You're standing in the middle of a Kohl's aisle, clutching a crisp Sephora gift card you got for your birthday. You see the glowing "Sephora at Kohl's" sign in the distance. The logic seems foolproof: Sephora gift card plus Sephora products should equal a done deal. But then you remember how weird corporate partnerships can be. Honestly, retail rules in 2026 feel like they require a law degree just to buy a tube of mascara.
So, let's cut to the chase. Can you use that card? Yes. But—and it's a big "but"—there are some specific hoops you have to jump through that catch people off guard every single day.
The Short Answer (And the Fine Print)
You can absolutely use a Sephora gift card at Kohl's, but only if you are checking out at the Sephora counter inside the store. If you try to take your Fenty foundation and your Sephora gift card to the main Kohl's registers—you know, the ones near the home goods or the Amazon return desk—it's not going to work. The systems are technically separate. Think of it like a store-within-a-store. Sephora at Kohl's operates on its own little digital island.
Where it works:
- Physical Sephora at Kohl's locations: Just walk up to the dedicated beauty counter.
- Standalone Sephora stores: Obviously, no issues here.
- Sephora.com: Works like a charm.
Where it definitely won't work:
- Kohls.com: This is the most frustrating one. Even if you're buying Sephora products on the Kohl's website, their online checkout system currently doesn't have a way to "read" a Sephora-issued gift card.
- The Kohl’s App: Same deal as the website.
The Return Trap Nobody Talks About
This is where things get kinda messy. Imagine you use your $50 Sephora gift card to buy a moisturizer at a Kohl's location. Two days later, you realize it makes your skin break out. You go back to Kohl's to return it.
Most people expect the money to go back onto a Sephora gift card. Nope.
According to Kohl's official policy as of early 2026, returns for Sephora items purchased with a Sephora gift card are typically issued as a Kohl’s Merchandise Credit.
This is a huge distinction. That merchandise credit can't be used at a standalone Sephora. It’s now "Kohl's money." You can use it to buy a toaster, some jeans, or even more makeup at the Sephora desk inside Kohl's, but you've effectively "locked" that value into the Kohl's ecosystem.
The "Double Dipping" Rewards Strategy
If you're going to shop at Sephora at Kohl's, you've gotta play the rewards game right. It’s one of the few times corporate greed actually works in your favor.
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Even when you pay with a gift card, you can still earn Sephora Beauty Insider points. You just have to make sure your accounts are linked. At the register, the associate will usually ask for your phone number or email.
But wait—there's more. You can also earn Kohl’s Rewards on those same beauty purchases. While you generally can't spend Kohl's Cash on Sephora products, you can certainly earn it while buying them. It’s a bit of a lopsided relationship, but hey, free money for clothes because you bought expensive hair oil? We'll take it.
The Gift Card Swap: A Pro Move
Let's say you have a Kohl’s gift card instead. Can you use that at Sephora?
Only at the Sephora-inside-Kohl's locations. You can't take a Kohl's gift card to a big standalone Sephora in the mall. However, there is a clever workaround. Kohl's often sells physical Sephora gift cards on their gift card racks.
I’ve seen people use a Kohl's gift card to "buy" a Sephora gift card. It’s basically laundering your store credit to make it more flexible. Just keep in mind that some stores have started cracking down on "gift card for gift card" purchases to prevent fraud, so your mileage may vary depending on how grumpy the manager is that day.
Dealing with Merchandise Credits vs. Gift Cards
It’s important to know what’s in your wallet.
- Sephora Gift Card: The gold standard. Works at Sephora, Sephora.com, and Sephora at Kohl’s.
- Sephora Merchandise Credit: Usually yellow or silver. This is only for standalone Sephora stores. Kohl's won't touch these.
- Kohl’s Merchandise Credit: Only for Kohl's and Sephora at Kohl's.
If you try to use a "Sephora Store Credit" (the kind you get for a return without a receipt at a standalone store) at Kohl's, the register will literally just beep at the cashier. It's a different barcode format entirely.
Summary of Use Cases
| If you have this: | Can you use it at Sephora at Kohl's? | Can you use it at Kohls.com? |
|---|---|---|
| Sephora Gift Card | Yes (at the Sephora desk) | No |
| Sephora eGift Card | Yes (scan from phone) | No |
| Sephora Store Credit | No | No |
| Kohl's Gift Card | Yes | Yes |
Practical Next Steps
Before you head out the door with your gift card, do these three things to avoid a headache:
- Check the Store Locator: Not every single Kohl's has a Sephora inside yet, though most do by now in 2026. Use the Kohl's app to filter for "Sephora" to be 100% sure.
- Screenshot your eGift Card: Cell service inside big box stores is notoriously spotty. Don't be the person holding up the line while your email app struggles to load a barcode.
- Link your accounts: Go to the Kohl's website and make sure your Beauty Insider and Kohl's Rewards accounts are connected. This ensures that even if the cashier forgets to ask, your points are tracked automatically.
If you’re planning a big haul, honestly, it’s usually easier to just use the gift card at Sephora.com or a standalone store. The inventory is better, and the return policy is much more straightforward. But if you’re already at Kohl's to pick up some towels and a new air fryer, that Sephora counter is a pretty convenient way to burn through your birthday balance.