Unlike our friends in the US, here in the UK, we don't always have the luxury of returning a new blush or concealer just because it wasn't the correct shade or right for our skin. Sure, you can return an item in the UK if it's completely sealed or otherwise damaged, but you definitely can't return a product once you've tried it once or twice because the shade is incorrect. Well, now you can, all thanks to Boots [1]. The health-and-beauty retailer has introduced a "Makeup Exchange Policy" so you'll never waste money on the wrong foundation shade again.
Boots found that many people were seeking colour-matching advice during their Boots 1:1 Virtual Consultations [2], and it wanted to give customers the confidence to buy makeup while in-store testers and colour matching by Boots specialists are unavailable due to COVID-19 hygiene safety [3].
"With our new store safety measures in place, for the time, testers are no longer available in Boots Beauty Halls and customers have told us they feel less confident buying the right shade," said Joanna Rogers, Boots UK beauty director. "We know how frustrating and disappointing it feels when you get home only to find your new foundation isn't the right skin tone match, or your new lipstick isn't the colour you wanted, so we're now giving people 35 days to exchange their beauty buys even if the packaging has been opened."
So, exactly how does it work? Boots states in the terms and conditions of the policy that if you purchase a makeup product and change your mind (this includes products you've opened), you have the right to return it in store within 35 days (provided you have proof of purchase) and exchange the unwanted product for a new one.
A little disappointingly, though, the policy isn't yet available for purchases made online, so you'll have to take a trip to your local Boots to get the benefits of the Makeup Exchange Policy. Hopefully this is something Boots can roll out for online purchases in the near future.
Regardless, this is exciting news and comes just after it was announced Nars Cosmetics [4] and Laura Mercier will launch on Boots.com as part of Boots' huge beauty reinvention.
