Ulta Salon and Cosmetics

Employees are horrible. I went to check out and the cashier was more interested in her conversation with the other employee. They would not take my coupon because it was a day old. Seriously? I spend hundreds of dollars an you can’t take my coupon that is 24 hours old. Additionally there was a manager standing near by who did NOTHING but stare into a computer instead of making a customer happy. I’m done. Off to Sephora I go. They have much nicer employees!

I like ulta, always have, always will. Everyone who works here is very informative and polite. There’s plenty of different options in everything. When there’s a lint of people they are really good with moving along the lines quickly. I’ve never experienced any issues here, I’ll continue to come when I need things!

I tend to come to this location rather than the downtown Naperville one because parking is easier, but I have grown increasingly annoyed with it.
I will say that every Ulta needs better signage. I don’t get why within a section there will be shelf signs for brands… I can see the products, they are labeled with the brands, I just want to be able to spot the right area in general from across the room so why confuse things?
Ulta often has special sale deals or «buy x, get a free y» (see their circulars). I don’t plan my shopping based around this, but if it coincides with the stuff I’m buying, that is a plus. Well today with my moisturizer it was a free cosmetic bag. Sign right on the shelf. I asked the employee who paused to check on me about it and she said the people at the counter would have it.
Not only did they not have it but they didn’t know what i was talking about, and after a bit of desultory poking in cabinets behind the counter the guy brought up a white plastic zipper bag that looked nothing like what they showed on the tag, and seemed pissed when I said that that wasn’t it. I mentioned the sign and someone checked, but after more looking they couldn’t figure it out and he said, «I guess we don’t have any.» I suggested that they should take down the sign on the shelf. I guess to placate me they found some other bag and stuck it in with my purchase, but that wasn’t really the point: the attitude and unpreparedness was. Sadly this isn’t the first example I have experienced.
From a practical angle this is the place to get your cosmetics and body products. In the last handful of years they upped their game and added more premium type brands to compete (sort of) with Sephora, but you can still get more mid-​range stuff too, and it is definitely nicer than Sally Beauty. If they polish the performance of the staff, shopping at Ulta will be the ultimate experience in «balanced budget beauty»!

You can usually find the makeup you want but they are not always stocked up. I remember having a couple issues at the store, but they got resolved after some time. Some of staff members are very helpful, it’s your luck if you get a staff member who is very helpful.

I do not recommend Sue for a haircut. She will not cut hair how you want even when you show her a photo of yourself with how you want the haircut.

The makeup consultants here are amazing! I went to a boutique to get my makeup done for my upcoming wedding and left it almost in tears. Ulta came to the rescue. Five minutes at the makeup counter and I was transformed from a gooey mess to a bride. Thank goodness for Ulta!

I don’t know if I have horrible luck but this location always has a line at least 5 people deep, usually 10. They are also out of half their stock of makeup. I use to be a platinum member but since I’ve started going to this location, I’ve bought a lot less. Probably because they never have what I need.

I actually enjoy going to this Ulta! Not just because of the coupons or great deals that they sometimes have. But just because the staff is just so friendly and are actually willing to help you. Because their are some Ulta’s out there like the one in Orland park who just have awful customer service. Plus this location is full of perfume that I love. Its full of make ups and bath products that I love. Its like walking into a beautiful walk in closet without the clothes but girly products.

I’m not sure how some of these ladies reviewing are giving horrible reviews. i’ve been going to this location for several years. Since they opened up to be exact. I have never once had a bad experience. Recently tried the salon and had an awesome experience. And believe me, coming from me that means a lot because i’m super anal about my hair (like most women) and i have a lot of it too. I will definitely be making more appointments there for my hair. Very reasonably priced as well. Nothin’ but thumbs up from me!

I hate this store. Sorry. I don’t like to mince words. The staff is always nice enough here, but they are consistently out of products. I do not live close so this is especially annoying.
I also feel that if they have mailed you a coupon, that they should be able to look it up for you. Huge heavy stock card is not convenient to carry around anywhere. Sometimes they can look it up and sometimes they can’t (using your phone number and «rewards» card info.) That’s dumb. Either you can or you can’t.
Last week, when asked if I «found everything ok» at checkout, I said, «No. Actually I didn’t. You are regularly out of the Crew Men’s Firm Hold Hair Gel and that’s really the only thing I came for but I drove all the way across town to get here and don’t want to leave with nothing so I’m very irritated.» The girl (without apology) said something like, «Oh, yeah. That product is very popular but we only get about 3 or 4 bottles of it at a time.» Three or four??? (and I did notice that the space on the shelf would only fit about that many). WTH?!
I asked my hairdresser about it and she said that those types of stores are only able to purchase a certain amount of each product so even though it’s «popular», they can’t do anything about it. The other issue I had was that I went to go and order it online because they didn’t have it in store (so I could use my coupon) and that product, «is only available in stores.». WTH!?! It should also say, «if you can find it.»!!
They always have those stupid, «Buy 3 get 2 free» sales. I don’t need five of anything! I just want my one thing, for a good price. Whatever.
This place used to be a great discount products store. Now it’s high retail. This is regular retail merchandise that you can get at any online store or even on Amazon and have it shipped free. Beats driving across town to find an empty shelf or to try a coupon you can’t use. I’m done with them.
If you’re not, good luck.

