Ulta Beauty — Attraction in Corvallis

COMPLICATED Salon Review- Please read!

I have always had a great experience at Ulta until recently. I liked their brow bar services and wanted to get a balayage done at their salon for my upcoming birthday/wedding/graduation. I scheduled an appointment with Ulta salon staff, and they were incredibly professional; they took a sample of my hair to test bleach, assured they could do a balayage per my reference pictures, and everything was set to go.

I left my appointment the next day completely devastated. I was given tiger stripes all the way up to the root; NOT a balayage. My curls were shot. I resolved a day later to call for a refund on the color. However, as my (white) stripes started to fall out at the root in clumps; I decided I wanted a full cut and color refund. I payed $210 for this; I likely will need more to fix it.

Ulta held up on their end...although the manager did remark that the hair damage was my fault because I've dyed it myself in the past with salon grade dye (I thought that comment was very inappropriate considering they DID test bleach it, but I didn't say anything), I still got a full refund. So for Ulta's great return policy, I give them 5 stars. Truly, their iron-clad return policy is what secures their customer loyalty.

So don't go here for hair stuff... At least for bleach treatments. Probably a haircut or dark color is fine. The staff is kind overall, and the return policy is spotless. EDIT: I had to give this 1 star because I heard another story from a girl who went here a week before me and asked for pink/blue hair and left with orange hair. I think there is a clear verdict that coloring should not...

Noah and Callie sparkled when I came in. I was guided towards my matte-clay by Noah. He escorted me along as I narrowed my focus from a banana scented wax to a pleasantly scented and woodsy jar of the right stuff.

His product knowledge was impressive. I browsed through a wide selection of high quality skin care, hair, and body wash products.

Callie greeted me with a stunning ensemble outfit and a smile that sparkled more than jewelry ever could. She patiently explained to me the network issues that were occurring, and we chit-chatted while my card waited to scan. She explained to me one of the ways that Ulta values each customer: she showed me a selection of gifts for birthday boys and girls 😂😎.

I left the store and forgot my debit card in the reader. She politely mentioned it as she complimented my outfit as I exited.

I had a great time! 👍

I returned for another self care product. I am a man and want to combine the face wash and shaving activities into one product use session.

I am greeted by smiling faces when I enter. Cindy is well-attired, a spray of gems flourish the tips of her oh so stylish spectacles. She handed me to Bruce (Great Nail Art! Shout out to Minnesota where they had them done!, who talked with me about our high school rivalry 😜👍 and walked me through the products which best applied to my application.

Noah described a few of their personal favorite products and recommended us some moisturizers.

Callie bid me adieu with all the aplomb each one of us deserved.

I leave feeling special, welcome, heard, and hopeful to smell just like The Man Wielding the Pick of Destiny...

Ulta will NOT allow you to return products if you do not join their loyalty program. Even with a receipt you will be required to join. Forcing consumers to give up extraneous personal information or declare loyalty to purchase or return products is wrong.

Over the years, I have spent an embarrassing amount of money on higher-end brand products at Ulta. My decision to shop here came down to two key factors: convenience (I can try/buy in person the same day) and trust (I know the products are not counterfeit). However, increasingly I have found myself dreading the check-out process, especially at this location. The pressure to provide a personal phone number and join the brand loyalty program is relentless and unreasonable. Most stores accept my polite decline, but not Ulta. It's not just about points, it's also about your ability to return products. I've had to confirm that I can still return a defective product if I do not join the loyalty program. (I am usually a pretty accommodating person, and it is supremely weird to find myself raising my voice in a check-out line over this.) Tonight I learned that you cannot complete a return unless you join the loyalty program. I did not have a return, but I was about to purchase an expensive item and we asked for more clarification. I'm not sure if this policy has evolved, or if it has been there for a long time. It is a bad policy.

We can get all of these products elsewhere. I will not shop at Ulta online or in person while this policy...