Ulta Coupons & Coupon Codes for May 2026

📅 Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Looking for the latest Ulta coupons and promo codes for May 2026? We’ve tested every available deal — here are all the verified discounts that actually work right now, saving you up to 75% off makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance at America’s largest beauty retailer. Also shopping beauty at Sephora? Compare both with our guide. Planning travel too? See our Booking.com coupon codes and Trip.com promo codes.

All Active Ulta Coupons & Deals — May 2026

Below are all tested and verified working coupons and deals for Ulta Beauty as of May 2026:

⚠️ Important: Ulta regularly offers $3.50 off $15 coupons and 20% off single-item or select-brand coupons through their email, app, and mail, but these rotate frequently and are often account-specific. Always check the Ulta Coupons page for currently active codes before checkout.

Total Potential Savings from All Active Deals

• Up to 75% off — via sale section and clearance markdowns
• 20% off select brands — via current pickup coupon (through 5/7/26)
• $3.50 off every $15+ purchase — via recurring coupon (check email/app)
• 20% off first purchase — via Ulta Rewards Credit Card for new cardholders
• 10% off — via SMS text sign-up coupon (online; exclusions apply)
• Up to $125 off with 2,000 points — via Ulta Beauty Rewards redemption
• Free birthday gift + $10 off — for Platinum and Diamond members
• 2x–5x bonus points — via weekly rotating brand multiplier offers
• Up to 15% cashback — via Rakuten on qualifying purchases

💡 Pro Tip: The savviest Ulta shoppers stack multiple savings methods: Use a $3.50 off coupon + shop the sale section + apply rewards points + earn bonus points on featured brands — all in the same transaction. This is how you maximize every dollar spent at Ulta. Points can be redeemed on anything, including Beauty Steals and sale items — something coupons can’t do.

How to Apply a Coupon Code at Ulta

Applying a coupon code at Ulta.com is simple. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step: Online (Website & App)

1. Add your desired products to the shopping bag
2. Click the bag icon to view your cart
3. Click the “+” next to “Add a coupon code” in the order summary
4. Enter your code exactly as shown and click “Apply”
5. The discount will reflect in your order total
6. You can also apply Rewards Points separately at the payment step
7. Complete checkout at the reduced price

Step-by-Step: In-Store

1. Show your coupon to the cashier — a printed coupon, email coupon, or the coupon in your Ulta app
2. Ensure your Rewards account is linked (provide your phone number or email)
3. The cashier will scan or apply the coupon — verify the discount on the register display

Code Not Working? Try These Fixes

• Check exclusions — many Ulta coupons exclude prestige brands (MAC, Clinique, Lancôme, CHANEL, Dyson, BEYONCÉ PARFUMS, etc.) and services (Salon, Ear Piercing, Skin Bar, Benefit Brow Bar)
• Not valid on Beauty Steals or clearance — the 20% off and similar coupons don’t apply to Beauty Steals, 5-for-$5/$10 deals, or clearance items
• Verify minimum purchase — the $3.50 off coupon requires at least $15 in qualifying items
• One coupon per order — Ulta allows only one coupon code per transaction (points redemption is separate)
• Check expiration — coupons have strict expiration dates shown on the coupon itself
• Account-specific codes — many Ulta coupons are tied to your specific account and can’t be shared
• Not valid at Ulta at Target — Ulta coupons cannot be used at Ulta Beauty shop-in-shops inside Target stores

📝 Note: Unlike Sephora, Ulta’s coupons often exclude prestige brands. The $3.50 off $15 coupon typically works on everything, but percentage-off coupons usually exclude higher-end brands. Always check the fine print on your specific coupon before checkout.

