The top makeup contenders, Ulta Beauty and Sephora are known to be rivaling companies, both branded to target teenagers who take interest in the world of beauty.
They have similar brand concepts, but are differentiated when broken down into categories.
Both stores contain an extensive range of makeup and beauty-related brands from budget friendly to high-end products.
The nearest Ulta Beauty is located in the Rosemead Place Shopping Center while Sephora is closer to Temple City, in the Westfield Santa Anita Mall.
Both stores contain an extensive range of makeup and beauty-related brands from budget friendly to high-end products.
Cost
For high school students, affordability is a huge factor when purchasing beauty products, as they spend money on makeup for daily looks and the abundance of school dances.
Ulta Beauty has more drugstore brands, such as Nyx and Covergirl, that create an ideal price range for most students who don’t work and can’t afford expensive products.
Sephora has products for people who can afford to spend heaps of money in one shopping day.
One such product is the SK-II Ultimate Revival Cream priced at $385.
Cheaper alternatives are found in Ulta Beauty such as trendy blending sponges for foundation.
“I like the Real Techniques Sponge more than the Beauty Blender because it’s cheaper and there are more ways of using it,” Senior Karen Hsu said. “The bottom is slanted, so it’s easier to use for undereye concealer.
Loyalty Programs
There are also many benefits when customers join the stores’ membership systems: Ultamate Rewards of Ulta Beauty and Beauty Insider of Sephora.
Membership for either is free, but they both have two more membership levels that is determined by how much you spend at the store per year.
The difference is that Ultamate Rewards gives money back, depending on the cumulation of points, which is an added bonus.
The next two levels are Platinum and Diamond if members spend up to $450 or, $1200 respectively with benefits like an annual $25 beauty services reward card.
When customers join Beauty Insider, the next two levels are VIB and VIB Rouge if members spend up to $350, and $1000 respectively.
“I’m on the second level,VIB, but I’m saving my reward points for prizes,” Cai said. “It includes samples but the prizes that are worth over 5000 points include trips to meet beauty gurus.”
As for other services, Sephora provides beauty classes and makeovers for their customers, which makes it easy for students to book an appointment before a special event.
Ulta Beauty has even more resources for their clients; they have a salon, skin care bar and brow bar all in one place.
There are also more hair and skin care products in Ulta Beauty, making the chain well rounded in its range of services and products overall.
“I got my makeup done in Sephora for homecoming my freshman year,” Sophomore Roxanne Montalvan said. “It was a black smokey eye look with bronze highlight and I liked the way that the makeup came out.”
While both stores are favorites among students, Sephora caters to people who buy higher-end products.
The all-inclusiveness of Ulta Beauty outshines Sephora, with its convenience and quality, even though its location is a little farther.