What began as a theft at a beauty store in Goleta ended with a freeway traffic stop and the arrest of three men accused of stealing nearly $2,000 worth of designer fragrances, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called to the Ulta Beauty in the Camino Real Marketplace around 2:12 p.m. on Friday after receiving reports of suspects running from the store with stolen cologne and perfume. Witnesses said the men fled in a red sedan headed toward Highway 101 southbound.
Sheriff’s deputies quickly located the car and stopped it near the Castillo Street off-ramp, officials said.
As they approached, deputies reported being met with an “overwhelming scent of cologne” coming from inside the vehicle. A search turned up about $1,900 in stolen merchandise, linking the three occupants to the theft, according to the department.
Three men were arrested after deputies recovered nearly $2,000 in stolen merchandise following a freeway traffic stop linked to a retail theft. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
The suspects — identified as 33-year-old Rigoberto Aguirre Andrade of Santa Clara, 32-year-old Miguel Tinoco Hernandez of Santa Barbara and 37-year-old Jose Encarnacion Reyes of San Jose — were taken into custody without incident.
All three were booked on suspicion of felony organized retail theft. Andrade is also being held on two out-of-county warrants for theft-related crimes, with bail set at $325,000. Hernandez faces an additional misdemeanor charge of providing false information to an officer, with bail set at $200,000. Reyes was also booked on a misdemeanor charge of providing false information to an officer, as well as three out-of-county theft-related warrants. His bail was set at $310,000, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
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Investing isn’t always rational. It seems logical that you’d want to buy a stock that’s climbing. That implies it’s doing well and that there’s reason to be confident in its future potential. Sometimes, this is the way to go.
But if a stock is already demonstrating high gains, that could indicate it’s reached a peak. Conversely, stocks that are tanking could be the key to investing success with a rebound. It could be a risky strategy unless there are valid reasons to believe it could stage a strong comeback.
When a stock with every reason to outperform is tanking, that’s an opportunity. Ulta Beauty(NASDAQ: ULTA) is a fantastic stock that typically beats the market and has incredible future potential, but it’s down 19% this year. Here are three reasons to buy it hand over fist right now.
1. The differentiated model
Ulta has built itself into a powerhouse cosmetics business by breaking all of the rules. It brings together luxury and mass brands, whereas the traditional setup divided those two segments into completely different markets. Ulta’s management recognized that the core “beauty” enthusiast shops from both of these segments, and that offering them altogether under one roof was an untapped opportunity. It says that 66% of buyers are these enthusiasts, and they account for 83% of total sales.
Another way it stands out is that it offers services. Other brands all operate similar models: Luxury brands are carried in department stores, and mass brands are sold in pharmacies and supermarkets. Many brands have direct-to-consumer physical stores, a recent development in the world of cosmetics, and today most brands also have digital direct-to-consumer channels. None of these setups are conducive to offering services the way Ulta’s large stores are, and services are a key element of its model. People who come in for services, like hair or nail design, are much more likely to also walk out with products. It’s a flywheel effect that leads to greater loyalty and higher sales.
Today, Ulta carries hundreds of brands across demographics, in addition to its own brands, to tap into this customer, and loyal beauty spenders are its main market. Ulta has 1,375 stores across the country, and it’s has launched a successful rollout of stores-within-stores at select Target locations.
It had 43 million members at the end of 2023, an increase of 3 million over 2022, and these members account for an incredible 95% of sales. That provides Ulta with tremendous data to use in creation of its agenda and the ability to understand and meet demand.
2. Don’t mistake its profitability
One of the factors that have led to Ulta stock’s decline is a pressured operating margin. Ulta is feeling inflationary pressure in a number of ways; sales crept up 3.5% up from $2.6 billion last year to $2.7 billion this year in the 2024 fiscal first quarter, ended May 4, with a 1.6% increase in comparable sales. Earnings per share (EPS) fell from $6.88 last year to $6.47 this year, and operating margin dropped from 16.8% to 14.7%. Management lowered its outlook across the board.
