How 3 Editors Are Getting 5x Points at Ulta Right Now by Stocking Up on All Their Summer Beauty Needs
May 20, 2021Summer is on the horizon, COVID-19 restrictions are loosening, our social calendars are filling up and our makeup stashes are in need of a major refresh. There's no time like the present to stock up on old standbys and new faves. Ulta Beauty is making the thrill of shopping for beauty products even sweeter by offering 5x points on over 400 products from L'Oréal-owned brands (including Lancôme, Maybelline New York, L'Oréal Paris, CeraVe, Matrix, YSL Beauty and IT Cosmetics) from now until May 23.
To rack up the points, all you have to do is sign up for Ultamate Rewards and start shopping. Once the points are yours, you can use them towards any future Ulta purchase or beauty service.
We don't know about you, but we're already plotting our purchases. Find out what three editors are buying from Ulta to wear to a wedding, on vacation and for date nights this summer below.
For Vacation
Like many, I haven't been on a real vacation in over a year, and now that I'm fully vaccinated, I can't wait to jet off to somewhere new. First up on my calendar is a trip to the beach. And while I won't be wearing a full face of makeup on the sand, my arsenal is definitely in need of an update in the complexion and hair departments. I love CC creams because they're lightweight, help camouflage redness on my fair skin and contain sun protection, so the IT Cosmetics CC+ with SPF 50 is going in my Ulta cart. Next, I'll be picking up the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder for post-sand activities. I've heard only great things about its ability to blur imperfections and give skin a velvety finish. To keep my blonde highlights from getting brassy from the sun and pool, I'm counting on the Matrix Total Results Unbreak My Blonde Reviving Leave-in Treatment. It helps revive color and add softness and shine to damaged hair. Finally, I'm going to treat my skin to the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum. It helps even tone, brighten skin and protect it from free radical damage. — Sarah, senior editor
For Summer Weddings
Weddings are back on this summer — including my cousin’s! I’m thrilled, because I can finally pull out all the stops and go as full glam as I’d like for the occasion. I start off any makeup look by prepping my skin with SPF and moisturizer — the CeraVe Skin Renewing Day Cream SPF 30 combines two steps in one. After skin prep, my main focus is the eyes — I love playing up my lashes and making them look extra long and flirty with a couple coats of the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara. For a soft, shimmery lip, I’m slicking on the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolor in Mauved, a gorgeous glowy baby pink. My cousin’s wedding is going to be an outdoor affair, so I’ll definitely be wearing my hair up. The Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Finishing Spray is my go-to for creating grip and texture to keep my messy updo from crossing the line from cute and undone to total bedhead. As for fragrance, I want to spritz on something sweet and romantic — I love the YSL Beauty Mon Paris Eau de Parfum, a sparkling fruity floral. — Ariel, associate editorFor Summer Date Nights
Now that my boyfriend and I are both fully vaccinated, it’s time for a long-awaited summer date night out. Because it’s such a momentous occasion, I’ll be going all out in the beauty department, starting with the IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Moisturizer. Because flawless makeup application starts with well-prepped skin, I’ll be reaching for this moisturizer to help my complexion look hydrated and glowing before an ounce of makeup touches my face. The weather is (finally!) warming up, so I’ll be using my summer go-to foundation, the Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear 24H Long Wear Foundation. It’s lightweight and breathable but still gives my oily skin the matte finish I’m obsessed with. Now it’s time for the eyes. I love using the Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara because it gives my lashes unbelievable length, which totally plays into the flirty look I’m going for. In my opinion, no makeup look is complete without lipstick, and because I’m finally able to show off my lips in public, I’m going with the boldest option I can find. Enter: the Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer, a deep red. And it wouldn’t be a summer date night without a spritz of something sexy. I can’t think of anything more fitting than the sweet-yet-spicy vanilla, white flower and coffee notes of the YSL Beauty Black Opium Eau de Parfum. — Caitlyn, assistant editor