If you have followed my blog this term, you know I work at Ulta Beauty. This job allows me to try new products, and this winter term was no exception! In this post, I’m sharing everything I bought and honest reviews on whether I’d repurchase or pass. If you’re looking for your next beauty must-have, hopefully, this guide will help you find a new favorite. I’ve organized everything into hair, makeup, and skincare to make it easy to find your new favorite!
Hair
Redken – Extreme Length Shampoo
Ulta always kicks off the year with its jumbo-size shampoo sale. I knew I would bleach my hair in a couple of weeks. This shampoo definitely did its job, but be careful—not all hair types can handle too much protein! I have now switched to Redken All Soft Shampoo to balance my hair. Always consult your hairstylist to find the best shampoo for your hair’s needs!
Redken – Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-In Conditioner
I have naturally super black hair that I bleach regularly, and if you do the same, you know the struggle—breakage. Last year, Lisa, a hairstylist at Ulta, introduced me to this leave-in treatment when she lightened my hair, and it’s been a game-changer ever since.
This protein-packed formula helps strengthen and fortify damaged, brittle hair prone to breakage. It smooths the cuticle, reduces friction from brushing, and prevents split ends—all while keeping hair healthy, shiny, and resilient. Plus, it offers 5-in-1 damage protection against chemical damage, color damage, heat styling, mechanical damage, and surface damage.
Simply shampoo and condition as usual, apply Anti-Snap to fragile areas (or all over), and style as normal—no rinsing required! If you bleach, color, or heat-style your hair, this is a must-have for keeping it strong and healthy.
Eva NYC- Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer
Fun fact: I have naturally curly hair—but you wouldn’t know it since I straighten it so often! My secret to keeping my curls protected? This primer. While I skip it on wash days (stay tuned for a blog post on my entire hair routine next month!), I swear by it for third-day hair. Not only does it smell amazing, but it also protects my curls from heat damage, keeping them healthy and strong.
Bumble and bumble – Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Frizz Reducing Hair Oil
This has quickly become my favorite hair oil. Living in Oregon with naturally curly hair that I constantly straighten, frizz has always been a struggle. I have tried so many hair oils, but they left my hair greasy, felt too heavy, or did nothing. That changed when Ulta had a buy-one-get-one-free mini sale—I picked this up and never looked back. I knew right away I’d be using it daily, so I went ahead and grabbed the full-size bottle.
Bonus tip: I stocked up when Ulta ran a 5x points promo on Bumble and bumble! If you haven’t already, download the Ulta app—our rewards program is seriously amazing if you know how to shop smart. 😉
Makeup
Kiss – Lash Couture Faux Mink, Jubilee Multipack
One compliment I always hear is, “I love your lashes!” And when I tell people they’re strip lashes, they’re always shocked—“Really? They look like extensions!” That’s exactly why these are my absolute favorites.
I wear them every day, and they’re so lightweight that I barely notice them. I can reuse them for over a week with proper care, making them super cost-effective. As a busy college student, I don’t have the time (or money) for lash extensions, so these lashes are the perfect alternatives for a complete, fluttery lash look.
Kiss – Lash Couture Strip Lash Adhesive
This lash glue has been an all-time favorite of mine. I cry a lot, but my lashes stay on no matter what—tears, long days, or humidity.
The formula is strong yet gentle, infused with biotin and blueberry extract to help protect your natural lashes. It dries clear and invisible, so there is no messy application, and the brush-tip applicator makes it quick and precise to use.
Another bonus? It’s latex-free, dermatologist-tested, and safe for contact lens wearers—perfect for sensitive eyes. When removing your lashes, micellar water easily removes them without pulling on your natural lashes. This one is a must-have if you need glue that holds up through anything!
NYX – Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Here’s a throwback to my first blog post: This was the eyeliner my friend used when she did my makeup, and I’ve been loyal to it ever since. This liner is truly that girl.
NYX’s #1 Epic Ink Eyeliner now comes in nine shades, but the formula remains the same: waterproof, flake-resistant, ultra-matte, and lasting 24 hours. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using it.
Whether you’re creating a classic black wing or a soft-lined look, this eyeliner never disappoints.
e.l.f. Cosmetics – Fine As Fleck Glitter Eyeshadow
This year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try trendy products instead of just keeping up with them. Unfortunately, my first pick was a total miss.
This eyeshadow lacked pigmentation, making it a complete disappointment. I gave it a shot, but I had to return it. Not every trend is a win!
