• 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 lylyt2
Texas
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
May 25th, 2022

Scam company charge my order then package not received. I contacted 4 time but customer service ignored say wait, I wait 7 days no one rely, they are scams

Tip for consumers:
Refund to my account

Products used:
Skin care ,makeup

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user nicoleo924
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
May 17th, 2023

I've been a loyal customer of Ulta for years. However, the company has really disappointed me in about 80% of my transactions over the past year. My last order came with a shattered candle, which spilled glass all over my floor and cut me when I opened the package. I cleaned that up and let Ulta know, and then they resent the package where the SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN, resulting in dangerous broken glass all over my house AGAIN! They were supposed to contact me regarding an investigation of this due to the severity and danger of the broken glass, but I have not been contacted since. Now I received another order and multiple items are missing, resulting in my having to contact customer service AGAIN. This is ridiculous and disappointing.

Tip for consumers:
Broken Glass from Candle ruined all other products. This happened 2x, with the customer service people saying they would investigate and follow up on this but they never did. I was injured from the glass and had to take it out of my finger and clean it up from my house. I have a dog, and my dog could easily have been injured (or still be if I missed any glass particles I can't see).

Products used:
Broken Glass from Candle ruined all other products. This happened 2x, with the customer service people saying they would investigate and follow up on this but they never did. I was injured from the glass and had to take it out of my finger and clean it up from my house. I have a dog, and my dog could easily have been injured (or still be if I missed any glass particles I can't see).

Service
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user chincheta1806
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 27th, 2023

I received a gift but I had the item and went to Ulta to exchange. First, cashier told me I could not so she would return the money for person that bought the gift. Luckily my in law sent the invoice and I showed her yes, I can exchange for something else. She said in a rude way we will have to call the manager to fix your issue. The manager came and I said I just want to exchange or a gift card. She gave me one and I asked if could buy online because online store has more itens (the Ulta stores in US are a mess). She said yes you can buy online. Nope, in store use only so I came back to other Ulta and the very nice girl gave me a valid gift card. Here is the main problem, my address was saying invalid (never, ever had a problem with my address. Tried everything and talking in chat She said I might have spelled wrong. What? I just want to spend my gift card! Finally found out that the my apt number was not in address 2 and it could not be in capitol letter. No coma, no capitol letter, no abbreviated, nothing!

Thumbnail of user tracyc477
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
September 15th, 2020

The customer service on shipping address change was awful. I input the correct address but when I clicked on 'submit' online, the system automatically switched it back to a previous address. Ulta customer support said they could not change the address. They asked me to refuse the package when it was delivered. But when the postman delivered the package, he did not knock the door so I was not aware of the delivery. I just called 'Ontrac', the shipping service partnered with Ulta. Again, they said nothing they can do and ask me to contact Ulta... It's a circle, back and forth and nobody helped me. What Ontrac customer told me was incorrect. They told me they can change the address for me once it arrives in their PHX facility location, and I can call them to change it. But the package only stayed there for 3 mins and out for delivery. How could I manage to change the address within such a short transition time? TOTALLY FRUSTRATION for both companies: ULTA BEAUTY and ONTRAC shipping.

Thumbnail of user sharonh114
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
April 8th, 2017

Opened up my Ulta on line order box to find my samples and no items I ordered. Called CS and was told that because it was successfully shipped there was nothing they could do but issue me a gift card. Asked to speak to a supervisor and was denied told me they would ship items still in stock but most of the order was backordered due to the 21 Days of Beauty Sale. Told CS that to replace items would mean I lose all the discounts and they said there is nothing they can due will not ship items when they come available again! They then told me to call my credit card company to dispute charges and then she HUNG UP ON ME! Well that's great customer service Ulta BRAVO!

Thumbnail of user micheller1993
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
April 5th, 2022

I placed an order online because in the store they said their system was down. After placing my order, I NEVER received my packaged I called FIVE TIMES and the customer service stated that they cannot reprocess anything until and will call me back. The promise to call back was happen 2 time with NO call back. Finally, I demanded I get my items that I paid for it's been almost 4 weeks and nothing. To top it off I am going on vacation and don't have my items. NEVER AGIN WILL I EVER SHOP HERE. Don't waste your money. ONLY SHOP AT SEPHORA!

Thumbnail of user juliaf220
New York
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 15th, 2021
Verified purchase

One of my orders from Ulta.com was stolen at some point after delivery. It was left by UPS downstairs in the building where anyone could take it, it wasn't brought up to my apartment. I was out that day, and by the time I got back the package was no longer there.