It’s important to keep in mind that Ulta carries zero debt and generates steady free cash flow. These are positive qualities that mean it’s in no financial danger and is operating efficiently. The drop in profitability is an outcome of external factors, and the company is rolling through a challenging time.
All companies will face challenges at different points in time. Investors shouldn’t panic sell because of a difficult quarter–or even several. If the investing thesis is intact, and management is effectively dealing with short-term hiccups, hanging on will reward you in the end.
For new investors, the challenges can create a buying opportunity. Read on.
3. The dirt cheap price
At the current price, Ulta trades at a dirt cheap forward 1-year price-to-earnings multiple of under 14. That’s a bargain when put into the context of Ulta’s potential.
This is the principle behind value investing. Value investors look for stocks that could be undervalued and will likely rise to meet their real value.
Ulta is a well-run company with a long-term competitive advantage in its differentiated model that targets the beauty enthusiast. It’s trading at a discount, and now is an excellent time to buy shares.
Should you invest $1,000 in Ulta Beauty right now?
Before you buy stock in Ulta Beauty, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Ulta Beauty wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $808,105!*
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Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target and Ulta Beauty. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Even as someone who owns tons of beauty products (hundreds?! thousands?!) I still buy certain necessities on a weekly or monthly basis. Especially, if I’m traveling or visiting my family back home in Minnesota. Ulta is usually my destination of choice because A) it has more selection than drugstores (and I like that it carries prestige lines, as well), and B) it’s typically easier to find an Ulta than it is a Sephora or Nordstrom. (Not to mention, I don’t love having to go into a mall, and usually, I don’t have to if I’m going to an Ulta.)
Cyber Week is here, and let’s be honest: it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. Although it would be more cost-efficient to use the massive amount of sales as a way to buy holiday gifts for others, I often end up buying way too much for myself (oops). Ulta isn’t really helping the situation, either. It just dropped its Cyber Week beauty deals, and let me tell you, they’re totally out of control. The retailer is offering up to 50% off select beauty items through November 25.
Whether you’re in need of a few gifts for others or just want to stock up on your favorite makeup, skincare, and haircare, keep reading below. I’m sharing all the best Black Friday beauty deals that Ulta has to offer.
I, being a curious beauty editor, am always wondering what celebrity makeup artists are buying from retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and even the drugstore. After all, they might be masters at their craft, but I often forget that they’re buying and using the same products that we are—just in a much better way.
As usual, that curiosity peaked and I reached out to celebrity MUA Lisa Aharon to give me the scoop on what exactly she would buy at Ulta. For starters, she’s always stocking up on sun protection, specifically, Supergoop! products. “I’m a sunscreen enthusiast and wear it daily to avoid immediate and long-term damage to my skin,” she says. “As a makeup artist, the selection of finishes Supergoop! makes are key for creating specific looks while [also] protecting my clients’ skin.” What I really wanted to know about, though, is what foundations from the retailer she thinks are the best buys. Because all great makeup looks start with a proper base, right? Aharon happily provided some solid picks. If you’re curious which Ulta faves she keeps in her kit, keep scrolling.
I won’t beat around the bush—Ulta’s Spring Haul Event has landed, and the deals are pretty epic—like, being able to stockpile and save up to 40% on your favorite hair, skincare, makeup, and body essentials kind of epic. I have the type of luck where every time I need to stock up on one of my favorite beauty staples, there isn’t a sale running, and whenever I don’t need a re-stock, there is. Well, finally the universe has aligned, and just when I need to re-up on handful of my daily non-negotiables, they’re significantly more affordable on Ulta’s website.
I am always on the lookout for cool brands that make high-quality products that people might not know about—bonus points if said products are also affordable! Nabla, an indie beauty brand based in Italy, checks off every box—the products are high-performing, incredibly chic, and they won’t break the bank.
