If you’re a beauty lover, chances are you’ve wondered about the differences between Ulta Beauty and Sephora. After all, they are the two biggest beauty retailers in the United States. Both stores offer a wide range of products from high-end to drugstore brands, as well as services like makeup application and skincare consultations. So, which store is better? Ulta Beauty or Sephora? The answer may surprise you.
The History of Ulta and Sephora
If you love makeup, chances are you’ve shopped at Ulta Beauty or Sephora (or both). But what’s the difference between the two stores? And more importantly, which one should you shop at?
Let’s start with a brief history of each store. Ulta Beauty was founded in 1990 and Sephora followed suit in 1998. Ulta Beauty started out as a brick-and-mortar store, but they eventually expanded to include an online presence. Sephora, on the other hand, has always been an online retailer. In 2006 and 2007 respectively, both companies were bought by larger corporations – Ulta by The Limited Brands Company and Sephora by LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE.
Now that we know a little bit about the history of each store, let’s compare them in terms of product selection, prices, and loyalty programs.
Which One is Better?
There are many factors to consider when choosing between Ulta Beauty and Sephora, such as product selection, price point, loyalty rewards, and more. To help you make your decision, we've broken down the key differences between these two popular beauty retailers.
Product Selection:
There are many factors to consider when choosing between Ulta Beauty and Sephora. Below, we outline some of the key differences between the two stores to help you make a decision.
Ulta Beauty offers a wider selection of drugstore brands than Sephora, making it a great option if you're looking for affordable beauty products. However, Sephora carries more high-end and luxury brands, so it's worth considering if you're willing to spend more on your beauty products.
Ulta Beauty also has a loyalty program that rewards customers for their purchases, while Sephora does not currently offer such a program. Ulta Beauty also offers free shipping on orders over $50, while Sephora charges for shipping unless you reach their $50 free shipping threshold.
Finally, Ulta Beauty has physical locations across the United States, while Sephora is primarily an online retailer (although they do have some physical stores). This may be a deciding factor if you prefer to shop in-person or want the option to return items more easily.
Ulta Featured Brands
Price Point:
There are many reasons to choose one beauty retailer over another. Here, we compare Ulta Beauty and Sephora, two of the most popular beauty retailers, to help you decide which one is better for you.
Both Ulta Beauty and Sephora offer a wide variety of products from well-known brands. However, Sephora carries more high-end brands than Ulta Beauty. If you're looking for luxury makeup and skincare products, Sephora is the better option.
Ulta Beauty has a loyalty program that allows you to earn points with every purchase that can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. Sephora does not have a loyalty program.
Ulta Beauty also offers services such as hair, skin, and brow consultations and makeovers. Sephora offers similar services, but also has its own line of products that can be used during these services.
In terms of price, Ulta Beauty is typically cheaper than Sephora. However, both stores frequently run sales and promotions that make their products more affordable.
When it comes to return policies, Ulta Beauty and Sephora have similar policies. Both stores allow you to return most items within 60 days as long as you have your receipt and the items are in new or unused condition.
Overall, both Ulta Beauty and Sephora are great options for beauty shoppers. However, Ulta Beauty may be a better choice if you're looking
Ulta Beauty is generally more affordable than Sephora.
Loyalty Rewards:
It can be difficult to decide where to do your beauty shopping. However, if you are specifically looking at Ulta Beauty and Sephora, this decision may be a little easier for you. In general, Ulta Beauty is more affordable than Sephora and offers a wider range of products. However, Sephora typically has better customer service and a more upscale atmosphere.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the two stores:
Ulta Beauty:
-Affordable prices
-Wider range of products, including drugstore brands
-Good return policy
-Beauty salon on site
Sephora:
-More expensive prices
-Narrower range of products, but with more high-end options
-Great customer service
-Classes and tutorials available
Ulta Beauty offers a loyalty program with perks like free shipping and birthday gifts, while Sephora does not have a formal loyalty program. However, Sephora does offer some discounts and benefits to its Beauty Insider members.
Returns:
Ulta Beauty and Sephora are two of the most popular beauty retailers in the United States. Both stores offer a variety of high-quality cosmetics, skincare, and haircare products. So, which one should you shop at?
Here's a breakdown of the two stores' return policies:
Ulta Beauty: Ulta Beauty will accept returns of most unused, unopened, and undamaged items purchased in-store or online within 60 days of purchase. If you do not have a receipt, the store will issue a store credit for the current selling price of the item.
Sephora: Sephora will accept returns of most unused, unopened, and undamaged items purchased in-store or online within 60 days of purchase. If you do not have a receipt, the store will issue a store credit for the current selling price of the item.
Overall, both Ulta Beauty and Sephora have similar return policies. The main difference is that Ulta Beauty offers store credit for items without a receipt while Sephora does not.
Salon and makeup services
In the world of beauty, there are two main contenders: Ulta Beauty and Sephora. Both stores offer a wide variety of cosmetics, skin care products, and hair care products from high-end brands. But which one should you shop at?
Ulta Beauty offers both salon and makeup services, while Sephora focuses mainly on selling products. If you're looking for a one-stop shop for all your beauty needs, Ulta Beauty is the place to go. They offer services like hair styling, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and makeup applications. Their prices are also very competitive.
Sephora, on the other hand, they carry skincare, haircare and makeup products. And if you need help choosing the right product for you, their knowledgeable staff is always happy to assist.
So, which store should you shop at? It really depends on what you're looking for. If you want a complete beauty experience with salon and makeup services, Ulta Beauty is the way to go.
Conclusion
After comparing Ulta Beauty and Sephora side-by-side, it's clear that Ulta has its own unique strengths. However, if you're strictly interested in makeup, Sephora is the place to go. Both stores offer a great selection of products from high-end brands, but If you're looking for a one-stop shop where you can buy both makeup and skincare products, Ulta Beauty is the better option.
