Back in the baby days of the blog, I did a master post of beauty return policies by store. As that was more than 3 years ago (whoaaa), I thought it high time for an update. Many stores haven't changed their policies, but I've included them all here regardless.
Pretty much everywhere will accept returns on orders if the product is damaged or they got the order wrong, so I'm just going to focus on products that didn't work out for whatever reason. Stores followed by a * only accept unused beauty products, though some are "at the discretion of the manager", which is noted as necessary; all others accept used/opened makeup and beauty products. I make note of the following: online vs. in-store purchases, including how long you can return items with a receipt, without a receipt, and what form the refund comes in, as well as any other relevant notes. I've listed them in alphabetical order, with links to the page about returns, if available (some of which are great, and some of which *cough*ULTA*cough* are clearly designed to put you off with the hassle of returning something). I do most of my shopping online, since Eugene is a bit of a wasteland shopping-wise, and it can be hard to find information about returning in-store purchases on stores' websites, so if you have any personal experience returning things you bought in person (especially without a receipt), please let me know! OKAY, LET'S DO THIS.
Online Only
Return within: 30 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, or can do exchanges/replacements
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: Individual sellers may have different policies than Amazon's, so be sure to check before you order anything.
Online Only
Return within: 30 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment or in-store credit
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: If your purchase included any free gifts/promos, you may be required to send those back as well for a full refund
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 15 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes, within 15 days
Other notes: Cosmetics must be unused and unopened.
In-Store Purchases:
They say only this: "Any Bergdorf Goodman merchandise purchased in store should be returned for a refund at the Bergdorf Goodman store where it was purchased." Used or unused? Receipt or no receipt? If you know, please tell me!
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Unclear
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Not possible, according to their website. There are no CVS in Oregon, so I have no personal experience trying to return things there; if you do, let me know!
Online Only
Return within: 30 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment or in-store credit; 10% restocking fee for orders over $200
Free returns? Yes, for 100% color guaranteed products; otherwise, $4.99
Other notes: If your purchase included any free gifts/promos, you may be required to send those back as well for a full refund
In-Store Only
With receipt or Rewards Card:
Return within: 6 months (180 days)
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt or Rewards Card, and unable to find purchase based on method of payment:
Refund: Lowest price in the last 90 days to a Fred Meyer Merchandise Return Card
Other notes: If returning without receipt/Freddie's card, may only do 3 returns totaling no more than $150 in a 180-day span; must show photo ID.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 15 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes, within 15 days
Other notes: Cosmetics must be unused and unopened.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Not available.
Other notes: Unlike online orders, they do not say that cosmetics purchases must be unused and unopened, but they do say to talk to a NM store sales associate.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Their website doesn't have any information about it, but several online sources claim you can return anything for a cash refund. Let me know if you have any experiences there!
Online Orders:
May only be returned by mail
Return within: 30 days of shipped date
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: The site says "you may return unused merchandise", but any beauty products may be returned used, too.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back, generally in the same form as original payment, but may also ask for an exchange or a Rite Aid Gift Card
Without receipt:
Refund: May do an exchange, or get a Rite Aid Merchandise Return Card with a value equivalent to the lowest retail price for which that product sold in the last 30 days
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store**
Return within: 60 days, 61-90 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, 100% of purchase price as online store credit
Free returns? Yes
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Not clear, but I assume same as online orders
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Apparently not possible, though let me know if you've experienced otherwise!
I'm not really clear on how Sephora vs. Sephora inside JCPenney works for returns. We only have a S inside JCP, so all of my experiences returning things are there (see **), but it may be different at the free-standing stores.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 90 days (120 days if you used your RedCard)
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: They don't specifically mention beauty products, but they do say everything has to be unopened.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 90 days (120 days if you used your RedCard)
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: May be denied; probably up to the discretion of the store manager.
Other notes: They don't specifically mention beauty products, but they do say everything has to be unopened; this may also be up to the store manager, though.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 60 days of process date, 60+ days of process date
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, 100% to Gift Card or eGift Card
Free returns? No
Other notes: All returns must be accompanied by original email order confirmation, packing slip, and original packaging, as well as any free gifts. Returns to store that don't include those are only eligible for exchanges.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 60 days, 60+ days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, 100% as store credit
Without receipt:
Refund: Apparently not possible, though let me know if you've experienced otherwise!
Other notes: Must include any free gifts/products to receive a full refund.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? I think so?
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Lowest advertised price issued as store credit to a W card
Other notes: Cosmetics returns are accepted at the discretion of the store manager, and refunds, if allowed, are usually as store gift cards. All returns require showing photo ID.
Online orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 90 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Unclear
Other notes: They require everything be in original manufacturer's packaging, which I think just means you have to return products with their packaging, even if you've used them? If anyone's tried to return any used cosmetics to Walmart, let me know!
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 90 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: 100% of (current?) price as a cash refund (if purchase under $25), Walmart shopping card (if purchase over $25), or exchange
Other notes: Bring original manufacturer's packaging.
*Reminder, the star indicates that the store only accepts unused merchandise.
**Though not, I would recommend, to Sephora inside JCPenneys. I had a nightmarish experience there last fall (and never heard back from Sephora customer service when I wrote a lengthy email, for shame), as they don't seem to be able to handle the Order Summary and Return Form paperwork and might treat you like a criminal if you return online orders there. At least, I assume that's why they got mad at me; the even less appealing alternative is that there is a cap on how much you can return, and that I exceeded it (with my, I dunno, 10 items, aka mayyyybe 1/3 of what I actually purchased, over the course of a year).
Let me know if you have any additions or modifications to make, or if there's any other stores you'd like to see represented!
