Cvs Beauty Club Freebies Whats In It Now What Ended And How To Maximize Beauty Rewards

Introduction

The CVS Beauty Club, once a standalone loyalty program, has undergone significant changes in recent years, reshaping how customers access freebies and rewards in the beauty aisle. Official communications from CVS Health confirm the program’s evolution toward an experience-centric model that integrates with the broader ExtraCare membership and offers recurring free gift selections, special events, and personalized deals. Meanwhile, some community reports and independent deal sites suggest the previous program was discontinued or subsumed into ExtraCare, creating mixed signals for consumers. This article clarifies the current structure of the CVS Beauty Club, outlines what freebies and rewards are actually available, details eligibility and redemption, and compares the program to a parallel brand initiative, the e.l.f. Beauty Squad, to help U.S. consumers make informed decisions about where to find beauty freebies and trial experiences.

The Current CVS Beauty Club Structure

CVS Health’s announcements describe a reimagined loyalty program centered on the ExtraCare BeautyClub membership, with enhancements designed to offer more experiential benefits. The modern BeautyClub emphasizes free monthly gifts when members spend on qualifying beauty items, event-based rewards, and communications via SMS or the CVS App. These updates reflect direct responses to customer feedback requesting a more engaging, discovery-driven beauty rewards program. According to the official announcement, BeautyClub members can:

• Choose a free beauty gift each month when they spend $30 on qualifying beauty items, redeemable in stores or on CVS.com. CVS rotates brand options, allowing members to select from a curated set that typically includes skin health and wellness-driven products.
• Earn an additional 10% ExtraBucks Rewards during special periods, including the semiannual Epic Beauty Events and new Beauty VIP Private Sale events, with a cap of $20 earned per event.
• Receive personalized deals and mobile-exclusive beauty offers through SMS or push notifications from the CVS App.

CVS positions these benefits as part of a broader reimagining of its ExtraCare program, which grants members more flexibility in how they earn and spend ExtraBucks rewards. The free monthly gift appears to be a core feature, allowing members to redeem in store or online. ExtraBucks earned during special events are delivered as rewards, with timing and delivery details specified for ease of use.

How to Join CVS Beauty Club

Enrollment in the CVS Beauty Club is free. The official release and ExtraCare program pages indicate that customers can sign up for both ExtraCare and BeautyClub online or within the CVS Pharmacy mobile app. CVS encourages enrollment for full program access and improved digital experience, particularly for the monthly free gift selection. Early descriptions of the program highlighted a “shopping pass” benefit of 10% off after enrollment; however, the official announcement does not restate this specific offer, suggesting a shift in benefits or the reclassification of incentives under the broader ExtraCare membership.

To participate, customers must be members of ExtraCare and opt into BeautyClub. The mobile app and the ExtraCare website provide the necessary tools to manage rewards, track spending toward monthly free gifts, and redeem special offers. The App’s “Rewards Tracker” is cited as an upgraded feature to help members see their benefits, track earnings, and manage rewards in a single place.

Categories and Qualifying Purchases

Qualifying purchases are central to unlocking monthly free gifts. CVS defines the beauty categories eligible for program benefits as including cosmetics, fragrances, hair care, hair color, facial care, acne, and healthy skin products. Additional eligible items mentioned in official communications include “On the Go” beauty items and hand and body lotion. The program excludes trial and travel-size items, sun care products, CVS beauty services, shave and deodorant products, oral care, and hair accessories.

Early descriptions from community sources add detail to qualifying product lists, describing subcategories within cosmetics (e.g., blush, bronzer, brushes and tools, concealer, eyelashes, eye liners and pencils, eye shadow, foundation, lip gloss, lip liners, lipstick, lip treatments, makeup remover, mascara, nail care, polish, polish remover, powder), skin care (e.g., acne treatments, bath, eye creams, facial cleansers, facial moisturizers, products for men, hand and body lotions, healthy skin care, natural and organic, scar and fade therapy, sensitive skin, sun care, supplements), and hair care (e.g., conditioners, children’s products, men’s products, hair color). While the official announcement emphasizes “healthy skin” and “wellness-driven” products, community posts often list the broader range of categories. For the purposes of program participation, the official definition should be considered authoritative, with community descriptions offering supplementary guidance on the breadth of product coverage.

