{"slug":"ulta-vs-cvs","title":"Ulta Beauty vs CVS","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs","faqCount":5,"faqs":[{"question":"Does Ulta or CVS have better prices on beauty products?","answer":"CVS typically offers better prices on drugstore beauty brands (Maybelline, Revlon, CoverGirl) due to lower overhead. Ulta often has better prices on mid-range brands and frequently runs sales events. For premium brands, prices are comparable, but Ulta offers more exclusive access. Both chains price-match major competitors."},{"question":"Can I get professional beauty services at either retailer?","answer":"Ulta offers professional services including in-store makeovers, beauty consultations, and salon services (haircuts, color) at 400+ locations. CVS does not offer beauty services but provides pharmacy and minute clinic medical services at 1,100+ locations."},{"question":"Which has a better loyalty program?","answer":"Ulta Rewards offers 1.25% points on all purchases with no category restrictions, plus free birthday gifts and exclusive member sales. CVS ExtraBucks offers 2-3% on pharmacy purchases but typically only 1% on beauty items. For pure beauty shopping, Ulta's flat 1.25% is more straightforward; for combined pharmacy/beauty shopping, CVS can be competitive."},{"question":"What brands can I find at Ulta but not at CVS?","answer":"Ulta exclusively carries premium brands like MAC, Urban Decay, Too Faced, Benefit, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Fenty Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, and Dyson. CVS focuses on drugstore and mass-market brands, with very limited luxury options."},{"question":"Which is better for quick convenience shopping?","answer":"CVS is superior for convenience with 9,600 locations (vs Ulta's 1,300) and an average distance of 1.5 miles in urban areas. CVS also offers pharmacy services and extended hours. Ulta is better if you need a specific beauty product or expert consultation but requires more travel."}],"faqPageSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs#faq","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Ulta Beauty vs CVS — FAQ","description":"Frequently asked questions about Ulta Beauty vs CVS","dateModified":"2026-06-23T13:54:18.884Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"isPartOf":{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs#article"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["#faq",".faq-item"]},"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Does Ulta or CVS have better prices on beauty products?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"CVS typically offers better prices on drugstore beauty brands (Maybelline, Revlon, CoverGirl) due to lower overhead. Ulta often has better prices on mid-range brands and frequently runs sales events. For premium brands, prices are comparable, but Ulta offers more exclusive access. Both chains price-match major competitors.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I get professional beauty services at either retailer?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ulta offers professional services including in-store makeovers, beauty consultations, and salon services (haircuts, color) at 400+ locations. CVS does not offer beauty services but provides pharmacy and minute clinic medical services at 1,100+ locations.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which has a better loyalty program?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ulta Rewards offers 1.25% points on all purchases with no category restrictions, plus free birthday gifts and exclusive member sales. CVS ExtraBucks offers 2-3% on pharmacy purchases but typically only 1% on beauty items. For pure beauty shopping, Ulta's flat 1.25% is more straightforward; for combined pharmacy/beauty shopping, CVS can be competitive.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What brands can I find at Ulta but not at CVS?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ulta exclusively carries premium brands like MAC, Urban Decay, Too Faced, Benefit, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Fenty Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, and Dyson. CVS focuses on drugstore and mass-market brands, with very limited luxury options.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which is better for quick convenience shopping?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"CVS is superior for convenience with 9,600 locations (vs Ulta's 1,300) and an average distance of 1.5 miles in urban areas. CVS also offers pharmacy services and extended hours. Ulta is better if you need a specific beauty product or expert consultation but requires more travel.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ulta-vs-cvs"}}]}}