Ulta Beauty Rewards Program — Full Guide (2026)

The Ulta Beauty Rewards program — rebranded from “Ultamate Rewards” in January 2024 — is one of the most generous loyalty programs in beauty retail, now with over 44 million members driving 95% of Ulta’s total revenue. It’s free to join and offers genuine dollar value for your points. Here’s how each tier compares:

Key Facts About Ulta Beauty Rewards

• Free to join — sign up online, in-store, or via the app in seconds
• Points = real money — Ulta points convert directly to dollars off at checkout, starting at 100 points = $3 off
• Points work on everything — including prestige brands, salon services, and sale items (including Beauty Steals — unlike coupons)
• Platinum and Diamond points never expire — only base Member points expire (1 year after earned)
• Credit card doubles your base earnings — the Ulta Credit Card earns 1 additional point per $1 at Ulta (2 pts/$1 total for Members; 2.5 pts/$1 for Diamond)
• Salon services count — haircuts, coloring, facials, and other in-store services all earn points and count toward tier status
• Earn at Ulta at Target — linked accounts earn Rewards points at Ulta Beauty inside Target (with some limitations)

Best Way to Redeem Your Ulta Points

Ulta’s points redemption system gives you more value per point the more you save up. Here’s the full redemption chart:

💡 Best Strategy (“Ulta Math”): Always save up to 2,000 points before redeeming. At 2,000 points, you get $125 off — that’s 6.25 cents per point, over double the value you’d get at 100 points (3 cents per point). Reddit communities dedicated to “Ulta Math” confirm this non-linear structure rewards patience. If you can’t wait, 1,000 points ($50) is the next best threshold — worth 25% less per point than the 2,000-point tier.

Ulta 21+ Days of Beauty — Everything You Need to Know

The 21+ Days of Beauty is Ulta’s biggest sale event — running twice per year with 50% off Daily Beauty Steals from top brands. Here’s everything you need to know:

How to Maximize 21+ Days of Beauty

• Preview the calendar — Ulta releases the full deal schedule roughly one week at a time. Identify which days have products you want and set reminders
• Shop early in the day — popular steals sell out fast online. Shop first thing in the morning
• Use rewards points — coupons don’t work on Beauty Steals, but rewards points DO. Stack 50% off + point redemption for maximum savings
• Use BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store) — secure deals online without leaving home, then pick up within your 5-day window; free for Platinum/Diamond
• Platinum/Diamond early access — top-tier members get access one day before general sale start and free shipping on all Beauty Steal orders regardless of order total
• Watch for bonus days — the Spring 2026 event ran extra days. Ulta may do the same for Fall 2026

💡 Pro Tip: The 21+ Days of Beauty is the only time many prestige brands go on sale at Ulta. During the Spring 2026 event, featured brands included Fenty Beauty, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Kiehl’s at 50% off. Mark the predicted Fall 2026 event (~August 29) on your calendar now.

10 Insider Hacks to Save More at Ulta in 2026

1. Never Miss the $3.50 Off $15 Coupon

Ulta regularly sends $3.50 off $15+ purchase coupons via email, app notifications, and mail. This is effectively a 23% discount on a $15 order — and it works on most brands including prestige. Check your email, app, and physical mail regularly — these rotate every few weeks.

2. Stack Points with Sale Prices

Unlike coupons (which can’t be used on Beauty Steals), Ulta points can be redeemed on ANY purchase — including sale items, clearance, and 21+ Days of Beauty steals. Hoarding your points for a 2,000-point ($125 off) redemption during a 50% off Beauty Steal = the ultimate “Ulta Math” play.

3. Target Bonus Points Offers Every Week

Ulta rotates 2x–5x point multipliers on specific brands every week. Open the app’s “Offers” tab and activate all relevant multipliers before shopping. These bonus points stack with your tier earning rate and credit card rate — Diamond members with the card can hit up to 2.5x + 5x = 12.5x points on featured brands.

4. Get the Ulta Credit Card for Double Points

The Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card earns an additional 1 point per $1 at Ulta (effectively doubling your base tier rate to 2 pts/$1 for Members, 2.25 for Platinum, 2.5 for Diamond). New cardholders get 20% off their first purchase. There is no annual fee. Only consider if you pay the balance in full monthly — APR is 23–32%.

