I’m going to start a new series of sorts – it won’t be every Tuesday but there are some beauty related topics that I think would be interesting as a more conversational post, rather than have me yammer on. 😛
Today I’d like to discuss the controversial topic of returning makeup / beauty products.
I personally see 3 primary reasons why someone would return a beauty product (that they’ve purchased themselves – not received as gifts, that’s another post! And I’m talking about returning stuff for money back, not just exchanging because it’s the wrong colour):
1) Product did not work as claimed
2) Product allergy
3) Buyer’s remorse
I view #1 as the fault of the product: it claimed to perform a certain way (smooth, brighten, mattify, hydrate, conceal, etc, etc.) but it did not deliver. This could be somewhat subjective, of course. My expectation of how a product is suppose to, say, brighten my skin, may not be what you expect. I may be very satisfied and feel that the product delivered on its promise whereas you’re unhappy and return the product. Marketing claims are usually more art than science when it comes to beauty products – I mean, who is holding companies accountable for “50x more volume” or “96% of users saw less fine lines”? Let the wallet speak, I say. 😉
Reason #2, in my opinion, is really no one’s fault – sometimes my face will just freak out even after I’ve reviewed the ingredient list thoroughly. There are products that are so full of irritants (like essential oils), that I really shouldn’t be able to tolerate them, but my skin is fine. And it’s not possible to predict exactly how my skin will react until I actually use the products. However, now most brands and counters offer samples to try out products first, I find myself less likely to need to return products due to allergic reactions.
Now, the last reason, and what I’d most like to chat about: people who return products “just because”. Maybe shopping is a pastime for them or they get a thrill from buying things. Then they get their purchases home and immediately regret buying them. Or maybe they were subjected to an intense sales pitch and succumbed to the pressure and bought the product just to be nice – hoping to return it later at another store location. I say to these people: think about what you’re filling your life with when buying stuff, and also, grow a spine! 🙄 I’m certainly not immune to either of these habits – I shop out of boredom, stress, happiness, guilt… then I regret buying some of the items. But, I don’t return things because of my own decisions – I just don’t feel right doing that! This isn’t a holier than thou type of statement, but I feel guilty and possibly ashamed if I have to return things not due to any fault of the products’ performance, but because I had no impulse control. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve returned makeup – mostly because I had a reaction to the products. Oh wait, I did once return an unopened MAC eye shadow because when I got it home, I realized I already owned it (Shale was the shade 😳 #hoarderproblems)
I know a woman who returns nearly everything she buys – clothes, shoes, makeup, jewellery. I asked her once (non-judgmentally) what her return rate is – she estimated probably about 90% of what she buys she returns. She is what I’d call a serial returner. And I suspect she has a shopping problem because she shops (and returns) at least once a week. She’s quite well-off too. Recently she purchased a bunch of stuff at Sephora, went home and tried them all and returned everything except for an eye shadow. She sees nothing wrong with this practice. She says she has a friend who’s worse than her – this friend would go to Holt Renfrew and buy super high-end stuff like Chantecaille and La Mer and use them for a bit and then returns them. She says her friend’s account is now flagged and they don’t allow her to refund anymore, just exchanges (I still see potential to abuse this system – revolving exchanges).
Conversely, my coworker bought a foundation last week and when she got it home, did not like the colour match (even though the MUA did test it on her face at the store). I told her to go return it, or exchange it for another shade. She was absolutely shocked at my suggestion, “You can’t return used makeup!” I assured her that you can. My other coworkers then chimed in, “Really? You can return makeup even after you’ve used it?!!” They didn’t believe me! 😮
And I fully appreciate that in some countries, returning beauty products is not an option. And I understand the reasons for it – it’s costly and wasteful. I think the ability to return products so easily in North America makes customers lazy and thoughtless. Think about it, if you’re not able to return a makeup item, it would put the onus on the consumers to do a LOT of research and think through their purchases beforehand. But it also puts the responsibility back on companies to make darn well sure that the products they’re putting out on the market are as claimed – if a customer had a bad experience with your product and could not return it, they’re less likely to buy from your brand again.
What are your thoughts on returning makeup / beauty products? Do you return things on a regular basis or rarely? What are your reasons for returning things usually? What was the last beauty item you returned?
stash matters 
This was a great post! I do return makeup (like you, sometimes I buy a product I already have, oops) but I have very rarely ever returned a product due to 1 or 2. 1 because I guess I’m used to just “being stuck” with a product that doesn’t quite do what it claims, and 2 because strangely the only things I’ve ever been allergic to are drugstore products so I can’t return them used (right?).
