The Ultimate Guide to Getting Free Samples at Ulta Beauty

As a self-proclaimed beauty junkie and experienced Ulta shopper, I know how important it is to try before you buy, especially when it comes to pricey cosmetics. One of the best ways to do this is by snagging free samples from retailers like Ulta Beauty. But what exactly is Ulta‘s sample policy? Can you really get free samples of things like foundation, skincare, and fragrances? And how do Ulta‘s sampling practices compare to competitors like Sephora?

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I‘ve done the research and am here to give you the full scoop on how to become an Ulta sample queen (or king)! As someone who practically lives at Ulta and has spent countless hours swatching, testing, and hoarding beauty samples, I can confidently say this guide covers everything you need to know. By the end, you‘ll be navigating the world of Ulta samples like a pro.

Does Ulta Give Out Free Samples?

Let‘s tackle the million dollar question right away: yes, Ulta does give out free samples! However, it‘s not quite as simple as walking in and demanding a sample of any product your heart desires. Getting free samples at Ulta requires a bit of strategy and insider knowledge.

According to Ulta‘s official policy, sampling is offered on a case-by-case basis and is ultimately up to each store‘s discretion. Some locations are happy to make small samples of products like foundation upon request, while others reserve samples for special promotions or loyalty members. So a lot depends on your specific Ulta store and the associates you interact with.

Anecdotally, Ulta shoppers have had the most success getting free samples by:

  1. Asking an associate politely. Politeness is key – remember, Ulta employees are not required to give samples. Asking nicely and being understanding if they are unable to make a sample goes a long way!

  2. Going during a big sale or promotion. Ulta‘s 21 Days of Beauty sale is a samples goldmine. Brands tend to send extra samples and gifts with purchase during these events.

  3. Focusing on prestige skincare/makeup brands. Higher-end brands like Clinique, Lancome, and Benefit are more likely to have samples on hand vs. drugstore brands. Skincare and foundation samples are also more common than things like lipstick or eyeshadow.

  4. Being a Diamond or Platinum rewards member. Ulta is known for treating its loyal customers in the top tiers of its Ultamate Rewards program very well. Many regular Ulta shoppers have noted they seem to get offered more samples once they‘ve achieved Diamond or Platinum status.

So while Ulta‘s sampling policy may not be as consistent as Sephora‘s famous "3 free samples with every purchase" model, free samples are definitely available if you know how to get them!

What Kind of Free Samples Can You Get at Ulta?

Ulta carries a massive range of beauty products across categories like makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and tools. So what kind of samples can you realistically expect to get at Ulta? Here‘s the breakdown:

Foundation & Concealer Samples

As I mentioned, foundation and concealer samples are some of the most common and sought-after at Ulta. This makes sense, since base products can be tricky to shade match and are often pricey. Many shoppers want to test a foundation‘s color, coverage, and finish before committing to a full size.

If you‘re on the hunt for a foundation sample at Ulta, your best bet is to ask an associate at the makeup counter for help matching your shade. They can usually make a small sample by scooping product from a tester into a little plastic pot. Liquid and cream formulas are the easiest to sample – powders not so much. Concealer sampling is hit or miss since there‘s less product to work with.

Skincare Samples

Skincare is another category where samples reign supreme. With the rise of elaborate, multi-step skincare routines, many beauty lovers want to test serums, oils, and moisturizers before dropping serious cash on a full size. Luckily, Ulta carries tons of luxury skincare brands known for their generous sample policy.

Skincare minis and travel sizes have also become super popular, so many brands offer those in addition to single-use samples. For example, you can often find travel sizes of bestsellers from brands like Sunday Riley, Mario Badescu, and First Aid Beauty in Ulta‘s impulse bins and holiday sets. These aren‘t free, but still cheaper than full sizes.

Some of the most sample-happy skincare brands at Ulta include:

  • Clinique
  • Kiehl‘s
  • Origins
  • Murad
  • Drunk Elephant
  • Dermalogica

As with foundation, your best bet for scoring skincare samples is to ask an Ulta skincare consultant. They usually have the most up-to-date info on what samples are available and are happy to customize recommendations for your skin type and concerns.

Fragrance & Hair Samples

Fragrance and hair products are tougher categories to sample at Ulta, but not impossible. Actual fragrance samples tend to only be available during special promotions, brand events, or gifts with purchase. But you can always ask an associate for a fragrance tester or blotter to get a sense of the scent before buying.

Haircare brands at Ulta seem less likely to offer samples compared to skincare, but again, it varies a lot by brand and store location. Your best shot at hair samples is to look for bonus sample packs or minis that sometimes come attached to full-size products.

