Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance

I used to shop at this location close to the level of obsessiveness when I was growing up. Then I started looking for more natural-​ingredient cosmetics and generally buy all of my make-​up in the co-​ops.
BUT, I do make a few exceptions, I love me some white wax-​based eyeliner (& mascara & dark brown liquid eyeliner… just can’t seem to find a natural match) and can’t seem to find the sharpen-​it-​yourself white eyeliner anywhere else except via online. Most of the places that I look MIGHT carry a white eyeliner, but it’s the rotating bottom that ALWAYS gets stuck when I use it. I want the old-​fashioned kind. Pencil-​sharpener style.
I also got caught off-​guard and sucked into Pinterest with some stunning hairstyles that I’d like to try. That way I can spend money on the hair accessories, try it out, and completely botch it up so that I’ll let go of my fantasy of having the best hairdos (hairdon’ts) in the world.
My trip could not have gone any better. Within moments of coming into the store, I was greeted and asked if I was looking for anything in particular. I shared my 2-​itemed list and was ushered to both locations with quick ease (I immediately felt thankful since I was unfamiliar with the «updated» layout of their store and it would have taken me much longer to find on my own).
The white eyeliners ranged from $ 3.50-$ 20 (wha?). I was led to the $ 20 one and while it looked lovely, I KNEW there had to be more options to search out. Yeah, I found one for $ 3.50. And we were a match made in heaven.
When it was time to purchase my items, I was greeted by a very welcoming and friendly woman. I shared my concern about one of the hair accessories that I was getting and not sure if it work out on me or not. She reassured me that I’d be able to return it. She was so authentically friendly and great that when she asked if I was part of the Ulta club, I decided to join even though I only by make-​up 2x/​year. But one never knows when Pinterest will influence them to come on in that much more.
Anyway, I can see myself coming back because of the endless options and very friendly service.

Poor customer service. I wish someone had offered to help me. Instead they look at you as they walk by and don’t say a thing. Being in the same industry as they are, even if you repeat yourself, ALWAYS ask someone if they needs help or have any questions! Especially, if they’ve been standing in the same spot for over 10 mins. The further you go with your friendliness, the more your customers will want to return. Sephora is the store to go to!

The thing I hate about ulta is that they always try to get you to buy something more expensive than what you need.
I went in for a product that had good reviews and I always do my research before I even go to the store. When I went in, I couldn’t find the product when I first entered the store so, I asked what I assumed to be a helpful person on the floor. Then that person right away said my product I wanted was no good and that I need to try this expensive product and that it’d be better and more natural. So what are you trying to say lady? That I’m fake and don’t know what I’m doing?! I am suspecting the lady that tried to help me was a brand sales associate and not an actual ulta employee. I know what I need and I don’t want your expensive crap!!! Then this dingy lady couldn’t find it anywhere and didn’t know what she was doing and she said they don’t make that product. Then I said, «that’s not true, target sells it next door and it flies off the shelf there.» All I was wanting to do was earn points and save time. So I went to target instead and found it.
Get a new job lady! Stop trying to sell me your useless expensive crap!

As a makeup hoarder and lipstick junkie, I stop here often (usually on payday, haha) to restock my supply or pick up new products. My main issue with this Ulta is that so many products are frequently out of stock. Recently Ulta was running this «21 Days of Beauty» promo which featured special gift sets/​sample sizes of higher end brands (like Urban Decay, Benefit, etc.) at reduced prices. However, on the two different dates I went to get the featured special of the day, they were all sold out by 5:30 pm on a weekday. Sadface.
Additionally, their base prices tend to be higher by at least a couple dollars (compared to Target next door, for instance) for drugstore brands (L’Oreal, Rimmel, etc.). They do have frequent sales though, so if you pay attention you can find some good deals. For example, last week Revlon products were 40% off (yay Lip Butters!!!). There’s always some BOGO 50% off deals happening too, and they have little bonus perks and coupons if you’re an «ULTAmate Rewards» member.
Another thing about this place that bums me out is that there generally seems to be a ton of staff working, yet there is ALWAYS a huge line at the cash registers, and usually only one or two cashiers actually manning them. This means you’re faced with their tempting display of products right in front of the registers. At times I’ve had questions (generally regarding whether something is in stock), but have been unable to find anyone to help me. Judging by the snippy attitudes of a lot of the customers who shop there, I think others find this frustrating as well. The staff just always seems frazzled, and I’m not sure what that’s about. I shop at Sephora frequently as well and that place is always a madhouse, yet their staff is calm, helpful, and always available. So maybe it comes down to a management or training (or lack thereof) issue here.
These gripes aren’t enough to prevent me from shopping here; just be advised to be patient, look for the deals, and don’t be too disappointed if that product you’re looking for is out of stock. And if you don’t have any luck here, Target and Sephora are right there as a backup plan.

So, I’ve always had an issue buying shampoo and conditioner because while they go on sale often, it’s always when they are sold in a two-​pack and I always end up with an extra bottle of one or the other. When they aren’t on sale, they are quite a bit more expensive. Anyway, I was running dangerously low on conditioner the other day, and drove by Ulta and decided to see if they happened to have anything there at a reasonable price. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The size I wanted, sold individually, at the typical sale price!
I didn’t interact much with the staff, since I found what I wanted immediately. There were quite a few people making purchases, but the wait wasn’t too bad because they had three checkout registers open. I was in a hurry this time, but I will definitely be heading back to see what else they have to offer.

I was in desperate need of a few beauty items, so I stopped in at Ulta. The staff was very helpful, was willing to answer loads of questions, and showed me several options for each request. The store itself was clean and organized. The cashier was also very friendly, rounding out a a very positive experience.

I concur with Kathleen. I visited this Ulta the other day and found the staff to be so overtly «fake nice» that it was borderline rude, repulsive, and condescending.

We’ll start out with 5 stars:
–1 star for there never being any cashiers up front to, you know, help people buy things
–1 star for the staff being incredibly rude
–1 star for the manager being rude when I complained to her about the staff being rude
I love the product selection at ULTA and they are the only place around that sells my favorite makeup sponges, but I avoid this store at all costs.

Love Ulta, always have, always will. Thankfully, they are consistent in products and friendliness… with the small exception of a crappy store in Colorado I had the bad fortune to experience, but I digress. They had great last minute holiday deals and the staff was speedy in getting everyone through too!