2026 Ulta Sale Calendar: Dates, 21 Days of Beauty & Tips

The 2026 Ulta Sale Calendar: A Month-by-Month Guide to Beauty Savings

As a product reviewer, I’ve learned to treat most beauty sales with a healthy dose of skepticism. Most limited-time offers are just noise designed to clear out old stock. But Ulta is the exception. Their sale calendar is remarkably consistent, and if you play your cards right, you can snag prestige brands like Dyson, Sunday Riley, and Tarte for a fraction of their retail price.

If you are looking to restock your vanity or hunt for the perfect gift, timing is everything. You shouldn't be paying full price for your staples in 2026. Here is the definitive roadmap for every major Ulta sale event this year, including the specific products you should be hunting for.

The 2026 Master Sale Schedule: When to Shop

Ulta’s year is anchored by a few "powerhouse" events. While exact dates can shift by a day or two, the rhythm remains the same. Mark these windows on your calendar now.

January: Love Your Skin Event This is the big one for skincare enthusiasts. Expect 50% off daily "Beauty Steals" on high-end serums and moisturizers. Hero Products: Sunday Riley Good Genes, Peach & Lily Power Serum, and Clinique Moisture Surge.

March: 21 Days of Beauty (Spring Edition) This is arguably Ulta’s most famous event. For three weeks, specific prestige products are half-off for 24 hours only. Hero Products: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, MAC Lipsticks, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz.

May: Gorgeous Hair Event If you have been eyeing a high-end tool, this is your window. Discounts usually hit professional-grade shampoos, conditioners, and styling tools. Hero Products: Redken Color Extend, Pureology Hydrate, and select BioIonic tools.

June/July: The Summer Sale and Jumbo Love This period is famous for the Jumbo Love event, where salon-sized hair products (liters) are sold at massive discounts. It is the best time to buy for the entire year.

August/September: 21 Days of Beauty (Fall Edition) A carbon copy of the March event but with a fresh lineup of products perfect for transitioning your routine into cooler weather. Hero Products: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.

October: Gorgeous Hair Event (Fall Edition) Another chance to grab hair care staples at 50% off. This is also when holiday gift sets begin to appear.

November: Black Friday and Cyber Monday This is when the doorbusters happen. Expect across-the-board discounts on brands that rarely go on sale, plus incredible "Gift with Purchase" bundles. Hero Products: Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle (look for exclusive colorways or bundled attachments).

The Big Ticket Strategy: Dyson, Shark, and Prestige Tools

Let’s talk about the items everyone wants but no one wants to pay $500 for. If you are chasing a Dyson Airwrap or a Shark FlexStyle, the strategy is different than buying a lipstick. These items rarely see a straight 50% discount.

Instead, look for the 20% off "Includes Prestige" coupons that Ulta typically releases in late October or early December. Additionally, these tools are the best way to leverage your Ultamate Rewards points. Saving your points for a 2,000-point redemption ($125 value) and stacking it with a sale price or a 20% coupon can bring a Dyson down to a much more digestible price point.

The Secret Weapon: Mastering the Gift with Purchase (GWP)

One of the biggest mistakes shoppers make at Ulta is checking out as soon as they see a discount. Ulta’s real value lies in their Gift with Purchase (GWP) strategy. This is particularly useful for gift-givers.

Keep an eye out for "Beauty Breaks." These are short-lived offers—usually on Wednesdays—that give you a free 4- to 10-piece sample set with a minimum purchase (often $50 or $60). If you are buying a birthday gift for a friend, time your purchase for a Beauty Break. You can give the main item as the gift and keep the high-end samples for yourself, or bundle the samples into a "self-care" gift basket to make your present look twice as expensive.

During major events like the 21 Days of Beauty, Ulta often offers "Platinum or Diamond Exclusive" GWPs. These are full-sized products or massive variety bags that can easily be worth over $100. If you are close to hitting the next tier of the rewards program, the extra perks and early access to these bags make the jump worth it.

How to Navigate the Daily Steals Without Overspending

The 21 Days of Beauty events are designed to make you shop every day. To avoid the "impulse buy" trap, I recommend a three-step approach:

1. Preview the Calendar: Ulta usually releases the full 21-day schedule a week before the sale starts. Print it out or save it to your phone.
2. Circle Your "Must-Haves": Only circle products you already use or have been actively researching.
3. Set Alarms: The most popular Beauty Steals (like Tarte Shape Tape) sell out online by mid-morning. If it’s a hero product, buy it early.

Remember that Diamond and Platinum members get free shipping on any Beauty Steal during these events, regardless of the total price. If you aren't in those tiers, try to bundle a few days' worth of deals or choose "buy online, pick up in-store" to avoid the shipping fees that can eat into your savings.

A Mindful Approach to 2026 Beauty Shopping

Knowing the 2026 Ulta sale calendar isn't about spending more; it’s about spending smarter. By mapping out your year, you can stop paying full price for the basics and start treating yourself to the luxury items you’ve been eyeing.

Whether you are waiting for the January skin event to fix a dry winter complexion or holding out for a November doorbuster to finish your holiday shopping, the schedule is your best friend. Mark the dates, keep your points ready, and never buy a mascara at full price again. Happy shopping.