Some hair brands that have been known to offer samples at Ulta include:

  • Living Proof
  • Pureology
  • Redken
  • Bumble and bumble
  • Drybar

Ulta Sample Policies & Hacks: What You Need to Know

Now that you have a general idea of how sampling works at Ulta, here are some important policies and hacks to keep in mind as you embark on your sampling journey:

1. Ulta‘s official sample policy

First thing‘s first, it‘s important to understand that Ulta doesn‘t have a consistent, published policy on sampling across all locations. Officially, the Ulta website states: "Ulta Beauty offers samples on select products. Sample availability varies by store and product."

This vague wording gives Ulta a lot of wiggle room when it comes to samples, which explains why sampling experiences can be so hit or miss. Since there‘s no company-wide rule that every store has to sample every product, it really comes down to the stock and generosity of your local store on any given day.

This inconsistency can definitely be frustrating as a consumer, but it‘s the reality of shopping at Ulta. Just remember that samples are not guaranteed and it‘s important to be gracious about whatever the store is able to offer!

2. Ulta sample sizes & packaging

When Ulta stores do give out samples, they are usually very small, single-use amounts. Think a tiny scoop of foundation or a few pumps of serum. These samples often come in little plastic pots or packets.

Ulta doesn‘t invest in fancy sample packaging like mini bottles or jars – that would get expensive quickly. So don‘t expect deluxe sample sizes or pretty packaging like you might get from a brand or subscription box. Ulta samples are pretty basic and utilitarian.

This minimalist sample packaging makes sense from a business perspective (it‘s cheap and cuts down on waste), but it‘s not always the best user experience. Luckily, some savvy Ulta shoppers have found creative ways to transport and use these bare-bones samples:

  • Invest in a set of small, reusable sample containers and transfer Ulta samples into them. You can find these cheap on Amazon!

  • Collect sample packets and pots in an old eye shadow palette or contact lens case for easy storage/organization.

  • If you‘re sampling a thicker product like foundation, try scooping it into an old foundation compact and using the included sponge to apply. Voila, you have a mini travel foundation!

With a little ingenuity, you can give your free Ulta samples a serious upgrade and make them way more user-friendly.

3. Ulta‘s return policy (the sample insurance plan)

One of the best things about being an Ulta shopper is the store‘s incredibly generous return policy. Ulta allows full refunds on any product (yes, even used!) within 60 days as long as you have the receipt.

Think of this return policy as a kind of safety net or insurance for your sampling needs. If you take home a product that ends up not working for you (color is off, breaks you out, etc.), you can return it hassle-free and get your money back!

I like to think of purchasing an item from Ulta as a kind of extended sample. Worst case scenario, you can treat it like a free trial and bring it back within the 60 day window if it doesn‘t end up working out.

Of course, you don‘t want to abuse this policy or make too many returns. But it‘s a nice option to have in your back pocket if you‘re unable to get a traditional sample of something! Knowing you can return it later makes purchasing prestige products a lot less scary.

4. Sephora vs. Ulta sample policies

Of course, we can‘t talk about Ulta‘s sample program without mentioning its biggest competitor, Sephora. The two mega beauty retailers are often compared, so how do they stack up in terms of samples?

Sephora Sample Policy:

  • Offers 3 free samples with every purchase, both in-store and online
  • Allows customers to choose their own samples from a wide variety of makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance
  • Tends to give out more deluxe/multi-use samples in addition to single-use
  • Also offers free samples of any product in-store upon request

Ulta Sample Policy:

  • No consistent chain-wide sampling policy
  • Sample availability varies widely by store and is not guaranteed
  • Samples are usually made by associates upon request and tend to be single-use amounts
  • Deluxe samples are less common, mostly limited to gifts with purchase or special promotions
  • Has a much wider array of drugstore and affordable brands compared to Sephora

As you can see, Sephora definitely has the edge when it comes to samples. Its "3 free samples with every purchase" policy is super consumer-friendly and great for trying new products. Sephora also carries more luxury and prestige brands that tend to have bigger sample budgets.

However, Sephora is seriously lacking in affordable drugstore brands compared to Ulta. If you‘re looking to sample a great $10 foundation, Ulta is hands down the better choice. And what Ulta lacks in samples, it makes up for in testers, shade matching tools, and its flexible return policy, as I outlined earlier.

Ulta Samples By the Numbers

Now, it‘s one thing for me to share my anecdotal experience with Ulta samples. But for those data-driven beauty lovers out there, let‘s take a look at some of the statistics behind sampling – both at Ulta and in the beauty industry at large!

