I found a way to get those Rare Beauty Ulta exclusives to Singapore without the usual headaches

February 04, 2026

Table of Contents

Get a Instant Shipping Quote

Why we are all obsessed with the Rare Beauty Ulta expansion

If you have been scrolling through social media lately, you have probably seen the chaos surrounding the February 1st expansion of Rare Beauty into Ulta stores. While we have some great shades at Sephora and Space NK, these new 2026 exclusive sets and limited-edition Soft Pinch Liquid Blush shades are currently trapped behind the Ulta storefront. For those of us in Singapore, the FOMO is real because these specific bundles offer way better value than buying individual bottles locally.

I noticed that the 2026 palette releases and the 'Ulta-only' travel sets are trending because they include shades that haven't hit international markets yet. I knew I had to get my hands on them, but I also knew that Ulta isn't exactly the easiest store to navigate if you are living halfway across the world.

Correcting the myth about shipping makeup to Singapore

I often hear people say that shipping liquid makeup from the US to Singapore is too complicated or that it will just get stuck in customs. I used to believe this too, but it turns out that as long as you use a reliable freight forwarder, the process is actually quite straightforward. Many assume the shipping costs will outweigh the savings of the US price tag, but when you bundle these exclusive sets, the math actually works in our favor.

We don't have to wait months for local retailers to maybe stock these items. By using comGateway, I was able to secure a tax-free US address in Oregon, which saved me a chunk of change on US sales tax right off the bat. If you are worried about what can and cannot be shipped, I highly recommend checking the prohibited items list, but generally, liquid blushes are perfectly fine for international shipping.

Calculating the actual costs for your blush haul

Before I clicked 'buy', I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be hit with a massive surprise bill. I used the shipping calculator to get a rough idea of the weight. Here is a quick breakdown of what I estimated for the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush sets:

  • Box Weight: Approx. 0.5 kg (These are light, but the packaging adds a little bulk).
  • Box Dimensions: Small (roughly 15cm x 15cm x 10cm).
  • Volumetric Warning: Since the boxes are small and dense, you won't really need to worry about volumetric weight charges. It's mostly the actual weight that counts here.
  • Battery Check: No lithium batteries here! Makeup is generally safe from the strict electronics shipping rules.

If you want to save even more, you might look into Prime membership benefits on the membership page to see if you can snag lower shipping rates for your future hauls.

The struggle with US credit cards and how I bypassed it

One thing I learned the hard way is that Ulta, like many big US retailers such as Sephora or Nike, is notorious for declining international credit cards. I tried my Singapore-issued card three times and it was cancelled instantly. This is where I discovered the proxy shopping solution that saved my order.

I used the BuyForMe service. Basically, I told them what I wanted, and they used a US domestic card to buy the items for me. It is the most reliable way to ensure your order doesn't get flagged or cancelled by the store's security filters. If you are tired of seeing that 'Order Cancelled' email, this is definitely the way to go. It makes the whole buy for me process feel like I have a personal shopper in the States.

What I learned about Singapore import tax in 2026

Now, let's talk about the part everyone dreads: import tax. In 2026, Singapore's GST rules are very clear. Even for small items, you need to be aware of the current thresholds to avoid delays. I made sure my total order value, including shipping, was clearly documented to keep things moving through ICA smoothly.

Check out this guide on import duties to see how GST is calculated for your specific package value. Staying informed helps you avoid that annoying 'payment required' notification while your package is sitting at the airport. I've found that using DHL international shipping or FedEx international shipping through a forwarder usually handles the paperwork much better than standard postal services.

My final tips for a smooth delivery

I am so glad I didn't listen to the people saying it was too much work to buy from Ulta. My Rare Beauty sets arrived in Singapore in about 8 days. If you ever get stuck or have questions about your specific shipment, the FAQ section is a lifesaver for troubleshooting common issues.

My advice? Don't wait for these to show up in Singapore stores because they probably won't. Grab them from the US, use a reliable freight forwarder, and definitely use the BuyForMe service if you want to avoid the headache of credit card rejections. Happy shopping!

Sign up today! Get 15% off and a free Basic Membership.