Ulta: Good Make-Up at Good Prices

Where could a beauty junkie for a quick and satisfying fix? The answer is Ulta, whether at one of their many nationwide stores or at the easy to navigate web site. It has a wide array of cosmetics at good pricing as well as some great super sales. Unlike that other snootier cosmetic store and website, this one is down to earth , catering to those on a budget. You can stock up on favorites without going broke.

Ulta stores are a treat in themselves. They are big and spacious, well lighted and airy to make finding products easier. Also there are plenty of mirrors and samples to see how colors will look on you before you buy them. Small sinks are all around; complete with soap and paper towels to wash off any cosmetics you've put on your hands. Also Ulta has on site salons for hair and skin that come in handy if you're shopping for an entirely new look. The staff is helpful, not breathing down your neck again like that other cosmetics store, but they are attentive if you have any questions. If there are no stores in your immediate area then go to the website, type your zip code, state or metro area into the store locator and presto - all the stores within a certain radius will show up on a map. You can also get directions on how to get to them too.

If you're not within driving distance, like I am, then use the easy to navigate website. You can find all the major brands here like Cover Girl or Revlon but you can find some of the lesser known indy brands as well. Eyeko and Studio Gear view for attention on the same pages as the top performers. Most cosmetics on are on sale right now. L'Oreal is being offered at half price. The company's new HIP line eye shadow is being sold at only $3.50 as is the HIP lip gloss. Stock up if you're a Color Riche lipstick fan because that's going at half off too. Ulta is shaving 25 % off L'Oreal's Blush Delice and True Match Foundation. You can also save up to 33% on any of the brand's hair colorings as well. Cover Girl addicts will be happy to know that the CG Lip Tints Lip Gloss is selling for only $1.99 right now. The Smoothwear All Day Lip Tint is a quarter off. Revlon lovers will flip knowing that Ulta is offering their faves at a whopping 50 % off. You can buy everything thing from the Twelve Hour eye shadow quad to lip liner for half of what you would pay at your favorite drug store right now. The Revlon hair care products are also being offered at a discount. You can save 30% now on the Ionic Hair Care kit, now going for $15.99. Fans of the British company Rimmel will be in seventh heaven. Ulta is offering the already low priced brand at even lower costs. The Specialeyes Mono Eye Shadow is going for $1.79 while the Blush Naturale is being sold at only $2.06. Since Rimmel's Long Lasting Lycra nail polish is only $1.52 a bottle ,buy all the colors offered. If you're a cosmetics snob and only want the better priced, then check out Ulta's collection of Vincent Longo and Smashbox.

Ulta also has its' own line of cosmetics, lotions and perfumes. I have been a big fan of their cosmetics for a long time and highly recommend them. The eye shadows alone will knock your socks off! There are eighty-eight (yes eighty-eight!!!!) shades to choose from. The shades range from complimentary pastels to shimmery neutrals to dramatic darks. I've used the lighter shades as regular across the lid color while using the more intense shades like Mink , Night Sky, Twilight and Graphite as liners. The individual pans sell for 46.50 each but there's almost always a sale going on where you can get them half priced. Confused about what colors to get? The company also offers the Eye Palette that is ten shades lined together in one long pan. It's only $12 and gives you enough color to create dozens of looks (also this makes a wonderful Christmas gift either for friends or family or just for yourself) Also at the same price are the Eye Enhancing palettes which have five shadows. These Christian Dior look-alikes are great for storing at the office or in your bag for quick touch ups. Ulta also has jumped on the mineral make up bandwagon and has introduced the all natural mineral eye powders, These finely milled shadows come in thirteen colors and are very intense. The cost is nothing compared to what you would pay for other mineral shadows. They're only $10 a pot.

Ulta also has it's own mascara and eyeliners. These are phenomenal if you're going to a party or event and you want to have smoky yet fresh looking eyes. They won't run or smudge and stay in place, despite body heat or tears. All mascaras and eyeliners are being offered at 60 % off right now. Get their Dramatic Effect Lash Building mascara for that doe eyed look as well as stocking up on the liners.

Ulta has as many lipsticks as it does eye shadows. Again there are so many colors and different types of lipsticks to choose from. You'll go crazy just trying to picking out what's best for you. I like the Sheer formula lipstick which is basically gloss in a tube. Here the colors go on with a light wash and aren't thick or feel heavy on your lips. There are nineteen shades from the ethereal Sheer Mist to the sophisticated Sheer Charm. A good everyday and evening shade is the Sheer Amaretto which has a apricot sheen to it. Another color that's extremely wearable is the Sheer Honey - a light beige- brown. With the holiday part season coming fast upon us, amp up your look's volume with Ulta's Shimmer Lipsticks. These are glam looking colors with a hint of shimmer in them. Again the shade range is awesome with twenty-nine shimmers to choose from. You can have a pale mouth with Solar Shimmer or try Bordeaux Shimmer for a more intense one. Other great shades include Clove Shimmer, a deep brick red and Nude Shimmer, a pinkish red. These are also on sale at 60 % off so you might as well try a few hues that strike your fancy. If you want more oomph to your pout Ulta has its Ultimate Pout Lip Plumper which not only gives you that much desired bee stung look but also moisturizes with aloe and Vitamin. E. This is a splurge at $12.50 but the effect is worth the price.

Another good Ulta buy are the blushes, both powder and cream. The powder comes in twelve shades and goes on with a silky barely there finish. Try Glow, a warm apricot that gives a nice sun kissed look to pale, winter cheeks or Cheek, a candy pink that lets you have that flushed from a good walk look. The company's cream blush is great too and is long lasting. It only comes in four shades, with one color, Shy leaning towards the pink range, the other three, Bashful, Flushed and Coy leading towards the baked adobes to plums. These look intense and dark in their pans but once they're swiped on with your fingers have a light, sheer look. These are also on sale for only $3.25. Ulta also has a pressed powder compact, vital for any girl's' handbag. It comes in fair to light and gives the skin a pearlescent glow. For five dollars more buy Ulta's All Over Shimmer which comes in either Shades of Bronze or Shades of Pink. These are five colors in one pan and can be swirled together for a just got back from a winter holiday glow. The company also has a variety of foundations for all types of lifestyles and ages. You can buy the oil free matte kind, for a flawless look, the illuminating for one that will give you a glow or just the tinted moisturizer for some color plus dewy looking skin. All are under $12.50 in price and cater to a variety of different skin shades. There is also the mineral powder foundation that is made with all natural ingredients. This comes in four hues, from fair to medium and is currently on sale at almost 30 % off.

Ulta also has a line of nail polishes and nail glosses. There are sixty-six colors to choose from, from the trendy Goth darks to juicy berry colors to the pale frosts and shimmers. These too are on sale at 30% off each and it pays to buys a few shades that you like or want to try. Ulta also has a full line of brushes and files for face and nails. The brushes are sturdy and well made and usually cost $10.00.

Ulta also has its' own in house line of fragrances. These are unique combining such diverse notes as cocoa and rose or freesia with lime to create unique perfumes. There are also the jasmine vanilla and black currant scents for those that like traditional scents that remind them of favorite grannies and great-aunts. You can get them and their matching lotions at half price. They make great holiday gifts so stock up on them. The site also sells various perfumes from other companies such as Donna Karan and Hillary Duff. These are not selling on discount right now but if you buy $65 dollars worth you will get free shipping. (this also goes for any other order over that amount).

Head to Ulta, whether it be the nearest store or the website if you're drooling for good cosmetics at affordable pricing. You'll not only find what you're looking for but new favorites guaranteed to satisfy your make up fix. You'll be hooked for life on this great find.