Monthly Free Gift Mechanics

The free monthly gift is the program’s hallmark benefit, with mechanics that make it accessible for regular beauty shoppers:

• Members must spend $30 on qualifying beauty items in a calendar month to unlock a free gift.
• The monthly spend threshold resets to $0 at the beginning of the next month.
• Members can earn one free gift per month.
• The coupon for the free gift is typically issued two days after the $30 threshold is met. For online orders, the coupon should issue two days after the order ships. For in-store transactions, members should look for the coupon within two to fourteen days of meeting the threshold.
• The gift coupon appears in the “Deals & Rewards” page in the CVS App or on CVS.com, or is printed on the receipt if the transaction occurred in-store.
• Spending can be accumulated across multiple transactions; the cumulative monthly total determines eligibility.
• The gift options rotate monthly and are chosen from a selection of beauty brands curated by CVS.

This approach supports flexibility for shoppers who do not complete the full $30 spend in one transaction, making it easier to reach the threshold over time. The timing of coupon issuance is designed to be predictable, giving members confidence in how and when rewards will be delivered.

Epic Beauty Events and VIP Private Sales

CVS runs semiannual Epic Beauty Events that provide members with additional savings and earning opportunities. During these special events, BeautyClub members can earn 10% back in ExtraBucks Rewards on beauty items, with rewards calculated on the purchase price minus coupons and discounts and before tax. The cap for earned rewards per event is $20. The event-based ExtraBucks coupon is typically issued two days after the end of the special event, and members can find it in the App’s Deals & Rewards page, printed on their receipt, or via the ExtraCare Coupon Center. The inclusion of Epic Beauty Events in the program’s structure offers significant value to regular beauty shoppers, especially those who plan major purchases around these sales.

CVS also introduced Beauty VIP Private Sale events that offer 25% off select brands. The first such event was scheduled from November 14 to November 27, with a curated list of brands including indie and on-trend offerings (e.g., Revolution Beauty, Rainbow, ella+mila, GSQ by Glamsquad) and professional salon haircare (e.g., Biolage, Big Sexy Hair, It’s a 10, American Crew). During private sales, members also have the opportunity to earn 10% back in ExtraBucks across all qualifying BeautyClub categories, with the $20 cap per event applying.

These events extend the program’s value proposition beyond the monthly free gift, adding targeted discounts and earning opportunities that complement the routine benefits. The official announcement frames the private sale as part of a broader commitment to delivering value, innovation, and discovery within the beauty aisles, aligning with the program’s experiential focus.

Discontinuation Reports vs Official Announcements

Community sources and independent deal blogs have reported that the CVS Beauty Club was discontinued as of January 2023, suggesting that the program became part of the standard ExtraCare membership rather than a separate offering. Reports of the program’s discontinuation reflect the lived experience of some shoppers who saw the immediate availability of freebies and certain earn rates change. However, CVS’s official communication describes “enhancements to its ExtraCare BeautyClub loyalty program” and explicitly details a monthly free gift benefit, event-based rewards, and private sales. The coexistence of these narratives—official updates vs. third-party reports of discontinuation—suggests a program transformation rather than a complete elimination.

The discrepancy may stem from changes in enrollment flows, benefits distribution, and the reclassification of rewards under ExtraCare. For example, early descriptions of a 10% “shopping pass” after enrollment are not restated in the official announcement, while the 10% ExtraBucks event earnings remain highlighted. It is plausible that benefits were restructured, with some elements integrated into the main ExtraCare program and others being enhanced within a BeautyClub framework. Given the authority of the CVS Health press release, consumers should rely on official communications for current benefits while treating third-party reports as historical context for how the program changed.

