Walgreens is one of the most popular pharmacy stores in the US stocking everything you could ever need for your body including a great range of cosmetic and makeup products from brands such as:
- L’Oreal
- CoverGirl
- Maybelline
- Revlon
- Rimmel
- Milani and
- No7
But what about when things go wrong and you need to return cosmetics to Walgreens for an exchange or refund?
What do you need to do and when do you need to do it?
To offer a guiding hand there, we’ve examined Walgreens’ makeup return policy in detail and will bring you right up to speed with how long the returns window is, how to make a return, what to do with no receipt, and much, much more.
Let’s see what we found…
What is Walgreens’ Makeup Return Policy? In Short
In short, you can return most products to Walgreens for a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase. This applies both to online and in-store purchases. However, for makeup Walgreens leave this to the discretion of the store manager at the store where you return the makeup.
Moreover, you are not guaranteed to receive a cash refund and it may come in the form of a gift card.
Here are some reasons for returning makeup to Walgreens which should secure you that precious refund or exchange:
- Mistaken orders
- Wrong items
- Unwanted gifts
- Defective makeup
- If you’ve changed your mind
- Duplicate orders
What About Opened Makeup – Can I Return that to Walgreens?
Walgreens does not stipulate a specific policy for open makeup but in our experience, you may be refused a return or refund if the makeup is clearly used and there’s nothing wrong with it.
If the makeup is defective, for example; if it irritates or isn’t as described then you should be ok to secure a refund or exchange.
It generally comes down to the complete discretion of the manager at the store where you return it to.
Some store managers will just issue a gift card to use in-store.
How to Return Makeup to Walgreens?
Unfortunately, Walgreens does not have an online return option to use like most other stores.
They do not allow you to return it by mailing it back to them.
Therefore, you will need to take it back to the store where you purchased it (or another Walgreens branch).
You should take along the original receipt or order number.
You can use Walgreens’ handy store locator to find your nearest store.
Will Walgreens Accept a Makeup Return Without a Receipt?
With a receipt, you can usually get a refund to the original payment method or exchange the item.
However, returning makeup without a receipt can be more challenging. In most cases, Walgreens may offer a refund or exchange for the item’s current selling price in the form of store credit if you do not have the original receipt. This policy is to prevent fraudulent returns without proof of purchase.
It’s essential to note that individual store policies might differ slightly, and they may make exceptions in certain cases.
As above, it’s very much up to the manager’s discretion at Walgreens.
What to Do Outside the 30-Day Return Window?
If the 30-day window has already lapsed you could try the following:
- Take the item to a Walgreens store and speak to a manager. Walgreens managers have overriding discretion so they may accept the return in certain circumstances.
- In case of defective items, write to the manufacturer or rely on the warranty if one is provided (although most makeup brands don’t actually specify a warranty with their products).
- Sell your fragrance on Facebook marketplace, Health and Beauty forums, or to friends.
How Does Walgreens’ Makeup Return Policy Compare to the Competition?
We’ve taken a look at some of the competition to see how their policies hold up in comparison:
| Competitor | Returns Window |
| Amazon | 30 days |
| Costco | 100% satisfaction guarantee (return any time) |
| Walmart | 90 days |
| Sephora | 60 days |
| Ulta | 60 days |
| Nordstrom | Return any time |
Final Thoughts
With a customer-centric approach, Walgreens aims to provide a seamless and hassle-free return experience for its valued customers.
While their standard return policy allows returns of most items within 30 days of purchase with a receipt, returns for makeup are at the discretion of the manager.
This is a fairly ungenerous policy compared to some of the competition we’ve covered.
Returning makeup without a receipt might warrant store credit or exchange based on the item’s current selling price.
As with any return policy, it is crucial to keep in mind that individual store practices may vary slightly. Therefore, we recommend checking with your local Walgreens or visiting their official website to get the most up-to-date and accurate information before making a return.
