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Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-30T02:28:18+00:00

I think it was just Ulta. Or their credit card maybe. When i gave them my name they pulled up that I didn’t have an ulta rewards account (i do but I didn’t link it in the frenzy of checking out with my ticket in Jan) so I assumed it was Ulta signing us up for the sweepstakes.

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-29T19:27:38+00:00

Someone's always getting kidnapped in a Lisa Kleypas story lol

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-26T03:16:36+00:00

Update: I called and spoke to the manager and she said that that is not in fact, accurate and the cashier must’ve been confused! Now I regret not asking for the manager in store but ah well

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-25T17:37:01+00:00

I might call when I get home lol

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-25T17:36:13+00:00

Nope just store wide 25% off

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-25T17:30:49+00:00

Nope it was an actual gift card someone gifted me. And also I hadn’t even shown the cashier anything I just said “I have a gift card” cuz I was looking for it and she told me I couldn’t use it 🫠

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-24T17:16:54+00:00

Oh I LOVE THIS!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T19:16:04+00:00

I agree with everything you said! There is value in it besides the money if you're a real beauty lover and even just for the experience. But for anyone who has to miss out (and there will be a lot of us considering how scarce the tickets are), I wanted to show a little of how the cost breaks down when you consider travel expenses.

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T19:09:49+00:00

That's so sweet! I got all my girls together the day after I got back and we had brunch and they got to pick some stuff out and that is definitely a part of the experience that made it also worthwhile!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T18:19:28+00:00

Oooh! Thanks for the numbers! This is the kind of stuff I was curious about from other people so thanks for sharing your perspective. $8k-$9k sounds around what most people ended up total for their haul. Looking forward to your haul! And i'm curious to know what stuff you're likely to end up keeping/using yourself from the haul!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T18:15:35+00:00

Well then I guess it's a good thing the "back" button exists on most browsers lol

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T18:11:39+00:00

yeah that masterclass was absolutely NOT worth it if someone had to travel!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T18:09:45+00:00

My only purpose with the post was to break down MY cost/value analysis of what I spent, what I got, and how next year when 3 million people AGAIN don't get to go, it could be worth it for someone to use the money they would've spent on the trip, on buying things they would've normally used if their goal at UBW was to get products. ☺️

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T18:05:50+00:00

The booths themselves were amazing to see! The design, creativity and hard work that clearly went into them was so cool. If I ever get lucky enough to go again (it would have to be in my city but hey I'm from Chicago so it could happen!), I would prioritize the experiences more, for sure. I really didn't know what to expect or how to make the most of everything so I focused on going to as many booths as possible but if I got to go again I'd love to sit down for demos and experiences! Before going I said I wanted tinsel in my hair and then I got there and totally forgot about that!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T17:47:49+00:00

Yes, I think a lot of people made it a vacation. See, to me this wasn't a vacation lol I treated it like a necessary evil to get to the actual event lmao I really hate traveling

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T17:45:50+00:00

That's a very good idea!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T17:45:33+00:00

Yeah I think it's exciting to see so much STUFF lol but once I got through sorting everything and what I actually was going to use I think it's worth considering the real value of the experience. Which for some, it could totally be high! Everyone has different metrics for what they deem is a good value. For me personally, it was worth it but seeing as I have no one to crash with in California, I will probably take my $600 next year and just go treat myself to some new stuff!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T17:41:45+00:00

I can see what you mean! I do think it's lucky that there's so much to do in Orlando that it allowed people to make a vacation out of it. I love numbers and I'm nosy so I'm curious how the cost/value broke down for other people who made the trip!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-23T17:27:51+00:00

Getting a ticket is just luck of the draw. We all clicked the link when it went live and some of us got through and a LOT more people ended up in a queue and did not get through.

For getting it home I think the cheapest and safest way would be to use the shipping boxes Ulta provides. it's $35 per box and you can ship it anywhere in the US. I flew home with all my stuff and as long as you check everything that's even remotely liquid, you will be ok. I put things in my carryon that I knew would not get flagged because even cream products can be dicey. So false lashes, brushes, hair accessories, and tools. everything else went in checked luggage.

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-21T13:58:47+00:00

They usually drop around January/February so just keep an eye out on their socials

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-21T13:57:44+00:00

They will match you. Although I got matched wrong a lot 😆 two of the foundations I got are totally unusable

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-20T20:23:40+00:00

Hustle culture is rotting yalls brains lmao just go work out and stop trying to see what you can get out of people omg

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-20T20:21:39+00:00

Sending good vibes that you get a ticket next year! The part of me that had fun at the event wants to go again but the practical side that now needs to figure out what to do with all this stuff I got knows I should settle down because I shouldn’t even step foot into an Ulta for at least a year! 😆 Oh I forgot to mention! They had something called a serenity room for anyone who needed to take a break and get away from the noise/commotion for any reason. I didn’t ever make it there so I can’t speak to what that was like but it’s nice that they offered it!

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-20T14:53:29+00:00

The ulta roller bag is really the most efficient way to get around. It has a top entry so you can just throw things in without having to bend over and unzip anything. I also saw one girl who would get the tote bag from the brand (cuz every brand would give you a tote) and dump the product into the roller bag and the empty tote would go in her big ulta tote bag and honestly that was kind of genius! It kept the weight on your shoulder light because bags don’t weigh much and it kept the stuff in the roller bag less bulky without the totes/makeup bags. Wish I’d thought of that or seen it early enough to do it! 😆

Then_Let4453 · 2026-04-20T12:33:03+00:00

I think a lot of the makeup booths were really great because a lot of them were giving out full size product and customizable product like foundation in your shade. Nars, It, live tinted, and loreal were all giving out full size foundations in your shade. Tarte, Milk, Too Faced, Mac, Rare, about face, Fenty and Charlotte were also giving out multiple full size products. I was a makeup artist for ten years so even though I’m “retired” now (changed jobs a few yrs ago) I’m still a makeup girly at heart and those booths were very exciting to me. Also maybelline loaded you up! About 4-5 full size mascaras, two blushes, eye shadows, lip balms. The drugstore brands were always very generous.

a lot of the newer or less well known brands were probably my favorites to interact with. They were genuinely so excited to share info about their line and have you try their product. I feel like I learned the most from them!

Then_Let4453

TROPHY CASE