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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To return my foundation

134 replies

LaVieEstBelle159 · 16/09/2021 18:20

My current Estée Lauder DW is ageing me and so decided to drive 130 mile round trip to Boots in the mall to treat myself to a new more youthful foundation.

Went to Chanel and explained what I didn't want. She tried me with a BB cream (too light) and a Sublimage Le Teint which on first application seemed great.

She gave me all the flattery. I (stupidly) assumed it would cost about £40-£50 and when I paid, it was £105!! For a foundation. I was so shocked, I just paid it.

I feel upset because she actually didn't give me other Chanel foundation options only these - one she knew I wouldn't like and one that was very expensive. I said I didn't want a cakey look and I presumed there were no other options. When I went online later, I saw Chanel sell a few other foundation ranges in the prices I had expected.

The Sublimage is awful, after 2 hours, I look as though I've been frying chips in a sauna and for peri-menopausal, it's not a good look. It also makes my eye and lip makeup disappear and accentuates my pigmentation.

AIBU to take it back and say I was missold? Would really appreciate any comments please.

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 17/09/2021 07:49

I used to work for Chanel. I’m sure they’ll refund.

I was never very fond of the Chanel foundations. I worked for Clinique for 15 years before going to work for Chanel and I still think there’s very little better than Clinique and Estée Lauder when it comes to foundations (part of the same company).

Macncheeseballs · 17/09/2021 07:52

Comedycook, I thought this was the aibu board

Sisisimone · 17/09/2021 07:53

Firstly, Boots absolutely will refund you so don't be afraid to take it back
Secondly, go around all of the counters, be clear on what you want and get samples. Foundation is such an individual thing. Some of the ones people have said are amazing on her for example I though were awful. Armani luminous silk for example slid off and left a patchy shiny mess in a couple of hours. No7 Hydraluminous, just really flat and did nothing for my skin, binned it. On the other hand I love Chanel. I'm using a Tarte one at the moment which is also fabulous. I had my make up done a few weeks ago and she used Nars Sheer glow, I liked that as well. You really do need to try a few.

Comedycook · 17/09/2021 08:00

@Macncheeseballs

Comedycook, I thought this was the aibu board
Ha! Good point BlushGrin
Booknooks · 17/09/2021 08:03

Boots' policy is not to take returns of opened make up, especially if you've had a consultation beforehand. They can't resell the product so it goes to waste, I wouldn't count on them refunding.

pelosi · 17/09/2021 08:06

@Booknooks

Boots' policy is not to take returns of opened make up, especially if you've had a consultation beforehand. They can't resell the product so it goes to waste, I wouldn't count on them refunding.
I’ve returned make up to Boots saying it affected my skin. They have always refunded me.
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/09/2021 08:06

@Booknooks

Boots' policy is not to take returns of opened make up, especially if you've had a consultation beforehand. They can't resell the product so it goes to waste, I wouldn't count on them refunding.
There policy is linked up thread which says the opposite.
CyclingIsNotOuting · 17/09/2021 08:11

Not a chance in hell Boots will take it back. They’ve got the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced and unfortunately I’ve had a couple of different reasons to try there.

Computer says no. And repeat.

piscesangel · 17/09/2021 08:12

Chanel will take it back, even if opened, they have a 'no quibble' return policy.

Pottedpalm · 17/09/2021 08:13

I have returned a compact if translucent No7 powder to Boots because the outside coating on the compact was coming off and sticking to other items in my bag.
Refunded no problem; assistant said it wasn’t fit for purpose. Also showed me one in a plain plastic case which I bought instead.

Bagelsandbrie · 17/09/2021 08:15

I’ve worked for Boots in the cosmetic department for Clinique and they will refund if you say you’ve had an allergic reaction.

Pottedpalm · 17/09/2021 08:17

OP, knowledgeable people are saying you should be able to return it. If not, you could try selling on ebay. People will happily buy a ‘used once’ item at a good saving.

Soontobe60 · 17/09/2021 08:24

I’ve taken foundation back to boots and got a refund, I just took it to the main tills and said it made my skin flare up - which was true - and they refunded it no problem.

