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)
Erin O'Brien
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!
Joy
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?