Introduction: Unlocking Ulta’s Best-Kept Secrets
Ulta Beauty is a favorite destination for makeup, skincare, and haircare lovers—but beyond the obvious sales and rewards, there are hidden gems that savvy shoppers can take advantage of. From clearance racks tucked away in corners to unadvertised loyalty perks, finding hidden deals at Ulta Beauty near you can lead to serious savings. Here’s how to uncover the best hidden clearance items and maximize rewards during every visit.
Explore In-Store Clearance Sections
1. Check the Back and Bottom Shelves
Most Ulta Beauty stores place their clearance items at the back of the store or on bottom shelves within each department. These sections are often easy to miss but can contain deeply discounted items including discontinued shades, seasonal packaging, and overstocked products.
2. Look for Yellow or Red Stickers
Products marked with yellow or red clearance stickers are often 50%–75% off. These stickers are sometimes manually placed, which means you might find scattered clearance items throughout the store—not just in one section. Always scan the barcode at a price checker or ask a staff member to confirm if the deal isn’t clearly marked.
Leverage the Ulta Rewards Program
3. Sign Up for Ultamate Rewards (It’s Free)
The Ultamate Rewards program is one of the most generous in the beauty retail space. You earn points for every dollar spent, and those points convert into money off future purchases. The more you shop, the more you earn—especially when bonus point events are running.
4. Take Advantage of Platinum and Diamond Perks
If you spend $500+ annually, you’ll reach Platinum status, and at $1,200+, you become Diamond. These tiers offer extra perks like birthday gifts, free shipping, and bonus point multipliers. You can stack these benefits with clearance purchases to stretch your budget even further.
5. Use Points Strategically
Rather than using points on low-cost items, save them for larger purchases or prestige brands. You can redeem up to $125 off in a single transaction using rewards points, making it worthwhile to stock up during big sales or holidays.
Stack Coupons with Clearance
6. Use the $3.50 Off $15 Coupon
This classic Ulta coupon works on most drugstore brands and can be applied to clearance items that meet the minimum threshold. Combine this with rewards points or buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers for maximum value.
7. Watch for Brand-Specific Coupons
Occasionally, Ulta emails brand-specific or category-specific coupons (e.g., 20% off one prestige item). These can sometimes be applied to sale or clearance items, depending on the terms—so always read the fine print and scan the item in-store to check.
Shop During Major Sale Events
8. Don’t Miss 21 Days of Beauty and Love Your Skin Events
These semi-annual promotions offer 50% off daily deals, often including high-end brands. Hidden clearance is sometimes refreshed before or after these events, so it’s worth checking your local store’s clearance section right before or after major sale periods.
9. Visit Just After the Holidays
Post-holiday clearance is one of the best times to score deals. Gift sets, limited-edition collections, and festive packaging are often marked down significantly. January and July are hot months for surprise markdowns.
Ask Employees and Use the Ulta App
10. Ask Staff About Unadvertised Markdowns
Ulta employees are often aware of upcoming clearance resets or products going on markdown soon. A polite question can sometimes lead you to clearance items that haven’t even been labeled yet.
11. Use the Ulta App to Scan for Lower Prices
The Ulta Beauty app allows you to scan products in-store to see their current price and availability. Sometimes, the app shows lower pricing than the shelf tag, especially if an item was recently marked down.
Final Thoughts: Save More at Every Visit
Finding hidden clearance and rewards at Ulta Beauty near you requires a sharp eye and a little insider knowledge—but the payoff is worth it. Whether you’re shopping for your favorite foundation, stocking up on skincare, or browsing for new haircare essentials, there are always ways to save more. From rewards stacking to clearance scanning, these strategies will help you get the most out of every Ulta Beauty trip.