• Ulta

Ulta

Is this your business?
Write a Review

Overview

Ulta has a rating of 2.8 stars from 532 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Ulta most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and order online problems. Ulta ranks 14th among Skin Care sites.

  • Service
    109
  • Value
    93
  • Shipping
    88
  • Returns
    73
  • Quality
    81
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 23.1%
Positive
3
Neutral
0
Negative
10
40
See all photos
How would you rate Ulta?
Top Positive Review

“Trails wilderness program death”

Arman g.
1/16/24

Over the past few years, Carolin Trails has been surrounded by controversy about their wilderness therapy program death where a young teenager named Alec Lansing lost his life while camping at their program. Which shocked every parent whose kids were in that program for treatment.

Top Critical Review

“Terrible online customer service”

BEcca K.
8/16/24

I was online adding to my cart when my app glitches. I noticed my shopping cart had suddenly been cleared. So I closed app and opened thinking it would reset. Nope. So I added items back into my cart. Then I purchased. I receive 2 emails saying 2 orders were placed. Both were duplicate. So, immediately I texted customer service (within 5 min) to have them cancel 1st order. I explained my situation and was told by 6 different people they couldn't cancel my order. All of them assured me they could help, wasted my time just to tell me their bs system wouldn't allow them to cancel my order that hasn't been shipped. I have been a customer for years and they just lost one due to bs policies and incompetent agents.

Reviews (532)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (144) phone number (6)
Thumbnail of user scb2
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 18th, 2019

They issued a gift card for my order instead of a refund. Lost all black Friday items. They didn't ask me how I wanted it back. They didnt ship out til 1.5 weeks later after I had to message them. I lost all my freebies. Disappointment. Customer service obviously doesnt care about the customer

Thumbnail of user cynthias876
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
October 21st, 2020

I purchased an item with Ulta online and they never sent it. I have countless emails back and forth with their lousy customer service. They have never provided proof of delivery and told me they hope it shows up. This is the worst company to deal with. They have done nothing to remedy the situation. I reported them to the BBB. They still provided nothing to support their claim that my item was delivered. If you value your money you should go elsewhere. They have the worst customer service I have ever witnessed. You will not get your items and they will do nothing about it. Please beware and take your business elsewhere. You will be happy you did.

Thumbnail of user angryc123
New Hampshire
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
December 8th, 2021

I ordered several items one of them being the Dyson airwrap upon opening the package everything was there but that. I thought maybe it was in another package but that wasn't the case. Checked my cameras and nothing was taken. Called Ulta 4 separate times and 3 of them being put on hold just to be hung up on after being told it was in fact delivered. Incredibly frustrating that they can't take responsibility after finally getting in touch with a supervisor the only thing she could offer was a refund and this was after an hour of explaining I NEVER RECEIVED IT. How do you just not ship an item while charging over $600? Unacceptable business ethics.

Service
Value
Shipping
Thumbnail of user cherylp85
Florida
1 review
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 8th, 2017

Ive always had a good experience in the stores so didnt think twice about ordering online with them. I should have checked with Consumer Affairs website and others. 1.5 stars out of 5. They sent an email stating my order was shipped BUT it wasnt actually shipped for another 4 Days (& that was after I called since the tracking number they gave had no tracking). EVERY contact Ive had with their CustomerCare Ive received bad/incorrect information (with a lot of attitude attached). - If you use the free shipping they offer, be prepared to get a condescending attitude (?! Seriously!?) like youre the Cinderella step child. Its silly and immature, let alone unprofessional.
Again, unfortunate.

Thumbnail of user lindseyn114
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
May 12th, 2020

I placed an online order for over $300 with Ulta in April. My order was originally shipped with UPS. My order tracking stated my order was delivered to my front porch by USPS. It was nowhere to be seen. I checked all over my property, checked my mailbox and checked with my neighbors. When a supervisor from guest services finally did get back in touch with me, it took 1.5 weeks, they stated that they checked with the shipping company and it was proven to be delivered so they refuse to resend or refund my money. I am a diamond member and have a nice sized credit card with them. I will never again buy from Ulta and I will be cancelling my credit card!

