Robust sales of prestige skin care and cosmetics helped propel Ulta Beauty’s double-digit growth trend into its new fiscal year.

For the first quarter, which ended May 31, Ulta posted a sales gain of 22.9% to $582.7 million, with comp-store sales up 6.7% and better-than-expected margin results. E-commerce sales jumped 70%. Income increased 20.4% to $.65 cents per share.

As Ulta executes its store expansion across America—it just planted its first unit in South Dakota and will open a total 125 in 2013—it’s bringing its blossoming Lancôme and Clinique boutique businesses with it. By year-end, “a significant percentage” of its soon-to-be 600-plus stores will have one of those counters.

Positive response to newly added St. Tropez self tanners, Deborah Lippmann nail lacquer and Perricone MD skin care all contributed to the sales uptick in the quarter, according to Janet Taake, senior vice president, merchandising. In other news, the company has expanded Ck One Color cosmetics to the entire chain and added a private label men’s body and skin care collection. Starting this month it is rolling out Sarah McNamara’s Miracle Skin Transformer brand and will introduce several new CC creams “following up on the BB cream trend,” commented Janet.In a first, it featured a celebrity—Jennifer Aniston—on its catalog cover in a nod to her representation and part ownership of Living Proof hair care. Ulta has also tapped Devyn Abdullah, winner of the reality show The Face, as its “face” for fall and holiday campaigns.

There’s been much attention to enhancing its salon element with micro-dermabrasion and hair extension services; the Benefit-branded brow bar is also expanding. Tests of an eyelash service are underway and more staff has been installed at store-level to assist prestige customers.

High-tech tools in hair care and home hair removal have been popular, including new items from José Eber featuring infrared technology. In other news, Ulta intends to convert all its existing shopper club members to its newer Ultamate Reward program in early 2014, and is unveiling a redesigned web site in the fall.

The company confirmed its guidance for the second quarter of sales between $579 million to $589 million, with earnings per share of $.64 to $.67 cents. Dennis Eck, acting CEO, also said the search for a permanent replacement for departed CEO Chuck Rubin is still underway. “There is a high level of interest in this opportunity,” he noted.