ALL RIGHT. A DAY AFTER A FIRE BROKE OUT AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER, THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ULTA BEAUTY WORLD EXPO OFFICIALLY GOT UNDERWAY TODAY. YESTERDAY’S SCARE COULDN’T KEEP THE BIG SHOW FROM GOING ON. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE THERE AND GETTING THEIR HANDS ON SOME VALUABLE PRODUCTS. WESH 2 NEWS LUANA MUNOZ HAS BEEN PART OF THE FUN. LUANA QUITE A LOT GOING ON OUT THERE. OH, YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT. A LOT IS HAPPENING AND RIGHT NOW THE EVENT HAS OFFICIALLY ENDED. THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED IT OVER THE LOUDSPEAKER. SO WHAT WE’RE SEEING, BESIDES A LOT OF WOMEN MAKING A MAD DASH TO GET THEIR LAST MINUTE PRODUCTS, BECAUSE THIS IS ALL ABOUT GETTING THEIR HANDS ON SAMPLE ITEMS AND GETTING OUT THE DOOR. BUT WE ARE LITERALLY SEEING WOMEN WITH LOADS OF BAGS WRAPPED AROUND THEIR ANKLES, THEIR FEET, AND ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN HOLD ON TO. WITH ALL OF THEIR ITEMS. YOU JUST PUT THE ALL THE CREAM ON YOUR FACE. YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO APPLY THIS WITH YOUR FINGERS OR A BRUSH. IMPROVE THE SAGGING SKIN AND THE LIKE. FINE LINES HERE, FROM EAR PIERCINGS TO BROWSE TO SKINCARE, MAKEUP, EVEN HAIR CARE. SHOUT OUT TO MY CURLY GIRLS. THE BEAUTY WORLD EXPO 2026 COVERED ALL THE BASES. I WAS SO BLESSED. THE TICKETS DROPPED ON MY BIRTHDAY, JANUARY 21ST, SO I WAS ABLE TO GET BOTH DAYS AND I WAS CELEBRATING EVER SINCE. SO $200 FOR BOTH DAYS AND NOW WE’RE IN AND HAVING A GREAT TIME, LADIES AND EVEN MEN LINED UP EARLY TO GET INTO THE ONE DAY EVENT AS DOORS OPEN AT 9 A.M., MILLIONS TRIED TO GET TICKETS, BUT ONLY 3000 COULD ATTEND, WITH TICKETS SELLING OUT FAST. IF YOU GUYS KNOW IT WAS CRAZY TO GET A TICKET AND I JUST FEEL VERY FORTUNATE, I’M THE ONLY ONE OUT OF MY FRIEND GROUP WHO WAS ABLE TO GET IT. SO THIS IS FOR ALL MY FRIENDS THAT ARE HAVING TO LIVE THROUGH ME. 200 BRANDS SOLD AT ULTA BEAUTY WERE FEATURED AT THE EVENT, AND EACH ATTENDEE RECEIVED A GIFT BAG VALUED AT AROUND TWO GRAND AND THE CHANCE TO GET THEIR HANDS ON MUCH MORE. MY NAME IS ALEXA. I’M FROM BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AND ONE OF THE PRODUCTS THAT I’M MOST EXCITED ABOUT WAS FENTY BEAUTY. THEY GAVE AWAY A BUNCH OF SAMPLES, BUT ALSO A FULL SIZE PRODUCT. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE BEAUTY HAS PUT ON AN EVENT LIKE THIS, AND THEY’RE ENJOYING THE EXCITEMENT AND TURNOUT. EVENT GOERS FEEL THE SAME WAY. THEIR ONLY HOPE THAT MORE TICKETS WILL DROP THE NEXT GO AROUND. GOING HOME. VERY HAPPY. I’M GLAD I CAME WITH THE LUGGAGE. ARE YOU HAVING A GOOD TIME AT THIS EVENT? I’M HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME. WE’RE NOT EVEN HALFWAY THROUGH AND I’M OVERFLOWING WITH GOODIES. IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER AT EVERY TURN. I DO. ALL RIGHT, SO AS I MENTIONED, THE EVENT HAS OFFICIALLY ENDED. YOU SEE THE CREWS RIGHT THERE. THEY ARE READY TO COME IN AND BREAK DOWN ALL OF THESE BOOTHS. THE WOMEN ARE LEAVING HERE WITH BAGS. LOAD OF ALL THE PRODUCTS THAT THEY GOT THEIR HANDS ON TODAY. THE ESTIMATED IMPACT, ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS BIG EVENT ALSO IS ESTIMATING ABOUT $7.6 MILLION LOCALLY FOR THE CITY OF ORLANDO. SO IT WAS A HUGE TURNOUT, A GREAT EVENT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN
Ulta Beauty World Expo at Orange County Convention Center | Day 1 recap
Updated: 5:27 PM EDT Apr 16, 2026
