It's nice to have an Ulta Beauty nearby to accommodate your basic cosmetic needs. Was able to pick up some acne patches and medication for blemishes. They certainly have wide assortment of patches from different companies, so that was nice to choose from. I was even able to get nice recommendations on preferred products by one of the ladies that work there! I know this place has other accommodations such as a salon and make up area, but I personally have no experience with them here or at any other locations, but the layout seemed to be the same. The store was kept well organized and stocked with staff that greeted me upon entrance so that was a plus. Overall a good experience because this location seemed to have the diversity of products a beauty shop should carry! read more

DO NOT go to Heidi for a short layered cut. this lady just kept cutting and made me look like billy ray cyrus. find somewhere else to go.

This location has come a long way in the past couple years. The current team is attentive. I'm in the store at least once a week, so I believe I see them at all different times, and they are consistent with their level of customer service, both on the sales floor and at the cash wrap. I see Heidi for my hair at the salon. She does a cut and color beautifully. If you haven't been to this location in awhile, give them a chance! read more

Got to the checkout with my items only to have one I was excited about taken away because it's "not supposed to be out yet" when there was an entire display with makeup bags skincare and makeup. I never complain but buying makeup is like the one treat your self thing I do so let's not put an entire display up unless it's available. and if you make a mistake don't take the product away from the customer. would appreciate management reaching out. read more

I'm used to walking in and at least being greeted but this time, nope. Not a greeting in sight though everyone was chatting it up. No greeting and no assistance looking for shampoo. I ended up purchasing my fave lipstick, some setting powder and shampoo & conditioner so I spent more than expected without a greeting or assistance. It was like we bothered the cashier by going through the front end stands checking out the travel size merchandise which is funny since that's how I ended up with the lipstick and setting powder and that's what those stands are there for. She couldn't answer any questions about the Juvia's place items, setting powder or primer. Next time I'll go to Sephora. read more

Ulta Beauty - Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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I was insulted during my visit today. I was looking for some shampoo and decided to look at some different products from what I usually purchase. I shopped for about a minute or so when a staff person came up and said "May I help you?" I declined. I told her that I was just looking and turned back to look at the shelf in front of me. She said, "Well, you look lost! I was just trying to help!" She walked off in a huff and kind of laughed over her shoulder to another woman who worked there. I'm not sure what it was about me that looked lost. I was in a store shopping. I'm not sure why that was the problem! So, I spent the rest of my very brief shopping trip in a bad mood. I own stock in Ulta so it bothers me to have to write this kind of review. But I have had these kinds of experiences on several visits to this particular Ulta store. Also, he store was very messy. I hope things turn around for the store very soon. read more

Just had a haircut here by Dee and she was amazing. I've had my hair cut several places around Columbia within the past few months and they were all terrible. Dee did exactly what I asked for and I feel so much better. I'm so grateful I found her and I'm thrilled with my new cut. Thanks Dee! I'll be back for sure. read more

Go somewhere else. Like anywhere else. I wanted to try a new place (somewhere closer to home) and I made a mistake! The entire time all I heard was conversations between the staff about all of the drama and broken items in their salon. The lady doing my hair even stopped washing my hair in mid-shampoo to handle a customer problem and then had the audacity to refer to her and the other employee that scheduled her as "stupid"! It's like, "hello, I'm here and I don't want to hear that." So unprofessional. AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF SHE JACKED UP MY HAIR. I asked for an inch off the bottom and my layers and she took almost 4 inches off, I nearly had a stroke. My hair was down past the middle of my back and it's now up to my shoulders. Never ever again. Unprofessional. Staff unkempt. Messed up my hair. Salon is not ran efficiently. Avoid this place! read more

Ulta Beauty - Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

After mistakenly trying to do a DIY on a hair color, I called ULTA beauty salon and spoke with Erica. I was desperate to get my hair back to its natural color which is blond. They were able to fit me in and stated they could correct the issue. With advice from both Sarre and Heidi, they bleached and colored my hair to the point of burns on my head and the color is horrible, looks brassy and bleached out. When I left hours later, I was in absolute tears, spoke to a manager and was still charged for half of the price for the services. The front manager also said that the person working on my hair (Erica) was "just a trainee and had just gotten there'. It is my fault for trusting and going there in the first place. I am following up with my regular hairdresser today to see if there is something that can be done. in a nutshell, i would advise anyone not to use this hair salon or their services. It has been a horrible experience read more