When I’m REALLY unhappy with a product (very rare) I end up just contacting CS and bitching about it. The last time that happened, Revlon sent me coupons that basically reimbursed me for the product.
The only time I ever returned used makeup was ages ago – MAC Hyperreal foundation! I just didn’t like it – and as soon as I returned it, the SA chucked it into the garbage. I was a bit stunned, but it did make sense. They weren’t to know what I might have done to it, so they probably couldn’t even use it as a tester. I felt so badly about the wastage that it’s put me off returning used stuff. Which is silly from an economic perspective, but it does make me more careful about what I buy.
As for serial returners (90% whoa!), I’m honestly stunned that they just don’t get blacklisted entirely!
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I’ve returned things due to allergies, but more often than not, I pass them onto a friend. Yes, you can return used products to drugstores too! The SAs at Shoppers ALWAYS tell me, if you don’t like it when you try it, just return it (but I never / hardly do!)
Haha I’ve not complained to CS about a product – maybe I should do that!
Oh man… Hyperreal foundation, that brings me back! Yes MAC tosses their returns which I think is a good policy. I’m sure they’re built a percentage into their margins to account for their return rates. I used to think they created testers out of the returns too. But you’re right, people could have tampered with them! I read on MUA ages ago a post this anon user boasting about buying high-end stuff and pouring the product out and replacing it with crap (like La Mer cream and putting random lotion back in the jar) and returning them!!! I was shocked and disgusted. Of course, it could have been an urban legend but I wouldn’t put it past people…
I’m surprised she isn’t blacklisted either – I asked her secrets – she says she always has her receipts and it’s her right to return stuff she’s unhappy with.
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I’ve returned a few things, specifically a mascara and a moisturizer. Mascara is SO difficult to know what you’re getting without trying the specific formula with the specific brush. And the moisturiser pilled up with the other face products I was using.
Nine times out of ten, if there’s a product I buy that I don’t like, I swap it with my roommate. She’s as big a make-up junkie as I am and I know she’ll use it and love it.
That being said, one of my best friends is a cast member at Sephora and she says their take on it is they would rather have you completely satisfied with a product and the fact that they make returns and exchanges so easy is because they want you to keep coming back to their store. In their mind, it’ll make you a more loyal customer if you’ve been treated well.
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I’ve never returned a mascara but I TOTALLY hear you about how hard it is to know how it will perform. Man, if I returned all of the mascara duds I’ve used, I would have saved a LOT of money!
It’s always good to have some pals to swap makeup with – I do that too! My friend recently gave me a bottle of Bobbi Brown cleansing oil because she didn’t like it – I asked her why she didn’t return it, she just didn’t feel right doing it.
Sephora’s policy is fantastic but I assume they get a LOT of people abusing their return policy? I have read somewhere that allowing customers to return products actually encourages more spending – they figure you can assure the customer they can return the products, and most of them won’t return the products anyway.
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I know Sephora cracked down on their return policy, and they will also absolutely flag accounts. If you can’t prove you purchased it there (receipt or on your VIB card history), it’s not getting returned even for a store credit. People were ABSOLUTELY abusing the policy.
If it’s a drugstore mascara dud, big deal, I wasted at most $10, but this was a $30 Benefit mascara that I absolutely loathed. I’m super big on their Bad Gal (love me a fluffy brush and good formulation), but I’ve never been able to get into their other ones. The new roller one sucked me in with the marketing, but I found it painful to apply and too prone to flaking. Thanks, but no thanks. I think it helped that when I went in to do the return on that one, I had already picked out a different mascara that I already knew I loved.
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Very interesting post. I wish it was easier to return makeup in the UK but it’s pretty much only if the products damaged, gone off or it looks to be used before you’ve even tried it. I tried to return a mascara and blush once as the sales woman picked up the wrong shades. I paid then had to go back once realising. Even then she didn’t want to change it. X
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That’s terrible – if it’s their mistake, they need to provide customer service and make it right! Sometimes the power shifts TOO much to the consumer but sometimes companies abuse their power too. It’s happened to me a few times at MAC that they gave me the wrong colour and I’ve had NO problems exchanging them – none at all!