Thumbnail of user bezab
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
April 30th, 2017

The Ulta at Lloyd Center, in Portland, OR, racislly profiles their customers. I am African American and an employee told the securuty guard to follow me around. The employee was rude, volatile and just plain awful. The manager showed the least bit of concern when I contacted the store to make my formal complaint. Do Not give them ur business. Everyone I know already stopped shopping there! #ultadisgusting

Thumbnail of user alicen338
Mexico
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
May 12th, 2023

Glitchy app and same glitchy website. Impossible to connect PayPal to pay - just kicks you back to check-out page. They won't allow you to place an order if you are traveling and trying to do it outside of USA even though it is not mentioned anywhere and even though you try to pay with your American bank cards. Customer support tells lies and many of the "specialists" have no clue what's going on and just give random reasons and excuses that have nothing to do with an actual situation.

Tip for consumers:
Glitchy app and same glitchy website. Impossible to connect PayPal to pay - just kicks you back to check-out page. They won't allow you to place an order if you are traveling and trying to do it outside of USA even though it is not mentioned anywhere and even though you try to pay with your American bank cards. Customer support tells lies and many of the "specialists" have no clue what's going on and just give random reasons and excuses that have nothing to do with an actual situation.

Products used:
None, because it is nearly impossible to place an order.

Service
Quality
Thumbnail of user brendad661
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
April 3rd, 2021

I'm a platinum member for 3 years now and I've never dealt with such terrible customer service. It's so useless to call them for help. Waste of time. I ordered a product on their 21 daya of beauty sale. A week later no carrier movement so I emailed just to check. They reply saying a refund had been issued and nothing about a replacement. I sent another email about a replacement. They replied saying that because they had issued a refund they couldn't send me a replacement. Uuummm but I never asked for a refund in the first place; just on status! So I finally called them n they just repeated the same dumb thing. What's worse is the rep told me "but you can go ahead and order it again today". I know that! But "Are you going to give me a coupon code so I can get the same sale price?" "No sorry we can't do that". Aaghh! What is even the point! So stupid. Completely deters a buyer from ordering anything on their app or online.

Shipping
Thumbnail of user ashleeb7
North Carolina
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
April 15th, 2017

I went into Ulta to have my hair cut. The lady did a horrible job. But i understand because i have thin curly hair. So i had to pay someone else to fix it. I go back 6 weeks later to a gantleman to get my hair dyed. I was originally blonde. The dye i wanted was blonde with a few light pink rose color and honey highlights. He dyed my entire head RED! I cried myself to sleep. I paid $100 for someone to ruin my hair. Horrible experience

Thumbnail of user traciel55
Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
March 19th, 2022
Verified purchase

Ulta is a rip off you get at least 2 emails a day and the coupons stink. And Pottstown store wouldn't even use my store credit it was only $3 and they still wouldn't put it towards the purchase. Something about it had to be $10 of store credit. Ulta you stink.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user donnal77
Ohio
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
April 13th, 2016

Ulta is a total waste! What horrible customer service for online orders. I placed an order... the address was wrong. I called tried to, get them to change the address... since I paid for the order with PayPal... they tried to tell that I would need to call PayPal to resolve the issue. I did that, PayPal said Ulta could cancel the order since it was still pending... and actuall called with me to try and solve the issue. PayPal and I talked to an Ulta rep on the phone. They put us on hold multiple times... then said PayPal would need to hang up! Then they said they would need to get a supervisor... we said ok, get one. Then the same person came back three times saying the same thing... still would not get a supervisor to speak to us. We waited... then they disconnected us! Just to get my shipping address changed or cancel the order. Unbelievable. I am stopping payment on the charge and will never order from them again.

Thumbnail of user cascadem
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
June 1st, 2022

I'm astounded companies like these stay open and how rude their employees are. I came to the Riverdale, Utah location. I parked in the Curbside Pickup parking stall, I thought no big deal, I'm just running in to grab something really quick. When I walked in the employee told me that the spot is only for those coming in for curbside pick up. I went and moved my car ONE STALL OVER to satisfy the employee. Really? This started all because of COVID, which has been a complete fraud. But I guess Ulta is still being a sheep! I can't believe you STILL designate a spot for a curbside customer. The effort it takes to come to a location, park, walk in and SHOP; mostly likely spending more money is what is keeping these brick and mortar businesses open. I was very disappointed. Will look to take my business elsewhere.

