Beauty brands that invest in loyalty programs see measurable results. 83% of consumers say loyalty programs influence their purchasing decisions, and the data backs this up—Ulta generates 95% of total sales from loyalty members while Sephora drives 80% of North American sales through Beauty Insider.
The platforms and programs featured below represent diverse approaches to customer retention, from developer-friendly solutions built for modern Shopify architecture to established programs from beauty retail giants. Whether you operate a clinical skincare line, color cosmetics brand, or clean beauty company, these examples offer proven frameworks for building lasting customer relationships.
1) Rivo — Built for Shopify Beauty Brands
Rivo delivers fully customizable loyalty and referral programs using modern Shopify architecture instead of legacy workarounds. The platform serves over 7,000 brands including leading beauty companies like Kitsch, OSEA, and DRMTLGY.
Best For
DTC beauty brands on Shopify Plus seeking customizable loyalty programs without annual contracts
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $499/month
Rating
4.8/5 (1,409 reviews)
Key Features
- Fully customizable points-based loyalty with VIP tier automation based on spend, points earned, or orders placed
- 8+ checkout touchpoints allowing customers to spend points as payment method
- White-labeled referral programs with 20+ fraud prevention tools including IP monitoring and self-referral blocking
- Visual page builder with custom CSS and fonts integrated into Shopify theme editor
- Developer Toolkit with REST API, JavaScript API, native Liquid metafields, and webhooks
- Shopify POS integration for unified online and in-store experiences
Rivo stands out as the first open platform for Shopify loyalty, processing 2.9 billion API calls annually while maintaining 99.98% uptime. The platform is 100% bootstrapped with zero venture capital, enabling month-to-month contracts instead of annual commitments that competitors require.
The platform integrates directly into Shopify's infrastructure using theme app extensions loading under 100ms, checkout extensions, and Shopify Flow. This modern approach avoids legacy workarounds, instead using Shopify Plus capabilities including stackable discounts and checkout extensibility.
Beauty Brand Results
Beauty brands on Rivo demonstrate measurable retention improvements:
- Kitsch: Generated $5.8M in loyalty-attributed revenue with 1.2M activated customers and 8.7x higher repeat purchase rate for top-tier VIPs
- OSEA: Achieved 77% repeat purchase rate among members who redeem rewards, with $167 AOV (40% above site average)
- DRMTLGY: Offers $150 maximum discounts supporting full product routines with personalized consultations
The platform offers white-glove onboarding on Plus and Enterprise plans, following a structured 3-week implementation process. Migration assistance is available from competitors including Yotpo, Smile.io, and LoyaltyLion.
Integration capabilities span email (Klaviyo, Postscript, Attentive), reviews (Okendo, Junip, Stamped), and 50+ additional apps.
Standout Feature
The Rivo Activate feature enables frictionless auto-login from Klaviyo emails using 26-character alphanumeric authentication, eliminating password friction that typically prevents program enrollment and driving 500-1000% increases in activated accounts.
Request a demo to see how Rivo's checkout integration reduces payment processing fees while increasing loyalty redemptions.
2) Yotpo Loyalty — Enterprise Strategic Partnership
Yotpo Loyalty positions itself as a strategic partner rather than just software, offering dedicated Customer Success Managers for brands serious about retention as a profit center.
Best For
Enterprise beauty brands wanting unified loyalty, reviews, and SMS marketing
Price
Custom pricing
Rating
4.7/5 (2,200+ reviews)
Key Features
- Unified platform combining loyalty programs with reviews and SMS marketing
- Dedicated CSM providing strategic support for program optimization
- Advanced VIP tiers with flexible point expiration rules
- Built specifically for ecommerce (not retrofitted from retail loyalty)
- Partnership-driven approach with quarterly strategy sessions
Yotpo earned recognition as a best-in-class loyalty solution built specifically for ecommerce brands. The platform targets mid-market to enterprise merchants who view loyalty as a strategic investment.
