Beauty

[granddi]

I think ULTA has changed. At least the one near me has changed.

My location just finished a remodel too.

I went in with my 20% off code expecting to load up with beauty supplies. I can't exactly describe the inventory changes but there seemed to be lots of new younger brands and store brands. Simple things like Vitabath, neutrogena sunscreen, tweezer man were not there. They had Target things like Elf. 

The site lists lots of brands but not in stock in my store. 

[RollTide2008]

My Ulta has always had a wide selection of drugstore products.

[millieshops]

@granddi The first Ulta I knew was a disorganized, dirty-looking mess that left me turned off to that corporation for years. 

There is a store not too far from my current home that is brighter and more organized but parking anywhere near them is beyond obnoxious most of the time.  They're in parking competition wih Marshall's, Trader Joe's, Verizon, a great pizza place as well as a very popular local breakfast/lunch restaurant.

I do wish I'd bought their stock a few years ago!

[Trix]

Ulta stores' inventory varies from location to location. Sephora does this too, so it's not an unusual practice for a chain store trying to serve several masters with their shelf space.  Some brands may be pushed out to showcase new up-and-comers, and at Ulta, the store always has to be compartmentalized into a prestige brand side, the drugstore brand side, fragrance, hair products and tools, nail products and other accessories, and the hair salon. I think they do a pretty good job of squeezing a lot into their stores. 

Ulta does offer buy online pick up in-store if you are looking for a brand that isn't in the branch you shop, but you prefer to buy in person instead of having it delivered. 

[monicakm]

@millieshops 

The first Ulta I knew was a disorganized, dirty-looking mess that left me turned off to that corporation for years. 

Mine too!  But the last time I was there (about a year ago), they had done a big upgrade to the entire store, the SAs were nicer and they are carrying more upscale brands.  I still don't shop there and prefer Sephora but it's nice to know they've made the improvements.  I just won't go in a dark dingy store.

[SaveTheTurtles]

I used to shop at Ulta all the time and was a platinum rewards member for years. I don't go there anywhere near like I used to. I agree that there are better stores than others in the inventory they carry. There liter sales aren't nearly as good as they used to be and the coupons aren't as good either.

[JudyL]

Love my ULTA.  It's a great store.

[Icegoddess]

The one I frequent the most, the high end cosmetics are all on the left side of the store, and the lower end, drugstore lines are on the right of the store.  Hair products are straight back to the back of the store.  Seems to be about the same amount of drugstore/Target/Walmart brands as there are higher end brands.  

There are two other stores in my area.  The other one that's a little farther away from my home is the opposite with drugstore lines on the left and high end on the right.  It's my least favorite of the 3 stores.  I just have trouble finding things there.

The other store is fairly inconvenient to go to, but it is near my hairdresser.  It's layout is completely different.  I do like going there on occasion though.  I tend to find stuff I don't find in my other stores.  I don't know if they just have different stock, or the fact that I'm not as familiar with the store means I see things that I overlook at the other stores. 

[SportyShorty07]

@JudyL  I love ULTA too! I like the coupons and the rewards points system a lot.  I really like the fact that I can get all of my drugstore makeup and my Aquage, Paul Mitchell or Biolage hair products from there- its a one stop shop.    

[Shanus]

My ULTA is almost walking distance from our houese...a good 3 mile walk, but I always end up stopping in Trader Joe's next door and would have heavy parcels to drag home.

The parking is always an issue especially since a delicious German bakery and wine store opened on the strip.

ULTA has some items like curling irons, dryers and flat irons at the more affordable prices than only the high end at Sephora. I don't ask for recommendations from the SA. They usually don't know where anything is or not trained to suggest products.