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I know when it’s their mistake it shouldn’t be hard to change it all. Taking back any makeup is hard to be honest. I don’t think Mac’s easy over here. Must be a UK thing haha x
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This topic makes me rage-y, haha.
Like you, I rarely return purchases, although I’m less opposed to people returning clothing or jewelry because at least companies can put those back on the sales floor to resell. With makeup, it’s just a waste.
I have a friend who is a serial returner of makeup and it KILLS me. I’ve told her that stores will throw away returned products, but she kept returning them anyways, combined with asking me I wanted to buy the products off of her.
I’ve always wondered if stores will throw products away when you specifically tell them that you never opened the product – I hope not!
Anyways, love this Chatty Tuesdays idea! Great post 🙂 can’t wait to see more!
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Sephora is not a library! That’s what I want to tell people! 😛 The nerve of your friend to ask you to buy the makeup off her! My coworker who didn’t want to return the foundation (or even exchange it) is now telling me she’s going to bring it in for me since she thinks it’ll match me better (it’s too light for her) – of course she won’t take money for it!
I do suspect that companies do throw out things even if you tell them it hasn’t been used! I feel bad about that, now thinking about it. I mean, people can claim they haven’t used it but maybe they did – they could just be claiming they didn’t use it thinking they can’t return it otherwise (but they did in fact test the product). Who knows! As a consumer, I guess I have a better peace of mind knowing customer returns aren’t put back into circulation…
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Hey, win that you get to try a new foundation out of this situation! The same thing happened to me once when I got colour-matched at MAC. Looked great on me in the store, bought it, got halfway home and realized I was orange in the rearview mirror. Returned it the next day. Hope they resold the foundation, but you brought up a good point about having peace of mind knowing returned makeup isn’t being put back on the shelves. What a waste, though 😦
There have actually been a few things my friend asked me to buy off her that were on my wish list, but if I want it, I’ll get it from the store myself (AND get the points for it!) 😛
It’s great that Sephora (and other stores) give samples out – of course, there’s always the odd item you can’t get a sample of, and maybe the product just doesn’t end up working out for whatever reason and needs to be returned…but at least now people can’t use that excuse as often.
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I used to keep all my new makeup/skincare … The good, the bad & the ugly !!! Then I realized that if I pay 100$ for a palette (not to name it- Viseart) I expect the product to be at least very good. That being said I don’t return stuff just to return it, I still to this day keep product I should return !
If Sephora wouldn’t have this great exchange policy, I would buy a 1/3 of what I actually buy … another subject totally, but why is it so hard for Sephora’s associates to give samples! More samples = Less return !!!
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Wait a minute – are you telling me that you didn’t like the Viseart palette? Are you returning it!?
But yes, I agree, I have SO many items that failed for me that I probably should have returned (ie. the Smashbox palette I reviewed yesterday!)
You find it difficult to get samples at Sephora? Whenever I ask, they provide it. I’ve not had issues…
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Yes, I’m returning my new Viseart palette just because of the brow products. The shadows are Fantastic (My review will be on Saturday)
They give me samples at Sephora but it always seems like I’m bothering the associates !!!
I’m now better with what I buy …. NEVER again will I buy just for blog purposes NEVER !!! Having 30 eyeshadow palettes that I love is one thing, but buying and keeping stuff I don’t like/ won’t ever use is a thing of the past 😀
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I have never returned any makeup so far.. The reason being is that I usually collects them if I don’t like them or use them and send them back home to my sisters and friends who might like them.. I don’t see it as a waste because I know someone will end up having them.. Same with clothing, I might have gone back to exhange to a different size or color but never for a $$ refund. And again, I shop a lot and things that I don’t use or wear goes straight to the box for my family back home as I send them at least once a year. But I also know someone that she likes to purchase expensive clothing not makeup though and wear them but keep the tag on and return them after it’s worn (as long as it’s within 30 days). I cannot imagine doing that.
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That’s really nice of you to send them to family! I do pass a lot of items to my friend that didn’t work for me. Some things I’m just really picky about and they end up liking them a lot! And I have bought things on impulse because the packaging was so pretty or some other silly reason – I end up not using the product so they go to waste.
That’s terrible what that person does with expensive clothes and returning them after they’re been worn. I know some stores inspect items VERY carefully before accepting returns. I’ve seen some dresses where they put tags in highly visible places where you can’t hide them to wear them – they know people “rent” dresses for special occasions!
