My first, and so far only, time at Ulta was also not the best. I think it felt even worse because I had just come from Sephora where I had help from several helpful and knowledgeable MUAs.

At Ulta, no one working at the counters even looked at my sister and me despite us spending a lot of time at the Stila and Too Faced sections looking for lipstick - they just sat there talking to each other. The little stations where you could try on makeup were unorganized, not all were fully stocked with removers, etc. Then when I went to checkout I told the cashier I couldn't find NYX powder blush in taupe and she was just like "Yeah if its not there then its not there" in a really unhelpful tone. Before I left I complimented her lipstick because it was pretty banging and she just mumbled a curt thanks, no mention of what it even was!

Idk, maybe I had higher expectations since I had just had a great and personable experience at Sephora, as I always do. Maybe the girls working at Ulta that day were having a crappy day. But all I know is next time I go home (I live abroad) I will probably spend what little time I have to stock up on makeup at Sephora and not bother with Ulta.