The Ulta Beauty World Expo 2026 officially kicked off today at the Orange County Convention Center, just one day after a fire broke out at the venue. The event featured a wide range of beauty products and services, including ear piercings, brows, skin care, makeup, and hair care. “I was so blessed the ticket dropped on my birthday, January 21st, so I was able to get both days, and I have been celebrating ever since,” said Hana Dawood, an event attendee. “200 for both days, and now we are in and having a great time.” Doors opened at 9 a.m., and attendees lined up early to enter the one-day event. Tickets sold out quickly, with only 3,000 available despite millions trying to purchase them. “If you guys know, it was crazy to get a ticket,” said Pepper Nazario, another attendee. “I feel very fortunate. I was the only one in my friend group that was able to get it. This is for all my friends. They’re having to live through me.” The expo showcased 200 brands sold at Ulta Beauty, and each attendee received a gift bag valued at approximately $2,000, along with opportunities to win additional prizes. “My name is Alexa. I’m from Buffalo, NY. One of the products I’m most excited about—they gave away a bunch of samples and products and a chance to win a trip to Barbados. I’m very excited,” said Alexa. This is the second year Ulta Beauty has hosted an event of this scale, and organizers expressed satisfaction with the turnout and excitement. “I’m going home very happy. I’m glad I came with an empty luggage,” Nazario said. “I’m having such a good time. We are not even halfway through, and I’m overflowing with goodies. It just keeps getting better and better every turn I do,” Dawood said. With attendees staying in local hotels and dining at nearby restaurants, Ulta Beauty estimates the event will contribute $7.6 million to the local economy.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The Ulta Beauty World Expo 2026 officially kicked off today at the Orange County Convention Center, just one day after a fire broke out at the venue.
The event featured a wide range of beauty products and services, including ear piercings, brows, skin care, makeup, and hair care.
“I was so blessed the ticket dropped on my birthday, January 21st, so I was able to get both days, and I have been celebrating ever since,” said Hana Dawood, an event attendee. “200 for both days, and now we are in and having a great time.”
Doors opened at 9 a.m., and attendees lined up early to enter the one-day event. Tickets sold out quickly, with only 3,000 available despite millions trying to purchase them.
“If you guys know, it was crazy to get a ticket,” said Pepper Nazario, another attendee. “I feel very fortunate. I was the only one in my friend group that was able to get it. This is for all my friends. They’re having to live through me.”
The expo showcased 200 brands sold at Ulta Beauty, and each attendee received a gift bag valued at approximately $2,000, along with opportunities to win additional prizes.
“My name is Alexa. I’m from Buffalo, NY. One of the products I’m most excited about—they gave away a bunch of samples and products and a chance to win a trip to Barbados. I’m very excited,” said Alexa.
This is the second year Ulta Beauty has hosted an event of this scale, and organizers expressed satisfaction with the turnout and excitement.
“I’m going home very happy. I’m glad I came with an empty luggage,” Nazario said.
“I’m having such a good time. We are not even halfway through, and I’m overflowing with goodies. It just keeps getting better and better every turn I do,” Dawood said.
With attendees staying in local hotels and dining at nearby restaurants, Ulta Beauty estimates the event will contribute $7.6 million to the local economy.