Your Everything Guide to Saving at Ulta Beauty in 2024

If you’re a person who loves having the newest cosmetics or buying the tried-and-true favorites that never let you down, then you’re probably a big fan of Ulta. The beauty store sells the top brands in hair and skin care, cosmetics, and pretty much everything in between. Those are just some of the reasons we turn to Ulta to get our beauty fix when we need it.

So, if entering an Ulta store gives you a tingle all the way down to your toes, then you’ve come to the right place. Like us, you probably really don’t want to pay out the wazoo for your beauty products. Any time I go on a shopping spree, I make sure I’m getting the best deal, plus snagging any freebies Ulta is currently offering.

Find out how you can save on the products you need for perfectly sculpted brows, Insta-ready hair, and a flawless complexion even the Kardashians would envy with our “ultimate” guide to saving the most at Ulta. Check out how to flex Ulta coupons for more savings at your favorite beauty retailer.

These are some of the very best ways that I’ve used to save money on beauty products every time I shop at Ulta:

1. Join Ulta Beauty Rewards

The first thing you should do before shopping at any retailer you love is to sign up for their free rewards program. This is where you’ll see the biggest savings and get the most freebies just for buying stuff you need. And Ulta’s is its Beauty Rewards (formerly known as Ultamate Rewards).

The more you spend, the more points you’ll collect, and the higher your tier will go up, which leads to even more Ulta perks. I’m pretty sure I was a Diamond member in just the first six months and have been going strong ever since.

Beauty Rewards members also earn points at Ulta stores inside Target. That can either be a really scary thing or a true blessing that these beloved stores are joining forces, but for me, it’s like a little piece of heaven on Earth.

2. Use an Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card

Going right along with the Ulta Beauty Rewards perks, this No. 2 tip, using Ulta’s Beauty Rewards credit card, helps rack up those precious points even faster. You’ll earn 1 extra point for every $1 you spend using the credit card at Ulta. That means double the points and double the rewards. And besides these exceptional perks, you’ll get 20% off your first purchase.

But to see the actual savings on your beauty gear, pay off your balance every month. Otherwise, the finance charges will eat into every bit of your savings potential.

3. Get Free Shipping at Ulta

Everyone gets free shipping on purchases over $35, while Ulta’s Beauty Rewards gives Diamond members free shipping on orders over $25. If you’re buying something that doesn’t meet the free shipping threshold, consider using Ulta’s free pickup option. As long as the location you choose has the product in stock, you can buy it online and pick it up in-store or use Ulta’s curbside pickup. Both options are free.

4. Use an Ulta $3.50 Off Coupon

Getting your hands on a $3.50 off a $15 purchase coupon is one of the easiest because it’s the most common Ulta coupon. It’s like getting 25% off a $15 purchase of qualifying products. The places to check are on the Ulta website, the back of an Ulta catalog (if you’ve signed up to receive them), or on RetailMeNot’s Ulta coupon page. There’s almost always one available, just waiting to be used.

5. Grab an Ulta 20% Off Coupon

A 20% coupon is by far the most sought-after Ulta coupon. It comes two ways: 20% off one qualifying item (excluding prestige products) and 20% off the entire purchase (including prestige brands). The 20% coupons are available just a few times a year — usually on average every three months. 

To get these, Ulta will send them out to Beauty Rewards members, or we’ve spotted them on the back of the current ads they mail out once a month or so. So, check those before you toss them for recycling.

6. Get a Free Gift With Your Purchase

Ulta carries plenty of products offering a gift with purchase — you have to know where to look. Check out Ulta’s product page for the brands offering a gift with purchase. Some last as long as quantities are available, while others last longer. So before buying a product, check to see if you can get a gift along with your purchase. 

7. Remember the Ulta Sales Event Schedule

Ulta hosts several events throughout the year where the savings are un-freaking-believable. There are only a couple of months where Ulta isn’t throwing one of their events and where you won’t find oodles of savings. You can shop these same deals at Target stores that have an Ulta inside.

These are the Ulta sales events worth waiting for, plus when to shop them during the year:

Love Your Skin

The Love Your Skin Event happens twice a year for three weeks in January (Dec. 31 to Jan. 20 in 2024) and in August. It’s the perfect timing for hydrating your winter-worn and sun-scorched epidermis with savings of up to 50% off on makeup, skincare, haircare and bath products. 

Jumbo Love (Liter Sale)

This month-long event happens twice a year, at the end of December and at the end of June. This is your chance to save up to 50% on liters of shampoo and conditioner from your favorite professional and drugstore haircare brands. Plus, Beauty Rewards members can earn more points for their purchases.

21 Days of Beauty

Ulta’s signature event, the 21 Days of Beauty, happens in March/April (March 12 to April 1 in 2023) and August/September (Aug. 27 to Sept. 16 in 2023). It’s an opportunity for shoppers to save up to 50% on beauty products in every single category, including 30% off Hot Buys for a week during this event. Ulta gives you a preview of every day’s deals throughout the event, which allows you to set reminders so you won’t miss out.