Carissa at the brow bar was amazing! She took her time, was super sweet, had everything ready for my 1pm appt. I will definitely be back! Also, love the helpful staff! read more

By far this is the worst location I've ever been to. Customer service is trash, cashiers and managers (specifically the evening shift on Saturday) act like they're buying the items for you or are volunteers working for free.Nasty attitudes, cashier didn't even greet my mother or myself and instantly demanded a phone number, literally threw our items in a bag. An item needed a price adjustment and she instantly cut me off and called the manager as if I was making a huge deal. Manager came over acted like a price adjustment was such a hassle and rudely checked us out. I've never been the type of person to care but I was seriously disgusted, since there was absolutely no reason for this nasty unprofessional attitude! Invest in teaching your employees customer service and how to have people skills! read more

The location is nice and the staff is friendly, but I had serious issues with the lack of stock. It seemed like a lot of things were sold out which means business is booming, but it resulted in a lackluster experience. The point of this trip was to get the coveted OPI Shatter polish and stock up on my favorite NYX products. I wasn't shocked that they were sold out of the OPI, but their NYX selection was SCARE! I asked when they would get more in and the sales associate I spoke with, while friendly, was completely clueless. This store is a bit out of the way for me so I will definitely be calling ahead before I make the trip again, If you're looking for a hot item I would also suggest giving the store a call ahead of time to make sure it's in stock. read more

I went to Ulta to buy some new foundation and decided I wanted to try smash box. I wandered around the store for about 20 before I finally found someone who worked there. The woman was EXTREMELY rude when I was asking her questions about the makeup. I asked her to color match me and while she did, she was completely silent. Didnt ask me if I liked it or anything. Didn't say anything but what she absolutely had to. Overall my experience was terrible here. The staff I encountered was unfriendly and just plain rude. I am NEVER shopping here again. read more

When the store first opened the customer service was good. Now it's horrible. I don't even shop here because the last few times I've been there no one helps me, ignores me on purpose and I even got items shoved in my hands. It's no need of me shopping here anymore. read more

Today I went to Ulta to pick up some items for my trip to the west. When I walked in the store there was a mess and no one welcomed my family and I. My family is already visiting from out of town and that made a bad first impression. I have high standards of Ulta because mine in Florida is close to perfection. Like I said, the store was extremely messy. The travel size perfumes were EVERY WHERE. Cleaning that up would literally take ten minutes at the most. Then finding the items I needed were like pulling teeth. After spending about fifteen minutes in the store someone finally asked if I needed help. They also had no perfume strips in the containers. It was nearly impossible to find a fragrance for a male. To top it off, it seems like the employees have a hard time giving out free items. I spent almost $200.00 in here and they wouldn't give me my free item. The employee lied to my boyfriend stating the item was for a different brand. So I pull up the information on my cellphone. Then she apologized and gave him the item. This whole free gift thing is a problem for this store. This is the second time they have tried pulling this stunt. I honestly believe they see a customer gets the item and the employees are taking them for themselves. If I could give this place zero stars, I would. read more

I'm sure not all of the employees are like this, but my past few experiences have just been really uncomfortable. I went with my friend a month ago or so and this women and some employees eyeballed us the entire time... followed us to each aisle, and when I asked her about a product she was not helpful at all, but would basically shove it down my throat to buy it and that it was good quality. This was the around the mario badescu sale... keep in mind I spent over $50 so I wasn't just perching around or whatever. The girl at the cashier practically threw my bag and receipt at me after asking about the free gift that came with my purchase that was advertised all over the store... I was very nice to all of them too.. don't why people have to be rude, esp if you're nice and giving a LOT of your money to them! will not be going here... so uncomfortable... read more

Update: I have given this location several more chances recently and their service has SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED!! Yay

I go to Christina Brazell in the salon. She does a fantastic job on my fine thin hair. She highlights it using foil and gives a great cut and style. I've been using her for 2 years and she does my moms hair also. I would follow her anywhere. read more