Today, many Nabla eyeshadow palettes are on major sale at Ulta. These palettes are buttery, pigmented, blendable, and don’t create fallout or patchiness. Make moves—they’re only on sale today at Ulta as part of the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Event running through April 1. For the next few days, a selection of products in every category from skincare to haircare and makeup will be 50% off for that day only. Keep reading for the best deals at Ulta today.
IMHO, you can never have too many lipsticks. My personal tastes vary when it comes to the item—I love a good drugstore formula as much as I do a high end one (I don’t discriminate). Today is a great day it so happens because a few formulas from one of my favorite affordable makeup brands happen to be half off. Run, don’t walk—they’re only on sale today at Ulta as part of the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Event running through April 1. Keep an eye out each day because a selection of products in every category from skincare to haircare and makeup will be 50% off for that day only.
Browse quickly and godspeed. I’ve included a few of my favorite lipsticks on sale today along with a few other star products you’ll want to snag at half the price.
ICYMI, Ulta’s highly anticipated 21 Days of Beauty Event is on through April 1, and each day, a selection of beloved beauty items are slashed down to 50% off their normal price. So, when I saw that my all-time favorite liquid eyeliner was half-price today, I immediately let out an eep!, added about five to my Ulta cart, and also texted the group chat. My friends always ask me how I create my signature, subtle cat-eye, and the on-sale eyeliner in question—Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner—is my answer. Keep scrolling to shop it yourself and to peruse more discounted beauty offerings available at Ulta right now.
If you’ve ever spent any time in one, then you’re aware that Ulta is quite literally a beauty gold mine. Anything and everything you could ever want in the beauty realm—chances are, you can find it at Ulta. While you might not think of the retailer as a fragrance destination, there are tons of hidden gems on its shelves.
In fact, there are some perfumes at Ulta that you can’t even find anywhere else. I recently found myself in a rabbit hole in Ulta’s fragrance section and was amazed by how many hidden gems there are. With that, I tasked our beauty team with finding their absolute favorite fragrances from Ulta that they’d recommend to anyone and everyone. Keep reading for our top picks and why we love them.
Despite the piles of press packages and “need-to-test” beauty products strewn across my apartment (it’s an organized type of chaos, I swear), nothing beats a planned or not-so-planned jaunt into my closest Ulta. Sometimes, I have a mission—stock up on all of the day-to-day essentials that might not be sexy, per se, but which I burn through exceedingly fast. Other times, I’m just craving some retail therapy by way of beauty, and there’s just something about walking through the aisles of a beauty palace like Ulta or Sephora on a whim, sans agenda, that does wonderful things to deficient dopamine levels.
Today, however, we’re focusing on the former prerogative—aka the daily staples me and my fellow beauty editors have on standby and apply on repeat. Are they the most exciting offerings you’d find strolling through Ulta? Maybe, maybe not, but we’d sure hate to do life without them. Oh, and to make a little game out of it, I gave each editor a $75 budget. (Because anything higher in one sitting lights my financial anxiety on fire.) Keep scrolling to see what nine highly-discerning beauty editors would shop at Ulta with $75 or less.
Whether you’re a dedicated Arianator or not, there’s no denying that Ariana Grande‘s fragrance line has claimed a much-deserved spot as one of the top-selling celebrity fragrance brands since the release of her debut scent, Ari by Ariana Grande, in September 2015. Since then, the “Just Look Up” singer has released nine other fragrances, including the viral Cloud perfume that took social media by a storm following her studio album of the same name.
Before becoming a beauty editor, I discovered the perfume through countless YouTube unboxings and reviews from fashion-and-beauty content creators such as Gabi DeMartino. Read on to discover which of this singer’s other aesthetically pleasing perfumes (how cute are those bottles?) have captured the hearts of Ariana Grande superfans and fragrance lovers alike.
GIMME is up 80% year-over-year, and the company expects to be carried in over 20,000 locations by January 2023.
