Which is better to shop at, Ulta or Sephora? As a huge, and I mean huge makeup + skincare fan I have shopped both stores countless times and realized there's quite a difference and I will say - "the best store" depends on what you want/need from your makeup experience. Below you’ll see the reasoning and details on Which is Better - Ulta VS Sephora.
Drugstore or luxury.
If you’re on the search for a drugstore mascara or some of the well known skincare items (like netrogenia makeup wipes) you best go to Ulta! The store has half high end and half drugstore/affordable products. From Elf cosmetics, Makeup Revolution to Urban Decay, MAC cosmetics.
But if you want the best of the best (I’m talking Dior, YSL, Gucci, Kat Von D, etc) you need to visit Sephora. Also, don't forget that Sephora is owned by a Luxury Retailers LVMH - So you'll definitely only see the best of the best.
Store Collection - Which is Better?
Both Ulta and Sephora have their own personal collection. Ulta seems to always do bogo sales on their collection while Sephora does random promotions on select items but generally both are at affordable prices. I personally prefer the Sephora over Ulta. I feel Sephora’s formula is better quality cause it is competing with all the luxury brands within their store. Also, it's founded in Paris with Louis Vuitton as its parent organizer. While Ulta is simply competing with drugstore brand like Revlon.
In-store treatments.
Both stores have trained associates to do special in-store treatments. Ulta has a hair salon, skincare bar, brow bar, and makeup bar. Sephora has a makeup + skincare bar. If you want a mini spa day stick with Ulta. If you want a smokey eye before your dinner date - go to Sephora.
Sales and Promos.
If you’re looking for good deals or special promos Ulta is the one. You can look online or in your newspaper for the Ulta flyer. From bogo items to special pricing. Sephora does have a sale section online and sometimes a small sale tower in store but their items are all high end which rarely gets marked down. And while Ulta does an amazing 21 days of beauty sale and amazing promos on Black Friday; Sephora simply has a few items marked down, a few percentages off specials (which rarely happen) and that's about it.
Free Samples.
Ulta has testers you can sample in store.
Sephora has testers you can sample in store and you can request samples to try at home on practically any item that can be made into a sample (even perfumes!). Sometimes even at the register, I’ve made a purchase and they'll throw a deluxe beauty sample into my bag ‘just because’.
Gift With Purchases.
Ulta has tons of gift with purchase items. I will say you need to remind them at the register because they will forget to give you the gift!
Sephora doesn’t have any special gift with purchase. Sometimes they'll have a spend $35 or spend $50 in-store you will get a sample bag of treats. But I stress on sometimes; because it rarely happens.
Membership perks.
Both stores have special membership clubs. Both have uniquely different perks. I’m going to go over each in detail.
Ulta - the Ultimate Rewards. Regular membership is getting a 1 point per dollar on all purchases. Points can be gained and used to take a dollar pricing off your purchase (even high-end items). Example -> 100 points turn into $3.00 off. Ulta credit card gets double the points off each purchase per dollar spent. So 20$ spent = 40 points. There are also double points on your birthday month. Random bonus point days. And a birthday gift. Points expire in a year unless you reach tier two (spend $450 in a calendar year).
Sephora - VIB membership. Dollars spent turn into points that can be used to get deluxe size sample/travel items. Sometimes they do special events where your points can be used to enter into contests. Points never (and I mean never) expire. They sometimes do double points days which you'll see in the Sephora App or online. When you reach tier two and tier three there are special gifts and you can get more points per dollar spent. Birthday gifts during your birthday month as well.
Verdict.
The conclusion is both stores have their wins and losses. It honestly depends on if you are on a mission for samples, drugstore makeup, luxury makeup, bulk/gift with purchase items, in-store spa/beauty treatments, etc.
I hope this break down on what each store offers helps on your next beauty journey!
- Brittney
