What is the difference between Sephora and Ulta 2023?

Which one is better Ulta or Sephora? I broke down the difference between Sephora and Ulta such as History, Beauty Brands, Return Policy, Rewards Program, Benefits and Sale Events AND their beauty gift with purchase offers for you!

Latest beauty offers at Sephora and ULTA:

1. Sephora and Sephora.ca is offering up free 12pc fragrance sample set (choose from two) with $45 purchase, use code VDAYSCENTS.
2. At Ulta, Choose a Free 13 Piece Skincare Sampler with $75 Purchase worth $105 (3 options). Plus, Free 7 Piece Gift with $100 Purchase worth $76. Platinum exclusive, Free 38 Piece Beauty Bag with any $140 purchase. A $318 value. Youthforia BYO BLUSH Color Changing Blush Oil Free Blush Brush with Youthforia BYO Blush Purchase.

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Ulta Beauty vs. Sephora: What’s the difference?

History

Ulta, American chain of beauty stores in the United States, headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois (founded in 1990), the nation’s largest beauty retailer, with more than 1.3K stores across all 50 states! Ulta recently launched Ulta Beauty at Target (August 2021) – see all locations here. Ulta is a gold mine to get every beauty you desire from drugstore to high-end.

Sephora The LVMH-backed beauty retailer Sephora is always a good place to shop for beauty! The first store in New York City was started in 1998. Currently, there are more than 500 stores. Sephora + Kohl’s has launched since 2021 and currently they have over 600 locations.

Beauty Brands

Ulta It sells over 25,000 products across more than 600 brands. Private labels: Ulta Collection and Ulta Beauty Finds.

Top Brands: Anastasia Beverly Hills | Ardell | Becca | The Body Shop | Clinique |  Colourpop | Dose of Colors | Elizabeth Arden  | Essence | Estee Lauder || Exuviance| It Cosmetics | Kate Somerville | Kylie Cosmetics | LASplash | Laura Geller | Julep | Juvia’s Place | Lime Crime  | MAC | Morphe | NARS | NYX | Ofra | Philosophy | Poo Pourri | Real Techniques |  Rituals | Skinfood | Smashbox | Sunday Riley | Tarte Cosmetics | Too Faced | The Crème Shop | Tula | Ulta | Urban Decay |  Vichy | Vita Liberata |

Sephora Sephora have more than 25,000 products from 340+ brands. Private labels:  Sephora Collection They also have Sephora Favorites— awesome multi-brand kits.

Top brands: Anastasia Beverly Hills |  Beautyblender | Bite Beauty | Drunk Elephant | Fenty Beauty by Rihanna| GLAMGLOW |  Huda Beauty  |  Kat Von D | Make Up For Ever |  Marc Jacobs Beauty| Milk Makeup |  PAT McGRATH LABS | Sunday Riley| Surratt |   TATCHA | Tarte |  Too Faced | | Urban Decay | Violet Voss | Viseart

Return policy

Ulta Returns must be accompanied by all original components.
Lost your receipt? No problem for Ultamate Rewards members! We are able to locate purchases made using your Ultamate Rewards member ID or phone number.
If you are unable to return the product with its receipt and we are unable to verify the original purchase price of the product, your refund will be in the form of an in-store credit equal to the lowest selling price at which the product was sold by Ulta Beauty during the 90-day period preceding the return. Guests will be asked to provide a valid government issued ID (i.e. driver’s license, state or military ID).
Returns with a gift receipt can be exchanged for different product or an in-store credit.
In order to offer the best shopping and product-return experience to as many guests as possible, Ulta Beauty reserves the right to limit returns if we have reason to suspect misuse of our generous Returns Policy (such as excessive returns, reseller activity, or fraud).
Items purchased from other retailers, dealers or resellers and not directly from Ulta Beauty are not eligible for return, refund or exchange, including Ulta Beauty at Target.
Purchases made at Ulta Beauty or ulta.com may not be returned or exchanged at an Ulta Beauty at Target location.
Single-use coupons used on your original purchase cannot be returned.
Gift cards cannot be returned in exchange for cash.
A full refund will be issued on a return that included a free product or gift, providing the return is within 60 days of original purchase. See full terms here.

Sephora Here are two easy ways to return your item from a Sephora.com or a third-party marketplace order*:

1. Sephora.com Returns by Mail
Click here to start or track a return

♦ Using the link above indicate which items will be returned and the reason for each return.**
♦ Include the Sephora original packing slip with your items.
♦ Package your return item in the manufacturer’s product box and Sephora packaging (if available). Otherwise, pack your return in a well-padded envelope or box to prevent damage in transit.
♦ Print the Prepaid Return Label or request a printerless FedEx Mobile Return Code (if available) from the link above.
♦ Drop off the package at one of the specified FedEx locations.***
♦ Track your return using the link above.
♦ You will receive an email confirmation when your return is processed.

