Finally, I received my Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale catalogue yesterday afternoon. The day before the sale starts is kinda late! I took a drive over to Ulta on Saturday morning to ask for a catalogue, but they didn’t have any they could give out. Weird. Anyway, I was happy that it arrived just in time, but I am posting this a little later than usual.
The 21 Day Sale started today, Sunday, September 7 and it goes until Saturday, September 27. As usual, it is stocked with lots of fun events (call first ‘coz they are not at all locations) and lots of great deals on goodies that sell out fast. If there is something that I think will be popular, I get there when the store opens, as I missed out on the Cargo Vintage Palette a year ago.
Here’s the calendar of what’s happening when and a few of my recommendations.
Week One
Obviously, the most interesting deals are for whatever you need or have been coveting.
During Week One, on Thursday 9/11, I strongly recommend the Stila Eyeshadow Palettes. I have a matte palette that is similar to In The Know, and it’s one of my favorites. Check out all three color choices, and see which suit you. In general, Stila shadow palettes are my go-to choices, and I have quite a few of them. For $20, they are definitely worth it! I haven’t tried the Smashbox Eye Primer, but I use one of the Photofinish face primers, and I like it a lot. The Smashbox Shadow Primer is on sale for $10 on Friday, 9/12. At 2 for $15, it’s a great opportunity to pick up a couple of butter LONDON Nail Lacquers. They are gorgeous!
Week Two
During Week 2, I recommend picking up Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara if you’re in the market to try a new mascara. It really amps up your lashes, and for $10, it’s a bargain! On Saturday, 9/20, you can get 25% off the entire skincare line from Exuviance. The skincare geniuses behind the Exuviance brand are two cosmetic dermatologists who first discovered the benefits of glycolic acid. They developed the glycolic peel, and we can certainly thank them for that! I just tried their Nighttime Illumination Duo: a rich night cream and Vitamin C in powder form (reviewed here) that you mix together before applying. It will be my go-to nighttime skincare duo this winter.
Week Three
For Week 3, there are a lot of products that have caught my eye. Actually, I wouldn’t mind owning everything! However, I will probably pick up the Bliss Foaming Face Wash that I tried at the W Hotels and adore (though I wish they would get back to me on what the exfoliating beads are made of). I may also buy the Stila One Step Correct Skin Tone Correcting & Brightening Serum. I tried it out yesterday underneath Pur Minerals Tinted Moisturizer and it seemed to help hide my sun damage. I may go back and try it out again before the sale day. Anything from IT Cosmetics is fabulous, and the No-Tug Waterproof Gel Liners on sale for $10 are super!
So, what’s on your list? Let me know what you plan to buy!
Also in the catalogue, I noticed Japonesque’s Velvet Touch Concealer on sale now for $12, 40% off. The stunning modern packaging alone is worth $12 IMHO. Japonesque’s cosmetics are not sold in my local Ulta so it’s catalogue only for me on this one.
During September, lots of brands have gifts with purchase so take a look while you’re scoring the 21 Days steals. IT Cosmetics has a large display of their high quality cosmetic brushes at Ulta now. They are worth the splurge.
While browsing on Saturday, I noticed that affordable brand, essence, has their new fall product line in. A fabulous addition to their permanent lineup are their Long Wear Lipsticks for $2.99. They come in 10 beautiful shades. They are packaged in more sophisticated-looking matte black tubes with a ring of color to match the shade around the middle. For long wear lipsticks, they feel like velvet on, and are not drying. I reviewed them last year (here), and I did a giveaway back when they were sold only in Fred Meyer. I love ’em, so I’m thrilled they are more available now! I also noticed that Ulta had one Limited Edition from essence on display, “New In Town”. The LE includes some limited edition shades of the Long Wear Lipstick, and two shadow palettes. The nudes collection on the left side seems to be selling well!
Ulta had stopped carrying essence’s LEs, and I am very happy to see them back! essence products are good quality at very affordable prices, and they often have some innovative products especially in their limited editions. Check ’em out!
Happy Shopping! 
Seriously, why don’t we ever get sales and great deals like this? The best we ever get is like 10% off… or maybe a 2 + 1 if we’re lucky with the +1 being a cheapo product.
Kiss & Make-up recently posted…My beauty regimen in numbers
Oh, it isn’t fair! Europe needs good makeup sales too! The Ulta sale really is one that I really look forward to twice a year. You just can’t beat these 50% off sales!
This sale is great. Thanks for sharing and I hope you get everything you want.
I always look forward to this sale, Aleya!
I want one of those Stila eye shadow palettes!
BeautyJudy recently posted…NYFW SS15: Zoya at Mark & Estel and Zimmerman
You should, Judy! I love all my Stila palettes 🙂
I am considering the Stila One Step Primer
Cosmetics Aficionado recently posted…YSL Fusion Ink Foundation Review
I’ve gotta check that one out, Leticia!
This sale always gets me – Thanks for breaking it all down
Jess Scull recently posted…Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Collection – Swatches & Review (Full)
Isn’t that the truth, Jess! I can never pass it by
I want the Cargo palette!
Phyrra recently posted…Urban Decay Baked Cowboy Tutorial
We’ll have to turn back the hands of time for that one, lol!
I love the ULTA deals! I saw that display from Essence too. I really wanted to get the neutral palette but I held off. Such a good show of restraint!
Amber recently posted…Honey Maid Wholesome Family
Absolutely, Amber! You probably already have how many neutral palettes?? 😉
Not too much in the steals that has me hot and bothered, this time around. I may go for the Butter London polishes and the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara.
Erika recently posted…Sonia Kashuk 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 15 Piece Professional Brush Set Review
Lucky, Erika! The Tarte LCL mascara was yesterday, so you’re safe on that one. The butter LONDOn deal is a good one if there’s been a shade or two you’ve been eyeing
So much I want!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Steals!
