When purchasing cosmetics, shoppers often face the risk of a mismatch in shade, texture, or formula. Many retailers maintain strict no-return policies on used beauty products, which can leave consumers dissatisfied. Target, however, adopts a more accommodating return policy for its beauty department. This approach prioritizes customer satisfaction and allows flexibility when trying new makeup, skincare, or hair care items.
Target’s Policy on Opened Beauty Products
Target generally accepts the return of opened or gently used makeup and beauty items, providing a significant benefit to shoppers who discover a product is not right for them after initial use. The acceptance of a return is contingent on the product not being completely empty or excessively used. To successfully process the return, the item must still be presented with its original packaging, even if opened. Keeping the box or container is necessary for the store to properly identify the product, its barcode, and its associated purchase price.
Standard Return Deadlines and Requirements
The standard return window for most items, including beauty products, is 90 days from the date of purchase, provided the customer has an acceptable proof of purchase. This documentation can be the original paper receipt, a gift receipt, or the purchase history located electronically through the store’s system. The standard timeframe is extended for customers who utilize the Target Circle Card for their purchase. Using this payment method adds an additional 30 days to the return period, giving customers a total of 120 days to return their item. The ability to locate a purchase history via the payment method simplifies the process.
Extended Guarantees for Target-Owned Beauty Brands
A significantly longer return period is available for products that fall under the Target Owned Brand umbrella. If a beauty item is identified as a Target-owned brand, such as Up & Up, Versed, or Smartly, the return window is extended to a full year (365 days). This extended policy applies even if the product has been opened and used, provided the original receipt or proof of purchase is retained. This lengthy return period is specific to the store’s proprietary labels and does not apply to national or third-party cosmetic brands sold at Target. The one-year return policy is not further extended by the use of a Target Circle Card.
The Step-by-Step Return Process
The return process begins by taking the item to the Guest Services desk at any Target store location. Customers should bring the used makeup item, its original packaging, and their proof of purchase to initiate the return transaction. If the original receipt is unavailable, customers should present the payment card used for the transaction or their Target Circle application for a receipt lookup. Once the purchase is verified, the refund is typically issued back to the original method of payment. If the original payment method is not available, or if a gift receipt was used, the refund may be provided in the form of a Target GiftCard. Online purchases can also be processed via mail by initiating the return through the Target website or app.
Returning Makeup Without a Receipt
Returning without a physical receipt involves using Target’s internal systems to locate the transaction. If the purchase was made using a Target Circle Card, a third-party debit or credit card, or a check, the store team can look up the purchase history using that payment method. This allows the refund to be credited back to the original form of payment. If the purchase cannot be verified electronically, the customer may still receive a refund in the form of a merchandise return card. This refund is usually limited to the product’s lowest selling price in the last few weeks. For returns made without verifiable proof of purchase, Target may require a valid government-issued photo identification and may impose an annual dollar limit to prevent policy abuse.