The standard ship rate from ULTA.com is $5.95.
Let's get this boring part out of the way. . . .
Standard shipping speed from ULTA.com is 3-8 business days plus 1-2 day processing time. Packages ship via UPS, USPS and others. The good news? Saturdays are a business day too, so essentially the ship speed is really 3-8 days, excluding Sunday. If your purchase is not over $35, your shipping cost will be $5.95.
ULTA offers free store pickup on every purchase.
ULTA typically has a large in-store inventory, making even same-day pickup an option for many items. Even when ULTA runs 'free gift with purchase' promotions, ULTA store locations often have the inventory on hand to fulfill the order and the free gift. Free store pickup at ULTA is my go-to for orders under $35.
You can also pick up an item in-store for free — just make sure you click "check availability" on the product page.
You can also get ULTA free shipping if your store has an item out of stock.
If you're ever shopping in store and the item you're looking for is not in stock, ask a cashier to place an order for you. You'll get ULTA free shipping even if the item is only $5. You can't place these orders over the phone; you must be present in the store.
ULTA free shipping is available on orders over $35, without a promo code.
ULTA's long-standing free shipping minimum has been $50. But in arch of 2020, it dropped to free shipping over $35 and has held steady for over six months. The free shipping is automatic. You won't need a free shipping promo code.
The free shipping levels at Ulta are generally:
Free shipping on orders over $50 (the worst it gets)
Free shipping on orders over $35 (the standard so far in 2020)
Free shipping on orders over $15 (during 21 Days of Beauty)
Free shipping with no minimum (maybe once per year during the holidays)
Or, make it to Diamond ULTAmate Rewards status for free shipping on orders over $25.
If you spend at least $1,200 in a calendar year, you'll reach the ULTAmate Rewards Diamond tier and maintain that status until December 31 of the following year.
Diamond members don't just get a lower free shipping threshold, they also get perks like an annual $25 beauty service rewards card and a free $10 birthday coupon among other things.
Don't think you'll spend that much on beauty in a year? You should still sign up for ULTAmate Rewards. Members regularly get exclusive coupons and earn points with every purchase that can be used as store credit.
During the holiday season, ULTA typically offers free shipping with no minimum for one day only.
It only happens once or twice a year; for one day only ULTA offers free shipping with no minimum purchase. Like above, there is no coupon code tied to the free-shipping event.
Even more rarely, ULTA offers free shipping on a particular item.
Every once in awhile, ULTA will offer free shipping on a particular item.
In 2019, ULTA did free shipping for a Buxom Empty Single Eyeshadow Compact that was priced at just $2. If you had this item to your cart, it would give you free shipping on your entire order. It's a bit of a treasure hunt, but so worth it if you strike gold!
ULTA almost never has free shipping promo codes.
The most common ULTA promo codes are "20% off your order" or "$3.50 off a $15 order." And ULTA only allows one coupon code per order. Since 2017, ULTA has not released free shipping promo codes. There are plenty of promos, but none are tied to a coupon code.
