Ulta Did Us Dirty And I’m Not The Only One Who Knows It.
- Lela Robinson
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 25
Uhhhhhh sooooo Frustrating!!!😬😤🤔
I gave Ulta my last 24 hours.
Twenty-four.
A full rotation of the Earth.
And in return?
No I don’t want you to come here
No I don’t want none of your dimes
No I don’t want you as a number
No I don’t want none of your kind
No I Don’t Want No Snubs!
I got snubbed like an Emmy nominee who prepared a speech.
All I want to know is why. Really? Ulta? I’ve been a member since 2002! Now you!
Let me paint the picture. I booked a hotel. I booked a flight. I reorganized my entire Spring Break weekend because I was already scheduled to attend a realtor convention with The Best Real Estate Agent in New England right after. This wasn’t a casual “lemme see what happens” moment. This was a commitment. A calendar-blocking, outfit-planning, “what shoes won’t hurt my feet” level of commitment.
Meanwhile, this whole Ulta situation was the hot topic at the hospital. And no, not in the operating rooms this was cafeteria talk. The most beautiful women in the hospital work in the kitchen, so the cafeteria was buzzing. It was tax return week energy. Girls were glowing. Phones out. Multiple devices logged in. People signing in on laptops, tablets, backup phones like we were trying to secure Beyoncé tickets in 2009.
Because surely safely buying a ticket to a beauty event in a 100,000-person arena would be easy, right?
Wrong.
I’ve purchased tickets to concerts, festivals, conferences, and entire vacations with less resistance. Somehow, this beauty convention turned into the Hunger Games of ticketing systems. Three days. Multiple logins. Endless refreshing. Hope. Disappointment. Acceptance. Rage. Repeat.
At this point, I’m officially turned off.
Ulta.
MAC.
Sephora.
Any beauty convention that operates with obvious favoritism and mysterious gatekeeping energy I’m looking at all of you sideways.
Here’s the thing: I’m a lifestyle influencer. And lifestyle doesn’t just mean cute outfits and captions. It means beauty, travel, experiences, access, and community. This entire ordeal has been one of the worst brand-adjacent experiences I’ve ever had. Not dramatic accurate.
Now I won’t be making new friends in Orlando this spring.
I won’t be connecting with friends who already live there.
I won’t be linking up, celebrating, networking, or living my best sunscreen-and-lip-gloss life.
Instead, I’m sitting here wondering if I should just emotionally divest and buy my beauty products from Ipsy and Amazon like a woman who’s been hurt before and refuses to be vulnerable again.
Because if you’re going to make it this hard to give you my money, my time, and my loyalty… maybe I don’t need to be there.
Anyway.
If you see me unboxing beauty products at home with a glass of champagne and zero brand allegiance mind your business.
But……… there’s always a big butt! What can I do this year for Next year?
1. Get VIP Status Early
Join brand loyalty programs (Ulta, Sephora, MAC, etc.)
Apply for pro / press / creator badges as soon as applications open
2. Build the Right Credentials
Create a one-page media kit (audience size, niches, past collabs)
Clearly label yourself: Lifestyle & Beauty Influencer
3. Secure Tickets Before Public Sale
Subscribe to event + ticketing mailing lists
Follow event producers, PR firms, and brands on IG/LinkedIn
Turn on post + story notifications
4. Network Your Way In
DM brand reps, PR managers, and creators who attended before
Ask about brand-sponsored passes or guest lists
5. Budget for Guaranteed Access
Set aside funds for VIP or resale tickets
Book refundable travel only after ticket confirmation
6. Backup Options
Apply to speak, volunteer, or host side events
Partner with a brand as on-site content creator
7. Calendar Lock
Track all major beauty events 6–12 months out
Set reminders for badge + ticket release dates
—Lela 💋
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