What I’m Buying On Ulta Semi-Annual Beauty Sale 2024

March is here, and you know what that means – it’s sale season! With spring in the air, we are all excited about the semi-annual beauty sales coming from Ulta and Sephora.

Ulta already released its first semi-annual sale for this year, and it will start from March 8 to 28, 2024.

Related: How I’m Spending $150 at the Sephora Sale, By Category

I’m so excited about the new Ulta sale. This is the first time this year that they’re offering 50% off on many items.

Some brands have never done this before, but the catch is that the sales are fleeting. They only last 24 hours.

So I did the research for you. I checked the weekly list, tested them, and selected the best products that I think are worth buying today.

Shop our Best Picks in Ulta Today

• Persona Super Blush – If you missed the blush deals all of the other days, today is the day to grab this one from Persona. I really love their blush!

What is the Ulta Semi-Annual Beauty Event

This sale is popularly known as 21 Days of Beauty where customers can enjoy significant discounts on beauty products for 21 consecutive days. This year, Ulta rebranded it as the Semi-Annual Beauty Event.

The Semi-Annual Beauty Event will still last for 21 days. Same mechanics from the past years, Ulta will offer daily deals on various skincare, makeup, and haircare items from popular and premium brands, with discounts of up to 50% off.

This sale is available online or in-store. If you shop online, make sure you are signed in to their app or official websites.

You can also see in the app the daily coupons you can use for your in-store purchases. Or, if you’re subscribed to their newsletters, they’ll update you through your email.

Related: Shop Our Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Picks

When will the Semi-Annual Beauty Event start

The Ulta Semi-Annual Beauty Event will start on March 8 for all members. But Diamond and Platinum members will get early access starting on March 3. This will last until March 28.

This big sale happens twice a year. It occurs every spring and fall season. So the first one is every March to early April and the other is August to September.

Things you need to know on Ulta Semi-Annual Event

• Unlike before, Ulta will not give us a monthly preview of everything that’s gonna on sale upfront. They will only release the next week 50% off products every Wednesday. So bestie, bookmark this blog so I make you stay updated!
• Download Ulta app on your phone. Most of the time, Ulta has exclusive deals that you can only access on their application. You may find your favorite products on sale there.
• Ulta may have a weekly recap for every product that is on sale in that week. So don’t panic when you miss out on something you need to buy. You may still purchase those on their 50% off in that weekly sales.
• If you’re saving your Ulta points, it’s time to spend it in this Semi-Annual Event. Tip: It’s best to redeem it in increments of 25 and 50 because the value is maximized at these different milestones. #UltaMath

Related: An Expert Shares What Our Skincare Routine Order Should Be

Does Sephora also have events like the 21 Days of Beauty Sale

Yes! Sephora also has a big sale, like Ulta Semi-Annual Event, that occurs twice a year. It’s called Sephora Oh Snap Sale Day.

This year, Sephora is not yet announcing the exact date for the release of this event, but we can predict that it may happen between mid-March or early April.

Similar to Ulta, Sephora offers special markdowns on selected makeup, skincare, and more, with discounts of up to 50% off. 

My Favorite Picks on Ulta Week 1 Deals

Ulta released the official list of products that will have 50% discount for all members starting on March 8. Some of them are exclusively available for diamond or platinum members since March 3.

I know it’s a lot and the options can be overwhelming. So I’ve narrowed down products do I think are worth picking up during this sale.

March 8, Friday

• Redken Hair Mask – If you find your hair getting brassy, try using this purple hair mask to neutralize the brassy color in your hair. Your hair color will look deeper and richer. This one is actually in my cart because I have friends who rave about it.
• IGK 4-in-1 Prep Spray – This spray, you use it right out of the shower. It has so many benefits. It helps with shine, detangles, controls frizz, and acts as a heat protectant. And getting these benefits for half of its price, it’s a best deal.
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer – This is a makeup staple for a reason. ABH knows what they’re doing when it comes to brows. This is a great time to pick this up while it’s discounted. I’m buying it in my shade, Dark Brown.
• Beekman 1802 Serum– I have three products from Beekman 1802, and I love all of them. If your skin doesn’t tolerate retinol well, like mine, I’ve been using this as a natural retinol alternative. And this serum is a great option.

March 9, Saturday

• I’m a huge fan of IT Cosmetics brushes. Both of the Airbrush Bronzer and Airbrush Blurring listed here are top-notch brushes. They rarely go on sale, so it’s a perfect opportunity to grab them.
• The Clarins Double Serum is quite pricey, so getting it at 50% off makes it a worthwhile splurge. If you’ve had your eye on the iconic double serum, now’s the time to indulge. It’s known for its gentle effect on the skin, and the discounted price makes it more accessible.
• The Nars concealer is literally my holy grail,  I rave about this every time. It surpasses any other concealers they offer. I love applying it with a brush and it’s like having a filter in a bottle.
• Finding the right contour for medium skin tones can be challenging. Many bronzers are too warm, and cool tones often make the face look gray. That’s why the Fenty Beauty matchstick is a game-changer. The contour stick works exceptionally well for medium to darker skin tones. Personally, I use the shade Amber Suede, and it’s fantastic.

