I've been a customer at the Ithaca Ulta salon for about a year, since moving to Ithaca. There are definitely talented stylists here -- I recently saw Kaylee C., and she was excellent. I left that appointment really happy and specifically rescheduled with her because of that experience. The issue is that the service at this location feels very inconsistent. One appointment can be great, and the next can feel completely different, so it is hard to know what to expect. At one visit, I came in just for a blowout, and it took about two and a half hours just to wash and blow out my hair. Most recently, I was scheduled with Kaylee C. again, but the salon called the same day to say she was sick. That was completely understandable. They offered me another stylist at the same level and said he was very good, so I agreed to come in. I was there for a basic root touch-up, which was scheduled as a two-hour appointment. In past appointments, after getting my roots done, my hair has also been blown out and styled, not simply dried. This time, after two hours, the stylist told me near the end of the appointment that he had another client coming in and would not be able to blow out my hair. I left the salon with my hair wet after spending two hours there just getting my roots colored. What was most frustrating was not just that the appointment ran poorly, but that there did not seem to be much effort to fix the situation. I spoke with a manager afterward, and while she acknowledged that I should have been told the stylist was slower and that he may not have planned appropriately, the overall response still felt focused on moving on to the next customer rather than resolving the problem for the customer already there. That has been my main experience with this location: there are some very good stylists, but the consistency and customer care are lacking. When something goes wrong, the salon does not seem to have a strong "we'll make this right" approach. Instead, it feels like the priority becomes the next appointment, even when the current customer is leaving unhappy. I wanted to like this salon because I've had some good experiences here, especially with Kaylee C., but after multiple inconsistent appointments, I would say you really do not know what kind of service you are going to get. read more

3/23/2026 4:30pm-5:00pm MY VISIT Before I forget let me list the names of UTLA EMPLOYEES ELISE, EDEN, CALIE and the cashier (I'm sorry I did forget since it is the next day) SINCE I AM A SHOPPER FOR INSTACART, I am constantly visiting this beauty store to shop for THE PEOPLE of ITHACA.....What I've learn and what I am constantly reminded is WORK ETHIC AND CUSTOMER SERVICE....THE PEOPLE OF ITHACA.. I literally walked in as a SHOPPER FOR INSTACART....Let me say their names ELISE, CALIE, EDEN and the CASHIER (I am so sorry I can't remember the name). I walked in and I was reminded by these extraordinary professional, kind hearted STRONG work ethic inspiring individual that customer service matters...I WAS GIVEN ADVICE ON BEAUTY CARE WHILE handling business!! Just walk in and experience the definition of customer service PLEASE SUPPORT THE LOCALS read more

Eh.. one bad experience can end a relationship. Not that I was ever a thing with Ulta, I always thought of them as a CVS pretending to be a mediocre Sephora. Anyway I'm pretty responsive to tone and cadence. I made a purchase there more than I normally do for cologne and stuff and maybe I'm old and fumble with my phone but I got this seething impatient tone like I was lucky to be there or something. I'm not a big beauty supply person, it's not a regular purchase for me, but sometimes the rudeness of one employee tends to be a root problem of the store. It was just the level of entitlement in the delivery which is why I'll just take a short trip to sally beauty. They always have exactly what I want without the upsale. read more

Ulta Beauty - Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Ulta beauty features a salon located in the back of the store. The store sells an array of cosmetics, hair products, skin care lines, and perfumes. We usually go to this location as my brother in law, Nicholas works here. When the opportunity of him restyling and cutting my hair came up, I jumped at the chance. I said, yes! With the hair styling, the stylist provides a style consultation. With the styling, the customer receives a hair wash along with conditioning. Nicholas works fast and he knows what looks good on a client. I only wanted a trim and he suggested layers framing my face. I said yes. I think the end result looks terrific. I highly suggest coming here for buying beauty products and for hair styling. read more

Ulta Beauty - Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Employees were talking loudly the entire time about another employee. Several customers, myself included, wandered the aisles without being addressed at all. The exception to this was the high-end product area; the employee there was helping two customers. It has the typical Ulta layout so you're corralled into that circular open space as soon as you step inside. This is usually where you're bombarded with greetings. Gossip won the attention war on the day of my visit, apparently. Left without purchasing even though I intended to buy multiple items. read more