Pretty much everywhere will accept returns on orders if the product is damaged or they got the order wrong, so I'm just going to focus on products that didn't work out for whatever reason. Stores followed by a * only accept unused beauty products, though some are "at the discretion of the manager", which is noted as necessary; all others accept used/opened makeup and beauty products. I make note of the following: online vs. in-store purchases, including how long you can return items with a receipt, without a receipt, and what form the refund comes in, as well as any other relevant notes. I've listed them in alphabetical order, with links to the page about returns, if available (some of which are great, and some of which *cough*ULTA*cough* are clearly designed to put you off with the hassle of returning something). I do most of my shopping online, since Eugene is a bit of a wasteland shopping-wise, and it can be hard to find information about returning in-store purchases on stores' websites, so if you have any personal experience returning things you bought in person (especially without a receipt), please let me know! OKAY, LET'S DO THIS.
Online Only
Return within: 30 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, or can do exchanges/replacements
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: Individual sellers may have different policies than Amazon's, so be sure to check before you order anything.
Online Only
Return within: 30 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment or in-store credit
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: If your purchase included any free gifts/promos, you may be required to send those back as well for a full refund
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 15 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes, within 15 days
Other notes: Cosmetics must be unused and unopened.
In-Store Purchases:
They say only this: "Any Bergdorf Goodman merchandise purchased in store should be returned for a refund at the Bergdorf Goodman store where it was purchased." Used or unused? Receipt or no receipt? If you know, please tell me!
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Unclear
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Not possible, according to their website. There are no CVS in Oregon, so I have no personal experience trying to return things there; if you do, let me know!
Online Only
Return within: 30 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment or in-store credit; 10% restocking fee for orders over $200
Free returns? Yes, for 100% color guaranteed products; otherwise, $4.99
Other notes: If your purchase included any free gifts/promos, you may be required to send those back as well for a full refund
With receipt or Rewards Card:
Return within: 6 months (180 days)
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt or Rewards Card, and unable to find purchase based on method of payment:
Refund: Lowest price in the last 90 days to a Fred Meyer Merchandise Return Card
Other notes: If returning without receipt/Freddie's card, may only do 3 returns totaling no more than $150 in a 180-day span; must show photo ID.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 15 days of delivery
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes, within 15 days
Other notes: Cosmetics must be unused and unopened.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Not available.
Other notes: Unlike online orders, they do not say that cosmetics purchases must be unused and unopened, but they do say to talk to a NM store sales associate.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Forever, I guess?
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Their website doesn't have any information about it, but several online sources claim you can return anything for a cash refund. Let me know if you have any experiences there!
Online Orders:
May only be returned by mail
Return within: 30 days of shipped date
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: The site says "you may return unused merchandise", but any beauty products may be returned used, too.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back, generally in the same form as original payment, but may also ask for an exchange or a Rite Aid Gift Card
Without receipt:
Refund: May do an exchange, or get a Rite Aid Merchandise Return Card with a value equivalent to the lowest retail price for which that product sold in the last 30 days
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store**
Return within: 60 days, 61-90 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, 100% of purchase price as online store credit
Free returns? Yes
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: Not clear, but I assume same as online orders
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Apparently not possible, though let me know if you've experienced otherwise!
I'm not really clear on how Sephora vs. Sephora inside JCPenney works for returns. We only have a S inside JCP, so all of my experiences returning things are there (see **), but it may be different at the free-standing stores.
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 90 days (120 days if you used your RedCard)
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Yes
Other notes: They don't specifically mention beauty products, but they do say everything has to be unopened.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 90 days (120 days if you used your RedCard)
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: May be denied; probably up to the discretion of the store manager.
Other notes: They don't specifically mention beauty products, but they do say everything has to be unopened; this may also be up to the store manager, though.
Online Orders:
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 60 days of process date, 60+ days of process date
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, 100% to Gift Card or eGift Card
Free returns? No
Other notes: All returns must be accompanied by original email order confirmation, packing slip, and original packaging, as well as any free gifts. Returns to store that don't include those are only eligible for exchanges.
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 60 days, 60+ days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment, 100% as store credit
Without receipt:
Refund: Apparently not possible, though let me know if you've experienced otherwise!
Other notes: Must include any free gifts/products to receive a full refund.
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? I think so?
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 30 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: Lowest advertised price issued as store credit to a W card
Other notes: Cosmetics returns are accepted at the discretion of the store manager, and refunds, if allowed, are usually as store gift cards. All returns require showing photo ID.
May be returned by mail or in-store
Return within: 90 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Free returns? Unclear
Other notes: They require everything be in original manufacturer's packaging, which I think just means you have to return products with their packaging, even if you've used them? If anyone's tried to return any used cosmetics to Walmart, let me know!
In-Store Purchases:
With receipt:
Return within: 90 days
Refund: 100% back to original form of payment
Without receipt:
Refund: 100% of (current?) price as a cash refund (if purchase under $25), Walmart shopping card (if purchase over $25), or exchange
Other notes: Bring original manufacturer's packaging.
*Reminder, the star indicates that the store only accepts unused merchandise.
**Though not, I would recommend, to Sephora inside JCPenneys. I had a nightmarish experience there last fall (and never heard back from Sephora customer service when I wrote a lengthy email, for shame), as they don't seem to be able to handle the Order Summary and Return Form paperwork and might treat you like a criminal if you return online orders there. At least, I assume that's why they got mad at me; the even less appealing alternative is that there is a cap on how much you can return, and that I exceeded it (with my, I dunno, 10 items, aka mayyyybe 1/3 of what I actually purchased, over the course of a year).
Let me know if you have any additions or modifications to make, or if there's any other stores you'd like to see represented!