Service
Thumbnail of user aiahs
Germany
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
August 22nd, 2022

I ordered from ulta online and I unfortunately didn't receive whole my items. I was missing alot and I was very mad, I contacted them and they didn't reship or refund.
I will never ever purchase from ulta anymore very disappointed.

Service
Thumbnail of user jenniferm2178
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
August 17th, 2020

Was given about $100 worth of Too Faced cosmetics for Birthday present. (These were purchased because an ulta consultant in Ann Arbor recommended these shades for my complexion) I sent the colors to my mom who purchased for my Birthday. Colors were ALL WRONG. I was told if colors didn't match and was 60% or more still in bottle could exchange. Only 1/2 pump to test on wrist was used from 1 bottle. Other 2 items were NEW. I was REFUSED an EXCHANGE without a receipt. If my mom can't find the receipt I am stuck with $100 worth of product I can't use. Thanks for the crap Birthday present Ulta. Cant use it.

Thumbnail of user ss568
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 11th, 2019

Re: website purchase and decision to exclusively patronize Sephora. I made a purchase online at/around 240p. Contacted Ulta immediately after purchase (so within 5min?) and was told they 'couldn't stop the package as they're so committed to rapid service'. So-much-knowing-baloney... My tracking data shows I won't receive package for nine business days (for $8+ s/h between NJ to PA. What a joke). Also: Ulta refused to retroactively apply coupon (by 5min). So peace out Ulta: the only thing that distinguishes you from Sephora, Macys, or even CVS is customer service. I may only spend $30-50 in any month but am confident Sephora and CVS will be happy to take it (as both have offered excellent customer service to me in the past for the *same* products and both have beauty rewards program and regular coupons).

Thumbnail of user taylorw349
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
August 11th, 2022
Verified purchase

ULTA STOLE $200+ FROM ME AND I CAN'T GET ANYONE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Take this as a warning to NOT order online from Ulta. My $250 order of 12 items showed up with only TWO items inside despite the packing slip showing all 12. I escalated this on Saturday, followed up on it twice, and still can't get anyone to give me a solution other than "wait for someone to reach out" with no ETA. Case confirmation #*******. If Ulta had resolved this issue by now I would have kept it to myself, but after five days it's clear the company isn't concerned about literal fraud at the expense of its customers, so I'll be posting this review anywhere and everywhere I can until this is fixed. Be warned.

Service
Shipping
Thumbnail of user dayshah3
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
April 26th, 2022
Verified purchase

Order tracker shows delivered 20th and it wasn't! I was told I have to wait until the 26th before they could refund me. I called on the 26th and was told by a supervisor that since it shows delivered they are so sorry, can't refund.

Almost $100 down the drain, was a birthday present to myself.

Tip for consumers:
Online deals are a scam.

Products used:
Makeup and perfume

Service
Shipping
Returns
Thumbnail of user melanief49
Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
July 22nd, 2018

Ordered 12 bottles of shampoo/ cond. And only received 4. Called customer service and was on hold 52 min before to talked to anyone. Said they would reorder and I would get email conf. Never got conf. So I called again and was on hold for 61 min this time and said they had a manager to get them out right away and even confirmed missing items. Got conf. Email and still missing 1 bottle! Love that I have a hassle to get items I paid for. All I got was an apology for a mistake that was not mine, missing items, extreme wait times, and Im still missing a bottle!

Thumbnail of user susanf2308
Indiana
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
March 31st, 2023

When I used my paypal to pay, it rerouted my shipping to my previous one. So only few hours after ordering, I contacted customer service on chat, explaining that I needed to change my shipping address because it was wrong. Keep in mind, I only just placed the order, nothing had been printed and was only showing "processing" and they have not even charged my paypal. SO, they said we can't change the shipping AND they said they will try to reroute it and that I should receive an email whether that worked or not, but nope. Nothing. My order is still traveling to an old address, they are able to see that I've ordered before on my current address, but nope. I do not understand why, when ulta have not even assembled my products that was ordered, that they couldn't change the shipping address. It's not a security issue either because they can easily check my order history to find my current address, and I have my member ID, my order number etc. Very upset with this service.

