I know I’m a bit of a beauty junkie, and as a result, I’m also a bit of an Ulta Junkie (with a capital J). Over the last few years, I’ve gotten so much free stuff from Ulta that my friends have started to ask me how i do it.
So, it’s time I share my method!
Before you buy or do anything else, you have to sign up to be an Ulta Rewards Member. Then, you can start earning points and getting free stuff.
Let’s do this:
Buy everything at Ulta
I know, this seems obvious, but when I say everything, I mean it. Ultimately, the more money you spend at Ulta, the more points you’ll earn — there’s a reason why companies have rewards programs.
It’s easy to forget that Ulta sells drugstore beauty and skincare items, so no more CVS makeup aisle — go to Ulta. They have toothpaste, toothbrushes, sunscreen, and hair ties! And… they also have candles!
You can earn points on services, too, including haircuts, brow services, and makeup application. Don’t forget to think of Ulta when you need gifts, too.
Shop During Rewards Days
Once you start earning points, you’ll fall into a Rewards Tier: Member, Platinum, or Diamond. The higher tier you’re in, the more points you earn. For example, Members get 1 point per dollar spent, but Diamond gets 1.5 points per dollar spent.
Several times throughout the year, Ulta has periods when they offer 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X the points… there is 1-2 days a year where they offer 10X the points! During your birthday month, you get 2X the points on everything for the entire month. This means you get more rewards for shopping and these are the days you STOCK UP.
Sometimes, the rewards are on specific items or brands, and even on those days, I look to see if there’s anything I want or could gift. If it’s a day when you’re entire purchase gets bonus points, well, that’s when I’m getting 10 bottles of bubble bath and all the volcano candles I can afford.
My next tip is more like a RULE, and it applies to rewards days, too.
Hoard Your Points
Once you start racking up points, it’s really tempting to want to use them on random purchases. Don’t. Especially DO NOT use your points on a day when you’re earning bonus points. You earn points based on how much money you pay.
So, when you pay with Ulta points and you only pay $7 for a cartload of crap, you only earn 7 points (or whatever your rewards tier allows).
My rule is to save, save, save my points. I usually save ALL my points throughout the year and then spend them all around Christmas. Last year, I got $300 of free Kate Sommerville products using my points.
My pro tip is to save your points until you hit a free gift jackpot. If you sign up for Ulta emails, you’ll get alerts about rewards days and all kinds of free gifts. Get a free gift when you spend $50, etc. Sometimes, it’s not a gift I want, and I pass. But other times, it’s something I really want.
Use points to get free gifts (as long as it’s not a bonus point day). With this, you get your purchase free, plus you get whatever the free gift is.
It’s important to note that the higher tier you’re in, the more opportunities you’ll get to earn points and get free stuff — so get to shopping!
And there you have it! I have other rewards programs that I really work the system for… but I haven’t mastered it like I have Ulta’s 🙂 Where do you really WORK that rewards program?
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