Ulta Beauty — Local services in Gresham

I’m writing this after finishing some homework, following a long day of running errands and spring cleaning. I finally had a moment to reflect—and I realized I was targeted at Ulta today. I believe it may have been because I was dressed simply, wearing black workout shorts and a sweater and running shoes. I wasn’t all done up because, honestly, I didn’t know Ulta had a dress code. I was just out running errands.

I visited the store this afternoon with my mom. My mom needed to use the restroom , and since I couldn’t find anyone at first, I went looking for a sales associate. I eventually found one—a Latina woman with reddish hair and stencils. When we made eye contact, she gave me a clear stink eye. She was talking into her walkie-talkie, so I initially gave her the benefit of the doubt. I’ve worked in retail before, and I understand how we can get caught up in radio conversations and not realize what our faces are doing.

But when she finally asked, “How can I help you?” her tone was noticeably rude. Still, I didn’t want to make a scene. I simply asked if she could let my mom into the bathroom, and she did.

While I waited for my mom, I looked for a lip stain combo kit I’d seen online. As I was browsing, I kept getting the feeling I was being watched. I tried to ignore it. I eventually found the section with a few lip stains left and stood there debating whether I should buy one now or just order the combo online. God forbid a girl take a minute to decide this is a sign that she doesn't need this combo kit!

From the corner of my eye, I noticed another associate—an African-American woman —staring at me. When I finally decided I’d just wait to order online and put the lipstick I had in hand back in the display, she abruptly asked if I needed help. I honestly wanted to say, “Don’t worry, I’m not stealing—I’m just trying to decide on makeup,” but I stayed quiet. Maybe next time I won’t.

I asked if they had the combo kit in stock. She checked with someone and told me if they had it, it would be at the front by checkout. A standard interaction—but at this point, I already felt uncomfortable. Between the stares, the tone, and the general vibe, I felt targeted.

I met back up with my mom—she had wandered over to the perfume section—and we headed to pick up the oil perfume kit she had been wanting. On our way to checkout, yet another associate stopped us. She clearly looked me up and down, almost like she was trying to see if I had taken anything. She asked what we had, and I told her it was just the oil perfumes. She continued asking more questions that, in hindsight, felt like tactics meant to deter theft—as if we were being profiled. I know this because I was trained on similar “loss prevention” tactics while working in retail. I’m honestly shocked I didn’t realize it in the moment, because had I recognized it for what it was, I would have confronted them about it.

It’s completely unacceptable to be treated this way simply because we weren’t dolled up with a full face of makeup or wearing designer clothes. Its also discouraging to want to comeback specially when going into a make up stores are already intimidating for those us who are Make Up Artist. Extremely,...

"A virile philosophy emerges amid the jars of cold cream and the bottles of perfume -- a philosophy reflected by a style that is sensitive, strong and utterly devoid of complacency. Colette -- she would have appreciated the compliment -- has aged well." ~ PIERRE SCHNEIDER

No one would ever describe Gresham as glamorous. But the day I ventured ito Ulta for my makeover I felt like I was visiting Madame Colette's salon at 6 Rue de Miromesnil. I don't come down from my mountain for anything less than necessity, I'm a self conscious middle aged hermit who cringes at the thought of bright florescent lights and mirrors attended by young, heavily made up pretty people trying to sell me something. I always feel like they're snickering behind my back.

As fortune would smile (or smirk) upon me that day, I was introduced to an etheric and exquisitely beautiful Philosophy salesperson, who gently persuaded me to let her work on my face. I would probably have offered up ten years of my life to be one-tenth as lovely as she, and just decided to relax and trust myself to her beauty karma, which was genuine.

She sold me on several Philosophy products which come complete with lofty prose and promises :

Purity Cleanser : "Purity is natural, we come into this world with all the right instincts. we are innocent, and therefore perceive things as they should be, rather than how they are. our conscience is clear, our hands are clean, and the world at large is truly beautiful. it is at this time we feel most blessed. to begin feeling young again, we must begin with the most basic step of all, the basic ritual of cleansing."

Hope in a Jar : "philosophy®: where there is hope, there can be faith. where there is faith, miracles can occur." and "Have hope, love hope and see hope"

And several other products, my favorite of which is the concealer : "When you erase doubt, beauty is revealed, let miracles bring beauty to light.

I needed all those things: Hope, faith and a miracle.My daughter's wedding was next week.

Along with some Urban Decay products ( no prose just great colors) I put quite ding on my credit card. Then I got really brave and succumbed to a haircut and style. Another gentle and competent soul whisked me into a chair and went to work. I could have done without being in the chair closest to the door, but he did a fantastic job transforming me from Wild Mountain Woman to Presentable Mother of the Bride.

Here's the fantastic part: the cosmetics lived up to their promises. I don't leave my house very often, most people only get to see my pictures on Facebook, and most of them are run through the Glamour Glow filter before they see the light of day. It smooths everything out....It's me but....glowier.

Ad since I can't carry the Glamour Glow filter in my makeup bag, I needed help. Here's the miracle: people complimented me on my complexion, describing it as flawless. It worked! Thank you Ulta! Thank...

I was very excited to learn that I now live near an Ulta. I had really high expectations for this place as several of my friends had nothing but good things to say about Ulta in their towns. However, when I arrived, I was sorely disappointed.

PRESENTATION-- The store is big, bright, appealing to the eye and is jam packed full of goodies you might find in an Ulta with the exception of MAC, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (some of my favorites) and a few others I might live without. They do have an excellent selection of Too Faced, Stila, and Urban Decay.

SELECTION-- Though the display brands are there, they are terribly stocked. I'm talking bare bones, the-colors-no-one-wants type of terribly stocked. It's impossible to find the right color without rifling through several other colors that have been misplaced. It's like they never have restocked the floor at the end of the night. Twice now I have gone in and couldn't find the color I wanted and ended up leaving empty handed or unsatisfied. Those both would've been easy and expensive sales had I been able to find what I wanted. I understand that some colors are more popular than others and that a limited supply is brought in, but if they're going through that much stock, you would think they would change their orders for the demand. The Ulta branded make up they have is superb. It's always on sale and there is generally a good selection.

STAFF-- The staff here is about as neglectful as they can get. Upon entering the store both times, I never got a greeting. In fact, all I got was two scowls from two ladies gossiping by the perfume. The older ladies there are more professional and willing to help while the younger crowd there are only working there because they get discounts. The one girl who finally did recognize my existence (because I stopped her) ended up shopping for lipsticks for herself rather than help me. My experience with the staff has turned me off so much that I refuse to return to any Ulta store if I can help it.

PRICE-- The price for this make up is all the same. It's higher end make up and you're going to pay higher end prices. Ulta has a couple of very small discounts when you become a member and they occasionally have sales on the Ulta Branded make up if that's what you're after. Other than that, I wouldn't expect a large amount of savings coming from them.

OVERALL-- I won't be returning. I'll take my make up shopping elsewhere. I'm so disappointed too because this Ulta was so close to my home. I could've easily spent my living there. Maybe that's for the best. If you know EXACTLY what you want, you should probably order it online or go to Ulta for swatches and testers. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother visiting the actual store unless you have a certain product in mind and know that they have it in stock. It's really a wonder to me how a place can survive for 3+ years with such...