  • 77% of consumers expect to sample a beauty product before purchasing, according to a study by First Insight. This number jumps to 85% for Millennials!

  • Beauty product sampling has been shown to boost full-size sales by as much as 600%, reports GCI Magazine. Clearly, getting products into the hands of consumers is a winning strategy.

  • An estimated 35 million sample products end up in landfills each year, according to Zero Waste Week. As consumers demand more eco-friendly practices, retailers like Ulta will need to rethink sample packaging.

  • 1 in 5 shoppers have changed their mind about what to buy after trying a sample, found a survey by Sampling Effectiveness Advisors. The power of try before you buy!

  • Ulta has over 1,200 stores across 50 states, which means a ton of variation when it comes to sample policies and offerings. No wonder experiences can be so inconsistent!

  • In a study by The NPD Group, 19% of makeup buyers said getting a free sample motivated them to purchase. Samples are especially important for driving prestige makeup sales.

  • Fragrance samples have a 92% believability factor, meaning consumers trust them to accurately represent the product, according to the IPM Fragrance Study. No wonder scent sampling is still going strong!

Fascinating stuff, right? The numbers don‘t lie – beauty samples are incredibly powerful for driving sales and brand loyalty. It will be interesting to see how Ulta and other retailers continue to evolve their sampling strategies in the coming years.

Ulta Sample Alternatives & Innovations

As much as I love a good free sample, I have to acknowledge that traditional sampling models have some serious limitations. Creating all those single-use samples produces a ton of waste, and the whole process is pretty darn expensive for brands. Plus, tiny pots and packets aren‘t always the best way to test performance or shade match.

Luckily, there are tons of other ways to try before you buy these days – no little freebie required! Many of these methods are even better than traditional samples anyway. Here are some of the top ways Ulta is experimenting with and expanding product testing:

  • Artificial intelligence-powered foundation matching. Ulta has partnered with AI and AR companies to install high-tech foundation shade matching stations in select stores. You can scan your skin and instantly get scientifically precise foundation recommendations. It‘s like having a million samples without any of the mess!

  • Augmented reality and virtual try-on. If you‘ve shopped on Ulta.com recently, you may have noticed their GlamLab feature which lets you virtually try on makeup in real-time using your phone camera. This AR technology has gotten scary good and is an amazing way to test colors and see how products look on your unique features.

  • Travel sizes and minis. Ulta has really upped its selection of mini and travel-sized beauty products in recent years. These smaller sizes are less of a commitment than a full size, but still give you more than a 1-2 use sample. It‘s the perfect happy medium!

  • BYOB (Bring Your Own Beauty) Events. In the past, Ulta has held special in-store events where you can book a full makeover and skin consultation using any products you want – including minis you‘ve accumulated. A little different than a traditional sample, but a great way to put those smaller sizes to use!

  • Sample subscription boxes. Okay, this one isn‘t specific to Ulta. But the proliferation of beauty sample subscription boxes like Birchbox and Ipsy are changing the game, giving customers a personalized way to test travel-size products each month.

With all these sample alternatives popping up, I predict that traditional single-use freebies may be on their way out at Ulta and other beauty retailers. The future of sampling is high-tech, personalized, and eco-friendly!

Conclusion

Whew, that was a lot of info! I hope you now consider yourself an expert in all things Ulta samples. While the process may not be perfect (RIP consistency), you really can get your hands on some great freebies if you know where to look and aren‘t afraid to ask.

I want to leave you with my top Ulta sample tips and takeaways:

  1. Samples are never guaranteed, so be polite and understanding! Kindness will get you far with Ulta associates.

  2. Look for free samples during big promotions and if you‘re a Diamond/Platinum rewards member.

  3. Focus on prestige makeup and skincare brands for the best sample luck. But don‘t sleep on Ulta‘s mini and travel sizes across categories!

  4. If you strike out on samples, take advantage of Ulta‘s other try-before-you-buy options like testers, foundation matching tech, virtual try-on, and that sweet return policy.

  5. Overall, think of Ulta sampling as a fun treasure hunt rather than a sure thing. You never know what freebies you might discover!

I hope this guide has been helpful and maybe even a little entertaining. At the end of the day, sampling should be a low-pressure way to explore and discover new beauty products. Don‘t get too caught up in the free factor – there are so many ways to try before you buy these days.

If you found this info useful or want to share your own Ulta sample wins, don‘t forget to leave a comment below. Happy sampling!