How to Get Your Ulta Birthday Gift (Yes, It's Free!)

I'm going to let you in on a dirty little secret: While I might say I don't want anyone to make a big deal about my birthday, in my head I'm celebrating it all month long. October is "Kelly Month" as far as I'm concerned. So naturally I'm on board with a free Ulta birthday gift. It's just one of a growing list of Ulta savings hacks that rewards you for shopping with the retailer.

Ulta typically gives you six birthday gifts to choose from — travel-size skincare or haircare, mostly. However you may only see five options at any given time, if they've recently run out of something. And you don't have to purchase anything if you pick it up in-store — so no Ulta coupons needed, just an Ulta Beauty Rewards account, which is free to join.

I'm getting into the Ulta birthday gift logistics below, like what's available, how you get one, and how long you have to redeem it around your birthday. But first text HACKS to 57299 for super smart shopping tips, and download The Krazy Coupon Lady app to have the all the best Ulta sales at your fingertips.

Does Ulta do birthday gifts?

Yep, there's such a thing as a free Ulta birthday gift. Ulta Beauty Rewards members are eligible for a free gift during the month of their birthday, with around six options to choose from.

Platinum and Diamond rewards members get a $10 off Ulta coupon as an extra perk.

On top of the physical Ulta birthday gift offer, there's also a $10 Ulta coupon (useable in-store or online) for Platinum and Diamond rewards members. You become a Platinum member by spending $500 at Ulta within a year. Diamond Rewards members hit the highest tier because they spent $1,200 at Ulta in a year.

Every Ulta Beauty Rewards member, regardless of tier, receives 2x points on purchases during their birth month.

You don't have to be a big spender to receive double the Ulta Beauty Rewards during the month of your birthday. As long as you're a Rewards member, you'll get at least 2 points per dollar spent throughout the duration of that month.

Here's how to get the Ulta birthday gift.

To get the Ulta birthday gift you need to sign up for the Ulta Beauty Rewards program and provide your birthdate in your account profile. It's the only way they'll know when to send out the bat signal during your birth month.

As long as that's taken care of, you'll receive a birthday email during your birth month with a coupon code to claim your free gift. Use this coupon at checkout in-store or online.

If you're using the coupon online, simply add the gift to your cart and head to checkout. At checkout, you'll see a box labeled 'Add a Coupon Code' on the right-hand side underneath the 'Checkout' button. Punch in the coupon code you received in your Ulta birthday email to add it. The value assigned to the gift should come right off your total.

Note: You must have your birth date entered into your Ulta Rewards profile by the 8th of your birth month in order to qualify for your birthday gift.

What is the Ulta Birthday Gift?

Currently you have six Ulta birthday gift options to choose from. They're all travel-size, ranging from skincare to haircare. Ulta does note that each of these is available "while supplies last," so it's possible that by the time your birthday comes around, something could be sold out or a new option may be available.

It's important to note you can't return the birthday gift for cash value. The Ulta Return Policy is pretty good, but they ain't suckers.

Here's what you can get so far in 2024:

• Sunday Riley Good Genes - Deluxe Sample

• First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser - Travel Size

• Olapex Trio Kit, includes No.3 Hair Perfector deluxe sample, No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo deluxe sample, and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner deluxe sample

• Kopari Ultra Restore Body Butter - Travel Size

• Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer - Deluxe Sample

If you don't add your coupon at checkout, these Ulta Birthday Gifts will actually come with varying fees.

So, here's what's a little weird to me. Typically I would calculate the approximate value of each birthday gift, like KCL does with Sephora birthday gifts each year. However, Ulta kind of does this for me in the fine print. Although the values feel arbitrary.

You see, according to Ulta.com, if you fail to apply your birthday gift coupon at checkout, you'll be charged a fee for your choice of Ulta birthday gift. Once you apply the coupon, the fee will be deducted. That said, it's interesting to look at the fees associated with each gift.

Here they are from most to least expensive, according to Ulta:

• Sunday Riley Good Genes - Deluxe Sample — $15

• First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser - Travel Size — $12

• Olapex Trio Kit — $12

• Kopari Ultra Restore Body Butter - Travel Size - $12

• Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer - Deluxe Sample — $7

How long after your birthday can you get your Ulta birthday gift?

You're eligible for your Ulta birthday gift for the entire month of your birthday. So, from the first of the month to the last day of the month that your birthday falls within.

Can you claim your Ulta birthday gift online?

Yes and, in fact, that may be the best way to go. While there are some birthday gift options in-store, the one you want may not be in stock. According to a Reddit thread, some Ulta employees say their store runs out of birthday gifts within the first week of the month. So if you're going the IRL route, it's best to pick up your gift earlier rather than later.

Note: The downside to claiming your birthday gift online is that if you aren't ordering anything else to meet the $35 free shipping threshold, you'll have to pay the $6.95 for it to ship. Which means it's no longer a true freebie.

Can I get my Ulta birthday gift at Target?

Sadly, no, you cannot pick up your free Ulta gift at Target. While there are many Ulta at Target mini-shops within the big box retailer, they aren't stocked with the free birthday gifts.