Ulta’s first-ever beauty convention sold out in minutes, but Gen Z didn’t get the tickets.Over 3M people waited in the queue for just 3K tickets to Ulta Beauty World, a one-day event in Orlando featuring 200+ brand partners and swag bags valued at over $2K. But the almost instant sellout sparked backlash across TikTok and X, with many accusing the brand of prioritizing influencers over loyal customers. Orlando-based users were especially frustrated, pointing out that local fans were shut out while creators who already receive free products got access. Ulta promised future ticket giveaways, but the response was lukewarm for consumers who felt the event was never really meant for them in the first place. Gen Z has long pushed back on influencer-only brand experiences, so when “exclusive” starts to feel like “inaccessible,” the hype can backfire fast. (Distractify)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Young Consumers Want Brand Experiences—Here’s What to Know About Creating Them