I went to Ulta to have my color fixed that I tried to do on my own. I have naturally blond hair and wanted a strawberry blond color. The girl that did my hair was obviously ready to leave for the night. I arrived at 6 PM as scheduled. She began on my hair and informed me she had been there 2 weeks. She worked previously at Famous Hair and liked working there better than Ulta. She started to color my hair. She did not section it off but simply painted it on and smooshed it around like she was washing my hair. I thought this was strange but had not had my hair colored in years so thought maybe the methods had changed. She washed the color out and sat my under the cone seat hair dryer thing. I was still unaware what the hair looked like at this point but she assured me it looked "so good". After 30 minutes under the dryer she moved me to her area and began cutting the hair. Still unaware what the color looked like. I wanted layers to be trimmed up. She did a blunt cut taking off 3 inches. It was then that she turned me around and I saw myself in the mirror with a splotchy, leopard like, clemson colored hair. IT WAS HORRIBLE. I work at a hospital and there is NO WAY I could show up to work looking like that. She said I could come back tomorrow and they could fix it. Again, she was trying to leave early even though her shift was over at 9 pm. I told her there was no way I was leaving like this and she had to fix the color. She then put a darker color on my hair in an attempt to salvage it. Again, rinsed out the color and sat me under the dryer thing while she moped around me. I notice my bangs were looking fried! And they were. I left there paying my $90 bill with fried, ashy, dark hair. I told the manager I would be back tomorrow to have it fixed. I did go back the next day. At this point, my hair is so damaged. Laura was a life saver and fixed the color and cut for me. She told me to deep condition it to see if that helped. She is an excellet hair colorist. Highly Recommend! I went back AGAIN the following day after the salon manager offered me a deep conditioning treatment and trim to cut the fried parts out. So here I am day 3 at Ulta trying to salvage my hair. Catelyn (not sure if that is how you spell it) was also great. She deep conditioned it and tried to cut some of the fried parts out. Overall, this was a terrible experience. I can't believe I actually paid for the mess that was my hair. The manager did not offer to refund the money but offered a deep conditioning instead. If this would have happened under my supervision, there is NO way I would have a costumer pay for the atrosity that is my hair. As mentioned, the other stylist were great and I think if I had them from the beginning this would not have happened. Management should have offered a full refund for lost time and frustration. read more

The manager there is very rude. Every time I shop there she is rude. She even sounds rude towards her staff.

I came to Ulta today to look for a few items. As soon as I walked in the door the lady behind the front counter said welcome to Ulta but that's as far as the customer service I received within the 30 minutes I had walked around the store. None of the older women that work there seemed interested at all in helping me. One of them were too busy even putting makeup on! The younger women working there today were the only ones that came up to me to ask if I was finding everything ok which THANKFULLY helped me find what I was looking for. I am huge on customer service and thought that I was going to get great service the minute I walked into the door but I feel like that is the only customer service people will get unless they go up to the women working here to ask where things are, which seems like a burden at times. I definitely would've spent more but changed my mind after the service I got today. Even checking out you can tell who the employees there give special treatment to because their tone changes immediately with a new customer (like I want that kind of excitement too)! Maybe I will give a better review the next time I go. read more

Store is usually pretty messy, not sure why since all the associates just kind of stand around. No one ever asks me if I need any help, or if I ask, they shove some terrible product down my throat. This is my only Ulta, so I guess I'm stuck with it, but it sucks. read more

After reading these reviews I feel I need to also do a review, as this Ulta Sandhills, Columbia, SC, is new to me. I have been there on several occasions this week for various things, totally anonymous, (on purpose) but as an observer, as I was applying for a job as a designer/and or manager. I kind of wanted to "feel them out" to see if this would be a good "fit" for me BEFORE I applied. No one there knew me. ALL of the staff have been extremely pleasant and helpful, both on the retail floor and also in the salon. And now, I have accepted a position there as a designer. I have thirty YEARS experience, as a stylist, salon manager, and salon owner. I can assure you that in any business you may have a few bad apples, and you immediately weed those out! This is why there is a turn-over in stylists as well! They are not all great...unfortunately. Also, we try to offer the absolute fairest resolution to any unpleasant thing that happens WITHIN CORPORATE REGULATIONS. This IS a corporation. This is not Betty Sue's hair shack on the corner. The CORPORATION does not allow us to discount services or give refunds! (Just so the ones complaining on here know what goes on behind the scenes.) What we CAN do is try our very best to resolve the issue. I think the best advice is to make sure you have a clear, full consultation. And that both parties have a clear picture of the desired end result beforehand. There are a few NEVERS, in the hair business, and I hope this helps anyone reading this. If at any point during your consultation you feel someone is short with you, rude with you, or makes you feel rushed during your appointment, or that you are inconveniencing them, stop the consult right then and there! Find a different stylist, and call that stylist out on their behavior! Secondly, NEVER, EVER, EVER, let anyone turn you away from the mirror!! That's a huge no-no! Also, ask! "How long have you been a hairdresser? How long have you been here? Are you happy here? You can usually tell by their tone whether you need to be in that chair or not! I can assure you, we live and die for repeat clients. The last thing we want to do is have you upset, or never return, or bad mouth the "salon" as a whole, because one person didn't perform as expected. Just know that there are other stylists with experience that would love to help you with your needs. I hope you will give them a look again when you're in need. read more