Press Release –
Dec 8, 2022 07:00 EST
SALT LAKE CITY, December 8, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– GIMME Beauty, the innovative hair solutions company disrupting the beauty industry, announces a successful year marked by significant growth through 2022. According to market research company IRI, GIMME is up 80.2% year-over-year (YOY) and currently carried in 15,000 retail locations across the U.S.
Nielsen marketing research data also revealed that GIMME’s product line ranks among the fastest-growth items in the industry, and by January 2023, GIMME is expected to surpass 20,000 locations nationwide. Since its launch in 2006, GIMME has grown into a national brand, with retail partners like ULTA, Dillards, Target, CVS and Walgreens set to carry GIMME products in 2023.
“It’s been a great year for GIMME, and we’re optimistic about what the future holds,” said Jeff Durham, CEO of GIMME Beauty. “We look forward to continuing this momentum into 2023. We’re grateful to our retail partners for trusting our team as thought leaders. The increase in distribution makes the brand more accessible to more of our growing fans.”
GIMME Beauty’s accessories are some of the strongest-selling accessories at ULTA, and as such, GIMME has been recognized among ULTA’s top-performing accessories brands in 2022.
A Global Hair Tie Market Research Report for 2022 by Market Research Guru takes a deep look into the Hair Tie market, its major players, trends and growth drivers, and provides a forecast of the industry through 2029; the report identifies GIMME as a key player in the market.
GIMME aims to close out 2022 strong with new products slated for December: the GIMME Twist™ shower hair towel, available in blue and gray, and the GIMME Vented Styling and Detangling Brush. GIMME Twist™ dries hair with zero heat damage, and its microfiber material creates a frizz-free style for any hair type while preventing breakage. The towel is fitted with two buttons, allowing for a custom fit for all hair types, lengths and thicknesses. The vented brush is the next in the series of GIMME’s premium brushes.
GIMME Beauty‘s vision is to design innovative hair solutions that disrupt the status quo of the health and beauty hair care category. The company’s products rank among the industry’s fastest-growth items, according to Nielsen Market Data. Since it launched in 2006, GIMME has become a national brand available at more than 16,000 stores across the United States. Follow GIMME on Instagram or Facebook to learn about its latest collections. To learn more about GIMME Beauty, visit www.gimmebeauty.com.
AG Care is redefining what it means to be a sustainable beauty brand that addresses the needs of modern consumers without sacrificing performance or the environment
Press Release –
Nov 8, 2022
LOS ANGELES, November 8, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– AG Care, creating the foundation of healthy hair through its naturally derived hair care since 1989, is excited to announce its reintroduction. Pairing thoughtfully redesigned, sustainable packaging with AG’s revitalized vision of vegan, salon-quality products, the brand is focusing on meaningful change. A major highlight includes relaunching its superfood-inspired hair collections at Ulta Beauty®, where AG is proud to be certified in all five pillars of Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™.
Rooted in its belief that real beauty believes in better, AG reimagined its formulations and packaging, ensuring that each formula is vegan and, as always, cruelty-free without harmful sulfates, gluten, DEA, parabens, PABA and DMDMH. AG also elevated its packaging from a design and materiality perspective, offering products in aluminum or post-consumer regrind (PCR is recycled plastic that has been reclaimed from consumer use). All shampoos and conditioners are available in 1L refillable pouches, so consumers can reuse their aluminum and PCR bottles. The introduction of refillable pouches advances the brand’s goals to significantly reduce its environmental impact as refillable packaging uses 73% less plastic and cuts energy use by 62% compared to producing large plastic liter bottles.
“Care is in our name because it has driven our decisions since 1989,” says Karla Cheon, Chief Revenue Officer at AG Care. “Care for people and planet have always been at the core of what we do. We were clean before it was coined. We launched our first refill center in 1989. This brand renewal is about making sustainable choices easier and accessible to a wider audience. High-performance, naturally derived hair care in packaging people can feel good about.”
