Ulta

My #1 local place to get makeup! I love going to the Southshore area. This ulta is surrounded by a varies of stores, which is great. Personally this place is my holy grail, only because it’s the best makeup store around the area. My only problem with this place is that they are really slow on restocking items. They would tell me that they are unsure about when a product will be restocked or give me a set date but never actually restock it. Keep in mind that their restocking days is on Thursday, but I honestly don’t know what they restock because what I want is never restocked. I’ve been waiting on Nyx liquid suede lipstick in soft spoken to restock since October and Lorac’s alter ego lipstick in CEO since September, never going to happen. They always say I should try next Thursday, but nope it’s never in stock!
But I do love this place and the workers are very sweet. If you come here often they will remember you, which is always a plus for me!

I’ll come here when I’m in a pinch and am desperately running out of one of my favorite cosmetics products, but If i actually need to try a new product, or need help finding something, this is the worst possible place to go. The employees are rude, and don’t know what I’m doing. The only reason I’m even giving 2 stars is that sometimes there are good deals, and its the only place in Alameda that you can find higher end cosmetics like Benefit, taste, Smashbox, Urban Decay, etc. Basically, come here only if you know what you want and need to get in and get out. Don’t expect service.

I love this place! It’s my go too place for make up and skin care. They don’t hold that much brands but they have decent amount of good brands. All of the employee are really nice and it’s fun talking with them when i have questions! Just turned platinum last night

The poor service and staffing issues on the retail side continues to appall me. Which is why despite these awesome cosmetologists, it gets a single star. Ulta is only there on my shopping list because I use Paul Mitchell and they have the coupons.
Good luck trying to get someone on the phone these days. I don’t care if it’s late, it’s still 30 minutes to an hour before closing and not even an employee picks up and says: please hold. Been like this for over a week! I even talked to the GM and she said she called in a work order. Lady, please realize the holiday season means stuff shouldn’t be glitching to that point and putting it off is not ok.
As with your typical Ulta, dirty floors no sales associate on the floor pretty much and sometimes I have to flag someone to be at the register. Store happens to have theft issues in the past.
Ultas at most have been a miss at the others, 2 stars at most. I just can’t get over the messiness!

Never again. I’ve been a customer here for years, spent thousands of dollars at this location. Today I made my purchase and when I left, a sensor set off the alarm at the door. I stopped and started to head back to the cashier who waved at me and said «it’s ok, go ahead». I’m in my car getting ready to back out when I hear a knock on my window, it’s store security flashing his badge at me. I rolled down the window to ask if he wanted to see my bag. He tells me to step out the car, like he’s the police. I do and attempt to hand him my bag, he turns and says that we need to go back into the store. I turn off my car, gather my purse and head back in. With no apologies the clerk goes through my bag and compares each item to the receipt. The entire time I’m being treated like I’ve stolen something, not like it was at all possible that they made a mistake.
Once everything checks out, she hands me my bag back and explains that since she wasn’t there when I walked out the door, she couldn’t comment on why I was allowed to leave. The employees at this store are young and don’t have the customer service skills necessary to be managing a store.
I told her and mr. a tough guy security that they may want to re-​examine their approach, because it was rude and disrespectful. All I got was an apology that the sensor was not disarmed, not for my inconvenience or for being made to feel like a criminal rather than a regarded customer.
From now on, I’ll spend my money at Sephora. Bye Felicia!

Thank you so much Alexandra (Alex) for my cut and color! This is my second time seeing her for my color but first for a haircut. I’m always scared to get a haircut but she gave me exactly what I asked for ! I highly recommend her, she is very professional and fun to sit and talk to. Thanks girl !

I do have a problem with them not having what I want sometimes, but I popped into an Ulta in San Jose on Saturday that was really bad. Feeling a lot better about this location. They have always been really helpful to me and I’m in there a lot. When I compare it to Walgreens or CVS were there is no one around ever then it is aces. I get my hair done at Spank. Highly recommend it.

This review is for October 28^th.
This is my favorite Ulta. They’re always stocked with what I need and the girls here are amazing!
I came I wanting advice for great eyebrow product. Tamara was at the cash and directed me to check out Anastasia Beverly Hills line. There I found what I needed.
Then I went over to the drug store section to check out NYX. There I met Andrea and she also lent me some very helpful tips on the line. I bought their white pearl eyeshadow primer and it works great!
Tamara and Andrea were such a great help!