To resolve the confusion, consumers can sign up for ExtraCare and opt into BeautyClub via the CVS App or website. Enrollment remains free, and the App provides the clearest view of current benefits, monthly gift eligibility, and upcoming events. If the program features differ from the past, the App will reflect the most up-to-date, official experience.

ExtraBucks and Birthday Rewards

ExtraBucks are central to CVS’s loyalty ecosystem. Under the current program structure, ExtraBucks can be earned through monthly spending toward free gifts, event-based rewards, and birthday offers. The official announcement highlights a birthday reward of $3 ExtraBucks for BeautyClub members. The App or ExtraCare Coupon Center delivers these offers alongside monthly gift coupons and event-based earnings.

For event-based earnings, the official communication specifies a 10% back on qualifying purchases during Epic Beauty Events and Beauty VIP Private Sale events, with a $20 cap per event. While historical community descriptions mention a $3 ExtraBucks reward for every $30 spent on qualifying beauty purchases, this specific earn rate is not reiterated in the current official announcement. Consumers should prioritize the structure described in official sources to avoid misaligned expectations. As always, CVS’s App and website provide the most reliable view of active earn rates and caps.

How to Maximize Benefits

Maximizing the CVS Beauty Club requires a few practical steps. First, join ExtraCare and opt into BeautyClub through the CVS App or website to ensure access to monthly free gifts and event-based rewards. Second, set a target of $30 per month in qualifying beauty purchases. Since the monthly spend resets at the start of each month and can be accumulated across transactions, shoppers can pace their spending and reach the threshold steadily. Third, keep an eye on Epic Beauty Events and Beauty VIP Private Sales, planning larger or strategically timed purchases to benefit from event-based 10% ExtraBucks and private-sale discounts. This is especially effective for replenishing staples, trying new brands, or making holiday wish lists.

Fourth, enable notifications—SMS and push—through the App to receive personalized beauty offers and deal alerts. The App’s “Rewards Tracker” simplifies tracking of benefits and helps identify when coupons for monthly gifts are issued. Fifth, consider stacking events with personal budget needs. For example, schedule color or hair care purchases to coincide with VIP private sales, and coordinate replenishment of acne or facial care items with the Epic Beauty Event calendar.

Finally, be mindful of the exclusions list. Since trial and travel-size products, sun care, CVS beauty services, shave and deodorant, oral care, and hair accessories are not part of event earnings, shop eligible categories for the highest return on rewards. When in doubt, check the App’s definitions of qualifying categories before planning a purchase.

Example Scenarios

To illustrate how the program works in practice, consider the following scenarios:

A frequent skincare shopper signs up for ExtraCare and opts into BeautyClub. Over the course of a month, they purchase facial cleansers, moisturizers, and eye creams from eligible categories. The cumulative spend reaches $30 by the 20th of the month. Two days later, the App issues a coupon for a free beauty gift. The shopper selects a wellness-driven brand option, redeems it in-store, and continues to track spending for the next month’s gift.

A parent with a teenager adds acne treatments and healthy skin products to their monthly cart. They earn the monthly gift coupon and plan to use the Epic Beauty Event in April to buy a larger set of items, including additional acne and facial care. The 10% ExtraBucks earned during the event appear after the event ends, and the $20 cap ensures a meaningful, predictable reward.

A beauty enthusiast interested in indie brands schedules a purchase during a Beauty VIP Private Sale, selecting items from the 25% off list. The 10% ExtraBucks earned on all qualifying categories during the private sale further stretch the budget. In addition, the monthly free gift coupon is issued after meeting the $30 threshold, increasing overall value.

These examples underscore how the combination of monthly gifts and event-based rewards can create a structured savings rhythm for regular beauty shoppers.

