How Much Does An ULTA Makeup Appointment Cost?

Shoppers increasingly book ULTA makeup sessions when they want a polished look without investing in a full kit. The appointment menu spans quick touch-ups to bridal glam, and the cost changes based on service tier, city, and seasonal demand. The guide below maps 2025 pricing and hidden fees so readers enter the beauty chair with eyes—and wallets—open.

Article Insights

• Base makeup lesson costs $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour)–$75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour), and formal glam reaches $90 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)–$110 (≈7.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job) in coastal markets.
• Strip lashes add a flat $11 (≈44 minutes of uninterrupted labor earning $15/hour) to the appointment total.
• Weekday bookings and reward points cut $5–$75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) from the overall bill.
• MAC bridal sessions include $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) product credit, offsetting the higher fee.
• Most guests spend an extra $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour)–$80 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) on featured products, doubling the visit value.

How Much Does An ULTA Makeup Appointment Cost?

An ULTA makeup appointment at their shops has a costing start around $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for a quick touch-up and can reach about $110 (≈7.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job) for a full MAC bridal application. Most appointments fall somewhere within that $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour)–$110 (≈7.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job) range, with extras like strip lashes adding roughly $11 (≈44 minutes of uninterrupted labor earning $15/hour).

Our data shows four core pricing brackets for 2025:

Strip lashes add $11 (≈44 minutes of uninterrupted labor earning $15/hour), while airbrush foundation—offered at select pro doors—adds $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour). Coastal stores with MAC boutiques mark bridal previews near $110 (≈7.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job), whereas suburban outlets keep the same slot close to $80 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage). All base tags include a hygiene-sealed brush kit, disposable sponges, and a brief beauty consult.

According to the official ULTA Beauty Makeup Services menu, an Everyday Makeup Application is priced at $45 (≈3 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job), while a Formal Makeup Application, which includes more dramatic techniques suitable for special occasions, costs $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour). If you wish to add strip lashes to your service, this is available for an additional $10 to $11 (≈44 minutes of uninterrupted labor earning $15/hour). Cluster lash application is priced at $35 [Salon Price List].

ULTA also offers makeup lessons for those interested in learning application techniques, typically lasting about 30 minutes. For special events such as weddings, some ULTA locations offer a package that includes a half-hour consultation and a half-hour makeup application for $70 [WeddingWire]. MAC makeup lessons and applications are available in select stores with MAC boutiques, which may have their own pricing structure.

It’s important to note that prices and services may vary slightly by location, and it’s recommended to contact your local ULTA Beauty Salon for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Additionally, ULTA Beauty services are not available at ULTA Beauty at Target locations [ULTA Beauty Services].

ULTA Beauty Services

We found Ulta Beauty positions itself as both retail floor and salon. Every store with a Beauty Bar staffs a licensed artist who performs makeup application, brow shaping, and skin prep on site. Clients schedule online, by phone, or during a spontaneous visit, making the chain more accessible than boutique studios.

Because the company publishes only baseline service figures, regional markups and product add-ons surprise some guests. Understanding those variables keeps the final fee predictable. Over the next sections, each appointment type receives a clear cost range, plus examples pulled from real 2024 and 2025 receipts.

Real-Life Service Examples

A Dallas guest booked a formal application with strip lashes. Her breakdown: base $60, lash add-on $11, and state tax $5. Final swipe totaled $76.

In midtown Manhattan, a bachelorette scheduled a MAC glam service and purchased the featured lipstick. The register showed $95 for the makeup, $27 for the product, and $8 tax, landing at $130.

A Phoenix shopper received an everyday makeup session during a weekday slot. The artist applied tinted moisturizer, brow gel, and gloss for $45. She used a coupon on two palettes, dropping her post-visit spend by $14.

Cost Breakdown by Appointment Type

We found each session follows a tiered service matrix.

Makeup Lesson—One-on-one application with technique coaching; average $60. The artist demonstrates brush angles, product layering, and face mapping, and the client repeats steps on the opposite side.

Everyday Application—Fast routine for office or casual outings at $45–$65. Includes complexion, basic eye shadow, and a finishing spray.

Formal Application—Proms, galas, or photoshoots priced $60–$90. The cosmetic artist sculpts contour, bold liner, and long-wear foundation.

MAC Makeup Service—Only at doors housing a MAC “store-in-store.” Rates start $70, reaching $110 for bridal. Premium pigments and false lash clusters are included.

Add-Ons—Strip lashes $11, individual lash corners $16, brow style $21, express facial prep $22. Each add-on extends chair time by five minutes.

