When you walk into Ulta, you are going to be overwhelmed. Thousands of beauty products are present on the long aisles of the store. You may even see many brand-name products that received glowing reviews on TikTok at 1 a.m. the night before. But do they provide real value? Not all the time.
At this time, we have compiled a list of the best Ulta Beauty products in 2026, including skincare, makeup, and hair care, that have received editing and approval from actual editors, beauty enthusiasts, and other discerning shoppers. There is no fluff, no filler, and certainly no sponsorships; these are just great-performing products.
Why Ulta Beauty Is Still Winning in 2026
Ulta Beauty products is the only major beauty retailer that actually delivers on “Everything.” Ulta is the only store where you will be able to find a $12 NYX lip liner and a $68 Fenty foundation side by side, and both look perfectly at home together. This type of affordable and luxury mix is the very reason why Ulta continues to remain a player in today’s beauty market.
Moving forward into 2026, there are three main reasons why we believe Ulta Beauty Products is worth checking out:
- Ulta Beauty Products Commitment to Conscious Beauty continues to grow, giving you the opportunity to buy clean, vegan & cruelty-free products with no compromise in quality.
- Ulta Beauty Products loyalty program is one of the best in the beauty retail industry. The Ulta’s rewards program allows customers to earn points quickly when shopping strategically.
- During the 21 Days of Beauty (twice a year), you can get 50% off prestige products, which is typically when you should stock up on serums, hair tools, and foundation.
- New brand introductions keep the product selection fresh; Voesh, Live Tinted, and K-beauty brands are several new ones at Ulta for 2025-26.
“Ulta Beauty Products has become one of the most exciting retailers in the U.S. because of its product mix and the way it curates—the combination of high-end brands along with mass retailers in one location is something that cannot be found elsewhere.”
Best Ulta Beauty Skincare Products in 2026
Shoppers at Ulta Beauty Products do their research primarily in skincare and tend to find those rare gems. Here are some great skincare products that you should be trying now if you want to be ahead of the game:
OSEA Hyaluronic Sea Serum
~$95 · Prestige
Why It’s Worth It
If you want to look like a million bucks while spending just $95 getting there, pick SESAR’s Serum. It is a silky smooth seaweed (kelp)-based product that will give you dewy, hydrated skin with no heaviness. The feeling you will have will be like your skin has just finished a long, hard day of hard work and has now just been helped to relax by drinking lots of water. It is by far the best skincare product you can find at Ulta.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
~$59 · Prestige
Why It’s Worth It
This product always ranks in the top ten best Ulta Beauty Products. This product is produced with rice powder and activated by water; it leaves the skin with a very noticeable difference in brightness and smoothness, yet it has none of the irritation associated with other exfoliating scrubs. It is recommended for sensitive skin by dermatologists. If you are looking for a new way of treating your skin, try DRMLOGA’s microfoliant—you won’t be sorry!
Voesh AHA Exfoliating Body Bar
~$19 · Accessible
Why It’s Worth It
This is a breakthrough product. It has been available at Ulta Beauty Products for only one year and already has become a hot-selling item there. One side gently exfoliates the skin; the opposite side foams (or creates lather) when wet, cleansing the skin. Voesh’s AHA Body Bar makes your skin feel great! It is very reasonably priced for the big differences it will make in the quality of your skin.
Other Skincare Products Worth Adding to Your Cart
Ulta Skin Care Purifying Face Cleanser: Probiotic-powered, mild enough for everyday use, and universally admired by all skin types.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: A dry-skin classic that dermatologists and estheticians regularly recommend. Ideal for both the body and the face.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator: A no-brainer purchase during any Ulta sale. Oil-free, fragrance-free, and fits everyone regardless of their age or skin type.
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum: Korean beauty at its best: An ultra-lightweight serum that will truly give you that dewy, “glass-like” finish after using it consistently over time.
Best Ulta Beauty Makeup Products in 2026
Ulta Beauty Products is a great option for anyone looking to compare different prices on products. You can easily compare a diverse range of products and their prices side-by-side. If you like to try different beauty products before purchasing them, you will find that Ulta carries an abundance of options. One of the best features of shopping at Ulta Beauty Products, however, is that they provide access to a substantial number of manufacturer-backed products at significantly reduced prices. In addition to unique one-of-a-kind products that the store carries, they provide a vast selection of drugstore brands, which are generally considered to be equal to or higher than the best department store brands.
NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation
~$16 · Drugstore
Why It’s Worth It
Ulta Beauty Products’ extensive inventory includes 43 shades of foundation, along with countless options for application. Most people agree that this foundation is by far the best choice for a foundation, given its price and formula. Reviewers consistently refer to the product as the best foundation they’ve ever used; therefore, for less than $16, the question becomes, why haven’t you already purchased this product?
Too Faced Sun Bunny Blushing Bronzer
~$38 · Prestige
Why It’s Worth It
Ulta Beauty Products has recently launched one of the most exciting new spring Ulta Beauty Products. This product is a combination of bronzer and blush, comes in four rich shades, and is an ideal way to achieve that “fresh-from-the-beach” appearance. In addition to being easy to apply, this product is very versatile and can be built up for the desired look. The combination cream-powder format allows for an even application, without drawing attention to any imperfections on one’s face.
Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions XL Volumizing Tubing Mascara
~$15 · Drugstore
Why It’s Worth It
It’s Tubing mascara’s time to shine. They are long-wearing, sky-high volume, and smudge-resistant. To top it all off, they wash off easily with warm water (no need to use makeup remover). The Milani version coming out in early 2026 gives your lashes the kind of instant volume and length that lash extensions do—for only $14.99!
More Ulta Makeup Products That Consistently Deliver
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is so inclusive you can buy it in 50 different shades. It looks amazing in photos and is definitely worth the price at Ulta.
NUDESTIX Nudies Blush & Glow Stick is the most versatile multipurpose makeup product available for use as an eye/lip/cheek product. The cream formula will not create a mess.
OPI xPRESS/ON Press-On Nails are salon-quality nail enhancements, but for only $14, they will remain securely in place until you remove them. This is perfect for any individual who desires the look of a professional manicure without making an appointment.
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is still the best-selling brow pencil on the market after years—it is high quality with an ultra-fine tip, a large number of naturally occurring colors, and a long-lasting formula.
Pro tip: Using the Ulta app, you can virtually try different makeup shades before you make your final decision on what to purchase. This is especially helpful with foundation and lip products, because the colors are accurate and you’ll save yourself expensive mistakes.
Best Ulta Beauty Hair Products in 2026
Hair care products available at Ulta Beauty offer some of the most value-driven pricing on the market; they range in price from drugstore-brand shampoo to professional-grade treatment. Additionally, when Ulta has sales, you can usually purchase brands like Olaplex, Dyson, and Briogeo for much less than the average retail price.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
~$30 · Professional
Why It’s Worth It
For anyone who colors, bleaches, heat styles, or wants stronger hair, Olaplex No. 3 is a must-have product to have at home. This at-home version of the salon-quality bond-building formula transforms hair care when used once a week for a few weeks; less breakage, more shine, and more elasticity will be significantly noticeable. Year after year, Ulta has reported it as one of its top repurchase items.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
~$42 · Professional
Why It’s Worth It
Briogeo uses only clean ingredients in its products, including its flagship product available at Ulta and its Conscious Beauty program: No sulfates, silicones, parabens, or artificial dyes are used. What makes Briogeo unique is both the absence of bad ingredients and their inclusion of wonderful ingredients such as rosehip, algae & B-vitamin complex, which visibly strengthens and softens hair, especially for those with thick, coarse, or chemically treated hair.
More Ulta Beauty Hair Products Worth Knowing About
Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler is the ultimate tool for styling hair, considered one of the best in terms of hairstyling technology by Allure’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards. While the price may be high—this product truly transforms hairstyles for anyone who styles their hair on a regular basis.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner are clean, science-based formulas that help achieve an excellent shine while reducing frizz. These shampoo/conditioner sets work well for those with fine to mid-length hair.
Not Your Mother’s Naturals Curl Talk Defining Cream is an excellent drugstore option for wavy/curly hair. This Comb-in product creates definition without creating a crunch and costs significantly less compared to luxe salon alternatives.
Sephora vs. Ulta: Which Should You Shop?
There is an overwhelming amount of information available on this topic, and the answer is not as clear-cut as you would think. Ultimately, it has a lot to do with the type of product you are purchasing.
| Category | Ulta Beauty | Sephora |
| Price Range | Drugstore to prestige | Primarily prestige |
| Drugstore Brands | ✓ Yes (NYX, Maybelline, CoverGirl) | Very limited |
| Salon Services | ✓ Yes (full-service salons) | No |
| Loyalty Rewards | Strong (Ulta Rewards points) | Strong (Beauty Insider) |
| Clean Beauty Curation | Conscious Beauty program | Clean at Sephora program |
| Luxury/Niche Brands | Growing | ✓ Stronger |
| K-Beauty Selection | Growing fast | Strong |
| MAC Cosmetics | ✓ Yes | No |
| Sales & Events | 21 Days of Beauty (bi-annual) | Seasonal sales events |
Conclusion
In 2026, Ulta Beauty Products continues to be the leading retailer for finding high-quality beauty items at any price point! They offer everything from the hottest trending/must-have makeup items right now, salon-quality hair care, science-backed skin care, and everything in between, making them an excellent place to find what you need for your beauty routine. Today’s smartest purchases are no longer just about being trendy; they also have to be quality, versatile, and will provide value in the long term as well. If you are currently building your collection or trying out new beauty trends, buying products that actually work will always be a great investment in your future success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What products are regulated at Ulta beauty?
A. All Ulta Beauty products must comply with the cosmetic and safety laws of the United States. There are many different types of regulatory products, but there are also many professional-grade or chemical/chemical-type treatments, as well as some restricted items that can only be purchased with a certain limit based on your geographic location or the brand itself.
2. Does Ulta beauty sell mac products?
A. Absolutely! Ulta Beauty carries a number of MAC Cosmetics items both online and in many of their retail locations. Please be aware that availability varies based on the region and the current inventory.
3. Are ulta beauty products cruelty-free?
A. Ulta does not sell only cruelty-free products; however, many of the brands sell cruelty-free lines, and all can be searched as cruelty-free through the Ulta website.