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Oh she told me just don’t wear perfume so it’s easy to return.. “Say what?” Lol
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That’s just her trying to rationalize her bad behaviour! Tsk tsk.
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Trueeellyy!!! Just wrong..
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Yep, we don’t have the option to return stuff here unless it’s sealed, but very little of our makeup over here is sealed as thoroughly as it is with you guys. I have returned unused hair products before when I simply picked up the wrong thing and even that is basically unheard of!
I rarely actually try something straight away any more so I’m guessing by the time I got around to trying it I would be past my return date anyway haha!
I’m very envious of not being able to return products when like you say they’re wild claims don’t live up to the hype, or when counter sales people will guarantee you’ll love it and you just don’t, I think that’s partially the reason I rarely buy from high end counters over here, there’s no return policy once they’ve promised you the earth and it doesn’t deliver!
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I find the idea of unsealed makeup quite unnerving, actually! I notice that Essence makeup is typically unsealed and the store people usually tape them up to prevent people from opening them!
And yes, I completely hear you about waiting so long to actually use the product once you get them home, that it’s too late to return them anyway! #makeuphoarderproblems
You’d think that the high end brands would have better return policy – think of how much money they make off people. It’s not a good way to build loyalty.
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Returning makeup is such a hassle. I feel terrible about doing it but I’m not going to leave the product at home when I could get my money back. I do agree, even though you tell the store you haven’t used it, I feel like they do throw it away which is honestly too bad. Great Post!
http://clairneriah.com/
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I agree, it’s a hassle and I feel bad about it – I probably don’t return things that I really should. I think they make it a hassle on purpose! It makes me pause and think through purchases more now – do I really need this? Usually I try to do research on a product before I commit – I try to be more disciplined now.
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I’m the same way too. I do research too. It just makes life easier lol
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I only return beauty products if they end up not working for me. Once several years ago, I had to return a shampoo & conditioner. The product worked well on my hair, but it caused my hands to break out something awful. The girl at the courtesy desk at the store was shocked to see my splotchy, red hands. Most recent product I returned was a bottle of foundation because I picked the wrong shade. I just exchanged it for the correct one. 😊
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Oh that sounds terrible about the shampoo and conditioner! I’m glad you were able to SHOW her what happened – I’m sure that helped your cause for returning them!
Oh yes, I’ve had to exchange for a different shade of foundation before. It’s so weird – why don’t stores have BETTER lighting if their business is to sell makeup to people?
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The foundation I returned was a Maybelline one I got at Walmart. But yeah store lighting is usually so bad. Fluorescent lighting needs to die.
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The only time I’ve ever returned makeup was because it was the wrong shade. Sometimes MUAs will match the color in the store but it looks totally different in sunlight or under a camera flash. I try not to return makeup because it’s so wasteful and I’m lazy. I don’t want to run back to the store. Always always do research!
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Oh! I’ve also gotten home to open the item and find a different item inside! At Ulta or Sephora sometimes people steal the one inside the box and replace it with a tester and reseal it so it looks untouched. This has happened to me several times. Gross! I didn’t pay for the tester so they always accept returns in that situation.
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Oh that’s absolutely disgusting! I bet theft at Sephora / Ulta is a huge problem. Some people are terrible!
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I’m always surprised how terrible the lighting is inside Sephora / MAC. I can never get a good shade match inside those stores. I always make them apply it on me, then I go outside in natural light to see how it truly looks! I hate lining up with a product knowing I’m not buying, but returning – I just feel BAD.
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I personally have no problem with returning makeup if it was the wrong color/didn’t work for me. If I’m not going to use it at all, or give it away to someone who I think will use it, then I won’t bother to keep it around. I’ve never had a person at the store really ask questions either. It’s pretty common and something that they see all the time (at least in the US).
As for people who return products “just because”… I see why it would be wasteful, especially because the used products are just going to be thrown away. But I’m not judging them either. It’s their business and not something that affects me. Unless all of these returns are driving up the prices of makeup as a whole, but I doubt that they are.
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But I do think people returning makeup “just because” DOES affect us, because this costs companies money, which is then factored into the cost of an item and increases the price tag for us. Returns and theft are both contributing factors in the rise in prices of products – not just the raw material or labour costs.