I have lived in this apartment for over a decade now, and must have had at least 20 packages stolen over the years, and NOT ONCE did the retailer handle it in such a deplorable fashion. Every single retailer refunded me for the missing order. After all, they have insurance for losses like that - I do not.

The week this Ulta order went missing two of my Amazon deliveries were stolen as well (it was right after Black Friday), Amazon refunded me immediately, but Ulta gave me the runaround for over two weeks with probably 15 different "supervisors" emailing me the exact same canned response - that UPS tracking information shows the item as delivered, and thus they cannot provide a refund. It is completely irrelevant what UPS shows - *I* did not receive the order! I am out $125 of my own money!

Like I said, this wasn't the first time I had a package stolen, but it was the first time for me that it happened to be an *Ulta* package. I was shocked and dismayed to witness that such a major corporation doesn't even have a process in place for handling cases of this nature. I was a Diamond customer up until that point, but Ulta has now lost my business forever. I hope they choke on my $125.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user asiaj16
Nevada
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 5th, 2020

I ordered my Milani setting spray and it said on the site that I would receive a free gift with any order over $15. When the package came today, I was surprised to see that there wasn't a gift in the box along with the product I ordered. I started a live chat on the website and spoke with a "person" named Jacqueline. She informed me that the GWP (gift with purchase) is supposed to be applied to your bag prior to checkout. When I went back to the site, there wasn't an option to add the gift to my bag before checking out. When I get to my bag to see if it had been automatically applied, it had. So if it automatically gets applied to checkout, shouldn't I have the gift along with the other products I ordered?

Tip for consumers:
Dont.

Products used:
MILANI - Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray and the MILANI - Make It Last Setting Spray Prime + Correct + Set

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user normam458
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
August 3rd, 2023
Verified purchase

I shop at ulta all the time and I've never had a problem with workers are always super friendly and helpful But the store in El Segundo was a horrible first bad sign was nobody said hello or welcome went up to counter to ask for help I was pointed in the direction where I needed to look for it myself still couldn't find it the girl at counter said I will send someone over I waited more than 5 minutes I still got no help I gave up went to pay my stuff I mentioned to cashier about poor service she just sorry charged me and sent me on my way I left upset

Thumbnail of user jeremyh764
Kentucky
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
November 5th, 2022

Ordered a product, arrived broken. Asked for replacement. They sent the wrong item. Called them and they were very little help. I'd order from a different site for their products

Tip for consumers:
Do not order fragrances

Products used:
Fragrance sampler

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user celestez4
Germany
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 30th, 2020

I moved to Europe with my husband because he's in the military and I got my order sent out twice and I never received it. Then ulta said they'd send me a gift card with the amount I spent that I can used in stores or online, the problem is that there isn't any ulta here in Europe that's the reason I ordered online and why would I use it online if they didn't deliver my order twice? I was also told to wait 3-8 business days for my package to deliver AFTER my delivery date had passed because they couldn't give me my refund before that but I had waited a month already and I never received my order. I got my refund after all that mess but Ulta needs to do better with over seas delivering. Not that they care that they're losing a customer but it convinced me not to shop at any Ultas any more

Thumbnail of user angelicaj57
California
1 review
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
March 8th, 2023
Verified purchase

On my daughter's 16th birthday, she wanted to spend her birthday money at her favorite store, Ulta. She drove us happy as can be to Ulta at Delta Shores Sacramento CA. Horrible experience, we sat in the car after leaving shocked and upset, I kept apologizing to my daughter. I wish I would have read the many reviews on here of customers with similar experiences, guess my Platinum Rewards status should be tattooed on my forehead to be treated well at this store. Store staff followed my daughter and I around while we shopped. It was so obvious, lol, at one point I had two employees pretending to scan fully stocked shelves next to me. I was asked twice if I needed help, now based on the reviews, I understand it's because they were/are watching you. Then were extremely rude when we checked out. Considering the store employees are primarily MY COMMUNITY of ethnicity, very shocking to be treated like a criminal for shopping. A child only turns 16 once and today was ruined thanks to the "great staff" at this store. I will tell everyone I know to not go to this store.

Thumbnail of user rachelc402
Arizona
1 review
17 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 13th, 2020

I spent an hour shopping on Ulta's website and found several products to purchase, at check out I noticed shipping was $6. My total was $49.48 - free shipping at $50. I reached out to customer service to see if they had any promotions or would be willing to waive the shipping fee given one of the products I was purchasing was only available online - not available in store - so it HAD to be shipped. Otherwise I would have done In Store Pick up. The customer service agent was rude and said to get free shipping I'd need to spend $50 and to enjoy that great offer... I understand its free after $50 and I'm at $49.48... as a first time customer very surprised Ulta would rather lose a customer than lose $6 shipping. Such a small gesture on their part would have made a huge impact to me, resulting in a great experience and a lifelong return customer. As a result of this rude interaction, I see how much Ulta values their customers and I will never shop at Ulta again and have been sharing my experience with all of my beauty product friends who are also not going to shop there anymore. There are plenty of other options for beauty products Ulta - try standing out by taking care of customers.

