Returning Opened Cosmetics

[punkinbutter]

How often do you returned opened cosmetics when the store policy allows for it? I feel like I end up not liking 50% of the products I buy when I get home and apply them myself under regular light. I always feel weird about taking back opened products and am not sure at what point I'm taking advantage.

[polarbearfans]

On occasion... I just exchange though. I'm able to express what I didn't like and am able to get something that works better for me

[pixy0stix]

I've only done it once.

[punkinbutter]

My main issue is that I'm pale. It can be hard to tell that something is too dark/yellow until I am home. Many brands just don't have products that are right for me so exchanging isn't an option. I feel more comfortable returning when its a product that one of their reps picked for me vs one that I thought I wanted.

[ralphlauren]

I never ever return open cosmetics. Ever

[pixy0stix]

I'm pale, too. I never return anything. I've had products that did pan out for whatever reason, but I just chalked it up as a learning experience.

If you need to check things out in natural light, put a swatch on and then walk outside.

[xokell2]

I never have

[nsl]

I've only returned a couple of things ever. Especially for items like foundation, though, I try to get samples of several shades before I buy so I don't have to return anything.

[jackie011]

twice- both to Ulta, and in both cases the salesperson told me to bring it back if it didn't work. In both cases I exchanged for the proper shade/formula for my skin.

[mrssavy42112]

This is exactly why I don't shop for cosmetics at the drug store anymore. Smearing it on your hand is not the same as trying it on your face. I've returned a few items, but the majority of the time I just didn't have the time to return.

[lmdbww]

I return all the time. If it doesn't work why throw it out when you can exchange it for something that does work/is the right color?

[beahbia12]

I just did this with one of the Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains at Walmart. The color I picked was just way too bright for me and I didn't feel comfortable wearing it. I exchanged it for a different color and they had no problem with it.

[Deleted]

I don't but it's usually because I'm too lazy.

[hz80408]

I do at Ulta, like pp's said, they sales associate often says bring it back if it doesn't work. If I spend $30+ on a foundation or $20+ on a mascara and I'm not impressed with how it wears through the day, I take it back and exchange

[kris356]

I have but only foundation. I have a real issue with a lot of brands oxidizing into funky shades of orange. I didn't pay $35+ for foundation to look like an oompah loompah.

[Deleted]

I think I've done it maybe twice. Once for a Bare Minerals starter kit after DH said it didn't give me as much coverage as my old stuff. Ha.

Also, decided to try the Revlon pressed finishing powder. Made me look powdery. So back it went. Gotta love Ulta and their return policy.

[futurepivko]

Jul 2, 2012 22:05:11 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

I never ever return open cosmetics. Ever

Me either. I either swap with friends (and now this board, if need be) or make it work.

I think about karma on this one. What if I got a returned, opened cosmetic? yuck.

[vampsterdam]

Jul 2, 2012 22:05:11 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

I never ever return open cosmetics. Ever

Haha. You make it seem like it's the biggest sin of all time!

I read a decent amount of bloggers who have similar features so I use that to help me. So far so good at guessing since I've made no returns.

However, if I picked out a terrible color even after I researched/had a sales associate pick it out, I would feel no guilt returning it to Sephora since like PP mentioned, it gets used as a tester.

Plus, I'm not baller to let $20+ just sit around not being used.

[kris356]

Jul 3, 2012 9:08:59 GMT -5 @futurepivko said:

Jul 2, 2012 22:05:11 GMT -5 ralphlauren said:

I never ever return open cosmetics. Ever

Me either. I either swap with friends (and now this board, if need be) or make it work.

I think about karma on this one. What if I got a returned, opened cosmetic? yuck.

They don't resell them. They usually turn them into either samples or throw them out. My grandmother worked at Macy's in cosmetics for years and I asked her. She also told me people would use almost all of the product and return it and they always took it back.

[futurepivko]

Jul 3, 2012 9:29:20 GMT -5 kris356 said:

Jul 3, 2012 9:08:59 GMT -5 @futurepivko said:

Me either. I either swap with friends (and now this board, if need be) or make it work.

I think about karma on this one. What if I got a returned, opened cosmetic? yuck.

They don't resell them. They usually turn them into either samples or throw them out. My grandmother worked at Macy's in cosmetics for years and I asked her. She also told me people would use almost all of the product and return it and they always took it back.[/quote]

I can't stand that. Playing the system, basically.

[mfluder]

Jul 3, 2012 8:05:44 GMT -5 lmdbww said:

I return all the time. If it doesn't work why throw it out when you can exchange it for something that does work/is the right color?

This. That's why I shop at Sephora and places with good return policies.

They don't resell - and I always express its been used. I don't see how karma is applicable, they clearly mark it with a large sticker when you return, then ship it back to the maker, toss, or use as sample.

[Kore]

Jul 3, 2012 11:16:02 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Jul 3, 2012 8:05:44 GMT -5 lmdbww said:

I return all the time. If it doesn't work why throw it out when you can exchange it for something that does work/is the right color?

This. That's why I shop at Sephora and places with good return policies.

They don't resell - and I always express its been used. I don't see how karma is applicable, they clearly mark it with a large sticker when you return, then ship it back to the maker, toss, or use as sample.

Yes. There's nothing shady or bad-karma about returning cosmetics that don't work out when the company clearly has a "Return for any reason" policy.

[Deleted]

I'll return something whenever it doesn't work for me. Which is why I buy from places with good return policies and save the receipts until I'm sure I'm satisfied with a product. And why I no longer buy beauty products from Target.

People really think that store resells used products? That's ridiculous. Everyone knows that they throw them away, then dumpster divers grab them and sell them on eBay.

[evans]

Jul 3, 2012 11:16:02 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Jul 3, 2012 8:05:44 GMT -5 lmdbww said:

I return all the time. If it doesn't work why throw it out when you can exchange it for something that does work/is the right color?

This. That's why I shop at Sephora and places with good return policies.

They don't resell - and I always express its been used. I don't see how karma is applicable, they clearly mark it with a large sticker when you return, then ship it back to the maker, toss, or use as sample.

This.

Don't be afraid to ask for samples especially with foundation.

[veruca5839]

I return frequently, primarily to Sephora or Ulta, occasionally to Target. I don't always have time to shop in-store, so I order online a lot. I try to research as much as I can before buying so I can get an idea of how colors/formulas will work on me, but it always comes down to whether it actually works on my skin in person. I save receipts until I'm 100% happy with a product.