Had the most awkward and downright rude encounter yesterday. I was looking for a very specific product and was sure they didn't carry it, but just thought I would check. The sales lady told me they didn't carry the brand and I thanked her for looking and went to leave. She then asked why I needed the product. It was an chemical exfoliating wash made for very sensitive skin. I have a skin condition and can only use specific products and work closely with my dermatologist to find products that I can use. The sales lady then began asking me what moisturizer(s) I use. Then proceeded to aggressively bash every product I was using (all products have been approved by my dermatologist and have been working wonderfully). Stating her "15 years in cosmetology" was the basis for her reasoning and proceeded to drag a poor Clinique rep into our conversation. The Clinique rep stated she didn't have anything close to what I was looking for and there was very adamant that because of my skin condition there were only 2 products that she would even consider. A moisturizer and color corrector. The Clinique rep knew it wasn't what I was looking for and gracefully gave me samples (obviously feeling uncomfortable with the pushy and abrasive Sales lady). At this point I was pissed. The Ulta sales lady's comments were unwarranted and downright rude. She continued to tell me all the products I am currently using were "horrible" and " she wouldn't put it on her skin" and proceeded to lecture me about ingredients ( keep in mind everything I put on my face get researched and gets ok'd by my dermatologist).. At this point I just wanted to leave, but was cornered by the aggressive and rude sales lady. I told her I didn't want anything and tried to leave again. She stopped me and she asked me what I was using for anti-aging. I stated I cannot use a lot of anti aging products due to my skin condition and it wasn't relevant to my visit. She then asked me what exfoliating products I can use. Since this was relevant I answered her. She didn't even know what a BHA or AHA were...and after I explained she asked why in the world I would put acid on my face and asked " who told me to do that". I just walked away on the verge of tears, tired of being berated for a skin condition that is in no way my fault ( its genetic). If I wanted to get bullied into trying to buy something I would have gone to a used car dealership. read more

I made an apportionment yesterday for a haircut. I was unhappy with the results of my last haircut from a stylist at ulta and wanted to go back and see if it could be fixed how I envisioned it. That DID NOT happen. My appointment was scheduled for 11 o'clock and I arrived at around 1030 and the girl said she could take me to the chair then. She was currently working on a client and said she could cut my hair while the client was waiting on color. HOW UNPROFESSIONAL. I told her exactly what I wanted. I wanted for my hair to be the same length all around which is what I told her the previous visit and she did not deliver either times. My hair is now terribly uneven all around and nothing how I want it. I am appalled at the TERRIBLE customer service and her lack of communication skills that prevented her from hearing what I expected when I told her her over and over what I specifically wanted. I will never be visiting this salon again. I have given them way too many chances. My hair is now terrible and I do not feel confident at all. Worst. Experience. Ever. read more

I do visit this Ulta Salon at the Village of Sandhill's about once or twice a month to shop. I also visit this same Ulta salon for eyebrow waxing at the Benefit Brow Bar. Elysa was the girl that always waxed my eyebrows until she left some time ago. She was quite good. I then started going to Sierra at the same Ulta salon. The first 2-3 times she did a really good job on my eyebrows, so I was very pleased with her. Unfortunately, the last time (about a week or so ago), she did a VERY terrible job. My brows were not even after she finished - she took WAY too much off my right eyebrow, even though I have told her that I always prefer my brows thicker (not thin). I think she made a mistake with the wax and took off too much one one side and tried to do the same on the other in hopes to make them match. The worst part about it is that she tried to act like nothing was wrong after it was over. I didn't know what to say!! I just said thanks, went to the counter to pay the $20, and left! So, now I pd $20 for a botched brow wax job & I have to wait for the hairs to grow back in and take extra time each morning to fill it in where she messed up. She is a nice girl and did a good job the 1st few times. But it really only takes one BAD botched up eyebrow wax to make a person not trust her again. I suggest to anyone to think long and hard before you let Sierra at Ulta at the Village of Sandhill's do anything to you!!!! She's not consistent. read more