68 Across
NYT Daily • August 17, 2025
Sephora competitor
Answer:
ULTA
Hint:
This beauty retailer’s name sounds like the word for something taken to the extreme.
Explanation:
"Sephora competitor" points to ULTA, a major beauty retailer that directly rivals Sephora in the U.S. Both stores sell cosmetics, skincare, and fragrances, but ULTA also carries drugstore brands alongside high-end products. The clue is straightforward—no wordplay—just naming a well-known alternative in the same market. If you shop for makeup, you’ve likely seen both stores in the same mall.