Since ULTA Beauty sells a mix of drugstore and select “prestige” cosmetic brands, I’ve always thought of it as a lower-end Sephora. And since I l-o-v-e Sephora (I’ve been known to lose track of time playing with makeup colors and testing skincare products), I never saw any reason to shop at ULTA.
But after dinner at a restaurant in the same shopping center as our local ULTA, I popped in to see if they had any of the “necessities” on my shopping list. While I didn’t have the urge to linger inside the store like I do at Sephora, I have to say, I’m kind of excited about my new hair and beauty products.
Batiste Dry Shampoo / Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid SPF50 / AG Hair Cosmetics Recoil Curl Activator / Revlon Color Stay Nail Enamel in Pale Cashmere / Ulta Nail Polish Remover Pads
Do you shop at Ulta? Or are you a die-hard Sephora fan?
(top photo from “The Artist” via The Moving Arts)
Sephora is so pretty, but Ulta gets the edge because it carries both retail store and specialty brands. I wish I could shop some of the more quality brands (Urban Decay, Make Up For Ever), but my budget doesn’t normally allow. If money wasn’t a concern, Sephora would be IT! but Ulta’s coupons and pretty good Ulta line (that’s always on sale) win me over.
I probably spend more time playing with products at Sephora than I do buying products there!
I go to both! I prefer Sephora because it has better ambiance and I buy most of my makeup + my favorite dry shampoo there. But I like the Mario Badescu products, and I can’t find them anywhere but Ulta. My Sephora and Ulta are across the parking lot from each other, though, so going to both isn’t really a big deal.
I’ve been dying to try Mario Badescu drying lotion for pimples. Have you used it before? Worth it?