It takes up to 30 days to process returns and credit your account or to issue an online store credit. Please note that your financial institution may take longer to reflect the transaction.

2. Sephora.com Returns to Store Location
Visit any free standing Sephora store to return a new or gently used item purchased from Sephora.com or a third-party marketplace within 60 days of purchase. Please bring your Sephora original packing slip with you, as well as the credit or debit card you used to place your order. See full terms.

Rewards Program, Benefits and Sale Events

Ulta Why it is the best: Enrollment in the “Ultamate Rewards” program is FREE here.When you spend $500 at Ulta.com or Ulta stores in a calendar year (total qualified spending between January and December of a calendar year), you’ll automatically be enrolled in the Ulta Platinum Status program. For every $1 you spend as an Ulta Platinum Status member, you earn 1.25 points. Your membership will be upgraded automatically once you meet the annual spending threshold.  Don’t forget to set up your birthday gift for extra free birthday gift! The three tier membership and Ulta rewards are awesome. You’ll get Platinum and Diamond exclusive gift with purchase offers that are to-die-for plus additional sale items that are only available for Platinum and Diamond only. You can treat your points like money. See the chart here. Check my site for Ulta’s Platinum Perks Days 2023 for extra beauty gift with purchase and beauty deals.

Stacking! They stack — all gift with purchase offers, coupon (printable version) and all things we can add to our cart will likely be stackable. It felt satisfying, didn’t it? They also have so many bonus offers that Must Activate. They have the biggest event called Ulta 21 Days of Beauty event (ulta.com/21days) that is out-of-the-world cool both GWPs and 50% off daily steals. Recently, Ulta introduced – Ulta Dash to Beauty up to 50% off.

Sephora Why it is the best: First, Sephora, Ulta, Bluemercury and Space NK offer free birthday gift (reviewed here). Sephora’s 3-tier membership, called Sephora Beauty Insider, consists of Beauty Insider, Sephora VIB (spend $350) and Sephora VIB Rouge (spend $1000). VIB and VIB Rouge members will get extra coupon codes and more perks that are reserved for them only.

We can choose 2 free samples at checkout with no minimum required. We can redeem the points for free samples or full size for VIB and Rouge at Sephora.com/rewards-bazaar.

Gift with purchase price range

Ulta Big random swings. It could be a 22-piece gift with $75 purchase or a 19-piece gift with $150 purchase. The Beauty Break gifts are usually 4-5 deluxe samples with $50 purchase and run 4 – 6 hours.

Sephora and Sephora.ca offer new gift with purchase almost every day at Sephora.com/beauty-offers. They are a few deluxe samples with $25 purchase. They offer Sephora sample bags that contain 7 or more samples with $35 – $75 purchase several times per year. Their sample bags are well curated and contain items that are loved by several … clans.

Ulta vs. Sephora Black Friday Sales

According to RD.com,
Ulta Beauty Black Friday sales
Ulta Beauty ‘s early Black Friday 2022 sales run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from October 27-November 19, with each week having a different theme:

Nov 3-5: 40% off top-rated hair products
Nov 10-12: $15 cleansers
Nov 17-19: $10 Prestige minis and up to 40% off tools

Sephora Black Friday sales
Sephora has plenty of sales spirit up its sleeves, too. Sephora hosted its Holiday Savings Event in early November, where beauty lovers saved anywhere from 10-20% on their favorite products and scored 30% off Sephora Collection through November 7.

But there are more Sephora Black Friday sales to cash in on: From November 21-28, take up 50% off products across the site!

The bottom line: Where should you shop?

Truthfully, it’s up to you. it’s impossible to go wrong. I’ve rounded up all cool free gift with purchase available today at both places below, enjoy!

Ulta Gift with Purchase

Ulta -Choose a Free 13 Piece Skincare Sampler with $75 Purchase worth $105 (3 options). Plus, Free 7 Piece Gift with $100 Purchase worth $76. Platinum exclusive, Free 38 Piece Beauty Bag with any $140 purchase. A $318 value. Youthforia BYO BLUSH Color Changing Blush Oil Free Blush Brush with Youthforia BYO Blush Purchase (valid thru 3/25/23 or while quantities last)

GIFT 1: Free 13 Piece Skincare Sampler #1 with $75 purchase. A $105 value. One per customer. Offer valid 2/8/23 or while quantities last.

