Ulta Beauty — Local services in Sioux Falls Township

Dear Ulta Just wanted to let you know about my shopping trip Saturday. I am not familiar with your store. But I know my daughter in law loves you and recommended you.

On Saturday, I started not in one of your competitors, but in two of your competitors stores. While in each of them, no one spoke with me. The first store was not busy. But no one approached me. The second store was busier but even tho the store associates walked past me, no one smiled or even greeted me.

So I decided to try Ulta. I walked around looking for someone to say anything to me. And they did not. I walked to a beauty area because I really wanted to spend whatever it would take to change all of my makeup. I was in the mood to spend my hard earned money on myself.

Ten minutes into the store, Yelena approached me and my daughter and asked if I was looking for something special. I was quite surprised that Yelena said anything considering what had been happening at each of the stores. I asked if she was serious .... Did she really want to help me? I explained why I was so disappointed.

For the next thirty minutes, Yelena took the time to give me the time needed to make me want to spend my money with you.

I've been in retail sales for 44 years. I would guess that your young associates are working with you because they love make-up. Please tell them we want to love it too...but we need help.

Please ask your young associates to smile at someone they don't know. And at the least, could they please say hello within 60 seconds of me being in your store?

I intended -- and did -- spend money because Yelena did all of this. I did thank her over and over. But I felt you should know what she did and how she made my day.

Thank you for hiring her! I'm thankful I was able to have her help me.

The pic is of Yelena putting make up on my three-year-old...

I wouldn't even give Ulta one star except had to so I could leave a review. I knew better then to even go but because I haven't shopped there in over a year they sent me a 10.00 credit to use.

The service is absolutely horrible. A friend of mine bought a line of lashes and had them glued on there about a week ago. I took my mom there because she has terminal cancer and has lost her lashes due to Chemo. We did not have an appointment but the girl at the bar said she could do today at 6pm. We went picked out eyelashes that the girl refferd us to. I went back to talk to her and she was working on someone else. A lady with shoulder length gray hair and glasses says to me that we do not do that service here right next to the girl that told us previously that she would. I said I have a friend that just had them done and she repeated we do not do that service here in a very snotty tone. I said the girl over there said she would at 6pm. The lady took me to check her schedule and said her schedule is full so no can't do them. I told her about my mom's illness and that we were told she could do them at 6pm. No we can't. Complete bxtch and in the wrong profession.

As a Senior Manager in customer service no one in this store could care less we were there and did absolutely nothing to rectify the situation. I will be talking with Management of this store and reporting it. Needless to say, we bought nothing and went to Sephora!

Sephora went above and beyond expectations! Blown away and we had the best experience and created a forever memory ❤

I will never shop at...

I came in to Ulta for a blonding service, showed a picture, and asked for as much blonde coverage as possible. Unfortunately, the stylist did not listen to what I wanted, and when I expressed that I wasn’t happy, there was no acknowledgment or empathy — I was simply rung up and sent on my way.

I followed up and was told a reschedule could “fix it.” A second stylist even set an appointment with me, and I was transparent about what I wanted versus what they preferred to do. However, after waiting for this resolution, I received a call from the store manager, Chris, and the salon manager. Instead of offering guidance or trying to rebuild the client relationship, I was told Ulta “could not meet my needs” and that we should part ways. While they agreed to refund my money, it felt more like a cop out and an excuse than a genuine effort to create or maintain a great client relationship.

As a licensed cosmetologist of 9 years, I know blonding is a technical process — but I also know that client care is just as important as the end result. It’s disappointing that instead of using my feedback as a tool to do better, Ulta simply removed me as a client. To me, not calling back in a timely way, then saying “we can’t meet your needs” comes across as unwillingness to even try.

My feedback: Ulta would benefit from coaching stylists and managers on listening to client goals, owning the process when things don’t go as planned, and focusing on maintaining relationships rather than excusing them away. A client should never feel dismissed for advocating for the service they...