Gorgeous Hair Event

Ulta’s Gorgeous Hair Event happens twice a year with the Spring Haul in April (April 6 to April 15 in 2023) that includes products like Drybar, IGK, Redken and DevaCurl, and then the Fall Haul in September (Sept. 22 to Sept. 30 in 2023). These events last for three weeks, and you can score haircare deals, from flat irons and hair dryers to frizz tamers and curl enhancers, plus more savings throughout other categories.

Summer Sale

Ulta’s online-only Summer Sale starts in the days leading up to the Fourth of July (June 25 to July 15 in 2023). The sale includes tons of drugstore beauty brands, plus some prestige brands, too. This is one of the best times to stock up on your beauty basics, with savings of up to 50% during this event in midsummer.

Daily Beauty Steals

Beauty Steals happen throughout the year and last for only 24 hours, starting at around 10 p.m. PT. But don’t worry, new deals pop up for another 24 hours. Each Beauty Steal offers as much as 50% off must-have products, and you can find them during any of the savings events Ulta throws.

8. Get a Free Ulta Birthday Gift

During your birthday month, Ulta gives its Beauty Rewards members a free birthday gift. It varies, but we’re sure you’ll love it. Plus, you’ll earn twice the points during your birthday month. Finally, a store that celebrates you all month long. Oh, and if you’re a Platinum or Diamond member, you’ll also get a $10 coupon.

9. Shop the Dedicated Ulta Sale Section

Ulta has an entire section dedicated to beauty products that are on sale, both online and in stores. Merchandise regularly changes, so keep checking back to find out if your favorite product is among them.

10. Shop Ulta’s Buy One, Get One Bundles

All year, Ulta offers a selection of Buy One, Get One bundles to mix and match a variety of pretty palettes, creamy lippies and dewy skin care products. If you don’t see products you feel like mixing and matching, check back because the options will change.

11. Use Manufacturer Coupons

Ulta accepts manufacturer’s coupons, so check out your weekly ads for any coupons on cosmetics, bath and body products, or any other type of merchandise Ulta sells you can apply to in-store purchases. The savings add up.

12. Shop Clearance Merch at Ulta Stores

Scout out the clearance section in Ulta stores. Ask an Ulta employee when they’re doing inventory next so you know when there might be newly marked-down products. Check the requirements on your manufacturer coupons — you can sometimes apply them to clearance merchandise.

13. Shop Ulta’s Weekly Beauty Break

Beauty mavens can get free stuff during the Ulta Beauty Break. So, what is it? It’s a mini-event that lasts for four short hours (or while supplies last) every Wednesday, starting at 10 a.m. CT until 2 p.m. CT, but it’s only available online. The products included in the Beauty Break are different every week, and it’s a great chance to try out products you might be on the fence about. Usually, there’s a minimum spending qualification, so if you’re getting stuff anyway, try to wait until Wednesday when you can get extra stuff for free.

14. Even More Ways To Save at Ulta

Download the App

Download the Ulta app to your mobile device for personalized coupons, to track your loyalty points, find products in stores and stay up to date on the latest at Ulta. Plus, you can use Ulta’s AR feature to try on products virtually with the GLAMLab to see how they’ll look on you before you click the “Add to Cart” button.

Shop Ulta’s Black Friday Sale

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the best times for scoring mad discounts and special deals on many popular beauty products and tools. Ulta’s Black Friday sale has included some of the deepest discounts you’ll find all year, including Ulta’s list of prestige products that rarely, if ever, have discounts. You’ll see online doorbusters and special prices for holiday gift sets you can’t buy any other time of year.

Visit The Salon at Ulta for Free Beauty Consultations

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a professional full-service hair salon in most Ulta stores. Shoppers can get a free consultation for hair, skin, makeup and brow services with a licensed beauty professional. Plus, The Salon also offers ear piercings for single, double or triple piercings starting at $55. You can also get lash extensions and makeup services, including MAC applications and lessons, and more.

Know the Ulta Return Policy

Ulta has a liberal return policy for all its products, and you can save money by being familiar with their policies. You can return any product (yes, even opened ones) with a receipt (or verified with your Beauty Rewards member ID) within 60 days of its original purchase for a full refund or exchange. 

I returned a hair tool that just stopped working after about one year of use, and they looked up the purchase with my member ID and gave me a brand new one. So, sign up for the rewards program before you go shopping at Ulta again — it really makes a difference.

Sign Up for Ulta Emails

Ulta offers a slew of deals and discounts, plus new product announcements through email, catalogs, text messages and a newsletter. All you have to do is to sign up and opt-in to receive them all. And don’t worry if you feel like you’re getting bombarded with ads; they also make it super easy to change your preferences and only get the ones you really want.

Look for Discounted Ulta Gift Cards

We don’t know anyone who hasn’t run out and spent every cent of their Ulta gift card, but apparently, these people exist. In fact, countless websites dedicate their space to people hawking their unused gift cards and people searching for discounted gift cards. Look at retailers like CardCash, CardBear and Sam’s Club, to name a few, for discounts on Ulta gift cards.

Check RetailMeNot for Current Savings at Ulta

Check RetailMeNot for all the latest Ulta offers and discounts before you go shopping. These can include everything from discount codes, percentage off promos, cash back and free gifts.

The post Your Everything Guide to Saving at Ulta Beauty in 2024 appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.

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