Thumbnail of user susana1738
Connecticut
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
March 9th, 2022

LaserShip delivered my package to someone else below is Ulta's response to my request for a refund. Basically they are saying I have no recourse and someone else gets to keep my product and I get to pay for it. Never purchasing anything from Ulta again. Customer service is horrible.

After further review, our records indicate that the package was delivered successfully to the address provided per the proof of delivery provided by Lasership. We suggest checking any and all common areas where packages may be left, including entrance areas and mailboxes! We hope it turns up for you!

You can check the following link, there's an icon of a camera which you can use to either click or tap on it to see the picture attached to the order by the carrier.

https://t.lasership.com/Track/1LSCY2Z******* - Proof of deliver.

With this information on hand, we're unable to reship or refund this order, we're so sorry if we cannot further assist you with your delivery not received, we really hope that you can find your goodies.

Please feel free to respond to this email directly if you have any more questions.

Sincerely,

Diego
ULTA Guest Services

Thumbnail of user maryr1654
New Jersey
1 review
3 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 7th, 2020

They overcharge for everything even when you use a coupon. But at walmart.com you wouldn't believe the difference plus you get 3 times as much. Ulta sucks!

Thumbnail of user teresasydneywalker
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
August 27th, 2023
Verified purchase

I ordered two items. I received one. Mistakes happen. I tried the chat (bot) feature which asked me my name, order number etc. I texted all. It asked me my name (again), I texted it. It asked me my order number. I texted it. Then it thanked me and hoped the problem was solved! I tried this three times with same results. So, the. I emailed customer service with order number, the missing item number, screenshots of my exact order and what was received, all my contact info. I waited two days and received a response.asking me for my name! I responded again with the full information of the order number, all my contact info, and the exact order. Next day I received a response (with my previous email showing with ALL my info) asking my for phone number. Prior email showed it in the reply chain.

Obviously, there is no actual human we are talking or emailing. This is so frustrating. I was a premium customer who spent hundreds at Ulta every few months. Over a simple $25 mascara they have successfully pissed me off. Good job dummies. You lost a customer.

Tip for consumers:
You will never talk to a human or get any kind of follow up to your problem. Good luck

Products used:
Cosmetics

Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user kathrync28
Michigan
6 reviews
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 9th, 2016

I joined the reward program and was told that once I'm a platinum member the points I receive will never expire, I was also told if I didn't use them and let them grow I would have greater benefit. I gathered 2,159 points/$128.00 credit, I had health issues and didn't show anywhere for sometime. Finally better I go there to shop and find that I am no longer a Platinum member and worst no longer have credit. All the times I shopped there to have my points add up, I was never told they expire, I received emails a couple times a week and they never had it in the subject line points expire, Yesterday I looked at my old emails and in the middle of the advertising in small light print it did state they expire soon. I find the promoting of 1) shopping there to gain points 2) putting off using them to gain more benefit misleading and fraudulent. When I called their customer service after being on hold for a supervisor over 20 minutes. I was offered an insulting $10 gift card for being a "Loyal Customer"

Thumbnail of user kaceym7
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 27th, 2021

I have no problem with the service I received from the salon however when I went to pay with my e-gift card no one knew how to use it so I had to pay for service received only credit card and I had researched that I could use the gift card I the store online, the cashiers were very rude about this as well

Products used:
Salon

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user mb270
Missouri
6 reviews
37 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 23rd, 2020

I have had issues with Ulta in the past, customer service is terrible, from not reading questions/concerns and just replying with canned responses to NEVER solving issues (after several YEARS of me trying to resolve an issue) I recently (and foolishly) made a purchase of Kenra hair products, when I finally got the products there were 2 hairspray, a texture spray and a free with purchase blow-dry spray, they were in a large box just basically thrown in with no protection, I say no protection as the air pillow that were in there had NO AIR was just empty baggies, the products were dented and dinged and caps were off. I feel they should have wrapped some bubble wrap around each and put actual air pillows in instead of empty plastic bags! Very shoddy packing. You can tell they definitely do not care about customer satisfaction and customer service.