March 10, Sunday

• I absolutely love Peach & Lily Gel Cleanser. It’s a pH-balanced cleanser, making it a great first step in your double cleanse routine. Even my husband, who typically dislikes face washes, enjoys this one. It’s so light that he actually finished my bottle.

• This Mac Studio Fix Powder is a staple. Whether you’re hesitant to try other brands or you’re a makeup beginner, this is an excellent option. I believe many people begin their teenage years makeup journey with a MAC brand.

• Again, I adore the IT Cosmetics brushes. The Buffing Brush is great for powder-based foundations, especially loose ones. Additionally, the Blurring Brush is versatile, suitable for both powder and cream-based products.

• This Kiehl’s Micro-dose is really effective if you’re considering starting with retinol. It’s gentle enough to use daily, although I initially began with it every other day, but it’s very effective. It’s designed to be a gentle introduction to retinol, so I highly recommend it for beginners.

• Laura mercier is one of just the best brand. This is their Tinted moisturizer Light Revealer. It definitely has a glow in it. It’s really pretty for the summer and also has SPF. I use the shade Sand (medium mineral). 

March 11, Monday

• The Stila Black eyeliner is a great time to restock at $12. At this price, it practically becomes drugstore.

• Philosophy Purity is one of the most iconic body washes. Philosophy is just such a great brand and we are big fans of them. I love this cleanser, and as much as I love all the scents, Purity is just like the best one.

March 12, Tuesday

• Hueguard Mineral Sunscreen is one of the best fully mineral sunscreens. It is female-founded and women of color-owned. It’s also Sahir’s favorite sunscreen. I love it too, but he finishes all of mine, so I let him have it. If you are looking for sunscreen for yourself, for a teenager, for a guy, for someone who hates sunscreen, and doesn’t love the feeling of anything on their face, this is the one to start with.
• First Aid Beauty Bump Eraser Scrub is a very popular product for a reason. If you have any kind of discolored skin, keratosis pilaris, or bumps like strawberry legs, this is a good one to use. It’s also just a really great brand.
• DHC Deep Cleansing Oil – If you didn’t pick up the Peach & Lily cleansing oil, this is another option to choose. It’s a good first step to your cleansing routine and gets rid of all the makeup and sunscreen.
• This is a Kinship eye cream that has vitamin C in it. So if you have dark circles that are caused by excess pigmentation, and you want to use brightening underneath your eye, this is a good one. 
• Highlighter by Ofra Cosmetics is one of my favorites. I always use the shade of Rodeo Drive or Beverly Hills. 

March 13, Wednesday

• Belif Lip Mask is also a big favorite of Sahir. He doesn’t like wearing anything on his lips, but this overnight lip mask is actually very gentle and works very well.

• The Kopari Beauty body oil is something that I am picking up for myself. I’m very curious about body oils, and this one came highly recommended.

• Smashbox Photo Finish is probably one of the first primers I ever used, and I think it’s probably one of the best. It’s very thin and it keeps your makeup in its place. So definitely I recommend this.
• I was surprised when they added the KVD Good Apple serum foundation to the sale today. I’ve used the cream version, but never this one. It promises to be transfer-proof so it’s a great time to try it! My shade is Medium 039.

March 14, Thursday

• EradiKate Acne Spot Treatment is really great to use if you have any active breakouts. I use it with a Q-Tip. I think it’s good to have this on hand.

• The Soft Focus Brush from IT Cosmetics is a must-have. It rarely goes on sale, and now you can buy it at a cheap price. I use this one for my bronzer, and it’s great for getting that angle.

• Exuviance is a brand that I started using back in 2019. They have these gentle exfoliating pads. You can use them daily, I like to use them a couple of times a week. They are a good step to ensure that your skin is exfoliating and you’re getting rid of dead skin cells to make your skin stays bright and calm. 

My Favorite Picks on Ulta Week 2 Deals

March 15, Friday

• Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara – I tried this mascara about 2 years ago and I was really impressed by it. This is a good time to restock it when it’s half off.
• Lancôme Advanced Génifique Face Serum – I’m super mindful when I recommend a luxury beauty product because I know the price tag is a little more expensive. But at $30, this serum stands out as one of the best options to try. It’s ideally used in the morning and is specifically formulated to maintain a strong skin barrier, locking in hydration.