This isn’t my favorite Ulta store, but it gets the job done. They certainly have a huge selection of products. The last two times I’ve gone, they haven’t had the items I was looking for. The girl that was helping me said it’s a popular item. I would think who ever does their purchasing would buy more if it is so popular.?
I’ve gotten recommendations on products based on what I’ve told them about myself and I usually don’t end up liking the products they sold me on. Good thing I’ve never had a problem with returns here. Sometimes, even when I don’t have a receipt.
I’m always greeted with a hello and offered help. People at the checkouts have always been friendly and helpful, if need be. I have not experienced any rudeness, but I do see a lot of chit chatting going on. Hopefully they aren’t ignoring potential customers.
I have never visited the salon, so I can’t comment on that.
This store has a more open layout, but I am one of those people that doesn’t appreciate how they organize their lower end cosmetics. I’d like to see it by brand rather than by lips, eyes, cheek, etc. I feel like I’m always missing something.
I do like the new rewards program, much more useful than the old. Money talks, free cotton rounds, don’t.

Great service very helpful highly recommend
Purchased some make up during 21 days of beauty, when got home eye pencil included kit did not work, I returned 2 days later with product & receipt. Girl at counter called manager to help solve problem. They had no more Stila pallets left. manager let me chose a different brand to replace, went above & beyond to help. Also another girl showed me how to apply. Glad I returned product, was treated
Very well, that’s what I call customer service.

I have been seeing Suling for some time now & she is the best hair stylist I have used. She listens & provides great suggestions for your hair style & color

I have been going to this Ulta for years. I am a salon customer (hair cut, coloring, facials, nails, etc). The new points program is outstanding, I go there for everything now instead of just a few designer hair/​makeup items. I highly recommend. They are customer focused, salon well trained (there is a difference in hairdressers, ask for senior designers).

Ugh, is it just me, or is the quality of all the Ulta stores going down?
I have always had success with the Benefit brow bar and was due for a touch up. I normally go to the Bolingbrook location, but due to a poor experience I had there a few months ago (see my previous reviews), I went to this Naperville location instead. There was only one employee working at the Benefit bar at the time, not unusual, so I waited.
And waited. And waited. And waited some more. For 45 minutes while she did more gossiping than make-​up or waxing with the two clients she was with. After 45 min, I got fed up and walked next door to do some other errands and would come back.
An hour later, I came back and she was in a meeting… why schedule a meeting on the weekend, when you know it will be busy? I asked another associate if I could write my name in the walk-​ins schedule for when the meeting was over, and she happily said there were no other appointments due and wrote me in right then.
So she come back from her meeting, I’m standing less than 10 feet away… and she helps two different customers first! What the F. So now I’m agitated and point out that I have already been waiting a long while, and she calls over another girl, who was already helping someone else. Great, so now you make me look like a needy jerk.
The icing on top of the cake was when asked by the cashier how everything was, I said I was disappointed and explained why… only to be lectured on the importance of an appointment. Seriously? If I were here for the Salon or something, then yes fine. But I waited patiently for over an hour combined and this is the response I get? Ughhhh…
The brow job she did was good, but I’m going to have to find a new, non-​Ulta based place to go for waxing. So disappointed.

Boo. I’m not a gambler, especially with my hair but still took a chance on the salon in attempts to save some dough. I should have just hung up when I called and the person gave me a price range for kerastraight from 169 to over 200 depending on who does it. I would think all stylists have to be certified to do this treatment. Anyway, I’ve been doing keratin treatments for around five years now so I know what to expect. It makes my super curly, frizzy hair soft and smooth, less curly and more wavy. I spent over four hours and two hundred dollars and wound up with severely frizzy and damaged hair, not to mention my color stripped out. I called to complain and they wouldn’t give me a refund to go elsewhere. I had to go back in and sit two more hours and get a repairative treatment and a haircut free of charge. The treatment did nothing.
I’m out over six hours and two hundred bucks and my hair looks WORSE than it did when I went it. I’m still unclear why the treatment didn’t work on me and they sure were’t going to try to figure it out by say calling the company rep.
Oh and prior to this, my absolute worst hair cut was done at the Ulta in Wheaton. Now I can say two Ulta’s have efffed up my hair for the last time. Be very, very careful with this place. They clearly don’t know what they’re doing.

