What could make the Target experience even better? Upon entering the store, I grab a Starbucks. Then, I stock up on groceries, buy cards and gifts, and browse their newest clothing collections.
Well, now you can shop for your favorite cosmetics, skincare, and salon hair care products on your next Target run.
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The Target Ulta Partnership
This partnership, formed in 2021, with the goal of expanding to 800 Target stores. Here are the main things to know when shopping Ulta at Target:
- Shared Retail Space: inside select Target locations, there’s a dedicated space for Ulta Beauty, offering a curated assortment of high-end beauty items.
- Online Shopping: the collaboration also extends to Target’s website or mobile app. Customers can enjoy benefits such as Target’s same-day fulfillment services, including Drive Up, 2-Hour Order Pickup, and Shipt.
- Increased Ways to Save: the Target partnership allows customers to link the two loyalty programs of both retailers, allowing members of Target Circle and Ultamate Rewards to earn and redeem rewards on their shop-in-shop purchases.
- Customer Service: Ulta Beauty at Target is staffed with Ulta Beauty-trained beauty consultants.
Where Can You Shop Ulta Beauty at Target?
You can find a curated selection of Ulta Beauty products online in select Target stores nationwide. They launched their initial rollout in 2021 with 100 store locations (including mine). As of today, there are locations in nearly every U.S. state including Washington D.C.
Beauty Brands and Products
The Ulta at Target collection includes prestige beauty brands such as:
- Anastasia Beverly Hills
- Bumble and bumble
- Clinique
- Drybar
- Fenty Beauty
- IT cosmetics
- Smashbox
- Tarte
- The Ordinary
- Urban Decay
- MAC Cosmetics
- Too Faced
- Tarte
- bareMinerals
- Tula Skincare, Madison
- Reed hair color
- Fenty by Rihanna
- Ariana Grande’s fragrance line called R.E.M.
- Sunday Riley skincare
There are even products geared towards men, like the Jack Black line (not associated with the actor).
Ulta also sells its private label brand, the Ulta Beauty Collection, consisting of consisting of face, lips, eyes, and skincare products.
One of my favorite brands, Charlotte Tilbury can only be found at Sephora stores and not Ulta. You can shop Sephora at select Kohl’s stores.
What to Expect in Store
I’m pretty lucky living here in Minneapolis, where Target got its start, as they tend to introduce their newest partnerships and shopping experiences here. I was surprised and excited when I first noticed the Ulta section in my local Target a couple of years ago.
You’ll find the new Ulta Beauty shop-in-shop within Target’s existing beauty department.
Shop-in-Shop Concept
The Ulta Beauty at Target shop-in-shop concept is a unique shopping experience that allows you to browse and shop for beauty products in a dedicated space within Target stores. The shop-in-shop is typically around 1,000 square feet and features a curated selection of skincare, hair care, fragrance, and cosmetics products from some of the biggest beauty brands.
Ulta Beauty Consultants
I must admit I didn’t realize until researching this article that those on the floor in the Ulta Beauty aisles are specifically trained as Ulta Beauty consultants, and not general Target salespeople. They can help you answer questions about the rewards programs and also any questions about the Ulta products.
Try Out Products
Like any Ulta store, you’ll find testers available, with alcohol, applicators, and makeup removers so you can physically try out the products. You’ll also find mirrors conveniently situated near the products.
Mini and Travel Size Products
One of my favorite ways to shop Ulta Beauty products at Target is by buying products in mini and travel sizes. They also sell mini-beauty kits featuring some of their most popular and bestselling products. You can also shop these mini products online.
There are lots of reasons to shop this way:
- Try Before You Buy: Mini and travel-sized products allow you to test a product before committing to the full-sized version. This is especially useful for high-end or luxury beauty products that may be more expensive.
- Travel Convenience: These smaller-sized products comply with TSA’s liquid regulations for carry-ons, making them perfect for trips.
- Economical: Instead of buying a full-sized product that you might not end up using entirely, mini and travel-sized products are more economical choice, especially for products you use infrequently.
- Hygienic: Since these products are used up more quickly, there’s limited time for bacteria to accumulate.
- Limited Editions & Exclusives: Sometimes, mini and travel-sized products might be available in special colors or formulations not available in the full-sized versions.
- Gifting: They make for great gift options.
There are also exclusive offerings at Target like Rihanna’s new mini sizes of beauty products, called Fenty Snackz.
Online Shopping
You can shop Ulta products on Target’s website, with same day pickup and shipping delivery options available.
If there’s no Ulta Beauty at Target near you, this is a good way to shop. But even if you’re lucky enough to live near one of these collaborative stores, there are many reasons to shop Ulta online through Target.
Virtual Try-On Tools
All you need is access to a camera or photo of yourself to shop Ulta using their Virtual Try-on Tool, wich allows you try out different makeup looks before making a purchase.
Go to either Target’s website or on the app, select one of Ulta’s beauty products, and click on Virtual Try-On. Simply upload an existing photo of yourself or use the camera of your smart phone or computer to snap a picture.
