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.

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