You probably know that Ulta, and Sephora two of the most popular beauty shops in the world.
What are the main differences? Which store should you visit next time you need a new makeup product or a salon service? Find out the winner of our Ulta and Sephora comparison.
Ulta vs Sephora Overview
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics, & Fragrance Inc. was founded in 1990. It is now known as Ulta Inc. Terry Hanson founded it in Chicago with Dick George. It began with 5 stores in suburban Illinois. Now, it has over 1,000 locations in the U.S.
Dominique Mandonnaud founded Sephora in Paris in 1970. The open-sell policy of Sephora sets it apart from other retail outlets. Customers are encouraged to test the products.
Sephora US was launched in SoHo in New York in 1998. There are now over 2,700 Sephora stores in 35 countries.
| Ulta | Sephora |
| There are more salon services available in store (hair, make-up, waxing, facials, skin and ear piercing). — Target locations Drugstore brands and luxury brands mixed Rewards program offers more discounts Refunds on items purchased within 60 Days Standard Shipping is 3-8 Business Days Orders over $35 qualify for free shipping, otherwise shipping is $6.95 | You can get some salon services in store (makeup, waxing and skin). Personal shopping service Kohls and Macy’s locations Luxury Brands You can redeem your points on certain products Purchases made within 30 days of purchase are eligible for a refund (store credit is available for purchases made between 31-60 days). Standard Shipping is 1-3 Business Days Shipping is free for orders above $50. Otherwise, shipping is $6.50. |
Brands
Ulta
Ulta offers a wide range of brands, from drugstore brands at affordable prices to luxury brands. The product range, price, and quality will vary depending on which brand you choose.
Ulta, compared to Sephora is known for offering a mixture of luxury and drugstore items.
Ulta features a variety of brands, including Benefit, Dermalogica and Laura Mercier.
Sephora
Sephora carries more exclusive brands and luxury makeup lines than Ulta, which makes the price range higher.
Sephora features brands such as Huda Beauty and Milk. Tarte is also available.
Service
Ulta
Ulta offers a wide range of salon services in its stores, which makes it different from Sephora. In their salons you can have your hair and make-up done by professionals.
You can book appointments at Ulta for services such as hair (styles, cuts, or dyes), eyebrows & waxing, makeup & eyelashes, skin care, and ear-piercings. will provide you with a complimentary consultation, where you can receive advice and recommendations.
Ulta is a popular place for people to go to get their makeup done before special occasions like weddings or proms. Ulta offers salon services right in the store.
Sephora
Sephora offers salon services in-store, but these are limited to facial waxing, makeup and skin care. Appointments can also be booked online .
You can also make an appointment for the Sephora Beauty Advisor service.
You can also get virtual beauty consultations at Sephora through Zoom if you prefer to receive beauty advice from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Sephora’s website has a FAQ page that you can use if there are any questions regarding the services it offers.
Enjoy the Benefits
Ulta
You should join the rewards program if you shop regularly at these stores.
Ultamate Reward Ulta is Ulta’s rewards program. You will receive 1 point per $1 spent on beauty products or services. You can redeem these points for products and services.
You can join for free . However, you may upgrade to Platinum or Diamond membership if you want more benefits like earning more points per $1, points that never expire, and additional discounts and gifts.
Ulta offers a generous rewards program. Ulta has a generous reward policy. The more you spend, the more promotions and discounts you get.
Sephora
Sephora offers a Loyalty program which rewards 1 point per $1 spent at any Sephora store. The reward can be used for any product, or services in-store. Other tiers include Very Important Beauty (V.I.B. ), Rouge, and the very important Beauty Insider. The other tiers are Very Important Beauty Insider (V.I.B.)
You can also exchange points at Beauty Insider Rewards bazaar for free products. That’s right, free. You can select deluxe samples at the checkout.
Beauty Insider points are also redeemable for a discount. Earn 500 points and get $10 off your purchase Rouge Members (those with 1,000 points) receive a $100 gift card that they can use on any product at Sephora.
Return Policy
Ulta
If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, Ulta will accept all products (as long the original components are still present) and refund all money within 60 days.
You can return purchases from an Ulta shop to any Ulta location. Online purchases can also be returned to an Ulta branch. The refund does not include shipping fees.
Ulta Beauty stores do not accept items that were purchased directly from Ulta. Check out our guide for more information on Ulta’s policy.
Sephora
Sephora offers store credit for products returned between 31-60 days after purchase.
Online purchases can be returned by mail or in a Sephora shop. Sephora also accepts returns on items purchased through third-party marketplaces such as Instagram and Google. Bonus!
What is the best?
When you compare Ulta with Sephora, it’s really a matter of personal taste.
Ulta offers a greater variety of products and salon services in store. You can often find more affordable products as well as a rewards program that will help you save money.
Sephora is a great option if you want to shop for exclusive, high-end products and enjoy a more personalized shopping experience. Sephora is a great place to shop if you enjoy luxury products (or want to feel like it).