It is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you've got a mascara emergency or just realized you're out of that one specific serum that keeps your face from falling apart, you’re probably staring at your phone asking: when does Ulta close today?
Honestly, the answer is usually 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, but it’s rarely that simple.
Sundays are the "wild card" of retail. While most Ulta Beauty locations follow a pretty standard weekend rhythm, your local shop might be tucked inside a mall that plays by its own rules. Or maybe you're in a city with "Blue Laws" that force a later start. Whatever the case, showing up to a locked glass door is a vibe killer.
The Sunday Standard: Typical Closing Times
Most standalone Ulta stores—those big ones in strip malls next to a Target or a T.J. Maxx—typically close at 6:00 PM on Sundays.
They usually open their doors at 11:00 AM. This gives you a narrow seven-hour window to get in, get your samples, and get out. However, some higher-traffic locations or "urban" stores stay open until 7:00 PM or even 8:00 PM if they're in a major metro area like Chicago or New York.
✨ Don't miss: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
It's a huge shift from the Monday through Saturday schedule where they usually stay open until 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM.
Mall Locations vs. Freestanding Stores
If your Ulta is inside a major shopping mall, throw the standard rules out the window.
Malls are the bosses here. If the mall closes at 6:00 PM, Ulta closes at 6:00 PM. If the mall has extended "Winter Sale" hours, you might get lucky. For example, the Ulta at the Mall of America often stays open until 7:00 PM on Sundays, whereas a smaller regional mall in the suburbs might shut everything down by 5:00 PM.
Why Today Matters: January 18, 2026
We aren't just in any random week. Right now, Ulta is wrapping up the 2026 Love Your Skin Event, which technically runs through January 17th.
🔗 Read more: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Wait.
Since today is January 18th, you’ve just missed the official daily beauty steals, but stores are often transitioning their displays for the next big promotion. This means the staff might be a little more preoccupied than usual. It also means if you were hoping for that 50% off deal from yesterday, you’re likely out of luck unless there’s leftover stock they haven’t cleared.
Checking the Exact Time (The "Don't Waste Gas" Method)
Don't just trust a random blog (even this one) for your specific zip code. Retailers change hours based on staffing shortages or local events.
- The Ulta App: This is basically the gold standard. If you have it, the "Store Locator" uses your GPS to tell you exactly how many hours and minutes are left before the lights go out.
- Google Maps: Usually 95% accurate, but sometimes it misses temporary holiday shifts.
- The "Old School" Call: If you’re driving from 30 minutes away, just call them. Seriously. A 10-second "Hey, are you guys open until six or seven?" saves you a lot of frustration.
Curbside Pickup and Salon Hours
Here is something people constantly forget: the salon and the store don't always "stop" at the same time.
💡 You might also like: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
If you have a hair or brow appointment at the The Salon at Ulta Beauty, your stylist might be finished before the store closes, or occasionally, they’ll squeeze in a last-minute appointment right up until the buzzer. However, most salons stop taking walk-ins about an hour before the retail side shuts down.
Curbside pickup is another story. Most locations stop processing curbside orders about 30 minutes to an hour before closing. If you place an order at 5:45 PM for a 6:00 PM close, don't expect to get that "It's Ready!" email until Monday morning.
What to Do If You Miss the Window
If you check your watch and it’s already 6:05 PM on this Sunday evening, you have options.
First, check if there is an Ulta Beauty at Target nearby. Many Target locations now house a mini-Ulta section. Since Target usually stays open until 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM even on Sundays, you can still grab "prestige" brands like Fenty, Tula, or Clinique long after the standalone Ulta has turned off the sign. You won't get the full 25,000-product experience, but for the essentials, it's a lifesaver.
Second, just shop online. The points are the same. In fact, Sunday nights are often when Ulta drops their "Platinum and Diamond Member" exclusive perks or "Beauty Breaks" (those free 4-piece gift sets with a $50 purchase).
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the Ulta Store Locator right now to verify your specific branch's Sunday hours. If you're looking for a specific item from the Love Your Skin event that just ended, call the store directly to see if they are honoring "last-chance" pricing on remaining inventory before the shelves are reset for February.