I personally prefer Sephora to Ulta but mainly because I prefer the experience (More knowledgeable staff, better customer service, product demos and a cleaner more professional environment) at Sephora to that of Ulta. ULTA- My occasional mistress. Ulta's points/cash system is great plus they often do 2x, 3x (etc) points so they can add up really fast. Plus Ulta does a lot of product GWP (by brand) that sephora doesn't do. Ulta also sends out a lot of coupons ($2.50,$5 off) which Sephora rarely does. On Ulta's website you can use the coupon code and still get free GWP's by brands offering specials... Something you can't do on Sephora's site. So overall, I think Ulta, their website and their reward system has the best value. However.... SEPHORA- My LOVE Has a pretty strong rewards program too. Your points never expire even at the lowest tier. You start out a BI and graduate to A VIB after $350 in a calendar year. Starting this year they added another tier called VIB Rouge which takes $1000 in a calendar year to reach. You earn 1 point per $1 spent (unlike ULTA they rarely do the 2x the points thing) and can redeem your points for deluxe samples that cost 100 & 250 pts or save up for the sets that are 500 pts. Just because you earned 100 points does not mean you have to use them...because they never expire you can just save your points until they are offering something you do want. You can also get free deluxe samples online by using coupon codes but you can only use one code per purchase (so it can't be combined with a shipping or discount code) and unfortunately they don't just give you Free Brand GWP's like Ulta. If you reach VIB you get some additional perks...free gifts, a free makeover, coupons that you can use and share with one friend and my favorite perk which is the in-store exclusive VIB events...my store has a DJ, drinks/food, gift bags with coupons and free samples, product demos, makeovers and a free gift (T-shirts, totes, umbrellas etc) when you reach Rouge you get unlimited free makeovers and free shipping and the events are even better.