Why say you’re open until 9, when you close at 8:30? Do you really want to lose money and pass it on?

I ventured out to this Ulta that is not near me because I wasn’t too happy with the service I’ve received at other locations. I’m glad I did. I was happy with the customer service I received. On my visit today I went in seeking advice on improving the shape of my eyebrows. The young lady I flagged down, Cristina, was super attentive, knowledgeable, and really worked with me to give me tips on shaping my eyebrows and choosing a great color. She made me feel so comfortable that I asked her for more advice on makeup; bless her, she wasn’t annoyed and was an extremely patient and helpful human being. I ended up getting more than what I came for, but, I was ok with that because I welcomed her expert advice :-)

Who knew there was a little Dermalogica spa at Ulta?!
First of all I love Dermalogica because they have fused relaxation with serious skincare. The treatment based take home regimes are effective and simple. I love the synergy of the straight forward approach and how it’s blended with the decadence of the spa experience.
Rachel is the new Dermalogica Esthetician and she is such an amazing skin therapist. What I like about Rachel is her thorough training in Dermalogica skincare. She uses relaxing techniques that tickle and feel oh so relaxing at the same time as using treatment based massage techniques. Acupressure and lymphatic drainage are so important to relieve congestion and to soothe inflammation; I appreciate that she knows these techniques.
I have followed Rachel for the past few years. She is warm and soothing with a wealth of skincare knowledge sure to suit your needs. Highly recommended.

Terrible customer service
Went and asked for help and all I got was a bunch off attitude and looks and then left alone to figure things out! Needless to say that I went elsewhere to get my product and will never come back nor will I recommend store!

I’ve gotten my hair done before in Dublin so I wanted to try this one .
I wanted to try a different color but I know I have to do some lifting with my color before anything bright.
I’ve worked in the retail industry & it’s great to be honest and helping customer save money but. Workers, Never shop with your wallet. Clients should know how much service is to be done and if it’s to pricey. Believe me… they will tell u.
I felt rush because I knew what time she was leaving and because I wanted to get my hair colored and trim, I knew it was going to take longer. I needed to get my hair cut so I said okay cut.
Even that was all choppy. I had went to a different hairstylist to color my hair & she showed me the back of my hair & OMG. It was in blocks & didn’t Blend in the front. I didn’t see it because they style after.
As I was walking around also, this worker was so pissed she was talking shit about someone.
They don’t really have much stock either.

Location-​wise this Ulta is a gem. Situated in South Shore Center, which is surrounded by various stores and eateries — if you’re in the area and need to grab some makeup, brushes, etc. it’s not a bad place to stop by.
One thing I would have to say is that this store is very spacious and feels very open. You don’t feel congested when you walk in, there’s room to breathe (which is always nice in my personal opinion). They have a variety of products that range from drugstore to somewhat higher end, which is nice because personally I feel like that really provides a good balance and helps you decide whether or not you want something based on your given budget.
As many Unilocalers before me have mentioned, this location does run frequently low on certain items and if it’s not on the floor or out on display, there’s a good chance that they do not have it in the back, but it doesn’t hurt to ask! I feel like it’s fine that not everything is always in stock because it shows what’s popular and I mean… if it’s popular you can bet that it’s not going to be in stock for long once they do restock…(just saying) HOWEVER this could be one of those to each one’s own scenarios. Save yourself some heartache and just go in thinking there’s a 75% chance the item won’t be in stock so that if it’s there you can do a little happy dance.
The biggest issue I had with this location was that there were not enough staff members on the floor to really monitor or ask anyone if they needed help. One staff member asked my sister and I if we needed any assistance. At the time we didn’t need any help AND she was also doing the makeup for a client (I’m assuming) so it was one of those situations where it was like… Okay, so if I really needed any help would I want to take you away from what you’re doing and that client’s time? Personal opinion… No, I would not. It should be noted, however, that the staff member was sweet and good vibes/​intentions were felt. NONETHELESS, more staff accommodating to customers on the floor would be nice when there’s quite a bit of customers… I’m not into the whole hover staff peoples’ but I mean having one extra person wouldn’t be so bad. But overall, none of the staff members were rude and good vibes were felt. (Not sure if this was just dependent on the time and day we went…)
In comparison to the San Leandro location to all you Benefit lovers, my sister noted to me that they had a much bigger selection here in Alameda.
TIP: If you haven’t already, sign up for their free rewards card so you can rack up some points and redeem them for stuffs later and plus, you get emails with their deals and what-​not.

