Ulta Beauty Return Policy: 30 and 60-⁠Day Windows, ID Rules & Exceptions

Ulta Beauty's return policy is friendlier than many beauty retailers' because it accepts gently used products, but the refund you get depends on how many days have passed and how you paid. Here's how it works, based on Ulta's own Guest Services page. For other Ulta guides, see the Ulta Beauty store page.

How long you have to return to Ulta

• Up to 30 days: most new or gently used products can be returned for a refund to your original form of payment ¹.
• 31 to 60 days: you can still return them, but you get merchandise credit instead ¹.
• Every return must include all original components ¹.

For mail returns the cutoff is firm: a return Ulta receives past 60 days is not refunded and is mailed back to you ¹.

Holiday returns for 2026

Eligible products bought at Ulta Beauty stores or on Ulta.com between November 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 can be returned through January 31, 2027, with the refund going to your original payment ¹. Purchases made after December 31, 2026 follow the standard policy ¹.

Receipt and ID requirements

Ulta needs proof of purchase for any return, unless it can verify the original purchase in its system ¹. It also asks every guest returning an item for a government-issued physical ID and either a phone number or email ¹. Ulta says it may limit returns when it suspects misuse, such as excessive returns, reseller activity or fraud ¹.

All returns are subject to Ulta's validation and approval ¹. If a product can't be verified in Ulta's system and has no proof of purchase, it isn't eligible for a refund, exchange or merchandise credit ¹.

How your refund is paid

• Card or cash purchases within 30 days: back to the original form of payment ¹.
• PayPal, Afterpay and similar services: when you return in store, the refund goes to a credit or debit card of your choice, or comes as merchandise credit ¹.
• Ulta gift card purchases: refunded on a new Ulta Beauty gift card ¹.
• UB Marketplace orders paid with a gift card plus another method (such as a credit card): the entire refund goes on an Ulta Beauty gift card, including the part you paid by card ¹.
• Check purchases: a service fee applies to any check returned unpaid by the bank, and there's a 10-day waiting period for these returns ¹.

Coupons and promotions used on the order are prorated and deducted from your refund or credit, including loyalty points ¹. Single-use coupons from the original purchase are not given back ¹, and you can't return items just to buy them again with a coupon, offer or points ¹.

What you can't return

• Gift cards ¹
• Wigs and hair extensions bought through an Ulta Beauty salon ¹
• Intimate wellness devices ¹
• Mini Brands Capsules that have been opened or unsealed ¹

Ulta says it doesn't resell used, damaged or expired products and disposes of returns that don't meet its standards ¹.

Returning an Ulta.com order

In a store: bring the products with your original order confirmation email and all original packaging ¹. In-store returns are the faster route; Ulta recommends them to speed up your refund ¹.

By mail: you pay the return shipping, and exchanges can't be made by mail ¹. Ulta suggests reusing the box your order came in ¹. Ship ground-only to the Ulta.com Return Center, 925 Belle Lane, Bolingbrook, IL 60490 ¹. Aerosols and other hazardous materials must be shipped under USDOT rules ¹.

• Mailed within 30 days with proof of purchase: refund to the original payment ¹.
• Mailed between 31 and 60 days with proof of purchase: an Ulta Beauty electronic gift card ¹.

Refunds are processed within 30 business days after the package reaches Ulta's distribution center, and card refunds may take 7-10 days to appear after the email notice ¹. Original shipping charges are non-refundable ¹.

Got a damaged item? You can return or exchange it in store with your receipt, or contact Guest Services for help mailing it back ¹.

Gift returns

With a gift receipt, returns 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 merchandise credit ¹.

Marketplace, delivery app and TikTok Shop purchases

• UB Marketplace items (sold and shipped by a marketplace seller on Ulta.com) can be returned in any Ulta store or by mail within 60 days; they go back to the seller ¹. If you paid with a gift card plus another method, the whole refund comes back on an Ulta Beauty gift card ¹.
• DoorDash and Instacart: return in an Ulta store within 60 days with that app's receipt; the refund is merchandise credit you can only use in Ulta stores ¹.
• Uber Eats: return in an Ulta store within 60 days with the Uber Eats receipt; the refund goes back to your Uber Eats account ¹.
• TikTok Shop: not returnable at Ulta stores or warehouses; start the return in the TikTok app ¹.
• Bought outside the US: must be returned in the country where you bought it ¹.

Rewards points and salon services

Points you earned on a returned product are deducted from your Ulta Beauty Rewards balance, and points you redeemed to buy it are added back ¹. If you're unhappy with a salon service, contact the store manager within 7 days of the service date ¹.

Quick tips

• Aim for the 30-day mark if you want your money back rather than store credit ¹.
• Bring your physical ID even if you have a receipt; Ulta asks for it on every return ¹.
• Return in store when you can: it's faster, and exchanges aren't possible by mail ¹.
• Still have questions? Ulta Guest Services is at 1-866-983-8582 ¹.
• Compare with other stores in our return policy guides.