A List of Beauty Retailers & Their Return Policies

I researched all the beauty retailers and their return policies so you don’t have to.

I feel like when it comes to makeup and skincare purchases, we automatically assume once we’ve opened a product, it’s not returnable. Lucky for you (and me) that’s not always true!

Returning clothes is so much easier, right? Usually as long as you keep the tag on and/or the receipt and return to a store within a certain number of days then you’re good to go.

A beauty retailer’s return policy can truly dictate if I decide to shop there. As someone who once tested up to 30 products a week, I always find myself reading the fine print before I checkout.

This year, I’m even more sensitive to return policies because one of my goals is to be less wasteful with my beauty products. I’m definitely purchasing a lot less and even when I plan to purchase, I want to know if something doesn’t work I’ll either get my money back or exchange for something better.

I’ve rounded up the return policies of my favorite beauty retailers and clean beauty emporiums so you don’t have to!

Sephora
Return your unopened or “gently used” item within 30 days of purchase and you’ll get a refund. If it’s within 31 to 60 days of purchase, you’ll get online store credit.

A sales associate at my local Sephora told me they have a “no questions asked” policy; however, in my own experience I haven’t always found that to be the case. Regardless, I was still able to return an expensive jar of gently used moisturizer and still get my money back.

Ulta
Return product(s) within 60 days of the original purchase that include the receipt (or can be verified using your Ulta Rewards member ID) and get fully refunded.

Nordstrom
The company handles return on a “case-by-case basis” but they really care about customer service so they’ll most likely accept your return (unless you show up with products that show more than “gently used”).

CVS
If you bought makeup from CVS, your purchase is covered by their 100% satisfaction guarantee. You can return any beauty item for a refund, even if you opened it, within 60 days of purchase. Just remember to bring your ID and a receipt.

Glossier
All returns must be processed within 30 days of receiving the order. Original shipping charges are not refunded (if you spend under $30, otherwise shipping is free). If you’re not happy with your purchase, the gTEAM is pretty awesome (dealt with them before regarding a product).

P.S. You can read my full list of the best and worst Glossier products so when you’re ready to shop you don’t make the wrong decision!

Dermstore
Dermstore has a great 30 day money back guarantee on every single brand they sell. Their motto is “no questions asked” and really care about customers finding the right product for them. If you return within 31-60 days from purchase and you’ll get store credit.

Walgreens
You can return unopened beauty items within 30 days. Gently used products are per the discretion of the store manager, per their website. Returns for cosmetics are in the form of a store gift card.

Bluemercury
If you are not completely satisfied with a Bluemercury purchase, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund or gift card. They do not cover the cost of return shipping or will refund your original shipping charges. If they receive your return within 31-60 days of purchase, you’ll receive store credit. Items received more than 60 days after the purchase date may not be returned.

Follain
This clean beauty emporium has a “perfect match guarantee,” which means if you are not a fan of the product you purchased they’ll refund your purchase in the form of store credit. If it’s unopened and returned within 30 days, you’ll get a full refund in your original form of payment. P.S. If you’re new to Follain, you can get $10 off your first order here.

Take Care Shop DC
Returns made within 14 days of purchase will receive store credit. Returns can be brought back to the store or mailed back with original packaging.