Includes

1. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum deluxe sample
2. Sunday Riley C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum deluxe sample
3. Kopari Niacinamide & Caffeine Eye Bright Cream deluxe sample
4. Erborian Skin Hero Bare Skin Perfector deluxe sample
5. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration deluxe sample
6. Winky Lux Dream Gelée Moisturizing Face Gel mini
7. Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Face Wash mini
8. Oh K! Vitamin C Eye Mask (1 pr)
9. l.f. Cosmetics Suntouchable! Whoa Glow Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen mini
10. No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Concentrate dluxe sample
11. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash sample
12. CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion deluxe sample
13. Philosophy Hope In A Jar Multi-Tasking Moisturizer deluxe sample

Or GIFT 1: Free 13 Piece Skincare Sampler #2 with $75 purchase. A $105 value. One per customer. Offer valid 2/8/23 or while quantities last.

Includes

1. Tula 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream deluxe sample
2. Supergoop! Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 deluxe sample
3. Avène Hydrance LIGHT Emulsion deluxe sample
4. Beekman 1802 Dream Booster Serum mini
5. Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser deluxe sample
6. Zitsticka Killa Spot Clarifying Microdart Patch sample
7. Pixi Glow Tonic mini
8. Freeman Anti-Stress Dead Sea Minerals & Lavender Clay Facial Mask full size
9. Proactiv Cleanse Renewing Cleanser deluxe sample
10. Byoma Moisturizing Rich Cream deluxe sample
11. Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Daily Moisturizer deluxe sample
12. Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser deluxe sample
13. KYLIE SKIN Face Moisturizer deluxe sample

Or GIFT 1: Free 13 Piece Skincare Sampler #3 with $75 purchase. A $105 value. One per customer. Offer valid 2/8/23 or while quantities last.

Includes

1. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream deluxe sample
2. Fourth Ray Beauty The Daily Eye Cream full size $15
3. It Cosmetics Confidence In A Eye Cream deluxe sample
4. L’Occitane Immortelle Reset Serum deluxe sample
5. Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil deluxe sample
6. Mario Badescu Vitamin C Cream deluxe sample
7. L’Oréal Age Perfect Midnight Serum sample
8. cocokind Oil To Milk Cleanser deluxe sample
9. Crepe Erase Advanced Body Repair Treatment Ultra deluxe sample
10. Ulta Beauty Hydrating Coconut Sheet Mask sample
11. La Roche-Posay Hyaluronic B5 Serum mini
12. Clinique Take Off The Day Charcoal Cleansing Balm deluxe sample
13. Peach & Lily Pore Proof Perfecting Clay Mask deluxe sample

GIFT 2: Free 7 Piece Gift with any $100 sitewide purchase. A $76 value. One per customer. Offer valid 2/8/23 or while quantities last.

Includes

• Clarins Total Eye Lift deluxe sample
• Elizabeth Arden ADVANCED Ceramide Capsules (7 ct)
• The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Hyperpigmentation Serum full size
• Love Wellness Call Me Collagen sample
• Keys Soulcare Multi Benefit Serum deluxe sample
• Strivectin Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream mini

(1d) Valentine’s Day gifts.(2d) See all offers here.

GIFT 3: Platinum exclusive, Free 38 Piece Beauty Bag with any $140 purchase. A $318 value.

Includes

• Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD mini
• Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Eye Cream
• SMASHBOX Photo Finish Illuminate Glow Primer deluxe sample
• Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Serum deluxe sample
• Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum sample
• First Aid Beauty Collagen Firming Cream deluxe sample
• Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel mini
• Too Faced Better Than Sex, Milani Antigravity, Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara minis
• NYX Professional Makeup Line Loud Lip Pencil full size in Total Baller
• Juvia’s Place Rebel Quad full size in Mint
• Ulta Beauty Collection Lipstick mini in Barely There
• Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream deluxe sample
• Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum mini
• L’Occitane Immortelle Reset Serum deluxe sample
• Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum mini
• OSEA Undaria Algae Body Butter deluxe sample
• Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream deluxe sample
• Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream deluxe sample
• Origins GinZing Energizing Gel Cream with Caffeine & Niacinamide deluxe sample
• Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 deluxe sample
• OLAPLEX No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask deluxe sample
• OUAI Treatment Masque deluxe sample
• Plus additional deluxe samples from Juice Beauty, Kylie Skin, Pixi, Not Your Mothers, IGK, Living Proof, Bumble and bumble., Love Wellness, Megababe, Vichy, Cetaphil, La Roche-Posay, CeraVe & Eczema Honey

(NEW) 5x points on select skincare purchase including Good Molecules, Orgins, and more, 3x points on all fragrance purchase — activate here.

Sephora Gift with Purchase

Sephora.ca (NEW) Free 12pc fragrance sample set (choose from two) with $45 purchase, use code VDAYSCENTS. See Sephora coupons.

There are new items in the SEPHORA Rewards Bazaar, you can use Sephora points to redeem for free. Pick two free samples with any purchase (no minimum) here. See Sale page here. See all available kits at Sephora Favorites.

All images courtesy of brands mentioned.

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