I’ve not had any issues returning things – I think in the US it’s much more common to return things. I don’t see it as often here in Canada before but I think it’s becoming more common.
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I love this post and I love the idea of chit chat Tuesday. Sounds fun 🙂
I personally do return makeup products sometimes. Not often, but sometimes when I get a product that is bad and I know I won’t use it…I will return it. I’d rather not waste my money on something that’s just going to sit in my drawer and collect dust. I worked at Shoppers Drug Mart for years, and I’ve seen people return EVERYTHING. I’ve been on the other side of many returns and I think it is the customers right to return something they aren’t satisfied with. The way I see it, is you work hard for your money. I work hard for my money. If you chose to spend your money on a product and you don’t like it, by all means return it!
When it comes to clothing, I make sure the store has a good return policy and I always leave the tags attached because I like to try whatever I bought on at home with other outfits, shoes, etc. before I snip off the tag.
I used to get embarrassed returning stuff I didn’t like, but after years of working in retail, I’ve seen it all. I’ve worked in clothing stores where customers have tried to returned stinky, wrinkled stained shirts claiming “they didn’t wear it” and jugs of milk that have been 90% finished.
With that being said, I only return products I don’t like, have bad reactions to, or I know I can’t use. I keep a lot of things, and try and use them, or hope they will get better. Sometimes I get creative and try and find alternative uses for them. I am probably going to end up doing a products I regret buying post soon, because I have a drawer full of stuff that I should’ve returned. Lol!
The last thing I returned was a moisturizer because it broke me out.
I think if more places offered samples and testers, their return rates would decrease significantly.
Also, when products are returned, the systems keep track of what was returned. If a certain product is returned many times, whoever is reading those reports is going to notice there may be an issue with that product. Returning things you are dissatisfied with can actually be very informative for the company.
I’ve had many encounters with the serial returners and I usually don’t mind. If their returning is ridiculous, then yes, I’d say maybe be more careful before purchasing something. For the most part though I agree with returning beauty products, but there will always be people who abuse the system, lol.
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Oooh! I was hoping for an insider perspective (as in someone who handled returns in a store). I agree, if you’re not happy with a product, then yes, return it. Companies do factor in their margin for returns. I know that the retailers aren’t the ones on the hook for it but the brand / manufacturer. Great information about the tracking system of items that get returned – that’s really good feedback for the company too. That’s how things get improved or reformulated. Once I had to return a BB cream to Kiehl’s because it broke me out and they had me fill in a detailed form about why, more so for feedback to corporate head office than to grill me – I thought that was really good.
Oh wow, the nerve of people who return clearly worn items and still claim they are unused – are they delusional?
Oh yes, I too have a bunch of regrets… I used to buy so much crap on impulse just because the packaging was pretty or I was in a good mood. DUH.
Thanks for the insight! 🙂
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Oh wow, sounds like Kiehl’s has a great system. A lot of people get annoyed filling out information, but most head offices require information be filled out. I don’t mind doing it because I know now, but I totally used to be one of those people who would be like why do you need my contact info? who cares why I didn’t like it? why do you need to know what happened with it? lol.
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I don’t typically react poorly to a product and if I do I usually pass it along to someone else who can use it. I do return things that suck though. For example, the quality of the Naked Smoky was a huge let down for me, so I sent it back. On the one hand, I don’t shop at places where returns are not accepted, but on the other, I try not to buy things I wont want to keep. I do feel that some people should be banned from returning like your friends friend who uses things and then returns them. That’s theft if you ask me.
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Yes I remember you mentioned how crappy the Naked Smoky was – for that amount of money, you should be happy with it. I’m sure UD is not hurting much from your returned palette! 😉
Ooh you said it, those serial returners are thieves! I never thought about it that way but it’s true. Such a waste! If she wanted to try the products, she should have gotten her makeup done using those products, I just don’t get it.
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You can’t return makeup in New Zealand, so I always make sure I research anything I’m thinking of buying. I hate the thought of wasting my money. Where does the makeup that gets returned go? Is it sanitised then re-sold or thrown away?
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Yes I was thinking of all the countries that don’t allow returns – I think North America is really unique in that sense. Here, the customer is king (or queen!) and companies bend over backwards to accommodate them. But it does open up to abuse of the system! Used makeup gets thrown away! And I now suspect that even unused makeup get tossed… 😦 Very wasteful.