Tip for consumers:
Don't expect any customer service and be aware items could end up arriving damaged or in rough shape and they do not pack well

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user patc578
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
March 23rd, 2022

I've been to the hair salon a few times myself and I've taken my granddaughters a couple of times. Each time I tried to give them a chance the services was absolutely a Thumbs down. I will never return for hair services again. My hair was personally ruined by a stylist putting a toner/gloss on me saying it was a 10N but it turned my hair a medium brown with purple hues! She tried to correct it by giving my hair a five minute bleach bath which turned it orange and then she did another bleach bath for five minutes turning it dark yellow. Then the manager came back when I did not want to pay and absolutely said I could not leave the store without paying. She was extremely rude with no kind of apologies at all this was in Mansfield Texas. I left and I would not pay.
When I call the daytime manager to explain she was not as rude but still very rude. No one apologized for my hair being ruined but only told me to come back so they could fix it and then I would still have to pay for it if I came in. I refused to go back so I'm living with dark yellow hair.

Value
Thumbnail of user maried41
Florida
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 1st, 2016

What kind of company does not provide customers with a refund for a purchase they did not make due to fraud? ULTA.com! I was informed today that 'they do not refund unauthorized orders'. WTF? So I'm out almost $200 and no merchandise and they act like it's my fault.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE USE ULTA.COM TO PURCHASE ANYTHING AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE NOT TO SHOP THERE EVER AGAIN.

Thumbnail of user markig
California
2 reviews
12 helpful votes
  • Send Message
May 19th, 2017

I used to shop a lot online at ulta.com and have now switched entirely to other beauty site, such as sephora. I learned the hard way that Ulta rewards point expire - yes, some will say it was my fault for not reading the fine print, however it definitely was not very visible and as a "platinum" ultamate rewards member it's pretty surprising that i didn't receive a single communication, even just an email or an alert when I logged in, that my rewards would expire soon. At the time, I was saving my ultra points up for the right purchase to really reward myself with something I wouldn't usually buy. I had saved over $125 worth of rewards point that just disappeared/expired with no forewarning! Logged back into my account and just saw my rewards balance was 0, then had to hunt around for the fine print to see that they would expire.

This was over a year ago so maybe Ulta has since made this policy more visible, but after that I just didn't bother to go back to Ulta.com anymore - not a good customer experience at all. I used to like the Ulta samples and rewards program better because you could actually get $ off purchases, but it's not worth it when your points will just expire without any clear communication. My sephora points have never expired so I just decided to take my business elsewhere.

Thumbnail of user annj178
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
July 16th, 2020

I ordered 8:54 today, and was at their store by 10:21. I saw the female that spoke to me on the phone when I was calling the store to get my work. She said if you have not recd. A second email then your order is not ready. Never recd. One email from ulta. 15 seconds later I see her going to get my items of Nioxin and serum. She still did not come outside, waited for me to call again. Then another woman her color skin tone came outside and as the clerk had my order ready she in dispite of knowing I was outside she knew what type of car I had, walked her to get her items carrying my order with her.
Then did not say good morning, I have your order, she told me: " open your trunk" then slammed my trunk door.
Really, is this the best type of help Ulta can do for a curb side pick up? You have very poor reviews and see many are 1*. I am sure Ulta does not know people like these work their stores. I will find my products from now one where I am serviced the correct way and not by my skin color. (white)

Thumbnail of user mandyk12
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
February 17th, 2016

I shopped at Ulta for more than a decade. My store in Denver was well stocked and well staffed. I got great coupons on a regular basis and some really impressive buys.

Their store in the Phoenix area was merely okay and the coupons dwindled down to almost nothing. And that was after I spent 15 minutes trying to explain to a befuddled young woman that I wanted to change my mailing address and to make sure I hadn't lost my points while changing locations.

Fast forward to their Pensacola store: Zip in the way of useful coupons; no matter what you want, the coupons only apply to something else. A staff who can't be bothered to help. I went in on a Sunday morning looking for something to cover a scar from a bicycle accident. I was the only customer in the place and NO ONE helped me, including some self-important jerk I assume was the manager, since he all but knocked me over striding around barking out orders to the employees. I don't know what "end caps" are but getting them stocked was apparently much more important than I was. I won't be bothering those folks again; they can go back to whatever it is they like to do.

Thumbnail of user ninog12
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 16th, 2020

JUST HORRIBLE. I ordered something with international payment method and money got cut off but when i clicked my order status it showed that I nothing was ordered. Then I contacted them and they told me that they don't accept international payment methods. SO WHY DID THEY EVEN CUT OFF MONEY? I am really disappointed!

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