A Brief History of Ulta

#ulta

What was supposed to be a video on the products originally sold at Ulta turned into a brief history of the store itself. It wasn't the plan, but here we are. Hope you like it!

(I also had to Photoshop the Reddit post because the user deleted their profile.)

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Let’s hang!
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About me
Age: 27
Skin type: combo oily, acne-prone
Hair: dyed, thick, frizzy
Personality: questionable
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[richardwright]

Very interesting! Love learning about other countries 💖
I wish Europe would have stores more like Ulta. It would be nice to buy affordable brands but not have to look at mop buckets or diarrhoea medicine.

[tyralee]

Also my Ulta will probably have more foot traffic now since JC Penny closed down Sephora.

[manecaa]

I agree with everything said, specially when you talked about the rewarding systems. This is the first time in the years I’ve been part of it that I was actually able to save my points. I usually just spend it right away because it is such a good system and I always find something to buy when I’m there 🫠 but I haven’t been to the stores for awhile because terrible twos is a thing and my twins are at that age, so I avoid leaving the house if I can. But I was so happy to see they came to my target. Another brilliant idea. I do target runs a thousand times a month and I would always buy a little something something at the makeup aisle and it would surprisingly add up so quickly. Now I can buy something I actually wanted and combine their point systems. Yay.

[tyralee]

My favorite thing about Ulta is, the $3.50 off $15 coupon. With other makeup stores you usually have to spend much more to get a discount. For me I make smaller purchases on beauty products. So getting a deal when I’m not spending as much is still nice 😊

[gasparinha]

Love a marketing deep-dive! Apparently I joined the rewards program in October 2007. 😏 I started using their salon this year - that's the real way to earn points! I don't get any color or chemical services, but it wouldn't take long at all to hit platinum.

[vivigarbanzo]

Your lipstick looks so great in this video! What’s your combo

[jacquiz.]

Bolingbrook! I know where that is! I grew up in a fairly-nearby town.

[taramisu]

I remember when Ulta used to be Ulta 3, I think that was back in the late 90's or when they first started. I don't shop there as much lately but I do shop there more than Sephora. I don't think I have ever bought anything at Sephora ever. And the funny thing is the nearest Ulta and Sephora are literally across the street from one another. I appreciate the fact that Ulta has some drugstore items since that is what I go for usually. And it's nice to see some of the Colourpop things in person. Good video.

[beautybabbling]

This was fun! Thanks! Growing up before online shopping was a thing and the fact that I lived in the middle of nowhere (it was 45 minutes to decent shopping choices at the time), Ulta was such a fun place to go when we made those shopping trips. Jane Cosmetics is a brand that stands out in my memory for those early Ulta days. I loved that they had little booklets with makeup tips that you could take, and I remember having a shimmery loose powder blush in a pretty rose shade from them (I'm pretty sure it was a blush...that's the way I used it).

Because of how good Ulta's rewards program is, I rarely shop at Sephora anymore. I also hoard my points, so I had more than enough to do a shopping spree during the current fall haul sale. I did the math (because it is fun to know how much everything would have cost at full price), and I got around $250 worth of product for just under $13. That also doesn't count the two gift with purchase sets that were available when I ordered, one of which included a full-size NYX primer and a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.

[jjennyj]

Ultras rewards are the best! My bday is in March which is when the spring event is so I get so many points!

[lhun]

Thanks for this history report. 😀 I love Ulta!

[UnapologeticallyShelley]

I’m watching the videos I missed and I needed to comment on this one! This video is brilliant! I love hearing the history and business plan. Yes, like you, I have a master’s and too much time on my hands, so this makes my little business loving heart happy. 💕💕