this place is clean and lots of employees always walking by to assist. i just wish they gave free samples of some of the products because i dont wanna buy and then dont like and return. one time i returned something and the girl gave me a dirty look. well if you gave free samples then we can try before buying. sheesh. other than that they keep their shelves pretty stocked. located in south shore center so good spot right next to the women gym. lots of times they have coupons in the mail and on their website so always look for those 3.50 off or 20% off

Got my hair done at the Ulta salon a couple months ago. I went in to get an ash blonde balayage highlights but that is not what I got. My appointment was with some guy who’s name I forgot and don’t really care to remember did my hair. He assured me that he had lots of experience doing hair, five or so years worth. However, I find that hard to believe. I left the salon with blotchy, not well blended highlights that were brassy and absolutely not ash blonde. I have been to the Ulta salon before and have been happy with cuts but it is doubtful I’ll ever return for colorings.

More like a 3.5 for me, really.
I don’t find the staff rude at all. In fact, I started coming here when it first opened and dropped a lot of dough the first few times I visited. One of the managers there, I think her name is Anjelica, helped me with my very purchase there, and I swear, still smiles warmly at me and remembers me to this day. I think there’s something to be said about that since I don’t even come as often as before!
Yes, their stock can use some help. I’ll give it to you there. Too many times are they out of stock or low on products. I don’t really buy too much make up, so I guess that doesn’t bother me but I suppose it would if I wore it often. General up keep also needs a boost, like maintaining all the «vanity» areas and making sure tissues, make up removers, qtips, etc are fully stocked.
They seem to have a hard time keeping a general flow to this store which I think is the chaos people feel in here. A tidy, full stocked store does wonders especially if you’re in the market of COSMETICS. Just sayin’
+ for the sweet staff
+ points rack up quick and are redeemable
+ they carry a nice array of products (so long as it’s in stock!)

This place had so much potential, its in a nice shopping area and its next to the beach.
But…this store is the definition of rachet. I’m so dissappointed because this is the only ulta store near me. I went on a monday amd lots of things were out of stock. Most of the time they dont have the new releases that im looking for.
Nobody greeted me. They just stared and followed me like i was going to steal.
Everything is messy and the non-​tester items are always opened and used. Some of the makeup are even broken and they just leave it there. Now i have to stick to shopping online. At least its gauranteed to be new and in stock.
This ulta store needs to get their shit together.

This review is specifically for the Ulta Dermalogica facial with Vidi.
I’ve been a regular customer with Vidi for about 5 months now. During this time I did 3-​session peel, few skin clearing (acne) facial, and few of the mini facial. Vidi is very nice lady and very knowledgable about skincare, she answers all my questions about taking care of my acne-​prone skin, providing suggestion on what I should try, not trying to sell me Dermalogica product (though during the peel I did receive treatment kit and fell in love with a couple things). Her technique is great, I usually ended up falling asleep during the process, even during acne extraction. I just recently found out she also does makeup so I will be trying that with her as well soon.

Ulta is a great store and to me, is similar Sephora but a lot more affordable! You definitely get a lot more bang for your buck! The closest store used to be in Dublin for me so I was pretty stoked when I found out Alameda was getting one!
Location is super convenient near the entrance of the shopping center. Parking is free and plentiful. They offer full hair salon services and a Benefit Brow Bar — Nina is great and attentive! I was apprehensive getting my first eyebrow wax but she assured me she’ll be gentle and it really didn’t hurt much!
There’s always specials and coupons… I also like their special events! For Breast Cancer Awareness Month — they did a Cut-​a-​Thon for a $ 10 donation (wash and dry). My stylist did a great job and even gave me some quick layers upon request: D
Staff are always friendly and helpful with any questions you have regarding products.
I love stopping by here after a workout at the gym :)