This past Friday, Oct. 5, Her Campus at VCU had the opportunity to go to the grand opening of a new Ulta Beauty store in Chesterfield. Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the U.S. and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. Ulta Beauty has grown to become the top national retailer providing All Things Beauty. All in One Place.™ Thanks to our wonderful sponsor, we were able to receive a gift card, along with a discount on any items purchased.
When our team heard about this event at our meeting, everyone was so excited because we all love shopping for makeup and having an extra chance to spend time together. It was even requested of us that everyone in our chapter wear all black, so the lovely employees at Ulta Beauty could easily pick us out of the crowd of customers. We knew we were in for a treat!
When the day arrived, I was quite ready to not only see the new store, but fuel my love for makeup and skin care as well. Our chapter collectively arrived at Ulta Beauty at around 6:00 p.m., all decked out in our black clothing. The night was already looking good as I got to talk and bond with other members in the car ride to the location, which was around 20 minutes outside of campus. We were immediately greeted with warm welcomes, and the makeup exploration began. About 10 minutes into our time there, my arm already looked like I had gone crazy with the glitter at an EDM festival from trying everything. Pigments, sparkles, and skin care – my heart was so happy and I just wanted to try everything (and I did). I was so excited because this specific Ulta Beauty store had brands that other stores I have been too didn’t have, like Juvia’s Place and even MAC cosmetics. Even though I only purchased a couple basic essentials I’ve been needing to restock on, it was so nice to be able to have as much time as I pleased just to be able to look (and swatch) whatever products my heart desired. With that being said, it was also great to be able to get to know some of the Her Campus at VCU members better because of our shared love of makeup.
Ulta Beauty and Her Campus at VCU were both extremely gracious in giving our chapter this opportunity to visit the store’s grand opening. I had never been a grand opening prior to this one, and it was an equally fun and exciting experience. There were a ton of people there besides our team, just as eager as we were to see the new store and all the products inside (and use their 20 percent off discount).
After the event, I did some research about Ulta Beauty as a company and what they stand for, as it relates to the Her Campus brand. I discovered that Ulta Beauty is all about empowering women and helping them feel like their best self. For example, I had no idea that 92 percent of Ulta Beauty’s sales associates are women. Also, they partner with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which immediately hit home as I know a few people personally who have fought and are fighting breast cancer. I think this information says a lot about what they stand for and especially shows the connection between their company and Her Campus, a brand for women by women.
Overall, I’m beyond satisfied with my experience at Ulta Beauty at their grand opening event and am so happy to know about the values that the company embodies. As some people on Tumblr would say, I “stan” Ulta Beauty and I can’t wait to go back.
Thank you so much to Ulta Beauty and Her Campus at VCU for this wonderful opportunity!
Image Credits: 1 by Eleanor Ritzman, 2 and 3 by Garnette Ransone