Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Kicks Off August 29: Shop the Season’s Hottest Products at 50% Off

Let me tell you something about timing. Just when you thought your wallet was recovering from summer’s beauty splurges, Ulta drops its legendary 21 Days of Beauty event like it’s a gift from the makeup gods themselves. Starting August 29 and running through September 18, this twice-yearly beauty bonanza is basically Christmas morning for anyone who’s ever stood in a makeup aisle feeling overwhelmed by choices.

If you’ve never experienced this particular form of organized chaos from Ulta, buckle up. This isn’t your average sale where they knock a few dollars off already overpriced products. We’re talking legitimate 50% off deals on products that rarely, if ever, see discounts. Think Olaplex hair treatments, Clinique cult classics, and Drunk Elephant serums at prices that would make your beauty budget weep tears of joy. Let’s get into it! 

What Makes This Sale Different

Here’s where Ulta gets sneaky (in the best possible way). They don’t just dump everything on sale at once and call it a day. Instead, they’ve created this beautifully torturous system of daily deals that change every 24 hours! One day it’s Tarte lip oils for half price, the next it’s Sunday Riley vitamin C serums. It’s like an Advent calendar, but instead of tiny chocolates, you get life-changing skincare at prices that won’t require selling a kidney!

The daily rotation means you need to actually pay attention. Miss Friday’s Olaplex deal? Too bad, Saturday brings something completely different. This strategy keeps beauty enthusiasts glued to their phones, refreshing the Ulta app like they’re checking stock prices during a market crash.

The Must-Have Products You Can’t Miss

Let’s talk about the heavy hitters landing in your virtual shopping cart from Ulta this year. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, that miracle worker that somehow makes damaged hair look like it belongs in a shampoo commercial, kicks things off on day one. At $15 instead of the usual $30, it’s practically stealing.

Then there’s the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey on August 30. If you don’t know about Black Honey by now, where have you been? This universally flattering shade has been making people look effortlessly chic since before TikTok existed. At $12.50, you could buy one for every purse you own and still spend less than a dinner at a decent restaurant.

Weekly Deals

The weekly deals deserve special attention, too! Unlike the daily steals that vanish faster than your motivation on Monday morning, weekly deals stick around for seven whole days. For instance, week one features the Solawave red light therapy wand for $84.50 instead of $169. That’s the kind of discount that makes professional skincare treatments look expensive!

Beyond the Obvious Choices

While everyone’s fighting over the same viral TikTok products, smart shoppers are eyeing the under-the-radar gems. Take the Living Proof Full Thickening Blow-Dry Cream on September 2. This isn’t the most Instagram-worthy product, but anyone with fine hair will tell you it’s pure magic in a tube. At 50% off, it’s the kind of purchase that makes you feel smugly superior every time you style your hair.

The fragrance deals deserve mention, too. Philosophy Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere on August 31 brings cozy vibes at $29 instead of $58. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a cashmere blanket, perfect for transitioning into fall without committing to full pumpkin spice mode.

Timing Your Purchases

The beauty of this sale lies in its unpredictability, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be strategic. The first few days typically feature the most popular products, so if you’ve been eyeing that Tarte mascara or IT Cosmetics foundation, don’t wait. By week three, they often cycle back to some of the more niche brands and specialty treatments.

Hot tip: download the Ulta app if you haven’t already! The daily deals refresh at midnight Central Time, and having the app means you can shop from bed in your pajamas like the beauty guru you were always meant to be. Plus, the app sometimes sends push notifications for particularly good deals, though your bank account might not thank you for enabling these alerts, but oh well. 

Making the Most of Your Budget

With so many tempting deals, it’s easy to go overboard faster than you can say “but it’s 50% off!” Set a budget before the sale starts and stick to it! Consider making a wishlist of products you actually need versus want. That said, if you’ve been using the same mascara since 2019, maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

Remember, focus on staples that you’ll actually use. That $50 eyeshadow palette might look gorgeous, but if you only wear makeup twice a month, perhaps invest in that vitamin C serum your skin has been begging for instead. Your future self will appreciate having a skincare routine that doesn’t require a YouTube tutorial to execute.

Final Thoughts

The Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale isn’t just about scoring deals; it’s about discovering new favorites, finally trying that expensive serum you’ve been stalking online, and treating yourself without the usual guilt that accompanies beauty splurges. Just remember to pace yourself, because three weeks of daily deals is a marathon, not a sprint!