Top Makeup Brands with Excellent Return Policies for Hassle-Free Shopping

If you’re holding onto more than a few past makeup purchases that didn’t make the cut, you’re not alone.

For anyone who has purchased makeup in-store, you know that lighting can turn a flattering shade of blush into clown makeup very easily. Or, that highly recommended cream leaves you with a breakout. Or, you simply just changed your mind. And don’t get me started on purchasing makeup online! So, can you return used makeup?

There are so many reasons why you may choose to return open makeup, so we have gathered up 12 stores that allow you to return that makeup you no longer want. While not all stores have explicit return policies regarding open makeup, you’d be surprised how many retailers will take back an open beauty product that didn’t meet your expectations. Hopefully this will help you decide where you want to buy that influencer-recommended lipstick. And don’t fret, stores actually cannot resell open makeup, so you won’t be at risk of buying someone else's used makeup.

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The Marc Jacobs Daisy 2-piece set includes a perfume bottle with a floral cap and a travel-sized spray. The packaging features a pink and yellow glittery checkered design.

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A 2-piece set of Hugo Boss cologne bottles featuring a sleek, dark blue design with \“BOSS\“ embossed vertically on each bottle. The set includes two sizes, with similar cylindrical shapes and metallic caps.

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Burt's Bees Holiday Lip Balm Set, \“Beeswax Bounty,\“ includes four flavors: Beeswax, Vanilla Bean, Cucumber Mint, and Coconut & Pear, in a green holiday-themed package with floral and honeycomb designs.

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Clinique's \“Ready in 5: Soft Glam\“ kit includes a nude lipstick, brown chubby stick, black eyeliner, and mascara, designed for a quick, soft glam look. Package text is in English and French.

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MAC Cosmetics Gold Tier Mini Lip + Lash Duo includes a mini nude lipstick and a mini mascara with a pink wand applicator, packaged in a gold box.

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Laura Geller lipstick in a dark, rich shade, housed in a gold tube.

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The 12 Best Makeup Return Policies

Kohl’s

Kohl’s has a “hassle-free” return policy that applies to open beauty products. Just bring your purchase (with a receipt) back within 60 days to get a full refund at any time. If you purchased the item with your Kohl’s charge card, you won’t even need a receipt. And, if you used a different payment method and lost your receipt, you’ll still be eligible for store credit. We suggest returning online purchases in-store to avoid return shipping fees.

Bloomingdale’s

Whether you’ve made a purchase in-store or online, you can return open beauty products for a full refund at Bloomingdale’s. You get 90 days from when you purchased the item to return it, too. Without a receipt, you may get store credit.

Macy’s

As long as your open makeup is in “gently used condition,” you can return it to Macy’s within 90 days for a full refund. It is worth noting that if you made the purchase in-store, it must be returned in-store. Online purchases can be returned in-store or by mail. Star Reward members get free returns, non-members will be charged $9.99.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom is known for their great customer service, and they evaluate returns on a case-by-case basis. This typically works in your favor. If you’ve bought makeup from Nordstrom and are unhappy with your purchase, even if you’ve lost your receipt or it’s been a while since you bought it, Nordstrom will likely take it back to make sure you are satisfied.

Kiehl’s

Kiehl’s products come backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you can return full-size, open beauty products to the original point of purchase as long as you have your receipt.

Target

You can return most open beauty products, with some brand exceptions, within 90 days of when you purchased them. If you used your Target REDcard, you’ll get 120 days for a full refund. You’ll need your receipt if you used any other payment method.

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Burt's Bees Holiday Lip Balm Set $10

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ULTA

Any product purchased in-store or online, opened or unopened, can be returned within 60 days for a full refund. And even after 60 days, you’ll still be eligible for store credit. You’re better off returning items to the store since you’ll pay shipping fees for online returns.

Sephora

Sephora will take back open beauty products within 30 days of the date of purchase, and they’ll give you a full refund. You’ll even get a prepaid return label for online purchases, but you won’t be reimbursed for the original shipping cost. Beauty Insiders get free shipping, so it’s worth signing up for a free account. You can also get store credit for online purchases if you send back the product or return it to the store within 31-60 days after purchase.

CVS

If you bought makeup from CVS, your purchase is covered by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. That means 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 receipt.

Dermstore

Dermstore has a 60-day money-back guarantee that covers open beauty products. If you return an item for store credit, you’ll even get a prepaid return shipping label. If you want a refund, you’ll be responsible for return shipping costs.

Bluemercury

You can return open makeup to Bluemercury within 30 days for a full refund or within 31-60 days for store credit. Plus, returns are always free.

Amazon

Amazon will take back most opened makeup within 30 days of purchase. Prime members experience more leniency.

This isn’t an exhaustive list of stores that will take back open makeup, and many retailers will make exceptions to their policies if you had a bad experience using one of their products. If you opened a beauty product and weren’t satisfied, you should always try to return it. And if you want to be a responsible shopper who is prepared for the inevitable, buy your makeup from one of the stores on our list.