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray Duo
If you will buy anything from this list, PLEASE GET THIS. Seriously, this duo is a fantastic deal—you get a full-size and a free travel-size version!
As someone with oily skin, I’ve tried countless setting sprays, but this one has been my holy grail. It’s lightweight and waterproof, and it locks in makeup for up to 16 hours with a flawless, pore-blurring finish.
The reviews don’t lie—94% of users said it improves makeup longevity, and 99% agreed it feels weightless. If you haven’t tried this yet, trust me—you need it.
MILK MAKEUP – Hydration Heroes Face Primer + Lip Oil Set
I’ve known for a while that Ulta would carry MILK MAKEUP, so I am so excited to talk about it finally.
Primer: The Hydrogrip primer went super viral online last year, and I really wanted to try it. Here’s a secret: I don’t use primer when applying makeup, and the $30 price point wasn’t helping, so thankfully, I waited, and now I have tried it. With the weather changing, my skin is going through it right now, but I have noticed a difference in my makeup. It is hard going from never wearing primer to suddenly trying it! Would I repurchase this? It’s hard to say [primarily because of the Airbrush setting spray I use], but if you want a primer to make your makeup stay, I recommend this one.
Lip Oil: I have a massive lip product collection (let me know if you want a list of my all-time faves!), and this one has a nice cooling effect that feels super refreshing. I’d rank it above the Dior Lip Oil, but I wouldn’t necessarily repurchase it—not because it’s terrible, but because I have a long lineup of lip products I already love.
about-face THE PERFORMER Skin-Focused Foundation
Finding a foundation that truly matches olive undertones is a struggle—so many brands just don’t get it right. Thankfully, Halsey nailed it with this line! The about-face Performer Foundation has my perfect shade, and I always recommend it when helping guests at work find their ideal match.
This foundation is lightweight, breathable, and buildable so that you can choose a natural, second-skin finish or full coverage, depending on your look. Plus, it’s packed with skincare benefits—blue agave, wintergreen, and chlorella help keep skin moisturized, balanced, and smooth throughout the day.
The formula is vegan and cleanly formulated, so it feels as good as it looks. If you’re looking for a foundation that blends seamlessly, lasts all day, and caters to a wide range of undertones, this is the one!
Skin
First Aid Beauty – KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
With warm weather around the corner, I’ve been focusing more on body care regarding one of my insecurities—keratosis pilaris (KP). While KP isn’t curable, only manageable, this scrub has helped tremendously smooth my skin and reduce rough patches.
Formulated with 10% Glycolic & Lactic Acids, this fast-acting exfoliating scrub works to resurface the skin while pumice buffing beads physically exfoliate away dry, flaky areas. It is still safe for sensitive skin and helps with common concerns like strawberry skin.
Beyond exfoliation, it’s enriched with bisabolol and vitamin E to help soothe and hydrate, leaving skin soft, refreshed, and healthy-looking. According to the Ulta website, the reviews speak for themselves—after just 10 days, 95% of users noticed a dramatic improvement in their skin’s texture.
This product is worth trying if you’re struggling with KP or rough skin!
Peach & Lily – Glass Skin Discovery Kit
Okay, last confession of the day: I do not have the best skincare routine. Shocking, I know! Growing up, my mom always emphasized the importance of moisturizing, which she is 100% correct about. However, since she has dry skin and I inherited my dad’s oily skin, her moisturizers always felt too heavy for me. I decided it’s time to finally take skincare seriously this year, so I picked up the Peach & Lily Glass Skin Discovery Kit!
This four-step skincare regimen aims to help skin look poreless, glowing, and glass-like. Regardless of skin type, it’s a fantastic place to start for anyone attempting to establish a skincare regimen.
Finding the proper skincare routine can be a long process, but this kit is an amazing place to start. I recommend trying this if you’re looking for glowing, healthy skin!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my winter term Ulta Beauty haul and reviews! From haircare must-haves to holy grail makeup and game-changing skincare, I tried it all this term—and hopefully, this guide helps you find your next favorite product.
Beauty is all about trial and error, and as you can see, not everything worked for me. But the gems that I found—and old favorites—are absolutely worth repurchasing! Whether you’re looking to refresh your routine, find a new go-to product, or just love trying the latest beauty trends, there’s always something exciting to discover.
Now, I want to hear from you! Have you tried any of these products? What are your winter beauty essentials? Comment below or DM me on social media—I love chatting about anything beauty! And if you’re planning an Ulta trip soon, don’t forget to check the Ulta app for deals and bonus point offers! Happy shopping!
Aurora Gonzalez 