Full Breakdown
Target Beauty Studio Debuts Across Hundreds of Stores
8/27/2026, 7:57:43 AM
Core Launch Details
Target is rolling out a new “Target Beauty Studio” in more than 600 stores and online in September. The space will showcase over 1,600 products from 90 brands, with roughly two-thirds appearing at Target for the first time. The assortment spans skin-care, makeup, hair-care, fragrance, bath/body and nail categories, and includes rotating “editors’ picks,” a dedicated mini-product line, and in-store testing. Trained beauty advisers will offer personalized recommendations, and Target Circle members will receive exclusive offers tied to the launch.
Background & Context
The initiative follows Target’s decision to end its shop-in-shop partnership with Ulta Beauty, which began in 2021 and concluded in 2025 according to one source, while another notes the split occurred earlier this year. With the Ulta partnership dissolved, Target is pursuing a standalone prestige-beauty model that emphasizes discovery, education and a curated point of view.
Data & Statistics
- Stores & Products: >600 locations; >1,600 SKUs.
- Brand Mix: 90 brands total; >60 % new to Target.
- Key Brand Performance:
- Clearstem reported $50 million in sales last year.
- Borghese saw a 38 % sales increase last year and projects a 60 % revenue rise this year.
- By the Beach Suncare expects $4 million in first-year sales and has sold >250,000 units since launch.
- Fur generates $10–20 million annually.
Official Statements & Responses
Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of merchandising, essentials and beauty, said the studio was built to blend “standby” items with “new and trending” products, offering a “prestige beauty” platform that reflects Target’s curated editorial approach. She emphasized that direct relationships with brands enable more frequent assortment updates and tighter inventory control, which the company believes will boost confidence in the new direction. Target’s leadership also highlighted the role of beauty advisers, noting extensive training on brand purpose, hero products and key ingredients to translate expertise into guest recommendations.
Brand Perspectives
Founders of several participating brands described the Beauty Studio as a pivotal retail entry point. Remilia Hair’s founder and CEO Eliran Luzone noted that the studio’s experiential focus convinced him to partner after two years of negotiations. Clearstem co-founders Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina said Target approached them because its buyers were existing users of the brand. Borghese COO Dawn Hilarczyk highlighted the studio’s ability to go beyond a simple shelf presence, aligning with the brand’s emphasis on personal, high-quality skincare. By the Beach Suncare co-founders Jessica Singer and Andrew Glass praised Target’s willingness to showcase emerging products and provide in-store testing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the timing of the Ulta partnership termination: one outlet states it ended in 2025, another reports the split occurred earlier this year. No public statement from Ulta confirms the exact date. While Target has announced the number of stores and products, the precise layout dimensions and the full list of participating brands remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When guests shop for beauty, they want to pick up their standbys while also exploring what’s new and trending, and Target Beauty Studio is designed with that mix in mind,” — Amanda Nusz
- “We’re not just putting products on shelves; it’s a completely new environment where it’s really focused on beauty discovery and education and its own sales associates,” — Eliran Luzone, founder and CEO of Remilia Hair
- “It’s so incredible to have such a big retailer have the guts to want to really showcase something that’s new and emerging,” — Jessica Singer
- “This really is our platform for prestige beauty,” — Amanda Nusz