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There are certainly pros and cons to it.
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I do return makeup products only because of reason 1! I’ve never actually had a product break me out or anything well I have but it’s drugstore items and they aren’t that expensive so I just keep it in my stash or pass it on but if it’s purchased from sephora or any other higher end store then I do return it because it’s pricey and didn’t do what it claims to do. I used to never return makeup products but I remember buying 2 foundations that equaled to around 90 bucks and they didn’t work out for me and I kept them that’s when I realized what am I doing I could of gotten my money back! Lol big regret there .. so now if it doesn’t work for me back it goes I hate hate hate returning things because for one it takes a while and 2 I just really don’t like the look you get from sa’s when you return something lol. I could be a nice friend and pass it on to friends or family but none of my friends or family members are my skin tone color lol! I usually return foundations and I think only 1 primer!
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I haven’t had mean looks from SA’s when I return things, usually I tell them what the problem is and they understand… especially foundations! That’s probably my most returned makeup item too – foundations – they cause breakouts or irritation! Also, I used to believe MUAs when they match me to a foundation colour and I swear they’re colour blind! If look orange and tanned – that’s NOT a good match!
Seems like the comments here in general is: if you’re not happy with something, you should return it. I should remember that more often – I definitely have kept things I should have returned!
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Yep! Every time I open my foundation drawer I see those foundations and it makes me mad lol, omggggg tell me about it!!! I always get matched veery wrong but under all the lighting and pressure you’re in the color looks good but once you apply it at home it looks crazy lol. I swear I’ve put all my foundations next to each other and wonder how the heck am I all these colors lmao!
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I’ve returned items for all of the above reasons. I have very weird skin/body so sometimes it will react with a product in the form of making me itch or burn. I really wish I could pinpoint what ingredient(s) make me react but usually the ingredient list is a mile long. Normally I will ask for samples first so I can avoid having to return them but not all places can give samples nor is a product always sample friendly. I usually know within a week or so if I will have a reaction but sometimes it can be two. Like the reaction that happened to me with the Maybelline Liquid Mattes, that burning sensation was not normal. I did end of returning it because obviously I have no use for it but I did decide to do a review just in case other people had the same reaction or to warn people at least that it’s not normal for it to burn. Same thing happened to me with the Dior Addict Lipstickb but that I returned immediately. I have been guilty of buying something only to feel guilty later because I really didn’t need it. I was at the MAC counter and I loved the lipstick one of the models on the billboard was wearing. I wanted that color and they said it wasn’t available as one shade; the closest thing was to combine a lipstick and liner with it topped with a different gloss. False advertising I tell you, lol! Well the color was not what I had expected but for whatever reason I forked over money for it. I got home and was like, why did I spend $50 plus on something I didn’t need or really want? I didn’t use any of it but returned it telling them I had not opened or used anything. It’s not a habit I do frequently though but sometimes I am a bit weak.
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That reaction to the Maybelline foundation sounds terrible! My skin reacts to random things too – I usually will react to something right away so I know if a product doesn’t work for me, I still have a lot of time to return something.
And yeah, sometimes I feel really pressured at makeup counters and just buy whatever they recommend. I’ve been getting better lately – recently the MUA at MAC tried to convince me I was a certain shade in a concealer but I wasn’t convinced (it looked orange?) so I said I’ll think about it and didn’t buy it. *pats self on the back* 😉
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Good for you! Ultimately it’s what you feel comfortable with as you’re the one who is going to be wearing it. When it comes to skincare, because I have extensive knowledge, I just hear them out, weed out what’s hyped up claims and either politely decline or ask for a sample. Makeup is a little harder though, lol.
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Love this post! I remember how absolutely shocked I was when I realised you could return used makeup in the US. Not ever going to happen here in Europe: you can return unopened products with some difficulty but once you use it it is yours.
I think you have gone a bit overboard with your returns policy, as I think it does open things up to abuse of the system. Still nice to know you have the option though. Our stores are on the other end of the extreme: I once had a rather nasty reaction to a product but had to resort to mailing the brand directly to get a refund. The store wouldn’t even consider a return and told me I should have requested and tried a tester before buying a full size. You have that organised much better.
xo Anne – Doves & Roses
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I agree with you – it has gone a bit overboard in North America! It breeds over consumption and so much waste! But, there’s something to be said about providing good customer service – it’s like companies are robbing you of money if their product is terrible and they’re essentially thumbing their nose at you and saying “haha, I got your money now and there’s nothing you can do!”
