Beauty

[monicakm]

Several months ago I asked which store everyone preferred.  I'm a Sephora girl but have had to go to Ulta lately due to walking distance and a broke knee.  Take 2.  First let me say I'm an idiot.  I was trying to return something (via chat) to Ulta that I bought at Sephora :/  But Ulta didn't know that.  I never got that far with the chat!   The Chat person was so NOT helpful and the chat box covered up my account link so I could not provide the needed information.  They were also not going to provide me with a pre-paid label.  OK, but darn!  It took them one hour to come back to the chat so I could ask them to move/close the chat box so I could retrieve the info they needed.  I finally gave up.  This whole affair took over an hour and a half.  Then I wondered...did I buy the foundation (wrong color) at Ulta or Sephora???  I checked my Sephora order history.  Rut ro, I ordered it from Sephora.  Got a Sephora chat person immediately.  She didn't ask any questions.  I gave her my order number and had a  pre-paid label printed in less than 5 minutes.  I'm still team Sephora.

[Icegoddess]

In the past I have shopped more at Ulta because my Sephora is a mini store.  However, last time I was in Ulta it was looking a bit rought.  Granted, 2 of the items I wanted had been discontinued so I didn't even boter looking for the other item, but the store just looked kinda bare.  I have been in my mini Sephora since the pandemic started ad they seemed to be fully stocked.  I'm sure you can't do testing at either store, but they did have a person sitting outside the Sephora to let customers know the rules before entering the store.  

All that being said, I'm neither team Ulta or team Sephora.  I'll still shop both depending on what I want.  Hourglass and NARS I'll go to Sephora even though I think Ulta now sells the NARS foundation I use.  The didn't when I wanted to buy it and Sephora did and helped me with shade matching.

[Anonymous032819]

So....you're mad at Ulta for not giving you a pre-paid return label for an item that you bought at Sephora.

Yeah, that's not Ulta's fault. 

And of course Sephora was quicker. That was where you bought the item.

[millieshops]

I realize this report is not a rated review, but it’s the kind of review that brings out the teenager in my old brain -  if I wanted to buy something available at only Ulta or Sephora, Ulta would get my money.  The only thing OP convinced me of is that I need to have the facts before I pick up my phone and ask a company to solve my problem.

[Knit-Chick]

Sephora has more helpful and friendly associates.  I typically go to Ulta since there is one around the corner.  it's ok if I know what I want and can just go in and buy it, but dealing with store associates is a pain.  I mistakenly picked up a wrong philosophy moisturizer last year (in store purchase) and realized it when I got home.  It was still plastic-sealed when I went to exchange it with my receipt.  They eventually processed the exhange, but it took several associates who made me feel as though I was doing something wrong.  So snarky.

The only good thing thing for me about this pandemic is that I've cut back on my use of cosmetics and new impulsive purchases so I haven't gone there in over 9 months.

[Knit-Chick]

@Anonymous032819 that wasn't what she was saying.  

My experience with returning an item at Ulta was not easy or pleasant.

[jellyBEAN]

When I lived in the northeast I always went to Sephora, or ordered on-line thru Sephora.

Now I live in the southeast and there is no local mall, so I have to travel 30mi. for "real" shopping and there is only an Ulta.  To me it seems second rate when you compare the two.  They don't have all the nice brands Sephora has and the Ulta store nearest me, seems unkempt - or at least it did then - (before the Pandemic).

I would be Team Sephora as well.  I don't order often, but would choose Sephora over Ulta.

[Shanus]

I've only ordered online lately from either, depending on who had what, sales, free shipping, etc. In store, IMO, most of the associates are not trained/versed in most of what they're selling. I need to know what I want to purchase  before ordering or entering the store and don't have to ask for any advice. 

Nordstrom is a better site for makeup for me...free ship always and easy free returns...no questions asked.

[Sammijo10]

I live 10 minutes from an Ulta and besides a small Sephora inside a local JC Penney, the closest FULL Sephora is a 30 minute drive away.  I'll buy from both and find if I want higher end products, I'll buy from Sephora online.  

That said, I love my local Ulta.  The sales staff are always more than helpful. They know their products and can steer you in the direction of what you're looking for. There are several who have gone to great lengths to go in the back to look for an item I'm looking for me.  I recently ordered the new Even Better Clinique foundation at Ulta online (there was a promo of a free concealer and moisturizer) and when it arrived and I clearly chose the wrong shade, they took it back in the store no questions asked and spent a lot of time with me choosing the correct shade.  Yes, the decor resembles a 'supermarket',and the atmosphere is not as glamorous as a Sephora, but IMHO the sales staff make it.  Also, I think the haircare section is larger at Ulta.  I've also had mini facials at Ulta and they were wonderful and inexpensive.  

Sephora is very hit or miss.  I seem to be invisible to the sales staff upon entering.  I don't have grey hair (showing!), but there's no mistaking that I'm not the 30 something that they prefer to have shopping there.  I'll order online if it's an item I know I will keep.

So for customer service, for me, it's Ulta.

[JudyL]

I'd probably say I'm more Ulta than Sephora.  I have a huge Ulta near me and have always found it well stocked, pleasant, and the sales associates helpful.  There is a pretty good size Sephora near my work and will only go in there to buy a specific thing - this was pre-Covid as I haven't been at the office for a year now.  I would say I'm more Ulta than Sephora.