The platform's 4.5/5 Capterra rating reflects strong enterprise satisfaction despite a steeper learning curve than plug-and-play alternatives.
Standout Feature
The unified marketing suite eliminates the need to sync data between separate loyalty, review, and messaging platforms—reducing technical overhead for marketing teams.
3) Smile.io — Market Leader with Longest Track Record
Smile.io holds the position as the longest-tenured platform with over a decade of stability since its 2012 founding.
Best For
Beauty brands prioritizing proven stability and extensive review validation
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $999/month
Rating
4.9/5 (4,111 reviews)
Key Features
- Loyalty Hub for signed-in members integrated into Shopify customer accounts
- Points, VIP tiers, and referral programs with extensive configuration options
- Deep Klaviyo integration for loyalty-driven email campaigns
- Built for Shopify badge with highest review count in the category
- 91% of ratings are 5 stars, demonstrating consistent satisfaction
Smile.io's 4,111 reviews represent the largest validation dataset in the Shopify loyalty space. The platform benefits from years of stability and incremental improvements rather than rapid innovation cycles.
The free plan supports up to 200 monthly orders, matching competitors while offering the confidence of market leadership.
Standout Feature
The sheer volume of reviews and years in market provide unmatched validation for risk-averse beauty brands evaluating loyalty program software.
4) LoyaltyLion — Best Analytics and Data-Driven Insights
LoyaltyLion focuses on data-driven loyalty for D2C brands, offering industry-leading analytics and RFM (recency, frequency, monetary) analysis.
Best For
Beauty brands prioritizing analytics and data-driven program optimization
Price
Starting at $199/month
Rating
4.8/5 (479 reviews)
Key Features
- Advanced analytics with RFM segmentation
- POS support with robust reporting for omnichannel retailers
- Focus on non-transactional customer behaviors
- Built specifically for D2C ecommerce brands
- 4.4/5 Capterra rating from enterprise users
LoyaltyLion distinguishes itself through analytics capabilities that help beauty brands understand which loyalty activities drive actual revenue. The platform targets brands that view loyalty as a strategic lever rather than a basic discount mechanism.
The platform's research shows 39% of Shopify stores currently have loyalty programs, with 44% of remaining stores actively implementing one.
Standout Feature
Industry-leading analytics suite provides insights into program performance that basic platforms cannot match, justifying the higher price point for data-driven beauty brands.
5) BON Loyalty Program & Rewards — Highest-Rated Platform
BON Loyalty achieved a perfect 5.0/5 rating across 1,600 reviews, the highest rating among comprehensive loyalty apps.
Best For
Global beauty brands needing multilingual support and perfect user ratings
Price
Free (forever plan) to $349/month
Rating
5.0/5 (1,600 reviews)
Key Features
- AI-powered automation for loyalty campaigns and customer engagement
- Anti-cheat referral program with fraud detection built in
- Support for 250+ languages for international beauty brands
- B2B tier program for wholesale customer loyalty
- 97% of ratings are 5 stars, demonstrating exceptional satisfaction
BON Loyalty earned recognition as rated a perfect 5/5 from nearly 200+ global merchants. The platform launched in August 2021, proving newer entrants can compete on quality.
The free forever plan includes full referral and points programs without artificial limitations, making it accessible to growing beauty brands.
Standout Feature
Perfect 5.0/5 rating demonstrates the platform delivers on promises consistently, addressing a common gap where established platforms accumulate negative reviews over time.
Building Your Beauty Loyalty Strategy
Beauty brands implementing loyalty programs achieve measurable improvements in customer retention rates, repeat purchase frequency, and customer lifetime value. 83% of consumers say loyalty programs influence their purchasing decisions.
Choosing the Right Platform
Shopify-native platforms provide seamless integration advantages for D2C beauty brands. Native integrations load faster, maintain data consistency, and avoid technical complications of third-party connections.