We are visiting NY form GA and this is about the only place where we felt at home with southern hospitality. We knew what we were there for and went directly to the product (benefit mascara). We were ready to go but we loved the organization and the employees that knew about the products. Lilly was the sweetest. We asked her about a Kat Von D product and she gave us honest, educated and opinionated answers. She was so nice and extremely helpful that I ended up trying a foundation she suggested. She put it on and immediately I saw why she uses the same brand. She was wonderful. At checkout, I had points from previous purchases that took $3 off. The associate that did the transaction was also kind and efficient. Overall, great experience that offered a very hospitable visit. Don't listen to the other reviews, try this place yourself. read more

They have everything you need for whatever you are into! And more you don't know you need... I also use the salon services. I have curly hair and it has been very difficult for me to get a good, until I found April!! Fantastic every time! GO! read more

Well, I didn't think spending hours in a salon was worth it until I saw the light. April did a beautiful job on my hair. She changed my look in such a good way. I came to the salon without any idea what I wanted, and she listened, and I was shocked by the results. I have never felt so beautiful. Highly recommend the Keratin treatment, and if you want a great experience go to April You Rock. read more

I'm grateful Nicholas is now at Ulta. My boys got their own beautiful haircuts because of how well Nicholas asked thoughtful questions and listened to what they wanted. We finally found our place for stylish haircare in Ithaca. read more

Ulta Beauty - Happy kids after lovely haircuts from Nicholas at Ulta. - Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Near Me - Ithaca, New York

the brown bar SUCKS!!!! im crying my eyes out because my brows are horrendous looking. one is way thinner than the other and there's a patch of missing hair on one brow. DO NOT COME HERE. DONT. read more

I had signature haircut yesterday and requested a trim and ended up with approximately 3 inches taken off my hair length. I reached out to the manager to discuss my experience and why I will not be returning in the future. I reported the problem was not the shape or skill of cut but was the length taken off by master stylist. The Manger responded by telling me I should have said something while in the salon, in which I informed I had no idea so much had been taken off while in salon, was in a hurry to attend an memorial, and did not realize until friends kept commenting about how much was cut off! Anyone who knows me, knows I keep my hair long and straight, they were shocked and surprised. I then discussed a trim is usually 1/2 to 1 inch at the most, and inquired of the manger how much should be removed from ends when requesting a trim. The Manger responded, "You said it was a good haircut," and hung up the phone. I spend easily $700 a year on haircuts alone that does not include the usual 20% tip. I am fussy about my hair, and am often asked where my hair is cut, in which I love to refer but will not be referring to any Ulta in the future. =( read more

Nice and clean store! Thank you to Sammy that gave me a haircut today! Plenty of parking! I plan on going to this Ulta Beauty location again! read more

I went into the store looking for a specific fragrance by Valentino. Once i found it, i decided the smell wasn't for me so i smelt the other ones by Valentino. I found one that had the perfect key notes and it was exactly what i was looking for. However, it did not have a tester. There was the original version and the intense version. I was looking at the intense. I went through 3 different employees who attempted to help yet they were not helpful at all, so i left the store empty handed. I felt like i got talked to as if i had no knowledge about high end fragrances. I was told that the reason there wasn't a tester because it was "just more intense" than the original scent. What does that even mean!? I understand where she was coming from but then when i mentioned they had different key notes she goes "yeah well they must have just picked different ones. they're the same thing. One's just more intense." So i then looked on Ulta.com to check the notes for myself and they are not the same fragrance! They are very similar but different at the same time hence the difference in the name. I was very disappointed in the service i received and it makes me not want to return nor ever ask an employee to help. (Oh i forgot to mention, this employee was a manager... yikes!) read more

Beautiful store, just like in the city (hence 2 stars), however the service leaves much to be desired. First, a woman told me to wait for her to get me info a bout a product, but after several minutes of waiting, I found that she was tending a register!!!!! (omg#1). A second woman came to help after she saw me perusing and since I'd be able to use a "new store" coupon along with a discount for a credit card, I decided to apply. She took my info at the cash register (asking me and repeating my confidential info in front of the entire world... omg#2). My application was not instantly approved and she just vented that out (to my embarrassment, in front of everyone... omg #3), and then told me that I would not qualify for the card discount and had to wait 7 to 10 days for the credit card company to call me (which was past the expiration date of the other coupon I wanted to use, and the sole reason for me to apply to the card in the first place.... all of this said loudly in front of the whole world... omg #4) PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR A CREDIT CARD AT THIS STORE IF YOU DONT WANT TO BE EMBARRASSED!!!!! I am Utterly dissatisfied, disappointed, And ashamed. Thanks Ulta! read more