Sephora vs Ulta Perks

So this year for the first time ever I reached VIB status at Sephora and Platinum status at Ulta. And in comparing the rewards and perks I realized that one reward program stood out to me in particular.

So in case you're not familiar with the rewards programs I'll explain what they are. At Sephora you register for their Beauty Insider program. Every time you make a purchase you give them your card or email address and you get 1 point for every $1 spent. You get a gift in your birthday month. You save up your points and when you hit 100 points they have deluxe samples at the check out that you can trade in for. And they also occasionally have 250 point perks and 500 point perks as well. Once your spend $350 in a calendar year you qualify for VIB status. This elevated status gives you access to pre-sales, special gifts and promotions. Example of 100 point perks are small perfume samples, a mini lipstick or nail polish etc. Example of a 250 point perk is a bag with several samples in it or a phone case. And a 500 point perk I saw recently was a Tarte goody bag with samples of a mascara, oil, cream eyeshadow, blush and a finishing powder or a mini bottle of perfume. You can earn points both online and in store.  

At Ulta they have UltaMate Rewards. You use your card or phone number for your membership. At the initial level you earn 1 point for every dollar spent. Now I do know that how the rewards vary from state to state. In my state you get a discount off of your purchase with your points. For example 100 points gets you $3.00 of your purchase. The great thing about these points is they can be used on high end cosmetics! In other regions they have a points level you reach that gets your free stuff like a free nail polish etc. You also get special member only offers, discounts and you can earn points for online purchases as well as in store purchases. The points expire at the end of the quarter one year after you earned them.

Now once you spend $350 in a calender year you become a Platinum Rewards member. You earn 1.25 points for every dollar spent. You get a birthday gift and as long as you maintain your platinum level your points never expire.

Now this year I hit the levels at both Sephora and Ulta and the perks have been dramatically different. At Sephora one I hit VIB status I got a welcome kit that gave me a 10% of my entire purchase coupon, a free shipping coupon and a free makeup consultation. And recently there was a promotion that gave me 3x the points for my purchase. I eventually racked up enough points to get one of the Tarte 500 point perks.

At Ulta once I was near Platinum I got an email I got an email for a bonus 250 points if I made a $35 purchase. This was in addition to my 1.25 points per dollar. 250 points = $8.00 off my next purchase. Pretty sweet deal. Took advantage of that. Then in August I got an email for 3x's the points all month long. Picked up a few necessities. Then this past Monday I got the mother of all deals. 10x's the points on any online purchase for one day only. My jaw dropped open, my heart started beating a little faster. I had just made a purchase the week before with my 3x's the points. Should I make another purchase? Then I did the math. A $100 purchase would get me 1000 points. 1000 points = $50 off my next purchase. That's like getting 50% off! It was a no brainer. I went ahead and splurged on a couple of high end items I'd had my eye on. Since becoming Platinum in the month of July I've gotten enough points to get $142.50 worth of free stuff. It has become clear to me that Ulta has the best rewards program for me. Now granted Sephora carry's several brands that Ulta does not but for the items I can get at Ulta it is totally worth it!

What do you think? Which rewards program has worked better for you?

YouTube

My sister Eve and I decided to start a channel and talk beauty. Please check us out and subscribe! We should be posting new videos shortly. We will be collaborating on some of the videos but others will be individual ones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWPbzxo-2zY Hope you're having a wonderful day!

July Favorites

My sister and I started a new channel on YouTube. We are both makeup junkies and decided to brave the YouTube world together and put ourselves out there. Our first video was July Favorites. Check it out. And hopefully you will subscribe for future videos.We were nervous and need to figure out our lighting and camera but I think it was a decent start :-).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWPbzxo-2zY

I need help...

You know you are a serious makeup addict when you want to be left alone with your makeup. Let me explain. Yesterday I went over to Ulta. I walked in the door clutching my 3x's the points coupon; I was prepared to do some damage. My main goal that day was to get a couple of the new Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks. But as I was walking in the door I happened upon a display of the new OPI San Francisco collection. And the polish that stopped me in my tracks was Alcatraz. It's one of the liquid sand polishes in a gorgeous gunmetal grey shade. I had to have it. So I finally made it over to the lipsticks. I had three colors picked out from a previous swatching trip at Sephora. I had my heart set on Jilted, Catfight and 69. Then instead of deciding on a few and making my way to the checkout I start looking at the entire collection. And next thing you know I'm swatching away like a madwoman. Then I add another shade to my list of wants. Eventually I walked away with Jilted, Catfight and Fiend and a matching Jilted lip liner.

When I got home my husband was already there. And for some strange reason I wanted to be alone when I opened my goodies. And he wasn't going anywhere so my goodies sat in my bright orange Ulta bag. Lonely and waiting. This morning I grabbed one of the lipsticks and threw it in my purse. I was alone in the office at work and I could finally open the box. I felt like such a junkie lol. I carefully looked over the gorgeous packaging. Then I carefully opened the tube. The color I bought with is Fiend. It is not the type of color I normally go for but I loved it when I swatched it; it's a muted blue based rose shade. So I apply it, gaze in the mirror, I love the color and the formula. Can't wait to go home and be alone with the other shades. Don't judge me.