works a particular treatment. Many locations also offer services like hair coloring or wig fitting in a salon area at the back of the store, though not all locations have this capability.
Key Takeaways
- Sally Beauty sells professional beauty products over the counter without requiring a cosmetology license, though some items are restricted to licensed professionals in certain states.
- You can shop in-store without an appointment, or order online and pick up at your local store or have items shipped to your home.
- Sally Beauty offers a rewards program called Sally Beauty Rewards that tracks purchases and gives you points toward discounts on future buys.
- Prices vary by location and product type, but professional-grade products at Sally Beauty typically cost less than buying them at a salon.
- Staff can answer questions about product use, but they are not licensed cosmetologists and cannot provide professional beauty services beyond what the store offers.
What products Sally Beauty carries and who can buy them
Sally Beauty stocks hair dyes (permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary), bleach, developer, shampoos, conditioners, styling products, heat tools like blow dryers and flat irons, nail polish, nail tools, acrylic and gel supplies, wigs, extensions, and skincare items. The product range includes both budget-friendly and premium brands. Some items are sold in professional sizes — a bottle of shampoo meant for salon use, for example — which costs less per ounce than consumer sizes but requires buying a larger quantity.
Most products are sold to anyone who walks in. However, some states restrict the sale of certain items — particularly professional-strength chemical treatments — to people who hold a current cosmetology or esthetician license. If you encounter a restriction, the staff member will ask to see your license before completing the purchase. This varies by state and sometimes by individual product, so ask at the register if you are unsure.
How to shop at Sally Beauty in-store
Walk into any Sally Beauty location during business hours — most are open seven days a week, though hours vary by store. You can browse freely or ask a staff member for help finding a specific product or category. If you need information on which shade of dye to use or how the process works a product, staff can point you toward options and explain the differences, though they cannot diagnose hair or skin conditions or recommend medical treatments.
Bring your items to the register to pay. Sally Beauty accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards. If you do not have a rewards account yet, you can sign up at the register with your phone number or email address — it takes less than a minute and starts earning points when ready on that purchase. You can also bring a reusable bag or ask for a plastic bag at checkout.
Shopping online and picking up or shipping
Visit sallysbeauty.com to browse the full product catalog and check stock at your nearest store. You can filter by product type, brand, price, or customer rating. Once you add items to your cart, you have two options: pick up at a store location (usually ready within a few hours to one business day) or have them shipped to your home. Shipping costs vary based on order size and your location; orders over a certain amount may may have access to for free shipping, though this threshold changes periodically.
When you pick up in-store, you will receive a notification when your order is ready, and you can collect it at the customer service desk. Online orders are subject to the same return policy as in-store purchases — typically 60 days with a receipt and the original packaging intact.
Sally Beauty Rewards and pricing
Sally Beauty Rewards is a free loyalty program that tracks your purchases and awards points. You earn points on every dollar spent, and points convert to discounts you can use on future purchases. The program also sends members exclusive coupons and early notice of sales. You can enroll at any register or online before you shop, and your account is linked to your phone number or email address.
Prices at Sally Beauty are set by the company but can vary slightly between locations and change seasonally. Professional-grade products typically cost 20 to 40 percent less at Sally Beauty than you would pay at a salon, because you are buying directly from the distributor rather than through a salon markup. However, prices are higher than you might find at a general drugstore for consumer brands like Pantene or Garnier, because Sally Beauty specializes in professional lines.
Services available at some Sally Beauty locations
Many Sally Beauty stores have a salon area where licensed professionals offer services like hair coloring, highlights, or wig fitting. Not all locations have this service — it depends on whether the store has a licensed stylist on staff and whether your state permits it. Call ahead or check the store locator on sallysbeauty.com to see whether your nearest location offers services and what the current wait time is.
If your store does offer services, you can usually book an appointment online or by phone, though walk-ins are often accepted if a stylist is available. Prices for services are separate from product prices and vary by location and the complexity of the work. You can purchase products and have services done at the same visit.
Returns and refunds
Sally Beauty accepts returns within 60 days of purchase if you have your receipt and the product is in its original packaging and unused condition. Opened or used products cannot be returned. If you bought the item with a Sally Beauty Rewards account, the return is credited back to your original payment method and your rewards points are reversed.
If you purchased online and want to return an item, you can return it to any Sally Beauty store location or initiate a return through your online account for a prepaid shipping label. Refunds typically process within 5 to 10 business days after the store or warehouse receives the returned item.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cosmetology license to buy hair dye or bleach at Sally Beauty?
In most states, no — consumers can buy professional-grade dyes and bleach over the counter. However, a few states restrict certain chemical products to licensed professionals. If you encounter a restriction, the cashier will let you know and ask for your license. Call your local store ahead of time if you are unsure whether your state has restrictions.
Can I return a product if I opened it but did not use it?
No. Sally Beauty's return policy requires products to be in original, unopened packaging. Once you open a box or bottle, it cannot be returned, even if you did not use the contents. This is a safety and hygiene standard across beauty supply retailers.
What is the difference between Sally Beauty products and drugstore brands?
Sally Beauty carries professional-grade lines designed for salon use, which tend to have higher concentrations of active ingredients and are formulated for frequent or intensive use. Drugstore brands are formulated for occasional home use and typically cost less. Sally Beauty also stocks some consumer brands, so you can find both types in the same store.
How long does it take to get an online order?
In-store pickup is usually ready within a few hours to one business day. Shipping times depend on your location and the shipping method you choose at checkout — standard shipping typically takes 5 to 7 business days, while expedited options are available for an additional fee.
Can I use a Sally Beauty coupon with my Rewards points?
Yes. Coupons and Rewards points can be combined on a single purchase. The discount from your coupon applies first, then your Rewards points are deducted from the final total.