MAC Cosmetics Launches at Ulta
ULTA will be launching MAC Cosmetics on May 7th (you can browse online beginning April 23rd, and then shop online May 7th). MAC will be in select stores beginning in June!
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
Will it be sold in stores as well or just online?
Ulta says select stores.
I’m pretty excited for this. Nowhere near me sells MAC as of right now.
I see Ulta is also introducing NARS too. N8xe seeing them upping there high end brand offerings. I’ve also seen MAC at Boston store. I’m happy bc it will be more accessible to me. There is only one MAC store near me and that is an hour away. Not too many Macy’s by me too!
WAIT WHAT.
HOLY WOW. Where I live the closet MAC counter is almost 45 minutes away, but I have an Ulta in town! I’m going to keep my eye on this!
I wonder if they will accept the MAC pro discount at Ulta stores?
I’ll bet not since Ulta doesn’t have a discount for licensed professionals in general. I wonder if MAC will play along with the 20% coupons and rewards?
Based on what I’ve read, they will be excluded from the 20% off but will earn points/redeem points. No pro discount and no back2mac either. Since Lauder doesn’t allow Clinique, EL and then Lancome is also excluded, this will likely fall in with that. They’re only planning to carry a very abbreviated selection of the line, so some of the foundations in a portion of the shades, mostly lip stuff, and a smattering of other items, plus a small selection of the minis. It is intended to “introduce” people who have never tried the brand to it,, and bring people in that have maybe avoided the brand bec they don’t like the idea of the standalone store, never had access to the brand, or weren’t fans of the dept store counters, etc. This is basically their attempt at bringing sales up as they’ve tanked drastically in the US, while rising significantly outside of the US. Sephora approached them first since they sell the brand outside of the US and they turned Sephora down in favor of Ulta.
No the Mac Pro discount is only at freestanding Mac stores but that would be awesome if they did
I think this is a wise choice for MAC. I don’t feel like going to a mall counter or drive out of my way to find a MAC Pro store.
That’s cool! I never shop at ULTA, but MAC combined with a real points/rewards program (and MAC’s totally unnavigable site) may make me shop there now.
I saw that on Twitter earlier. I wonder if they’ll have the LE collections, or just the permanent range. That’s great news for MAC lovers who are also part of Ulta’s reward program: using your points towards free MAC products sounds pretty good!
It’s funny because I have way more MAC counters and freestanding stores than I do ULTA stores in my area. I’d still suggest shopping at MAC’s site over ULTA though. Easy to get free shipping and better packaging of your orders.
I totally agree! 🙂
I prefer shopping at maccosmetics.com too : )
This actually sounds amazing since I’ve wanted to try Mac products but hated going to their stores…Ulta’s website is kinda wonky but as far as in store service goes I feel more comfortable/relaxed when shopping at Ulta compared to Mac or Sephora.
I’m very surprised but I personally don’t support MAC because they test on animals
I wonder if they’ll keep back2mac.
No reason for them to. You want it, you have to stick with actual MAC. Not like other brands having loyalty programs only accessible on their site.
Wait. What?¿? Seriously?
I’m in awe of this move as this will benefit many people who do not have a MAC Store or Counter near them, but may just have an Ulta instead! I think this is really brilliant that these two are pairing up.
Iiiiiinteresting. We don’t have ULTA in Canada, but I wonder if this means MAC will be open to selling in something like Shoppers Drug Mart up here.
Wow. I’m in Canada so no Ulta stores here but this is interesting and I wonder if it’s only a matter of time til they branch out into Sephora as well. I guess MAC has really started to feel the heat of its “exclusivity” over the years (what worked 10 years ago may not be working so great for them now…what with lowering prices, having “good byes” at sale prices, giving freebies…it’s quite a shocker for those of us who remember the “bad old days”)
Great news. Suspect that it will be the basics and online only, at least to start. Also, that the range will be limited to real basics, with no LE collections. U is willing to expand, though, and listens to customer requests, unlike the lmvh competitor. Doubt that U’s selection will ever rival dept store counters or dedicated stores. But, just having a core collection of color cosmetics and a bigger range of base products will be great for all.
I don’t personally support Mac because they test on animals, but for those who do this is pretty cool
Agreed!
