So, just to recap, Sephora has a "good-ish" rewards program that can get you some some deluxe size samples, access to their super awesome 20% off sale and some other minimal rewards. If you'd like to see more about the Sephora rewards program, check out my earlier post
here. Or you can just view or video on the
topic!
It's now time for Ulta to enter the smack down! Sephora does have a few pros on Ulta outside of the reward program. Sephora offers more prestige brands (you can see this as a plus or minus because prestige brands definitely equal more money), better information available in the store, and in general better customer service. Now, I know there were be a lot of people out there that will LOUDLY disagree with my customer service statement. What I mean by that is when you walk into a Sephora it's more like walking into Nordstrom vs. JCPenney. A Sephora associate will generally greet you and ask to help you find what you need (Ulta is getting better at this but, most of the stores I frequent in the Orange County and Inland Empire areas still need work) they will offer up suggestions of what other customers have and what they, themselves have tried, and they will offer samples if needed. There have been many times that a Sephora associate has basically shopped with me through my entire visit at the store.
Ulta is my cheap thrills store. I know I can go there for basic stuff, but they also have all kinds of off the wall items that I LOVE. Plus the prices are great and there's always a sell (except on their prestige lines like Tarte, Urban Decay, etc., their pricing is comparable to Sephora). But, Ulta's major selling points are the values they bring to their customer in their every day promos and their rewards program.
So let's dive in!
from Purederm.
! We had to try this...IT'S WINE!!! It's supposed to be super gentle, provide amazing wine anti-oxidants for your skin and tighten your pores. All in one mask! Yes Please!
. It's reasonably priced, compact, and durable. We highly recommend it!
!). The one on this list that hit all of the points for me was the Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Hyaluronic Essence
. One of my favorite lines of skin care is the Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu
Vitamin C items. This looks like it might be a cheaper alternative. Vitamin C does amazing things for your skin and you're also getting the added benefit of Hyaluronic Acid which moisturizes and promotes all kinds of anti-aging properties.
. It was an interesting mask as it was not full of goo and "essence" as you'd expect from a K-Beauty mask. Instead it was more of a compression style mask. Not sure if we're in love with the mask or not but, the idea is definitely intriguing.