5. Shop the Clearance Section Online

Ulta’s sale and clearance section features deep markdowns — often 30–75% off — on discontinued or seasonally rotated products. Check weekly for new additions; these are the best prices outside of 21+ Days of Beauty.

6. Use Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS)

BOPIS lets you lock in online deals without paying shipping costs even if you’re below the $35 free shipping threshold. You get a 5-day pickup window, and orders are typically ready within 2 hours. Platinum and Diamond members get free shipping on BOPIS Beauty Steal orders during 21+ Days of Beauty.

7. Grab Your Free Birthday Gift + $10 Off

All Rewards members get a free birthday gift (choice from a selection) during their birthday month. Platinum and Diamond members also receive a $10 off coupon and earn 2x points all month. Make your biggest purchase during your birthday month to stack all three perks.

8. Catch Wednesday Beauty Breaks

The Ulta app releases Beauty Breaks — free gift bundles ($30–$70 value) with a minimum purchase (usually $50+) — online around midday on Wednesdays. These sell out in as little as 4–6 hours. Enable push notifications and check the app Wednesday mornings.

9. Activate Rakuten for High-Value Cashback

Before shopping at ulta.com, activate your cashback through Rakuten, which has offered up to 15% cashback on Ulta purchases. Cashback stacks on top of coupons and sale prices — it’s free money for purchases you were already making.

10. Combine Salon Services with Product Purchases

Salon service purchases at Ulta earn rewards points and count toward tier status. Schedule a haircut or color during a bonus points event and pair it with product purchases. Diamond members also get a $25 off beauty service reward annually — use it on an expensive treatment.

How to Get Free Stuff at Ulta

Ulta is surprisingly generous with freebies. Here’s every way to score free products:

Free With No Purchase Required

• Birthday gift — all Rewards members receive a free gift (choice from a curated selection) during their birthday month. Redeem in-store or add to an online order
• In-store samples — ask a beauty advisor to try products before buying. Most stores have testers available

Free With Qualifying Purchase

• Gift-with-purchase (GWP) offers — Ulta regularly offers free gifts when you spend a qualifying amount on featured brands. Currently active (May 2026): free gifts with purchases of Dolce & Gabbana ($150+), Lancôme fragrance ($100+), Charlotte Tilbury ($100+), Marc Jacobs large spray, MIU MIU, and more
• Beauty Breaks — limited-time free gift bundles ($30–$70 value) with $50+ purchase; drops Wednesday midday and sells out in 4–6 hours
• Free samples at checkout — online orders often include a “choose your free sample” option at checkout

Free Through Rewards

• Diamond Welcome Gift — Diamond members receive a free full-size product (choice from a selection) upon reaching Diamond status
• $25 off beauty service — Diamond members get a discounted salon service annually
• $10 off birthday coupon — Platinum and Diamond members receive $10 off during birthday month

Best Times to Shop at Ulta — 2026 Sales Calendar

Ulta runs more frequent sales than any other beauty retailer. Here’s the full 2026 calendar to help you plan purchases:

💡 Best Strategy: Plan your biggest prestige brand purchases for the 21+ Days of Beauty events (Spring and ~late August). Use the months in between to accumulate bonus points via weekly multiplier offers. Redeem your points at 2,000 ($125 off) during the next sale event for maximum combined savings. Also watch for National Lipstick Day (July 29) and the Jumbo Love haircare sale (January) if those categories are relevant to you.