Thumbnail of user lu10
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
July 26th, 2020

Ordered the Dyson Airwrap complete styler, 3 times, each time the order was canceled by them... each time they said it was my card company or maybe my address didn't match... I spoke with my card companies ( as I tried with 2 different cards). Each time the order was pending on my card, Ulta cancelled the entire order on their end... Seems to me that Ulta really did not want to honor the 20% off coupon. 2 of the 4 Customer service people were polite and tried their best to help re-order with a new coupon code. The others gave me various reasons i. E. using safari may not work, etc. and sorry it's on your banks end were the problem is... I asked if customer service could place my order over the phone and they cannot... GUESS WHAT? After almost 4 hours on the phone with Ulta cs, my credit card companies and online trying to re-order, I WON'T BE SHOPPING AT ULTA ANYMORE!
****Note that the Dyson item I wanted was not in-store in my state, but other locations had it.

Thumbnail of user briannab96
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
August 11th, 2020

I placed an order online and realized that it was shipping to my old address. I immediately called after I placed the order, and asked for the order to be cancelled. I was told the order would be cancelled within 24-48 hours. I ended up getting charged for the order, and getting a shipment email. I called Ulta back and they stated there was a miscommunication and that my order may be cancelled with 24-48 hours. It is not a guarantee. Since the order had shipped, they told me I wouldn't receive a refund, unless they received the shipment back. I DO NOT LIVE at that address to receive the shipment. The lady on the phone was supposed to put me on hold, so I could speak to a manager, and she hung up on me.

Thumbnail of user heatherm988
Ohio
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
December 8th, 2020

Ulta Beauty won't respond to my messages other than "for future orders change your address in our system"

NEVER. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE!

I looked up reviews online and they actually do this to people all the time and get away with it. SEPHORA is better just saying. And they wonder why I've only shopped there like 1x a year if that. Now it will be never and I hope others follow suit. For a company to not take accountability for not taking action right away and intentionally shipping something to the wrong address after being advised is trash... then to tell me they won't refund or reship because it shows delivered to that address The WRONG address! ‍ I cant!

Thumbnail of user linneab16
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 27th, 2020

I bought some peppermint bath fizzers and wipes. They smelled like a nasty chemical and the fizzers didn't fizz. I contacted ulta and they said to bring them in and return them. I said how do I return 2 used bathbombs and wipes? No response. I said I guess I will stick to Sephora and they said ok sorry. That's it.

Thumbnail of user tj248
Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
October 2nd, 2021

I have never encountered a lousy customer service than Ulta, s recently in September 2021 during the 21 days of beauty, ulta had a promo of adding 200 points towards your rewards if you shop atleast $50 or more. I spent about $500, the auto calculator did add the points for the money spent but when i reached out to the customer service for those extra200 poits, i got an email that i should get back after September 27th. Afterwards when sent a reminder again, i got multiple Ramblings non excuses in multiple emails that i had to reply NOT to email me anymore. I can only hope that no customer of ulta should have to contact these people. The amount of worst reviews that i just read for ulta customer service, I wonder how these people still work for ulta unless this is a policy choice by this corporation.

Tip for consumers:
Na

Products used:
Na

Service
Thumbnail of user lhaggerty89
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
June 5th, 2023

Placed a large order, never delivered. Called Ulta, they were insensitive to the amount of money I lost placing my order and told me there was nothing they could do.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Sitejabber for Business

Gain trust and grow your business with customer reviews.

About the business

ULTA Beauty offers customers prestige & mass cosmetics, makeup, fragrance, skincare, bath & body, haircare tools & salon. BareMinerals, Smashbox, Murad & more.

How do I know I can trust these reviews about Ulta?

  • Sitejabber’s mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
  • Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
  • Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
Have a question about Ulta?

Is this your business?

Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and manage your listing.

Claim Your Business