Beauty Trial and Error – Returns Made Easy

Jul 12, 2017

By Jessica Pigza

My last few posts have been all about trying new looks and new products, but sometimes it can be hard to commit and who wants to be stuck with beauty products they don’t like?

To help make being a little more adventurous a little less risky, I’ve included some of my favorite stores that have awesome return policies. With all the options available, the competition for for consumers can be fierce and customer satisfaction seems to be the goal of any major retailer. What does that mean for the consumer? It means if you’re not 100% satisfied with a purchased product, it has become much easier to return or exchange. Please note that just because retailers are making it easier for us to try new things and return those that don’t work, it is up to us not to abuse these policies and make returns based on legitimate reasons. 

With that being said, below I’ve highlighted some of their return policies which makes it possible to try new looks and if you aren’t loving it, it doesn’t love you i.e allergic reaction, or it doesn’t live up to its promises, then you’re not stuck with another product that goes into the abyss under your sink or in a drawer. Again every store in this list has a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, returns with a receipt offer full refunds and returns without a receipt offer store credit. Happy shopping and go ahead, be bold, be daring and if you don’t like it, your wallet will not suffer, I promise! 

“Be 100% happy or receive 100% money back on any beauty products.” That is CVS’s motto. Opened or unopened, at CVS you have 60 days to make your returns with original receipt or invoice for a full refund. They accept online purchases in-store however if you need to return by mail call 1-888-607-4CVS (1-888-607-4287) to work with a customer service agent to arrange the details of your return and ensure you receive the proper credit.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current Deals:  25% off all beauty products, shop HERE.

I just recently discovered this site and found out they are an authorized retailer of my face wash that I thought I could only get through my dermatologist. I’m a lover of convenience so if I can order online and have it show up at my door without dragging my three kids out I’m sold! Dermstore’s motto on returns is “no questions asked” stating that they understand it takes trial and error to find what works for you. Their policy is 30 days for returns to receive a full refund and from day 31-60 you’ll receive store credit. They will also provide a free pre-paid return label on all items returned for store credit.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  Save up to 25% off certain brands, shop HERE.

Kohl’s has a hassle free return policy with no limit on time. Opened or unopened, Kohl’s will accept returns and offer a full refund with a receipt whether you buy online or in-store. They can also look up transactions (up to 36 months back) if you used a Kohl’s charge, major credit card or linked your Yes2You Rewards account. If you decide to return by mail you have to pay shipping costs but that can be avoided because all Kohl’s items are able to be returned in-store even if you bought online.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  Gift with purchase and free shipping over $75 shop HERE.

As for Macy’s, cosmetics may be returned in new or gently used condition with receipt for a full refund. And get this, you have up to a year from the purchase date to make your returns. Original receipt or invoice required for returns and without a receipt will get you a store credit at the lowest selling price of the returned item over the last 180 days. You will have to pay shipping to return by mail, but again, this can be avoided because you can return even online purchases in-store.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  Free shipping on all beauty products, shop HERE.

According to the Nordstrom website, “We handle returns on a case-by-case basis with the ultimate objective of making our customers happy. We stand behind our goods and services and want customers to be satisfied with them. We’ll always do our best to take care of customers—our philosophy is to deal with them fairly and reasonably. We have long believed that when we treat our customers fairly, they in turn are fair with us.” Because of this there is no time limit on returns however having your receipt or order number helps make the return easier and guarantee you’ll be refunded the amount you paid. There’s also free shipping on all returns.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  Choose your free gift and early access anniversary sale, shop HERE.

Rite Aid wants its shoppers to be “daring with your makeup choices” which is why they offer a 90 day, full refund policy on all opened and unopened beauty products no matter the brand. Returns may be made using your original receipt or they can look up your transaction if you used a wellness+ or your Plenti Card. They also offer free returns by mail if you purchased online.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  20% off all beauty products, shop HERE.

With Sephora you have 60 days to return or exchange for a full refund but if you need a little more time you can take up to 90 days if you’re okay with receiving store credit. When returning or exchanging a product it must be in new or gently used condition. Just be sure to have your receipt or invoice for your return or exchange. Another perk of Sephora is that they have testers of all their products in-store so you can try before you buy and if you’re still not sure, they can make a take home sample out of most of their testers. Another detail to note is that if you buy at a Sephora inside a JCPenney, then that item must be returned to a similar store (another Sephora inside a JCPenney versus a freestanding Sephora) and they will not accept returns by mail if purchased in this manner. Online purchases are able to be returned to any freestanding Sephora store, however they do offer free return shipping saving your a trip to the store.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  View all weekly specials HERE.

Target has a 90 day return or exchange policy and if you are a REDcard holder you have an additional 30 days to make up your mind. Again you need your receipt or invoice for returns, however if you purchased using a REDcard, debit or major credit card, they can look up your purchases that way, no receipt required. Online purchases may be returned in-store but they also offer free return shipping. Note that in addition to adding an additional 30 days to the return policy with the Target REDcard, you also receive 5% off your total purchases. Bonus!

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  5% off with REDcard and free shipping, shop HERE.

At Ulta you have 60 to return for a full refund regardless of if you buy in-store or buy online. Just keep your receipt and original packaging. Online returns may be returned either in-store or by mail. Which means you can have the comfort of shopping at home and reading reviews but if you don’t like it you can just drop by the store and save on shipping costs to send it back. Also if you sign up for their rewards program, it can be used track all your purchases in case you ever lose your receipt. If you happen to visit an Ulta they will have testers that you can try, however they do not provide take home samples of the products.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  Free shipping on any $50 purchase, shop HERE.

I’ve always heard great things about returning something to Walgreens however its cosmetic return policy online states that returns are “handled at the discretion of the store manager, usually in the form of a Walgreens gift card.” That didn’t seem very appealing to me so I contacted their customer service and they clarified that “the discretion of the store manager” refers to how much product is left when making the return. They also confirmed something else I had read. The time period for returns is 30 but they do offer a full refund AND they will reimburse shipping charges for items bought online. Really? They will reimburse my shipping too? Whether you return your online purchases by mail or in-store they will refund your shipping costs for online purchases. Also they offer free shipping on returning your online purchases by mail. I can see why people like buying their beauty products at Walgreens.

To view more details of the return and exchange policy click here.  Current deals:  BOGO 50% off, shop HERE.

If you’re looking for some ideas for sweat proofing your makeup, be sure to check out Alison’s Facebook Live post “Eight Ways to Sweat Proof Your Makeup”

About Jessica

Jessica is a military wife, married to her husband Nate of 14 years, and stay at home mother to three energetic and fearless children, Sophia, Brandon and Rachel. Originally from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the military life has given her a chance to live all over the United States and meet many amazing people along the way.