Ulta vs. Sephora — Honest 2026 Comparison

Choosing between Ulta and Sephora? Here’s how they compare on everything that matters:

When to Use Ulta vs. Sephora

• Use Ulta when: You want drugstore and prestige brands in one place, prefer more frequent sales and coupons, value a points program that converts to real dollar discounts, or want salon services that earn rewards
• Use Sephora when: You want free shipping on every order with no minimum, prefer the VIB/Rouge Savings Event (15–20% sitewide), or want early access to luxury brand launches and prestige exclusives
• Use both: Many beauty shoppers maintain accounts at both retailers and buy each product wherever it’s cheapest or has the best rewards multiplier at that moment

📝 Verdict: Ulta’s rewards program offers better point-to-dollar value and more frequent sales events across drugstore and prestige brands, while Sephora wins on free shipping and prestige exclusivity. The smartest beauty shoppers actively use both.

Where to Find New Ulta Coupons

New coupons and deals appear regularly at Ulta. Here’s where to find them first:

• Ulta.com Promotions/Coupons Page — The official source for all active coupons, promotions, and gift-with-purchase offers; always check here before checkout
• Ulta Email Newsletter — Subscribe for exclusive coupons ($3.50 off, 20% off), early sale notifications, and bonus point offers sent directly to your inbox
• Text “ULTA” to 95637 — Get a 10% off welcome coupon (online; excludes services, CHANEL, Dyson, Beauty Steals, clearance) and ongoing text alerts for flash deals
• Ulta App — Download for push notifications on Beauty Breaks (Wednesday midday), app-exclusive discounts, and one-tap access to your coupons and bonus point offers
• Physical Mail — Ulta sends printed coupon mailers to Rewards members, often including $3.50 off $15 and seasonal percentage-off coupons
• In-Store Receipt — Check the bottom of your store receipts for personalized coupon codes and bonus point offers
• Social Media — Follow @ultabeauty on Instagram and TikTok (@ultabeauty) for surprise promotions and influencer collaboration codes
• Rakuten — Activate cashback (up to 15%) at Rakuten before shopping; stacks with coupons and sale prices
• CodesRadar.com — We update this page as soon as new verified deals are confirmed. Bookmark and check back regularly. Also see our Sephora promo codes, Beauty Brands coupons, Booking.com coupon codes, and Trip.com promo codes

🔔 Coupon Pattern: Ulta’s $3.50 off $15 coupon rotates roughly every 2–4 weeks via email, app, and mail. The 20% off coupon appears roughly 3–4 times per year. The biggest deals come during 21+ Days of Beauty (March & ~late August), Holiday Beauty Blitz (November–December), Love Your Skin Event (January), and National Lipstick Day (July 29).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Ulta coupon right now in May 2026?

The 20% off select brands pickup coupon is live through May 7, 2026 — the best short-term deal available right now. The most consistently available Ulta coupon is the $3.50 off $15+ purchase coupon, which Ulta sends via email, app, and mail every few weeks. New text subscribers get 10% off (online; exclusions apply) by texting ULTA to 95637. New credit card holders get 20% off their first purchase with no code needed.

Does Ulta accept coupon codes online?

Yes. Click the “+” next to “Add a coupon code” in the order summary at checkout on ulta.com. Enter your code and click Apply. Only one coupon code can be applied per transaction, but you can also redeem rewards points separately in the same order.

Can I use coupons on prestige brands at Ulta?

It depends on the coupon. The $3.50 off $15 coupon typically works on most brands including prestige. However, percentage-off coupons (like 20% off) usually exclude prestige brands such as MAC, Clinique, Lancôme, CHANEL, and Dyson. Services and Beauty Steals are always excluded. Check the fine print on your specific coupon.

What is the Ulta Rewards program?

Ulta Beauty Rewards (rebranded from Ultamate Rewards in January 2024) is a free loyalty program with three tiers: Member (free), Platinum ($500/year), and Diamond ($1,200/year). You earn 1–1.5 points per $1 spent, and points convert directly to dollars off at checkout. The best redemption value is at 2,000 points = $125 off (6.25 cents per point). The program has over 44 million members and drives 95% of Ulta’s revenue.

How do I maximize my Ulta points?

