How Free Store Pickup and Curbside Pickup Work at Ulta Beauty

Updated

Ulta Beauty advertises free store pickup and curbside pickup on orders placed online, but the site does not publish a step-by-step pickup guide. What you can confirm from Ulta's own pages is that pickup is offered as a free fulfillment option, that you need to select a nearby store, and that stores also host in-person events and experiences. The practical flow below reflects how retailer pickup generally works; treat the exact button labels and screen order as things to confirm during checkout rather than fixed instructions.

What the site confirms

Item What Ulta's site shows What it does not specify
Cost of pickup Free store pickup and curbside are promoted as available Whether any order minimum or item exclusions apply
Choosing a store A "Find a store" entry point is provided The exact screen where pickup is selected
In-store experiences "In-store only experiences" with "Find an event" Event schedules, locations, or registration rules
Deals Promotion pages such as "Buy More Save More" and "BOGO 50% off select NYX Professional Makeup" Whether promotions apply identically to pickup orders

Because pricing and promotion terms are only partially documented, check the promotion page itself before assuming a deal carries over to a pickup order.

Step-by-step: placing a pickup order

  1. Set your store first. Use "Find a store" to locate a branch near you. Availability of both pickup and curbside depends on which store you choose, so pick the store before building a large cart.
  2. Add items to your bag. Browse categories such as makeup, skin care, fragrance, and hair care, or start from a deals page. Items marked "Only at Ulta" are store-specific exclusives worth checking for pickup availability.
  3. Choose pickup at checkout. During checkout, select the store pickup option rather than shipping. The expected result is that shipping charges are replaced by a pickup confirmation.
  4. Wait for the "ready" notice. Do not go to the store immediately after ordering. Pickup orders are typically assembled by staff, and you should only travel once you receive confirmation that the order is ready.
  5. Collect in store or at the curb. For curbside, park in the designated pickup area and follow the instructions in your ready notice. For in-store pickup, go to the pickup counter or service desk.

Verifying your order before you go

  • Confirm the store address in your confirmation, especially if you shop near multiple locations.
  • Check that every item in the confirmation matches your cart; out-of-stock items are the most common reason an order is partially fulfilled.
  • Keep the confirmation email or app screen accessible, since pickup usually requires matching the order to your name or a code.

Common sticking points

  • Store selection changes availability. An item available for shipping may not be in stock at your chosen store. Switching stores is usually faster than switching fulfillment method.
  • Curbside is not universal. The site promotes curbside, but not every location may offer it. Confirm at the store-selection step.
  • Promotions and gifts with purchase. Pages list offers such as "Free Gift with purchase" on specific sets. Whether the gift is included with a pickup order should be checked on the product page or with the store.
  • In-store events are separate. "Find an event" covers experiences like beauty services and brand events; these are not part of the pickup process and may require their own sign-up.

When pickup makes sense

Choose pickup if you want to avoid shipping wait times, want to inspect a product in person, or are buying a gift set close to an occasion. Choose shipping instead if your item is not stocked at a nearby store or if you need delivery to an address rather than a collection point. For events and in-store experiences, use the "Find an event" link rather than the pickup flow.