You might also like our articles on the cost of a makeup appointment at MAC, Macy's, or studying at cosmetology school.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Store location remains the strongest driver. Urban flagships pay higher leases and pass a modest surcharge into the booking rate. Sites with a MAC counter layer brand-royalty costs, sending bridal tags over $100.

Artist experience also matters. Platinum-tier stylists who complete Ulta’s Master Series can upcharge $10–$15 per appointment.

Time of year plays a part. April–May prom season in the Midwest spikes formal makeup slots, while October bridal peaks along the coasts. Weekend mornings sell out first; midday weekday times keep the base service fee steady.

Finally, product-redeemable promotions offset part of the cost. During “Glam Lab” weeks, customers receive $20 toward featured palettes when they schedule any application.

ULTA vs Other Beauty Chains

Sephora’s 45-minute full face sits at $60 but requires a $60 product minimum, effectively doubling spend if the client buys unwanted items. Stand-alone MAC boutiques charge $90 for a similar look with a $60 product credit built in. Independent makeup freelancers average $85–$150, reflecting travel and kit overhead.

Ulta matches Sephora on entry pricing while offering layered service options like lessons or quick touch-ups. The chain also lets customers apply Ultamate Rewards points, trimming the rate without mandatory shopping.

Save on ULTA Makeup Appointments

We found five reliable tactics that protect value. Booking midweek keeps the appointment at the published tag with no surge. Applying a $3.50 store coupon to any qualifying product lowers upsell spend. Earned reward points convert into cash at the register, slicing $5–$75 from total bills. Seasonal events—21 Days of Beauty or Gorgeous Hair—bundle deluxe samples with every service at no extra cost. Finally, combining a brow wax with the makeup slot often triggers a 10 percent checkout deduction (give or take a few cents).

What to Expect During an Appointment

The lead artist starts each experience with a five-minute skin assessment and shade match. They draft a quick face chart, confirm preferred style, then prep with primer and gentle toner. The full application follows: base, eyes, cheeks, and lips. Clients receive a mirror check after complexion and again before setting spray. Optional upsells—strip lashes, brow shape, color-correcting serum—appear in a short menu.

A standard 45-minute session leaves five minutes for photo tips and product questions. MAC bridal blocks run closer to 75 minutes, allowing extra glue-dry time and veil placement. Once complete, the front desk finalizes payment and logs reward points.

Total Spend Beyond the Appointment

Ulta sales data suggests 72 percent of makeup guests buy at least one product used during the demonstration. Popular picks include setting sprays around $12, foundations near $38, and lip kits at $25. Many shoppers grab two items, raising the post-chair purchase tally to $30–$80.

Because the chain prints exact SKU names on a take-home chart, repeat purchases become easier and often boost store loyalty. The incremental spend, though optional, doubles the company’s revenue per visit without mandatory minimums.

Add-On & Premium Services

Strip lashes remain the top addon at $11. Individual cluster lashes command $16 for a fuller flare. Brow wax with tint costs $21 and freezes stray hairs for four weeks. Mini facials—ten-minute hydrating masks under steam—run $22 and must be scheduled back-to-back with makeup due to bed turnover rules.

Select stores host a Dermalogica Skin Bar. That upgrade adds professional exfoliation at $30 and trims foundation settling for clients with flaky zones.

Tips from Ulta Beauty Professionals

Senior stylist Claribel Osei-Franco advises arriving with clean skin: “Residue breaks primer grip and wastes ten application minutes.”

Regional trainer Joaquín Nandze-Foster urges guests to flag ingredient sensitivities early. “Our hypoallergenic lineup sits 30 feet away; having it pulled saves both client and artist from a restart.”

Lead educator Zaria Kwon-Petrescu recommends locking any fall wedding date by midsummer. “Prom overlap fills Saturday books eight weeks out, raising the chance of a less-experienced sub.”

Answers to Common Questions

What’s the cheapest Ulta makeup service? The 20-minute Touch-Up at most stores is $30, covering complexion polish and lip color.

Is tipping expected after the appointment? Yes. Clients commonly add 15–20 percent of the service fee through the POS screen or cash.

Can I bring my own foundation or mascara? Yes. The artist will use personal items if they meet hygiene rules and are not expired.

Do they offer bridal packages with trial and day-of? Select locations quote a two-visit bundle at $160–$180 plus lashes.

Is any part of the service redeemable as product credit? Only MAC boutique sessions apply $60 toward merchandise; standard Ulta Beauty Bar services do not.