Soontobe60 · 17/09/2021 08:25

@CyclingIsNotOuting

Not a chance in hell Boots will take it back. They’ve got the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced and unfortunately I’ve had a couple of different reasons to try there.

Computer says no. And repeat.

I’ve had the totally opposite experience with Boots.
DobbyTheHouseElk · 17/09/2021 08:30

Yes take it back. For that price you want a foundation that makes you look fabulous.

Sounds like the sales assistant was very into her commission.

ThinWomansBrain · 17/09/2021 09:19

OK, been browsing/cutting through large department stores a bit less recently, but remembering the tribes of orange tinted women serving on high end cosmetic counters, I wouldn't trust them to advise on the colour of a dish cloth.

Geamhradh · 17/09/2021 09:24

[quote Hopdathelf]@Geamhradh that’s simply not true. The OP says she tried a BB cream first and didn’t like so they then tried a serum foundation, specifically Sublimage. That particular product is designed to be extremely light wearing and hydrating. To suggest it’s anything like Double Wear is not in the least bit accurate.[/quote]
That's not what I said. I quoted the OP who said she had told the assistant what she DIDN'T want. Which was something light and glowy. Then was offered either a BB or Sublimage but not any of the foundations with a coverage more similar to DW which was what she (presumably) was looking for.

Bagelsandbrie · 17/09/2021 09:45

@ThinWomansBrain

OK, been browsing/cutting through large department stores a bit less recently, but remembering the tribes of orange tinted women serving on high end cosmetic counters, I wouldn't trust them to advise on the colour of a dish cloth.
That’s a bit of an unfair comment.

You get good and bad make up consultants like everything else. There’s a lot of training for each brand. We are taught to match skin colour to the foundation exactly, but many women don’t actually want that - including the consultants themselves! I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve put a foundation on someone that is an absolutely perfect match and they look and say it’s way too pale (!) or the other way round…! Sometimes you just can’t win. All you can do is try and find a consultant whose make up you like the look of and try and give them a go. Keep in mind as well that some of the brands - like Clinique are really specific about what make up consultants themselves have to wear. In real life (!) my make up is and was always super natural but when I worked on the counter I had to wear about 14 different things…! And the area managers do do spot checks and tell you off if your image isn’t exactly to their standard.

DinosaurDuvet · 17/09/2021 09:59

Did it look like that when the sales assistant applied it, after a few hours?

If not, I'd say your skincare is too heavy for your skin type (very possible if you have been compensating for wearing a really drying foundation like Double Wear). Also, are you using any powder? How are you applying the foundation?

As a makeup artist I find that many people don't apply foundation correctly and that's why it doesn't work as well for them. For example, there is a big difference in the small act of stippling it on and swirling it on

Demelza82 · 17/09/2021 10:06

You were not missold, you had full agency and made a bad decision. Your level of entitlement is insane - suck it up

Original poster
LaVieEstBelle159 · 17/09/2021 10:51

@DinosaurDuvet I used the sample skincare they gave me and have followed the application techniques. Though I did apply it on my nose and it doesn't tell you to do that. I used the brush that it comes with. It doesn't suggest using powder though I used a touch of baking powder.

I know people think it's entitlement to ask to return something but it's a tiny pot that doesn't do what I believe it should do.

OP posts:
Jaxhog · 17/09/2021 10:56

Why not take a photo and send it to them and ask? Save you a trip.

Sommernacht89 · 17/09/2021 11:01

@macncheeseballs.Agree with you.Most women look hideous with caked on face stuff and dont get be going on those lip fillers,looks like being stung by bees!

Maves · 17/09/2021 11:05

Try the double wear primer before the foundation game changer.

DinosaurDuvet · 17/09/2021 11:16

@LaVieEstBelle159 were they skincare samples they picked specifically for your skin type or just random samples? 🤔

I would apply a translucent setting powder to the skin with a damp sponge, using a stippling motion. Your skin should feel silky soft when correctly set, not sticky, wet or tacky. Hope that helps