The brand’s products range from ingredient-led collections featuring organic apple cider vinegar to those formulated for specific hair types, like curls and color-treated hair, bringing to market performance-based products that are salon-approved and consumer-loved. AG Care uses a combination of science and nature, selecting the highest-quality, naturally derived ingredients to develop formulas that deliver purposeful results.
AG Care’s wide selection of shampoos, conditioners and styling products are available at ag.care and Ulta Beauty®, its largest national retail partner.
Since 2008, AG Care has partnered with One Girl Can by donating over $1.6 million CAD to fund education, mentorship and training for girls in Kenya. Started by AG Care co-founder Lotte Davis, One Girl Can’s goal is to help achieve gender parity and create generational change.
ABOUT AG CARE
Advanced Goodness since 1989, AG creates the foundation for healthy hair. Combining science and nature, AG selects the highest-quality ingredients to develop formulas that deliver purposeful results. Driven by care and sustainability, the collection is vegan and cruelty-free with refill pouches and aluminum packaging options. Founders John and Lotte Davis established a legacy of innovation through their vertically integrated manufacturing where everything is created on-site at their state-of-the-art facility in Vancouver, Canada. Giving back is the reward for their success. AG proudly supports One Girl Can, donating over $1.6 million to help girls in Kenya achieve gender parity. Real beauty believes in better. For more information, visit ag.care.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: For all media inquiries, including sample requests, please contact Sara Castillo at agcare@agencyguacamole.com // (310) 878-2560.
AG Care is a vertically integrated company that researches, formulates and bottles all the brand’s products at its FDA and Health Canada approved facility in Vancouver, Canada.
The Freedom line of hot styling tools includes GIMME’s Freedom Curling Iron, Styling Iron and Curling Wand.
Press Release –
Sep 13, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, September 13, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– GIMME Beauty, the innovative hair solutions company disrupting the beauty industry, announces that its Freedom line of hot styling tools is now available for purchase at Ulta Beauty, the largest beauty retailer in the United States. GIMME Beauty’s accessories are available at more than 16,000 retail stores in the U.S.
The Freedom line includes:
Freedom Curling Iron – The perfect tool for creating classic, bouncy curls. The wireless curling iron features temperature control from 200°F to 420°F and offers up to 45 minutes of styling time.
Freedom Curling Wand – The curling wand — a curling iron without the clamp — offers similar wireless freedom and temperature control for more relaxed curls and a variety of different wave styles.
Freedom Styling Iron – For a salon-quality finish, the Freedom Styling Iron offers temperature control from 200°F to 420°F and is the first wireless tool with full-size rose gold plates, measuring 1″ x 3.5″.
Inspired by people who need to style on the go, the Freedom line of stylers is tailor-made for traveling, camping or touching up just about anywhere; no more styling next to outlets, bound by a cord.
“Our partnership with Ulta Beauty has improved accessibility, allowing us to connect with more people each day,” said Jeff Durham, President and CEO of GIMME Beauty. “We’re confident our tools are the best wireless options for the price; the exposure and the ability to compete against other major brands in the retail world has been exhilarating for us. We can’t wait to hear what Ulta fans have to say about these disruptive hair tools.”
GIMME Beauty is a family-owned company whose community is at the heart of its mission. GIMME celebrates individual beauty, helping people elevate themselves and their confidence with high-quality, innovative products that eliminate bad hair days.
About GIMME Beauty GIMME Beauty’s vision is to design innovative hair solutions that disrupt the status quo of the health and beauty hair care category. The company’s products rank among the industry’s fastest-growth items, according to Nielsen Market Data. Since it launched in 2006, GIMME has become a national brand available at more than 16,000 stores across the United States. Follow GIMME on Instagram or Facebook to learn about its latest collections. To learn more about GIMME Beauty, visit www.gimmebeauty.com.
