When it comes to buying beauty products, I've always been a very tactile Kind of buyer. From the age of five, I had a thing for sparkling, lacquered stores like Nordstrom and MAC. They were my favorite mall pit stops, and as I got older it became kind of rest-inducing therapy for me to check out other retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and even the drugstore for new beauty products. (Unfortunately my wallet has the short end of the stick!)
Not only did I enjoy just strolling the hallways filled with tantalizing vials, glasses, and bottles, but I also loved wiping my forearm and testing it to see how shades would flatter my skin tone ( or not) or how the consistency of a serum or oil would lie on my skin. Hygienic? No fun? Very much! That said, now that IRL beauty sampling is no longer what it used to be, we are turning more than ever to online beauty buying. You may already feel good about buying beauty items on the World Wide Web, but for people unaccustomed to the process, or like me, prefer to shop in a brick and mortar store, it can feel like a daunting and overwhelming process. There is a higher risk of not liking a product and having to repackage and return a formula that you had high hopes for is disappointing.
So we figured we were doing Nancy Drew caliber detective work to significantly reduce your chances of getting these purchases returned. We reached out to our dear friends at Nordstrom – one of our favorite online beauty retailers of all time – to find out which products have had the lowest returns recently (kind of brilliant, right?). Below, I list the top 10 beauty purchases that Nordstrom shoppers rarely returned, as well as the beauty editor-approved favorites of each of the popular brands. Keep scrolling for 10 Holy Grail beauty products with a near-perfect no-return rate.
To be honest, it is extremely difficult to go wrong in the land of MAC. So we're not surprised that this matte powder primer is a crowd puller. Not only does it help curb greasiness at lunchtime (a particularly handy benefit if your skin is getting oily!), It also provides satisfactory coverage that can be built up and is invisible to the naked eye.
Simply put, this is one of my all time favorite concealers.
Eye makeup remover is one of the most annoying beauty products to buy. It should be easy to find a formula that will erase stubborn shadows, mascara, or liner in a flash without irritation, but apparently it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Consider yourself officially unencumbered by the task. According to Nordstrom HQ, the return of this gentle oil-in-water formula from Lancôme is extremely rare.
An oil-free formula, 24-hour comfort, sun protection factor, buildable cover … this is the foundation you've been looking for all your life.
Gift alert! Anyone can use this multi-purpose hair and body wash, but the men we know are especially fanatical about everything the Jack Black label carries. (Plus, the scent of rosemary and eucalyptus is great – clean, but still tasty.)
One of the most understated best lip balms ever. (Psst: the mint flavor is like, wow.)
We're pretty much dedicated to Chanel's collection of iconic fragrances. Technically, this Norstrom top seller is for men, but who says this mix of grapefruit, cedar, and sandalwood isn't for everyone?
If you love grapefruit but want something softer, this has a juicy touch of citrus, but it does balance quince, rose accord, and white musk. We have never met anyone who is not a fan.
Tech-wise, it's the jumbo size of this ultra-hydrating face lotion that deserves its coveted low-return spot. However, it is the formula (not the size) that keeps fluctuating in the high ratings.
If you want the same level of dramatic hydration but are oil or acne prone, we recommend this branded lightweight moisturizer. It is quickly absorbed, so that you only have the highest level of moisture with a matt, silky-soft finish.
If you don't want to sweat over (or through) your foundation and have high standards for a cake-free finish and high coverage, you need this top-notch foundation in your life.
We would have been surprised if this simple but very iconic body cream hadn't hit Nordstrom's near-perfect no-return list. The strategic blend of beta-carotene (hello, smooth antioxidants!) And other rich antidotes like cocoa butter and sesame oil works magically on even the thirstiest skin.
Professional tip: Prepare your body cream application with this milk and honey peeling. Your skin feels like that of a newborn baby.
For your information: The legendary face lotion for men is so popular that the regular version without sun protection factor is currently sold out at Nordstrom. We're sure it will be replenished soon, but until then, grab the SPF version (which is linked) instead because yes, you should protect your skin from harmful rays every day, even if summer is a thing of the past.
This limited shaving set from Kiehl happens to be another great gift idea. You get the brand's top-rated facial wash, Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream White Eagle, Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief, and the aforementioned fan-favorite facial fuel moisturizer.
If you wanted to dip your toe in the La Mer pool but aren't sure where to start, we recommend this best-selling, low-return eye mix. It's also a favorite among makeup artists (it's so dreamy under makeup) and the celebrity set.
This non-sticky sheen will instantly make your lips look full and pillow-like. It's one of our most beloved La Mer products of all time, and we love layering it under and over our favorite lipsticks and patches for that extra dash of oomph.
Face creams can be as good or bad, which is why we take into account the fact that this Chanel number is rarely taken to heart. You can use it day or night, and it's especially great for anyone looking for added anti-aging benefits like improved tone, texture, contour, and lift.
All the makeup artists and beauty editors I know swear by this shiny black mascara. It adds equal parts of length, curl, and volume – the trifecta! Next, buy the 3 most strategic beauty items for your sign according to an astrologer
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