← All comparisons
Sephora vs Ulta Beauty Return Policy
Side-by-side comparison of return policies, conditions, and refund methods.·Last updated: 2026-03-19
Return Conditions
Sephora
- Products must be new or gently used.
- Returns must be made within 30 days of purchase.
- Proof of purchase is required (original packing slip, order confirmation email, mobile order, or Beauty Insider information).
Ulta Beauty
- Products must be new or gently used.
- Returns must include all original components.
- Proof of purchase is required, unless the original purchase can be verified in Ulta Beauty's system.
- For Ultamate Rewards Members, purchases can be verified with an Ultamate Rewards member ID.
Exceptions & Restrictions
Sephora
- Purchases made on Sephora.com and in Sephora stores cannot be returned or exchanged at Sephora at Kohl's.
- Items shipped to Sephora outside of the 30-day returns window may not be credited back or returned.
- Items not in new or gently used condition may not be credited back or returned.
- Items without a Sephora original packing slip or other proof of purchase may not be credited back or returned.
- Items not purchased at Sephora may not be credited back or returned.
- Returns after 30 days may be denied or only eligible for store credit.
- Sephora monitors return activity and may limit returns to prevent abuse.
Ulta Beauty
- Gift cards cannot be returned.
- Single-use coupons used in the original purchase cannot be returned.
- Products purchased at Ulta Beauty at Target are not eligible for return, exchange, or merchandise credit in Ulta Beauty stores.
- All international purchases must be returned in the country of original purchase.
- Products purchased through DoorDash or Instacart can be returned within 60 days at an Ulta Beauty store with the DoorDash or Instacart receipt; refunds will be issued as a merchandise credit to be used at Ulta Beauty stores only.
Refund Methods
Sephora
- Original method of payment (credit/debit card, PayPal, Venmo).
- Online credit (for Sephora.com use only).
- Store credit.
Ulta Beauty
- Original form of payment (within 30 days with proof of purchase).
- Preferred credit card, debit card, or merchandise credit (for products purchased using online payment services like PayPal or AfterPay when returned in store).
- New Ulta Beauty gift card (if the original purchase was made with an Ulta Beauty gift card).
- Ulta Beauty electronic gift card (for returns between 31-60 days from purchase date with proof of purchase).
- In-store credit (if unable to verify original purchase price without receipt, equal to the lowest selling price during the 90-day period preceding the return).
Online / Mail Returns
Sephora
- Items purchased on Sephora.com can be returned by mail.
- Returns must be initiated within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
Ulta Beauty
- Online purchases can be returned by mail to the Ulta.com Returns Center.
- To avoid return shipping costs and potentially speed up the refund, online purchases can also be returned to any Ulta Beauty store.
In-Store Returns
Sephora
- Items purchased from Sephora.com, in Sephora stores, Buy Online and Pick Up orders, Same-Day Delivery orders, and Instacart, Doordash, or Uber Eats orders can be returned to any freestanding Sephora store.
- Returns must be within 30 days if the product is in new or gently used condition with a receipt or gift receipt.
- Bring an original packing slip, Sephora.com Order or Shipping Confirmation email, the Sephora.com order on your mobile device, or your Beauty Insider information.
- Bring the debit or credit card used for the purchase.
Ulta Beauty
- Items purchased in-store can be returned to any Ulta Beauty store.
- Products returned within 60 days of the original purchase with the original receipt will be fully refunded via the original form of payment; otherwise, the refund will be made in the form of an in-store credit.
Gift Returns
Sephora
- New or gently used gift products can be returned within 30 days of purchase for a full refund to the original method of payment.
- Gift receipts are accepted for in-store returns.
Ulta Beauty
- Returns with a gift receipt made within 60 days of the original purchase date can only be exchanged for a different product of equal or lesser value or returned for a merchandise credit.
Membership Benefits
Sephora
- Sephora tracks your Beauty Insider account to adjust points and spend after a refund is processed.
Ulta Beauty
- Ulta Beauty Rewards® points earned on returned products will be deducted from your balance.
- If Ulta Beauty Rewards® points were redeemed for a product and it is returned, those points will be added back to your balance.
- Ultamate Rewards Members without a receipt can have their purchases verified using their member ID for returns.
Exchange Policy
Sephora
- Exchanges are handled as returns for a refund followed by a new purchase, adhering to the 30-day return policy.
Ulta Beauty
- Exchanges are generally permitted within the return window for a different product of equal or lesser value, especially for gift returns.
Additional Notes
Sephora
- This policy is effective for all purchases made on and after April 24, 2025.
- Sephora monitors return activity and may limit returns to prevent abuse.
Ulta Beauty
- All returns are subject to validation and approval at Ulta Beauty's discretion.
- Ulta Beauty reserves the right to limit returns if there is reason to suspect misuse of the return policy (e.g., excessive returns, reseller activity, or fraud).