What happens to returned makeup at Sephora or Ulta?

I believe that they trash the used products, depending on what they are. I know the employees at ulta really make sure that no one is using any makeup but their samples in store, because they need to trash it otherwise. read more

At Sephora, we keep as much as we can for testers, but a lot of it gets destroyed. For any hair tool that is returned, the cords get cut and they are thrown out. read more

At my specific Ulta, if an item was not noticeably used, either as a return or on the floor, management (only two managers though) used to make us clean it up, or leave it on the floor as saleable merchandise. read more

Sure, people lie sometimes and say they didn't (a large number of people don't know they can return used cosmetics to Ulta), but most people are honest and give enough info to tell they definitely used it--saying things like "I didn't like how it felt" or "It was the wrong shade for me", things of that nature. read more