Do stores even offer testers in Europe? I remember not seeing testers available when I did some shopping around in my travels.
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Well at least it ensures companies provide great service or they risk returns. A little different here.
The good stores all carry testers, so you can at least try the colors before you purchase. Otherwise I would have even more foundation mismatches, though as you can imagine a mini tester doesn’t always give a great indication.
xo Anne
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First off this is such a great idea and I can’t wait to read more from the series!
Also, I completely agree with you! In the UK you can’t return make up and it really makes you think twice before splurging or picking stuff up randomly! It would be nice to have the option in some instances, but I find it crazy that some people can just return items as often as they do!
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Thanks! 🙂 I like discussions about beauty topics besides just swatches and reviews (those are fun too, but variety, ya know! 😉 )
I think it’s better for everyone to just stop to think about what they’re buying – there are so many ways to abuse the return policies.
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What a great post! For the longest time, I too had no idea that returning makeup was an option. I was floored when I found out! Like you said, it’s not a product that can be retocked etc, so it’s just so incredibly wasteful! Since then, I have retuned a few things, a couple of skincare products, a makeup brush that shed worse than my dog and a mascara that fell to my cheeks within an hour of wear. I’m sure I’m leaving out a few others, but I have the same principles as you on this matter. Don’t buy it if you don’t want it! How many times have I looked at my every growing stash wondering what I was thinking buying yet another green eye shadow, but I take full responsibility for each poor decision I make as I easily and eagerly swipe my cc at the beauty counter 🙂
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Brushes! YES. I never return brushes even though I really should – some are so ASS, oh gosh (I’m looking at you, Nars!) Haha yes, sometimes looking at my stash is a reminder of my lack of self control lol.
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Nice topic!! Controversial for sure. Lol. My thoughts are simple; if it doesn’t follow through on its claims or disagrees with skin it goes back. I recently fell in love with an IT Cosmetics product in the Bye Bye line. Now naturally I thought another product in the same line would be just as awesome…..NO! I purchased Bye Bye Redness and it was not just bad but awful and since I spent $33.89 I felt I had every right to return or exchange for something else because it didn’t live up to a single claim. Serial returning is a condition that I won’t pretend to understand but for me…returning is a pain in the butt! I would rather love the product and have no regrets!
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Oh yeah, that’s a good reason – if it’s a terrible product and you won’t use it, by all means get your money back! Which IT Cosmetics product do you love? Is it that CC cream? I want to try that!
Yes returning is a pain – I hate going up to the counter, trying to explain why I’m returning a product – I feel like I’m being judged! And I don’t return much either.
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I feel judged too. Haha Though Ulta never gives me a problem, they asked if I used it and I said yes and they handed me cash back. I like IT’s CC cream and Bye Bye under eye concealer. I have a lot of redness on my cheeks and the concealer paired with the CC covers it well.
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Such an interesting topic! People that are serial returners totally piss me off – they abuse the system and ruin it for the rest of us! I only return items if I’ve had a reaction to them or if there so far off of what they claimed. And even then, I hem and haw over it because I absolutely hate returning things- it makes me anxious.
I’ve noticed that since I’ve really been asking myself before I buy something if I absolutely love it, I’ve been returning a lot less things. And purchasing obviously!
Great post! 😊
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Yes, I think serial returners ruin it for the rest of us for sure. Companies definitely build in a write off allowance into their costs, so we have to pay for that too. I remember the hassle you had with the Foreo toothbrush at Sephora! Geez.
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Yup, worst experience ever! Ugh.
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I almost never return makeup. Mostly that’s just down to laziness, it is such a hassle! Id there’s something really wrong with the product (it’s broken etc) I’ll return it but normally I can’t be bothered. Conversely, i have twice returned something out of pure buyers remorse. It was embarrassing but I felt better about being embarrassed than I would have if I had kept the product. Both of those times the product was still completely unopened.
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Yes, if the embarrassment outweighs the hassle of returning the product, then by all means! I think those 2 experiences might deter you from buying out of impulse in the future though – do you think?
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I think you’re probably right! The last time it happened I made myself go return the product immediately so the same cashier was still there. It was super awkward but that was kind of the point 🙂
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