Activate weekly bonus point offers in the app before shopping, use the Ulta Credit Card for an extra point per dollar (2 pts/$1 total), shop during your birthday month for 2x points, and always save up to 2,000 points before redeeming ($125 off = best value per point). Diamond members with the credit card can earn up to 2.5 base points per dollar — plus 5x multipliers on featured brands.

When is the next 21+ Days of Beauty?

The Spring 2026 event ran March 6–26, 2026 (completed). The next Fall 2026 event is predicted to start around August 29, 2026 based on the historical pattern of the last Friday of August. Ulta has confirmed the fall event will happen in September. We’ll update this page with exact dates when Ulta announces them.

Does Ulta offer free shipping?

Ulta offers free standard shipping on orders of $35+ for Rewards members. Diamond members get free shipping on orders of $25+. Guest (non-member) shoppers need to spend $50 for free shipping. There is no unlimited-free-shipping option like Sephora’s.

Can I stack coupons at Ulta?

No — Ulta allows only one coupon code per order. However, you can stack your coupon with rewards points redemption, sale/clearance prices, bonus point multipliers, and gift-with-purchase offers in the same transaction for maximum combined savings.

What are Ulta Beauty Breaks?

Beauty Breaks are limited-time free gift bundle offers (typically $30–$70 value) that appear on the Ulta website and app with a minimum purchase (usually $50+). They release around midday on Wednesdays and sell out within 4–6 hours. Enable app notifications and check the app Wednesday mornings.

Are there two different Ulta credit cards?

Yes. The Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card is a closed-loop store card usable only at Ulta stores and ulta.com. The Ulta Beauty Rewards Mastercard works everywhere Mastercard is accepted and earns 1 point per $3 spent outside Ulta. Both earn 2 points per $1 at Ulta, have no annual fee, and offer 20% off your first Ulta purchase. APR is 23–32% depending on creditworthiness — only worthwhile if you pay the balance monthly.

Does Ulta have a student discount?

Ulta does not currently offer a formal student discount program, though they are listed on Student Beans, so this could change. Check the Ulta promotions page for any active student offers.

Summary: Best Ways to Save at Ulta (May 2026)

Here’s the ultimate savings strategy for Ulta Beauty right now:

1. ✅ Use the 20% off select brands coupon — active through May 7, 2026 (in-store pickup)
2. ✅ Join Ulta Beauty Rewards — free sign-up, earn 1+ points per $1 spent
3. ✅ Text ULTA to 95637 — get 10% off welcome coupon + ongoing deal alerts
4. ✅ Use $3.50 off $15 coupons — check email, app, and mail every 2–4 weeks
5. ✅ Activate bonus point offers weekly — 2x–5x multipliers on featured brands (in app)
6. ✅ Save points to 2,000 — redeem for $125 off (best “Ulta Math” value per point)
7. ✅ Shop the Fall 21+ Days of Beauty (~Aug 29) — 50% off prestige brands
8. ✅ Check clearance/sale section weekly — ongoing 30–75% markdowns
9. ✅ Enable app notifications for Wednesday Beauty Breaks — free gift bundles, 4–6 hour window
10. ✅ Activate Rakuten cashback — up to 15% back, stacks on top of coupons
11. ✅ Grab current GWPs — free gifts with Dolce & Gabbana, Lancôme, Charlotte Tilbury purchases (thru May 2026)
12. ✅ Consider the Ulta Credit Card — 20% off first purchase + 2 pts/$1 (no annual fee; pay in full monthly)

By combining coupons, sales, bonus points, cashback, and strategic point redemption, Ulta shoppers can save 30–75% on beauty purchases. The key is to hoard your points for 2,000-point redemptions and plan big prestige purchases around the 21+ Days of Beauty events.

Disclosure: CodesRadar independently tests and verifies all deals listed on this page. We may earn a commission through affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Prices, codes, and availability are subject to change. Last updated: May 5, 2026.