The drugstore brands aren’t arranged by brands anymore: aisles are organized by item type: an aisle for eyes, and aisle for lips, etc. If you’re a fan of a specific brand, you’ll hate it, but if you’re a doe-​eyed, lost in the woods girl who can’t find the right foundation, this is heaven. I don’t love it, and I don’t hate it.
Ulta black automatic eyeliner is the best, and there’s no way you’ll win me over with any other one. It’s waterproof, creates a straight line and it’s only $ 6 or something like that. I like that Ulta has its own brand, it gives the company a better identity.
I also purchase my shampoo (Biolage) and foundation (Almay) here, because they always have what I need in stock. I almost always walk out with a pricey item I didn’t intend to purchase. My latest purchase was the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, and a bottle of Aqualina «Pink Sugar.» Usually some OPI or Essie nail polish finds its way into my bag as well.
This store got a makeover quite awhile ago, but it was much needed. Also, their rewards program changed for the better. On my last visit, I received $ 14 off of my purchase because of my rewards points. I’m not sure how points accumulate, and I think the old program was easier to understand, but having a large dollar amount subtracted from my purchase is much better than a free nail polish or comb.
The customer service leaves something to be desired. The cashiers can be either nice and polite, or total space cadets. What you should know about Ulta is that this is NOT the place to come for your makeover or if you really need advice instead of recommendations. Ulta employees are not trained in make-​up products or lines, most of what they will recommend is because they like a product — not because it’s the best thing for your greasepot of a face. I asked for assistance with make-​up brushes once, and I was recommended a set of Too Faced brushes because they were «soft» and then told that the Ulta brushes are «really good.» The bottom line with their customer service is that they don’t really want to help you, they are asking because they have to, and they have to keep an eye out for petty thieves.

This store has an excellent selection of high end and normal products. The staff is helpful.
I had a negative experience in their salon, when I went to get a straightening system treatment. The staff person seemed unsure of what to do, took too long, and my hair got over-​processed as a result. I learned my lesson, only get serious hair treatments from people you’ve seen for some time and built a relationship with.
This location is very convenient to other shopping in this mall and nearby.

I think I give up on this location. By this point I am more than willing to drive the extra miles to see if the one in downtown Naperville is any better. I’m not a customer who needs someone at my beck and call, but you shouldn’t make it impossible to find someone when you’re in need.
They had a special «preview night» event for Redken products and a few other lotions and makeups. I was so excited and thought they were really going to wow me. No such luck. They had an abundance of sales people, but I still stood around to be checked in. When I called to make my appointment they told me that I would be shown how to style my hair. My actual hair consultation just told me what they could do. There was no actual demonstration. We just talked about general ideas. The stylist asked the salon I usually go to and she (I shit you not) snickered and said, «Oh, that’s so funny.» to my answer. Still trying to figure that one out… I liked the suggestions she gave for color and products, so that was at least very helpful.
I was seated for my hand consultation, but the esthetician was «tired» and went on break. They just let me sit there for at least 10 minutes, and keep in mind that I made an appointment for this event. One of the hair people had to do the job for her. And it was alright. She was nice, but it was awkward. They had no clue what was going on.
Makeup situation was the same. When I called they made it sound like I’d get a makeover experience, but you got to choose eyes, skin or lips. And again I had to wait for them to get it together. I don’t blame the employees. It just seemed that this event was not put together well. They are definitely going to help guaranteed paying customers before the freeloader. Of all the services, I’d be most likely to get the makeup after working with their beautician.
Anywho, I left thinking, «Really? I took an hour of my time plus driving for this? I don’t feel like I learned or experienced that much.» And I thought I might be able to feel better by buying some things that I know would make me happy, but as soon as I found myself with a question about something there was no one there to help. Typical.

I have been on the biggest Ulta kick lately and finally went it today to use up my 11 coupons= equalling $ 50 of savings… nice!
This Ulta is spacious and full of light… perfect when shopping for any beauty supplies… not so great when you go here after a chemical peel. So yeah, the people there looked at me like a was a bug and the employees, even on non-​chemical peel trips, are not at all helpful or at least don’t seem willing to help.
On this particular day, everyone seemed to be in bad mood but it was raining buckets and cold in May– yeah, I’m over it too.
The sales are spectacular and this Ulta store is really well laid out. Some Ultas are so jam packed that it’s hard to navigate to your needed product. Also, they just got a Benefit makeup counter WITH brow bar– Huzzah!!! I swear, it wasn’t there last week… prob for the better because I would have spent even more money.
One last thing, a long checkout line can quickly develop but the cashiers are really good about keeping it a fast paced line.