Critical integration points include:
- Checkout integration for points redemption directly at purchase completion
- Customer accounts with unified loyalty dashboard
- POS systems for omnichannel programs
- Email platforms through Klaviyo, Postscript, or Attentive
- Review platforms through Okendo or Junip
Modern platforms load in under 100ms using Shopify theme app extensions, preventing page speed degradation that harms conversion rates.
Program Design Best Practices
The most successful beauty loyalty programs share common elements:
Tiered structures create aspirational goals. Every successful program uses tiers to encourage increased spending and engagement through strategic tier design.
Simple earning mechanisms reduce friction. Programs with clear conversion (like 1 point = 1 cent) outperform complex systems.
Experiential rewards differentiate beyond discounts. VIP events, early access, and exclusive products create emotional connections that pure discount programs cannot achieve.
Brand alignment reinforces positioning. OSEA's ocean theme and LUSH's sustainability focus turn loyalty into storytelling that deepens customer relationships.
Measuring Success
Track program performance through both participation metrics and business impact measures. Beauty brands should monitor:
- Loyalty-attributed revenue percentage
- Repeat purchase rate for members vs. non-members
- Average order value lift for loyalty participants
- Customer lifetime value increase from program members
- Points liability as percentage of outstanding obligations
Customer retention rate improvements demonstrate loyalty program impact on core business objectives. Compare 90-day and 180-day retention between loyalty members and non-participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most effective types of loyalty programs for beauty brands?
Tiered points programs dominate the beauty industry. Every successful program uses some form of tier structure—from Sephora's three-tier Beauty Insider to OSEA's ocean-themed progression. The key is creating clear aspirational goals that encourage increased spending while rewarding current customers. Tiered structures drive 30-40% higher engagement than flat-structure loyalty by creating clear progression paths and escalating benefits that motivate customers to reach higher tiers.
How can a beauty brand increase customer retention through rewards programs?
Focus on repeat purchase drivers and redemption rates. OSEA members who redeem rewards show a 77% repeat purchase rate, and Kitsch's top-tier VIPs have 8.7x higher repeat purchase rates. Redemption is the key metric—programs should make earning and spending points frictionless through seamless checkout integration. Beauty brands should also leverage email integration through platforms like Klaviyo to trigger automated campaigns based on point balances, tier changes, and redemption opportunities.
What platform should Shopify beauty brands use for loyalty programs?
Rivo stands out for Shopify beauty brands through modern architecture, native checkout integration, VIP tier automation, and 20+ fraud prevention tools for referrals. The platform processes 2.9 billion API calls annually while maintaining 99.98% uptime. Brands like Kitsch and OSEA have generated millions in loyalty-attributed revenue on the platform. Essential features include developer toolkit access, Shopify Flow integration, and month-to-month contracts enabling experimentation without long-term commitments.
How do referral programs benefit beauty brand customer acquisition?
Referral programs turn customers into advocates while providing lower-cost acquisition channels. 58% of brands prioritize personalization in loyalty, but referrals offer measurable ROI through word-of-mouth marketing. The key is fraud prevention—programs need IP monitoring, self-referral blocking, and order verification to maintain integrity. Beauty brands should integrate referral rewards with loyalty point earning to create unified retention and acquisition systems that reward both referrer and referee.
Can small beauty brands compete with Sephora and Ulta's loyalty programs?
Yes, with the right platform and strategy. DTC brands on modern platforms compete by offering personalized experiences that major retailers cannot match. Kitsch generated $5.8M in loyalty-attributed revenue, and DRMTLGY offers $150 rewards—benefits that rival or exceed enterprise programs. Small brands achieve disproportionate loyalty impact through exclusive product access, personalized rewards reflecting brand positioning, and direct founder communication with top-tier members. Request a demo to see how modern platforms enable sophisticated loyalty programs without enterprise budgets.
