Today, Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the U.S. providing beauty lovers with cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products, and salon services.

Ulta: Which is Better For You? The best store for you will depend on the products you want, your budget and the beauty services you'd like in-store. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly and versatile inventory, Ulta will be the better pick. However, Sephora is better if you'd like the higher-end, trendy brands.

Or worse, beauty consumers might have defined it as an acronym for Union Leaders Training Award or Union Labor Temple Association or Utah Land Title Association — before recognizing it as the beauty products retailer it was.