I’ve got a few myself, Cindy!
Seriously my list keeps growing. I want the Cargo palette and to try out all of the Japonese products. That packaging is gorgeous. So many great things, my wallet not so happy. Lol
The Stila palette? I wish the whole Japonesque line were on sale!
I wish the Ulta stores in the Denver area where a pleasure to shop at. But they are trashed!
Kimberly recently posted…Reviva Labs: High Potency Elastin Serum
That’s a bummer, Kimberly. Fortunately, the women who run my local store keep it very clean and tidy. Plus, they are very helpful. Do you order online? A shame that you would have to.
I already placed my first order this morning for the Laura Geller steal and to try something from DermaDoctor. I know there are others I’ll be getting, too! Thanks for the heads up on the Essence lippies – they weren’t on my radar.
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Gorgeous..and Delicious Hair with Insta-Natural Argan Oil Hair Mask #InstaNatural
Wow, you are fast, girl! And organized. And yes, those essence Longwear lippies are worth a try. I love ’em and so cheap!
I hate that ULTA have such little regard for tourists. I would love to shop there but they make it so difficult unless you stay out in the suburbs. Right now I’m in NYC, staying in Manhattan of course and there isn’t a single one!
Oh, that’s funny, Kimmi! I guess you’ll have to go to Chicago next time. There is an Ulta in downtown Chicago. In the Boston area, there is no Ulta in downtown Boston, but instead it’s in a mall in Cambridge. But generally, you are right: Ulta is mostly a suburban phenomenon. And in the suburbs, their stores are located in strip malls rather than in the big covered malls, so they don’t really compete head-to-head with Sephora.
The sale steals look awesome this year!
Miranda recently posted…Fall Makeup Tutorial: Falling Leaves
I agree! Quite a bit of good things to choose from!
I pretty much want it all!
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…TokyoMilk Takeout | TokyoMilk Dark
Me, too, trying to narrow it down!
Thanks for reminding me. Checking out Ulta online now….
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…Charlotte Tilbury KISSING Fallen From The Lipstick Tree :: Hepburn Honey and Night Crimson (Review, Swatch, FOTD)
You’re welcome, Kathryne 🙂
So many great offers! Too bad there aren´t any Ultas near me 🙁
Leelo R recently posted…#Carefreechallenge: Tips on how to keep your style fresh
Yes, I’m surprised Ulta has expanded internationally, Leelo. London would be a good fit!
Closest Ulta is about 2 hours away…. 🙁
Destany recently posted…RevivaLabs High-Potency Elastin Serum review
Online, Destany, online!
It’s great that Ulta is giving their customers a break and offering a really nice sale. I always disliked those sales that insist you buy something expensive in order to get a deal, or buy one item at full price in order to get another one half off.
Chris recently posted…Current Favorites: Beauty and Life Vol. 11
You’re right, Chris! And this is a great way to get customers into the store repeatedly!
There’s an Ulta at 61-35 Junction Blvd in Queens. If you’re staying in Manhattan it’s not hard to get to. Take the M or R train to 63d Drive/Rego Park.
Chris recently posted…Current Favorites: Beauty and Life Vol. 11
I hope Kimmi from Australia will see your comment, Chris. You’re right, it’s not too hard to get to Rego Park from Manhattan. I didn’t realize there was an Ulta store there since I haven’t been to Queens in a long time. Thank you for the information! 🙂
There are some really good deals going on here!
Kendra recently posted…Glowing Skin Beauty Essentials
Yes, there are, Kendra!
I already know I want to get some Butter London polishes!
Mai recently posted…Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Line: Event Preview with Swatches, Photos, and Thoughts
Good one, Mai!
I cannot wait to try out my Essence goodies! This sale is fabulous!
Ashley recently posted…Fall 2014 Beauty Haul
Let me know about the essence products, Ashley!
Since I purchased that MUFE palette I can’t buy any more beauty products but I am wanting some things.
I saw your post with the MUFE palette, and it’s a wow. You’re set!
Melody, what is your blog? If love to read your thoughts on the MUFE palette.
Melody is at Cosmetically Challenged, and I believe she loved that fabulous but pricey MUFW palette! Let me know if you get it, Amanda, and how you like it!!
So, the Stila primer helped with age spots? I’d like to try that too. I’m kind of excited about the second week buy one Clarisonic brush, get one free deal. I bought a Clarisonic during Sephora’s 4x points sale and the brush head is a bit too rough for me so I think I’ll go and get the gentle and sensitive brush heads. I’m also looking at Tarte, Dermablend, Benefit, and I really want a Smashbox palette I keep seeing on Into the Gloss night series.
Amanda, I have no idea about the Stila primer helping with age spots, lol! I was recommending the Stila Eyeshadow Palettes of which 3 are on sale today! You’re right, the Clarisonic brush heads are a good deal. One correction: it’s Dermalogica that’s got a lot of products on sale during the 21 Days, not Dermablend…though they may be having something else that’s mentioned in the Ulta catalogue that I didn’t notice. Yes, the Smashbox palette looks good. I love their primer but haven’t bought any of their shadows lately.
I bought the “In The Garden” version of the Stila Eyeshadow palette. I’ve been wanting to branch out with my color options for awhile and some of them are definitely bolder than I’m used to! But it is lots of fun to try them out and create a new look!
I think it’s a really versatile palette, Alice! You’ll be able to do neutral looks, but add some color when you feel like it. It killed me to pass on the Stila palettes. I thought they were about the best deal and most fun of the 21 Days. If I weren’t drowning in eye shadow right now, I definitely would’ve gone for it. I’ll have to check out your blog and see what you do with the new palette! Thanks for visiting and commenting 🙂