On one hand, I am excited I can buy MAC in person in a more accessible way than going to MAC stores (which are few and far between where I live). And I might even be able to use use my Ulta coupons and discounts on MAC stuff.
On the other hand, I find it disturbing that most cosmetic brands have to choose sides between Sephora and Ulta. And if they are not sold in these stores (like Inglot, Illmasqua, The Balm, etc…), they tend not to be as well known or fall out of popularity with the general population.
I never thought MAC would do this. They seem to pride themselves on their retail space and counters within MACY’S. Lends itself to exclusivity and they can completely control their shelf-space. It’s so weird they relinquished that integrity to be sold in a specialty store.
Macy’s is / has closed 68 stores in early 2017 and there will likely be more closings to follow. I don’t think Macy’s has the prestige it may have had in the past. It’s smart of Mac to make some sort of change. Just my opinion.
Great news! What a pleasant surprise. I much prefer shopping at Ulta vs Sephora as usually Sephora is in a mall while Ulta stores are free standing PLUS the Ulta reward program is much better than Sephora. With Ulta you accumulate points that can be converted to cash. Sephora dictates what you use your points on, and often run out of their higher point bonuses in a minute (literally) on line.
So happy!
Wonder how much of the MAC Line will be sold there? I can’t wait.
Way to go! This will make Ulta even more competitive with Sephora for our business (& Nordstrom & Macy’s) for we makeup maniacs as competition between retailers = better offers for us consumers. Cool.
Doubt it will be at my Ulta. I honestly have always bought MAC cosmetics based solely on your reviews. I have never had a Mac anywhere near me, would be nice if that could change. Mac does make my favorite lipsticks.
Which is your fave lipstick from MAC?
Mac See Sheer. It’s a sheer orangey coral.
YAY!!! I’ll keep saving up my points for MAC stuff 🙂
I’ve always felt intimidated by the vibe at MAC counters, so this is exciting for me. Maybe one of our three local Ulta locations will score in-store products.
I hate when it’s select stores, because it’s never MY store.
I have two MAC stores near enough for me to get to, and I have associates there that are helpful and know me. I am not about to leave them. However, if stock is an issue and I have to I also have three Ulta’s close enough to fill in. I see it as a win/win situation.
I would think MAC would not be part of the Ulta rewards system and maybe only offer discounts once or twice a year. I have a ton of points at Sephora because they are always out of their reward gifts – why!? I have started to order straight from the brand sites – better packaging for shipment and great samples. I despise going into Ulta – it never fails that the person in front of me chooses that day open a rewards account! Really? Where have you been! So now i order my hair care products online, too.
Happy Weekend All!
Everything I’ve read from WWD, Allure and MAC’s FB page has indicated that MAC will be sold on Ulta.com starting May 7, select stores in June, and then in 1200 stores by year’s end. Ulta will carry relatively half of MAC’s core line and will get some limited ed. collections.
I’m sure that MAC product purchases will be no different than any other purchases at Ulta as far as earning/redeeming rewards points. I’m seriously hoping that MAC will not be excluded when Ulta has their 20% off prestige brand promotions.
I’m very excited about this. I’ll finally get to use my Ulta points towards something worthwhile.
I think it’s 100 stores by year’s end. I don’t think Ulta even has 1200 stores.
My bad, yeah, it’s only 100 stores.
Wow! Surprised to see Mac moving into a store like Ulta. I wish I had Ultas around me but at least I have a lot of Mac stores and department stores with counters.
I have an Ulta about 3 miles from my house. They usually carry Ulta only lines. I jove MAC!
It’s great that a store like Ulta is continuing to expand its brands. I hope it comes to a store near you…..
I was so excited to hear about this too. However, I heard that MAC was actually only going to be in only 100 Ulta stores. Therefore, I’m feel certain that my small town will not be one of them.. oh well, wishful thinking!!!
I live in a small town, and we have an Ulta, but no Sephora and definitely no MAC anywhere, and I look forward to trying the brand. I hope our store carries it.
Does anyone know if Ulta is going to be discontinuing any brands to make room? I don’t know about other places, but at our store, the Stila, Mally, and Lipstick Queen items never seem to move/sell.