Don’t like what you see? Change the color or brand. Once you’re happy, just add it to the cart.
How to Save: Target Circle & Ultamate
Loyal shoppers likely already utilize Target’s rewards program, Target Circle. Ulta Beauty store also has its own program, Ultamate Rewards. If you’re not already a member, join Ultamate rewards on ulta.com.
By taking advantage of this unique partnership, you earn points towards both these amazing reward programs. You can link your accounts here.
Target Circle
With Target Circle, you can earn 1% on every purchase you make at Target, including in-store and online purchases. You can also earn rewards for things like filling out your profile information and making a purchase, even with Drive Up or Order Pickup. The rewards can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases, and there are also exclusive offers and perks available to Target Circle members.
You must join Target Circle before linking your Ulta account.
Ultamate Rewards
Ultamate Rewards works similarly, allowing you to earn points for every dollar you spend at Ulta. You can also earn bonus points for certain purchases or activities, like referring a friend to the program or making a purchase during your birthday month. The points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases, and there are also exclusive offers and perks available to Ultamate Rewards members.
Each time you shop Ulta Beauty at Target, you add points to your Ultamate Rewards while also getting rewards from Target Circle.
- Platinum members earn 1.25 points for every $1 (25% more)
- Diamond members earn 1.5 points (50% more)
- You can’t earn bonus points
- You can’t redeem your birthday gift, $10 birthday coupon, or Diamond Welcome gift at Ulta Beauty at Target.
- Ultamate Rewards Mastercard holders will earn 1 point for every $3 spent at Ulta Beauty at Target.
Credit Cards
Ulta Beauty shoppers have a choice of applying for two different credit cards. Both give you rewards but there are some differences:
- The Ultamate Rewards Credit Card: members earn 1 point for every in-store purchase at an Ulta Beauty Store and 2 points for every purchase made on ulta.com. However, this credit card cannot be used anywhere other than an actual Ulta store. You cannot use it to pay for a purchase at Target.
- The Ultamate Rewards Mastercard: works like any credit card and you can use it to make purchases outside Ulta stores, where Mastercard is accepted. However, you will not get exclusive beauty bonuses for using it as a credit card at Target.
- Target Red Card: I recommend using this credit card when shopping Ulta Beauty products at Target. You save 5% off any Target purchases, both in-store and on-line, including on Ulta Beauty. Target cardholders get free shipping even on Ulta purchases.
Overall, these rewards and membership programs can be a great way to save money and get exclusive perks while shopping at Target and Ulta.
My Experience Shopping Ulta at Target
I rarely ever venture to a mall anymore, even though I live minutes away from the Mall of America. And although I love the experience of shopping at a Sephora or Ulta, honestly, I find them so crowded, especially with beauty-obsessed TikTok-loving teenagers. It’s hard to get sales help very often and I don’t want to wait in long lines.
But shopping for beauty products at Target is a no-brainer. The last time I went to pick up a prescription at CVS, which also happens to be located in my local Target, just feet away from Ulta’s beauty aisle, I spent over $50 waiting for my antibiotic to be filled.
Some of my favorite products to buy at Target Ulta are the MAC Cosmetics mini lipsticks, NYX, and IT cosmetics. The latter’s CC cream is my go-to foundation that protects my skin (it was developed primarily as an SPF 50+ sunscreen). I try to buy it on Amazon’s Prime Day as I find that to be the lowest price, and keep track of it whenever it goes on sale. While not as cheap at Target, getting the 5% off is something.
I love automatically saving 5% on all my purchases using the Target Red Card.
I also appreciate the convenience of being able to earn Ultamate Rewards points on my purchases at Ulta Beauty at Target. By linking my Ultamate Rewards and Target Circle accounts, I earn points on my purchases just as I would at a standalone Ulta store.
Target, already my happy place, has outdone itself.
Using Ultamate Rewards Points at Target
While you can earn Ulta points at Target, you cannot redeem them there.
Remember, Ulta points will expire at the end of the quarter one year after the date they were earned. You can check the expiration at the bottom of your Ulta receipts, on the Ulta site in the Ultamate Rewards section, and in your monthly emailed rewards statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ulta products be returned to any Target store?
Yes, Ulta products purchased at Target Ulta stores can be returned to any Target store. However, Ulta products purchased at Ulta Beauty stores cannot be returned to Target stores.
Can Ulta coupons be used at Target Ulta stores?
No, Ulta coupons cannot be used at Target Ulta stores. However, Target Circle offers exclusive deals and discounts on Target Ulta products. Also, special Ulta promo codes do not work at Target.
Can you use Ulta gift cards at Target?
No, Ulta Beauty gift cards can be used only at Ulta stores or on their website.
Michelle Platt is a content creator and certified personal trainer. Proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, she’s a former attorney and teacher who loves to do the research so you don’t have to. She takes a deep dive into each topic and writes about her wellness journey here. She loves trying out new workouts, fitness tips, healthy foods, and products to share with you. This native New Yorker recently made the move to the suburbs of Minneapolis, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.