"ULTA"-mate Location

Nail polish and lipstick and hair gel, oh my! Beauty retailer ULTA--aka makeup junkie mecca-- unveiled its first urban location on State Street in Chicago this week. The brand, which carries an obscene amount of (more than 21,000!) prestige and mass beauty products across the categories of cosmetics, fragrance, hair care, skincare, bath and body products, and salon styling tools, opened its doors at 114 S. State Street (at Monroe). ULTA on State Street will include 18,000 sq. ft. of selling and salon space on four floors--wow that's a lot of beauty space! The store will also house a full-service, in-store salon.

To kick off the grand opening, ULTA provided free cosmetic consultations and the first 100 customers received a gift certificate with a value ranging from $5 to $100. As the company's first urban location, the store is designed to appeal to busy, on-the-go women with a modern and sleek environment. The Salon's Spa Lounge will also offer a multitude of relaxing treatments, as well as complimentary consultations and customized skin care treatments. And located right in the heart of bustling Chicago, the store is sure to attract the attention of many female passers-by.

With 283 retail stores across 35 states, ULTA seems to be beefing up its store presence even in a weak economy. After all, it's no secret (especially if you've read the Retail Design Diva's post about makeup and money) that when the economy is at its worst, women are looking their best.

What do you think? Do beauty purchases represent the few splurges female shoppers still feel comfortable making today? Tell us!

--Jessie Bove