Comparing to the e.l.f. Beauty Squad

While the CVS Beauty Club is a retailer program integrated into ExtraCare, the e.l.f. Beauty Squad is a brand-specific loyalty initiative that operates independently. The e.l.f. Beauty Squad points-based program offers free products, birthday gifts, and access to new product samples through tier progression. Members earn points through purchases, receipt scans, and engagement activities (e.g., completing tasks, playing games). As points accumulate, members advance through tiers that unlock benefits such as personalized recommendations, free shipping thresholds, early access to tutorials, and behind-the-scenes product development opportunities.

The CVS program differs in that it does not require points; instead, it rewards qualifying spending with direct free gifts and event-based ExtraBucks. CVS also supports broader category coverage—cosmetics, fragrances, hair care, facial care, acne, and healthy skin—whereas e.l.f. focuses on its own brand portfolio. For consumers who value brand-specific sampling and early access, the e.l.f. Beauty Squad can complement retailer programs by providing a steady stream of brand freebies and trial opportunities. For broader category savings at a national retailer, the CVS Beauty Club offers a complementary pathway to free gifts and event-based rewards.

Clarifying Historical Changes

The program’s current benefits contrast with earlier descriptions that emphasized a 10% “shopping pass” after enrollment and specific earn rates for $3 ExtraBucks on qualifying beauty spending. The official announcement does not repeat these earlier details, indicating a shift in program design. Meanwhile, third-party sources report discontinuation, which may reflect the experience of consumers who found the program less visible or reorganized under ExtraCare. The most accurate approach is to treat the official announcement as authoritative, and to verify current benefits through the CVS App and website. The App provides transparency and real-time tracking of spend thresholds, gift coupons, and event earnings, which helps reconcile any confusion arising from past or informal descriptions.

Putting It All Together

The CVS Beauty Club, as currently described, offers a practical way for U.S. consumers to access free beauty gifts and supplemental rewards without a paid membership. The monthly free gift benefit encourages steady engagement with qualifying beauty products, while the event-based 10% ExtraBucks and private-sale discounts expand the program’s value at specific times. Effective use of the App, clear tracking of monthly spending, and strategic timing around Epic Beauty Events and Beauty VIP Private Sales can help consumers maximize their benefits.

At the same time, brand-specific programs like the e.l.f. Beauty Squad offer complementary paths to freebies, samples, and early product access through points and engagement. For consumers who are committed to discovering new products and earning brand-level rewards, the e.l.f. program can serve as a valuable complement to retailer loyalty structures. In practice, the most effective strategy is to pair the monthly free gift and event earnings at CVS with brand-level experiences and freebies from e.l.f., creating a layered approach to beauty savings.

Conclusion

CVS’s Beauty Club has evolved into a program integrated with ExtraCare that emphasizes experiential rewards, monthly free gifts, and targeted events. The program offers clear mechanics for free gift redemption, event-based ExtraBucks, and personalized offers, all delivered through the CVS App and supported by a Rewards Tracker. While third-party reports point to program changes or discontinuation, the official announcement describes enhancements that are currently active. Consumers can maximize benefits by enrolling, tracking monthly spending, and aligning purchases with Epic Beauty Events and Beauty VIP Private Sales.

Brand-level programs such as the e.l.f. Beauty Squad provide an additional avenue for freebies and sampling, using a points-based model that rewards purchases and engagement. The combination of retailer and brand loyalty initiatives enables a comprehensive approach to free beauty samples, trial experiences, and reward accumulation, allowing savvy consumers to stretch budgets and discover wellness-driven products with confidence.

Sources

1. CVS Beauty Club and Deals Guide (Community Overview)
2. CVS Beauty Club Discontinuation and Alternatives (Third-Party Analysis)
3. ExtraCare Beauty Club Perks and Monthly Free Gift Details
4. CVS Health Press Release: ExtraCare BeautyClub Loyalty Program Enhancements
5. e.l.f. Beauty Squad Loyalty Program Overview