Ulta Beauty — Local services in Columbus

First, let me say I ALWAYS read reviews for places, the good and the bad ones, so I’m going to explain as much as I can. If you don’t want to read a long review, here’s the summary: I had a great experience, the place was very busy (Sunday on a holiday weekend around 4pm) but worth it if you make the time, their selection is amazing and my experience was that the employees were friendly. Candice (red head) was super helpful and also honest with things she thought I would need and those I might not really need. Meaning they are not trying to sell you the whole store, only what you actually want to buy :)

Here’s the longer version: I am trying out makeup as a daily thing instead of only special occasions for the first time as a 28 year old, so I really know NOTHING. I came to Ulta because my sister in law wears it and told me to come here for makeup. I called ahead to say I don’t know what to do and Candice answered the phone, told me they could color match, and told me I could find her when I got to the store. That was really helpful because I’m not the type to approach people I don’t know and I might have quit and left when I get there if I didn’t have someone to look for. (My sister in law was supposed to come with me but I ended up going alone and I would have been way too freaked out by how giant the store is and how busy they were at the time.) When I found Candace, she was helping someone else so I just waited for her. Before she tried to sell me anything, she asked why I wanted to start wearing makeup now when I’ve never done it before. I explained I just wanted the essentials and wanted a very simple routine and a natural look, nothing too crazy. She was honest that I might not stick with it if I tried too much all at once, which I appreciate because I probably would have gotten a bunch, realized I never spend enough time getting ready to actually use it, and thrown it all away if I bought foundation, bronzer, etc etc that I thought I might need going in. She helped me pick a few easy items out, took time to show me how to use them even though they were crazy busy, and even suggested makeup videos I could look up to help later. She did have to step away at one point to help at the register, but I understand that happens at retail stores and I don’t mind waiting when the service is so attentive. Reviewers who say that no employees were willing to help might be people who expect immediate attention, but in a store this big and this busy, I think that’s unrealistic and kind of selfish. They all want to help and get you what you need, if you plan accordingly and go when you have time to get it right, you won’t be...

I love this place!!! Let me start off by saying I am 57, so you have a point of reference for some of the services I get done. My granddaughter and I get makeup and facial products here, and I get my hair and eyebrows done. My stylist (Melissa Pfohl) is AWESOME!!! I can not say enough great things about her! She knows the color I like my hair, and she knows how I like it cut (I wear my hair long and straightened, but do curl it for special occasions). In my opinion her prices are very reasonable for an advanced stylist. I've been seeing her for quite some time now and it's like going to visit a friend you haven't seen in a couple of months. We pick our conversations up right where we left off, and we laugh the whole time I'm there!! I look forward to my visits... we have a lot of fun! She is also a makeup specialist, and I went to her about a year ago to find makeup tips and strategies to cover up the crap on my face (age spots, wrinkles, color to match my skin tone) and also just a more updated look. It was $50 and a total BLAST!! It was totally worth it because I have spent a fortune trying to find a foundation and concealer to match my skin tone only to get home with them and have a huge line around my face. When I left that day, I had everything I needed that I knew looked good on me, and she showed me how to apply it for different looks (casual, work, and evening). If at all possible, I highly suggest every woman go through this. It's amazing how much better you feel when you know what you have on actually matches your skin tone and your shadow brings out your eyes...etc. We tried on so many colors until we came up with a look that I liked. I had been getting my eyebrows done by a girl who specialized in brows. I had them tinted and waxed. She has since left, so Melissa is doing my eyebrow waxing as well. Since they don't have an eyebrow specialist who can tint, I have to use one of those eyebrow mascara brush things... but that's OK. Melissa does a very nice job with the waxing. I like the shape she gets out of my brows. As far as the other stylists go, from what I have seen, they all seem to do a nice job. I haven't seen an ugly head go out the door yet!! LOL!! I highly recommend Ulta for all of your beauty products...

I usually don’t do reviews, but I feel this is one I should share. I have never walked into an Ulta. I’m 29 years old & have really been struggling with my appearance. So, I told myself I was going to try to learn more about makeup.

I was so anxious about this, as I don’t wear makeup, much at all, & I don’t know a thing about makeup. As someone who does a lot of research before buying anything, I was really hoping to put trust into the employees. With that being said, I had no idea what I was doing. I was guided to a woman, who specializes in the makeup department.

Right as she saw me, she rolled her eyes. I requested information on light makeup & preferably something to help cover my pores. She showed me one product & when I explained, that I wasn’t understanding what she was saying, she tapped her nails on the makeup display & responded, “Well I don’t know what to tell you, this is the best one.” When I requested information about other ones, she sighed & repeated herself about that product being the best & didn’t show me any other ones.

I explained that I was worried about spending money on a product I didn’t like & she stated, “You’ll be fine.”

I’m not one to complain usually, especially online… But I was so anxious with the idea of going into this store, & this experience made me feel so much more self conscious & uncomfortable.

This store came highly recommended & I feel that women already have it hard enough with makeup & their looks. I hope no one experiences that. We all deserve to feel pretty, even when we don’t have all the...