Shopping at Ulta vs. Sephora

When it comes to makeup brands, I really don't have a preference, just as long as it works to my need and is compatible with my skin and type. Drugstore brands are my go-to items (such as Revlon, Maybelline, Neutrogena, and L'Oréal) because they're affordable and easily accessible at almost any major convenience or retail store.

Ulta is a great makeup and beauty supply superstore that provides both drugstore brands (especially a large amount of NYX and Lorac products, which you can't find at Sephora) and some high-end brands. 

But if you prefer a 'prestigious' and sophisticated feel of a store, and don't mind spending a little more for your products then Sephora is a great place to go for all the latest high-quality makeup and beauty items. 

I've listed some general positive observations that I can make between the two:

Sephora highlights:

• Great customer service, employees are helpful, knowledgable, and well-experienced makeup fanatics/artists
• More high-end brands and 'prestige'
• Perfect for the 'intermediate' to 'advanced' level makeup users
• Displays are clean and neat, usually well-stocked
• Can give samples of any product for you
• Online store has fast shipping
• Lots of mirrors, testing stations, and cleaning liquids/tools all over store
• The store's makeup line is better quality than other store makeup lines

Ulta highlights:

• Provides both drugstore brands and some high-end brands
• Friendly customer service, honest opinions and advice
• Perfect for all levels of makeup users, comfortable for beginners especially
• Displays are well-organized and clean
• Typically a very large open store
• Very good sales and promotional deals monthly
• Reasonable rewards program: prizes/benefits are worth redeeming with points

It looks like Sephora does have a few more pros listed but despite these small differences, both stores are very successful in what they do, and I have no major bias towards one over another. It really depends on what you are looking for. Sometimes, new releases may be available at one store first before the other. When I'm not sure if Ulta or Sephora carries a certain item I want, I look it up on Ulta.com or Sephora.com to check and compare prices before I head out on my search.

Other than that, there are plenty of other sources to get your beauty and makeup supplies like Target, Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens, just to name a few. Then of course there are online sites if you can't find what you wanted in-stores. I rarely do online shopping for makeup though because of the cost for shipping and the hassle of returns when I do need to make one. Where do you go for your makeup hunt?