Ulta: Codes, Deals, Sales, and Discussion

[SnowLeopard]

But I'll be able to get the pro for about $25 with all my points. Is the eclipse worth 10 times as much as the pro?

Probably not. If you have textured or coarse hair or it takes you a long time to do it, then yes. If you have straightish hair that doesn't require much styling time, then no.

 

[Brandy Roberts]

I learned something about Ulta points I thought I'd share.  When you buy something on a bonus point day, like in your birthday month or on a 5x, 10x etc day, and end up not liking your buy and return it, you will be DEDUCTED THE BONUS points you earned for that buy!  Here's how that goes.

Buy one item for $20.  You are platinum and it is a 5x day.  you get 1.25 x $20 = 25.  then 5x  which is 4 x $20 = 80 for a total of 105 points.  If you return that item, they will deduct 105 points from your account (yes, you can go negative).

Same example, but you exchange instead.  They deduct 105 points, and give you credit for the current point promo.  If no bonus promo, then they take 105 points away, and you get 25 points back assuming a replacement product of same exact purchase price.

Also, if you buy an item during a bonus point day, and cash in your points and use the cash off the product, you will only get bonus points on the actual dollars you pay - after they deduct your cashed in point value.

So bottomline - on bonus point days, don't redeem existing points or you won't maximize your bonus earning potential and also, don't buy a 'I just want to try it' item on bonus days because you take a bigger loss if you return/exchange the item. 

 

[kaitlin1209]

@ I seriously appreciate you figuring this out! I love Ulta but I just kind of go with the flow about their points.  I've never cared to figure it out so thank you for sharing! 

 

[ohsailor]

Same example, but you exchange instead.  They deduct 105 points, and give you credit for the current point promo.  If no bonus promo, then they take 105 points away, and you get 25 points back assuming a replacement product of same exact purchase price.

That's pretty crappy. If you exchange, you should keep the bonus points if the original item didn't work out. I can't work out the logic for this.

 

[Brandy Roberts]

@BB019 I seriously appreciate you figuring this out! I love Ulta but I just kind of go with the flow about their points.  I've never cared to figure it out so thank you for sharing! 

 
So many are helping me...I'm happy to do my part! (And I'm a bit type A, or maybe a LOT type A!).  I like to know how things work.  I think they should make a disclosure at time of purchase - something like 'point values are purchase will be deducted if returned and will not carry over to an exchanged item' or something that tells you the deal, rather than find out after the fact and only because you didn't read or understand the fine print.

That's pretty crappy. If you exchange, you should keep the bonus points if the original item didn't work out. I can't work out the logic for this.

I also don't understand why, if you earned the free dollars to begin with, if you return an item where you redeemed your points to reduce the cost of the product, you only get store credit (dollar wise) for the actual cash dollars you spent - you lose the dollars you redeemed.

I like that I can save up and get big savings on big ticket items, but I'm starting to think for regular items where you are refilling, or buying gifts with brands Ulta views as 'prestige' - brand loyalty will get you further.  Or, if that other big beauty retailer has good promo codes then that can be good too - but the more I buy the more I realize going direct to the brands has good value and perks and with ebates on top of that - and going direct I don't have to spend Friday nights trying to figure out some convoluted point system!! LOL!

 

[LuckyMoon]

Went to Ulta today and got the Tarte Exposed 4 pc. color collection.

New lippies and blushes and a GWP, plus after this purchase I am now Platinum!

 

[ohsailor]

So many are helping me...I'm happy to do my part! (And I'm a bit type A, or maybe a LOT type A!).  I like to know how things work.  I think they should make a disclosure at time of purchase - something like 'point values are purchase will be deducted if returned and will not carry over to an exchanged item' or something that tells you the deal, rather than find out after the fact and only because you didn't read or understand the fine print.

I also don't understand why, if you earned the free dollars to begin with, if you return an item where you redeemed your points to reduce the cost of the product, you only get store credit (dollar wise) for the actual cash dollars you spent - you lose the dollars you redeemed.

I like that I can save up and get big savings on big ticket items, but I'm starting to think for regular items where you are refilling, or buying gifts with brands Ulta views as 'prestige' - brand loyalty will get you further.  Or, if that other big beauty retailer has good promo codes then that can be good too - but the more I buy the more I realize going direct to the brands has good value and perks and with ebates on top of that - and going direct I don't have to spend Friday nights trying to figure out some convoluted point system!! LOL!

Thank you for sharing this information! It's really informative and I'm glad I found out now rather than the hard way later. I used to be completely loyal to Sephora because of their points system, but because they haven't had any point perks I've been EXCITED about since last year, it's not the same for me. I like Ulta because you save actual $$ now, but clearly it's important to be 100% sure you're going to love the products you buy during special promotions. I surf around for great deals and offers now- I've found that Macy's of all places can have spectacular GWP and am excited about what they'll offer this holiday season. 

