You’re driving down Route 9, or maybe cutting across 33, and you realize you’re out of that one specific Clinique moisturizer. Or maybe you just need to see if that new viral Fenty shade actually looks good on your skin or if it's just lighting tricks. Honestly, if you live anywhere near Monmouth County, you probably end up at Ulta Freehold Raceway Mall more often than you’d care to admit. It’s a staple. It’s one of those anchors of the Freehold shopping scene that somehow survives every retail shift because, let’s face it, we all want to swatch things before we buy them.
Located at 3710 Route 9 in Freehold, NJ, this specific Ulta isn't just a shop; it’s a high-traffic hub. It sits comfortably within the massive sprawl of the Freehold Raceway Mall, which remains one of the largest shopping centers in New Jersey. While some malls are struggling, this area stays busy. You’ve got the mix of the high-end department stores and the quick-stop convenience of the exterior-facing shops.
The cool thing about this location is the sheer volume of inventory. Because it’s a high-turnover store, they get shipments constantly. If a product is sold out at a smaller boutique or a suburban strip-mall Ulta, there’s a massive chance the Freehold Raceway Mall location has it tucked away in the back or just hitting the shelves.
What Makes the Freehold Raceway Mall Ulta Different?
Most people assume all Ultas are the same. They aren’t.
The layout here is expansive. It follows the "Store of the Future" design language that Ulta Beauty started rolling out a few years back, which basically means more open space for the salon and better lighting for the prestige brands. You walk in and you’ve got the prestige side on one hand—think Chanel, Dior, and Hourglass—and the drugstore or "mass" side on the other. It’s that democratization of beauty that makes the place work. You can buy a $50 hair mask and a $3 eyeliner in the same basket.
The salon at this location is a major draw. It’s not just a corner with a chair; it’s a full-service operation. They offer hair styling, coloring, brow services at the Benefit Brow Bar, and even skin treatments. People in Freehold are picky about their hair. There’s a certain "Jersey" standard for a blowout, and the stylists here usually deliver. If you're looking for a quick tint or a wax, the Benefit Brow Bar is almost always booked out on weekends, so you have to plan ahead.
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Real Talk on the Shopping Experience
Parking can be a nightmare. Let’s be real. If you’re trying to go on a Saturday afternoon in December, or even just a random busy Tuesday during a sale, the lot near the Ulta entrance gets congested. Since this Ulta has an exterior entrance, you don’t necessarily have to walk through the entire mall to get to it. That’s a win for the "in-and-out" shoppers.
The staff here generally knows their stuff. Unlike some big-box retailers where you can't find an employee to save your life, the Freehold team is usually circulating. They use those handheld devices to check stock in real-time. If you ask about the Ordinary’s latest serum, they can tell you exactly how many are left on the shelf without walking to the back.
Navigating the Prestige vs. Mass Divide
One of the biggest misconceptions about shopping at Ulta Freehold Raceway Mall is that you’re going to spend more than you would at a place like Sephora. That’s not necessarily true because of the Ulta Rewards program—Ultamate Rewards.
In the beauty world, points are currency.
At this location, the staff is trained to push that loyalty card, and honestly, you should let them. Unlike Sephora’s Beauty Insider, which mostly gives you samples, Ulta’s points translate directly into dollars off your purchase. If you’re buying high-end prestige products at the Freehold mall, you’re racking up points that you can later spend on "boring" stuff like cotton pads or shampoo. It’s a smart loop.
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Brands You’ll Find Right Now
- Drunk Elephant: A massive wall of neon caps.
- Fenty Beauty: Usually fully stocked with the latest inclusive shade ranges.
- MAC Cosmetics: They have a dedicated counter space here with professional artists.
- Redken and Matrix: The professional hair care section is huge, taking up a significant portion of the back-right quadrant.
- Bubble and Byoma: For the younger "Gen Alpha" skincare enthusiasts who are currently swarming the aisles.
The Impact of the "Sephora at Kohl's" Nearby
There’s a dynamic shift happening in Freehold. With Sephora opening inside the Kohl’s just down the road, and the full Sephora inside the mall itself, the competition for your wallet is intense.
Ulta holds its ground because of the salon and the mass-market brands. You can’t get your $8 Maybelline Fit Me foundation at Sephora. You can’t get a professional haircut at Sephora. This makes the Ulta at Freehold Raceway Mall a more "utilitarian" beauty destination. It's where you go for the "everything" trip.
The store is also a major player in the local economy. According to retail employment data, large-format beauty stores like this one typically employ between 20 and 50 local residents, ranging from licensed cosmetologists to inventory specialists. In a town like Freehold, which acts as a commercial hub for Manalapan, Marlboro, and Howell, these jobs are significant.
Pro Tips for Your Next Visit
If you want the best experience at Ulta Freehold Raceway Mall, you have to time it right.
Avoid the 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM window on Saturdays. It’s chaos. The testers are messy, the lines are long, and the energy is frantic. Instead, try going on a Wednesday morning right after they open at 10:00 AM. The shelves have usually been restocked from the Tuesday night shipment, and the store is quiet. You can actually talk to the consultants without feeling rushed.
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Don't forget the "Clearance" section. At this specific location, it's usually tucked near the back towards the salon or at the end-caps of the mass beauty aisles. Because the turnover is so high, items end up on clearance frequently—often just because the packaging changed, not because the product is bad.
- Check the App First: Look for the "Store Pickup" option. You can buy your stuff online and grab it at the counter in Freehold within two hours. It saves you the walk through the aisles if you're in a hurry.
- Bring Your Empties: Occasionally, Ulta runs recycling programs for beauty packaging. Check if the current "Pact Collective" bin is active at this location.
- Book the Salon Online: Don't walk in expecting a haircut. The stylists at Freehold Raceway are often booked days in advance, especially the senior stylists.
Final Thoughts on the Freehold Beauty Scene
The beauty landscape is changing, but the brick-and-mortar experience at Ulta Freehold Raceway Mall isn't going anywhere. There is something tactile about it that the internet can't replace. You need to smell the perfume. You need to see if that "cool-toned" blush actually looks gray on your skin.
This store serves as a centerpiece for that experience in Central Jersey. It’s reliable. It’s big. It’s got everything from the $2 face mask to the $200 Dyson Airwrap.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Download the Ulta App before you walk in to activate your "2x or 5x points" offers—they don't apply automatically.
- Park near the Cheesecake Factory side if the main Ulta lot is full; it's a shorter walk than you think.
- Check the "Weekly Ad" on the website specifically for the Freehold zip code (07728) to see local availability of limited-edition drops.
- Ask for samples at the prestige counters; if they’ve opened a bottle for a demonstration, they often have small containers to give you a "take-home" tester.