March 16, Saturday

• Benefit Cosmetics Ultra-lightweight Primer – While I love water-based primers, most foundations are silicon-based. So it’s important to have a silicon-based primer and this is a great choice.
• Bobbie Brown Gel Eyeliner – If you aren’t good at liquid eyeliner, starting with a gel eyeliner and a brush is a great way to do it. Espresso ink is my favorite brown shade. The Bobbie Brown Brush is also on sale but you can pick up a cheaper one on Amazon.

Related: Bad at eyeliner? Try this!

March 17, Sunday

• Peter Thomas Roth 24K Hydra-Gel Eye Patches – I really love the cucumber ones, but since these are on sale, they’re even better. At a little over a dollar per pair, it’s a good time to stock up. I like to keep mine in the fridge.
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Liquid Lipstick – It’s time to grab this smudged proof liquid matte. These are only $10, even cheaper than drugstore prices. I get the shades American doll and Veronica.

March 18, Monday

We’ve looked at everything, but honestly, nothing’s really grabbing us. So save your money for today.

March 19, Tuesday

• IT Cosmetics Hydrating Moisturizer – I got this moisturizer that I liked for myself, but I ended up giving it to my mom because once she tried it, she loved it. It’s a thicker moisturizer, so it’s best used at night. It’s just perfect, especially if you’re over 40.

March 20, Wednesday

• Youthforia BYO Blush Oil– I’ve had my eye on this ever since it was on Shark Tank and I’ve been waiting to pick it up, so I’m definitely buying it at half-off. It’s a blush oil that changes color based on your skin, so it’s a different color for everyone.
• Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lipstick – There’s a lot of hype around Kylie Cosmetics, and I’ve been wanting to try it out. So, I’m definitely going to pick the shade ‘You Could Never’.

March 21, Thursday

• L’ange Dry Shampoo Powder – Once I started using powder dry shampoo, I never went back. At $10, this is a great one to try. Plus, it has over a thousand five-star reviews.
• The Matrix Brass Off Hair Mask is something I’m going to pick up. If you get your brown hair colored, it will naturally get brassy over time, so a blue hair mask is a great way to treat that at home in between salon glazes. You can also use blue or purple shampoo. The purple shampoo I was using was from Redken, but it’s discontinued.

My Favorite Picks on Ulta Week 3 Deals

March 22, Friday

• Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara – It’s a cult favorite for a reason. I’m not a huge fan of waterproof mascaras, but in the summer and when traveling, I always pick this waterproof.

March 23, Saturday

• Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Cream – I’ve always struggled with Sahir skin care routine. Getting him to apply both vitamin C and the moisturizer was near impossible until he tried my cream and he finished it.
• Tarte Shape Tape Full Coverage Concealer – It’s no secret that everybody loves shape tape. It’s one of the most iconic full coverage concealers. But some people find it a little bit drying, so they came out with an ultra creamy version. If you’re somebody with dry skin, I would try that one instead.

March 24, Sunday

• Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer – I like this Drybar hair tools. I used the flat iron from them for literally 6 years until it finally broke on me. This blow dryer is really good quality.

March 25, Monday

• Juvia’s Place Lux Lip Liners – At 50% off, these come out to $5 a piece and that’s cheaper than any drugstore. I’m stocking this up on all my lip liners.
• Juvia’s Place Nubian Earth Lipstick – This is one of the best known black-owned beauty brands. I’m really curious about their lip shades because they’re made for brown and black skin. I’m gonna pick up one of these.

March 26, Tuesday

• IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara – This is a wonderful lengthening mascara for those of us with short eyelashes.
• L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil – I bought this full price and I’m kinda mad that I did, now that it’s 50% off. I’ve been using it in shower for 2 weeks and my skin has never been softer – lazy girl approved!
• KVD Beauty Tattoo Pencil Eyeliner – KVD makes products that LAST. The perfect brown eyeliner shade is 50% off and you gotta grab one.
• Live Tinted HUELIP Liquid Lip Créme – I love lip colors from women of color owned brands because the shades are always perfect. I haven’t tried this yet, but I’m grabbing one during the sale.
• BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY Hair-Oil Everyday Gloss – Everyone talks about this hair oil — its for after styling (not a pre-wash). If you want some shine on your hair, pick this one up. At 50% off, it’s a steal!

March 27, Wednesday

We’ve looked at everything, but honestly, nothing’s really grabbing us. So save your money for today.

March 28, Thursday

• Persona Super Blush – If you missed the blush deals all of the other days, today is the day to grab this one from Persona. I really love their blush!

Final Thoughts about Semi-Annual Beauty Sale

I know how overwhelming it is to shop products when most of them are on sale. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overspend.

But always remember that you don’t *need* to buy anything, but if you’ve had your eye on something, this is the great time to snag it. 

I hope this blog post helps you narrow down your cart to find some great beauty gems in this year’s sale.

If you find this helpful, you can message me on Instagram. I would love to know what list of items you bought on this sale! Happy Shopping!