 

[meganbernadette]

Today's beauty deals- $49 Strivectin SD ( regularly $79) and Amazingcosmetics Concealer 40% off

 

[Brandy Roberts]

I went to Ulta last night because I wanted to see what it was like in the store during the 21 days thing, and it was  practically empty.  Also, I loved when I asked a question and the lady helping me responded by reading the brochure.  LOL! I wandered around and noticed Benefit has a cosmetic case with $35 purchase, it's just I've never been drawn to a Benefit product...I did like Tarte's Exposed package but I'm going to a Tarte event Saturday and will buy then.

I did pick up samples (just sitting out on shelves in cute little glass jars) of Lancome advanced genifique, Vichy Neovadiol Lumier BB cream, Bliss triple oxygen instant energizing eye mask, and Kinerase ultimate volume lip conditioner.  Didn't buy anything though.

 

[meganbernadette]

I went to Ulta last night because I wanted to see what it was like in the store during the 21 days thing, and it was  practically empty.  Also, I loved when I asked a question and the lady helping me responded by reading the brochure.  LOL! I wandered around and noticed Benefit has a cosmetic case with $35 purchase, it's just I've never been drawn to a Benefit product...I did like Tarte's Exposed package but I'm going to a Tarte event Saturday and will buy then.

I did pick up samples (just sitting out on shelves in cute little glass jars) of Lancome advanced genifique, Vichy Neovadiol Lumier BB cream, Bliss triple oxygen instant energizing eye mask, and Kinerase ultimate volume lip conditioner.  Didn't buy anything though.

SAMPLES? WHAAAAAAAAT? Haha that's awesome. The Ulta stores near me never ever ever carry samples.

 

[meganbernadette]

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11151173 Awesome beauty break today! 

 

[Auntboo]

Does anyone know when Ulta sends the email to redeem for your birthday gift? I got an email on the first of the month telling me to watch for the email about my free mascara but it never materialized (I was kind of expecting it to come on my actual birthday but it didn't).

 

[meganbernadette]

Does anyone know when Ulta sends the email to redeem for your birthday gift? I got an email on the first of the month telling me to watch for the email about my free mascara but it never materialized (I was kind of expecting it to come on my actual birthday but it didn't).

Email them... they did that with me as well. They'll provide you with a unique code to show in store to redeem.

 

[Auntboo]

Email them... they did that with me as well. They'll provide you with a unique code to show in store to redeem.

Thanks!

 

[lovepink]

I have a positive Ulta CS experience to share.  I messaged them Sunday about not getting the 5x points on a purchase I made on Saturday ($68).  I had got the 5x points email and forgot to activate it at home so I tried to do it on my phone (from the Ulta website) but it stated I did not have any offers to activate.

I instead used the link in the email and it prompted me it could take 5 minutes for it to be active.  I still had to get to Ulta and shop.  Looked at the reciept (no bonus points).

Today they emailed me back (which is well outside the 24 hour time line they stated, but I'm ok with that) and stated they will give me the points!  Hooray!  Looks like I may be buying UD Vice 3 from Ulta (when it comes out) since I have some points to spend!

 

[coffeecardigan]

Does anyone have the Stila In the Light palette?  Do you love it?  I am trying to decide... should I purchase it for $20 tomorrow or should I save my money for Vice 3 and the inevitable awesomeness of the Tarte palette?

 

[kaitlin1209]

For $20, those Stila palettes are a steal. I have In the Garden and I really like it, especially how the shimmery shades apply wet.  I wouldn't buy them all, but I think having one in the colors you will use is a good idea!  For the record, I love UD shadows but I don't like Tarte because I think they are unpigmented, and I do think these Stila could be a tad more pigmented. But if you've used all three or if you like Tarte I would think that you'd like In the Light. 

 

[naturalactions]

So since the In the Light pallet was still out of stock online, I decided to make a trek down to my local Ulta at opening time. It's my lucky day because because at 10:01, I snatched the second to last palette they had and someone got the last one very quickly after me! They had a ton of the In the Moment palettes left, but I would have been so bummed to have missed this one. 

In related news, I also picked up the UD Shadow Box. The colors swatched beautifully and I finally got a sample of Pervision mascara I have been dying to try!

 

[TooMuchElectric]

I'm so pissed. In the Garden is the only one I wanted, and it's not online anymore, at all. Not "out of stock." Just gone. So I went to the store today RIGHT when they opened, and they had 4 In the Moments and about 9 In the Lights, and nothing else. The woman said they're (stila? ulta?) is replacing the palettes with the new ones so that's why there aren't very many. Don't effing advertise a sale for all four palettes if one of them has been completely and permanently removed from your in-store and online inventory, you jerks.

 

[ohsailor]

I'm so pissed. In the Garden is the only one I wanted, and it's not online anymore, at all. Not "out of stock." Just gone. So I went to the store today RIGHT when they opened, and they had 4 In the Moments and about 9 In the Lights, and nothing else. The woman said they're (stila? ulta?) is replacing the palettes with the new ones so that's why there aren't very many. Don't effing advertise a sale for all four palettes if one of them has been completely and permanently removed from your in-store and online inventory, you jerks.

That sucks. There's probably enough hanging around at various stores across the country for them to not bother with mentioning that In The Garden isn't included in the deal since it's mostly OOS, but that's a quick way for them to make customers angry and is reflective of Ulta as a whole, IMO. Don't get me wrong, I love Ulta, but they're lazy.