Return policy comparison · 2026
Drunk Elephant vs K18
Policy data verified July 24, 2026 by the Thrifle team
Drunk Elephant
B+
3.4 / 5.0 · Good
Winner
K18
A-
4.0 / 5.0 · Very Good
The verdict
K18 has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against Drunk Elephant's B+ (3.4/5.0). It wins 1 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return window: 90-day window (above average) versus 30-day window (industry standard).
Score breakdown
Five axes, 5.0 points total — the same deterministic grader behind every Thrifle policy page.
Drunk ElephantK18
Return window · worth 2.0
Restocking fee · worth 1.0
Return shipping · worth 1.0
Holiday window · worth 0.5
Transparency · worth 0.5
Key terms side-by-side
| Drunk Elephant | K18 | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 30 days (from purchase date) | ✓ 90 days (direct website purchases only) |
| Free returns | Yes | Yes |
| Restocking fee | None | None |
| Return shipping | Free - prepaid return label included with every order. | — |
| Holiday extension | None published | None published |
| Non-returnable | Items purchased from authorized retailers other than drunkelephant.com, partial sets or kits (must return the whole set), empty containers | Products bought at partner salons (must go back to that salon, not K18 directly) |
| Watch-out items | — | — |
Drunk Elephant tip
Buy skincare sets directly from drunkelephant.com if you might return part of it - retailers like Sephora have their own separate return rules, and Drunk Elephant's own site won't accept returns for items bought elsewhere.
K18 tip
This generous 90-day window only covers orders placed directly on k18hair.com — if you bought it at your salon, K18 corporate won't take it back, you have to go through the salon itself.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the better return policy, Drunk Elephant or K18?
K18 has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against Drunk Elephant's B+ (3.4/5.0). It wins 1 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return window: 90-day window (above average) versus 30-day window (industry standard).
What is Drunk Elephant's return window?
Drunk Elephant's return window is 30 days (from purchase date).
What is K18's return window?
K18's return window is 90 days (direct website purchases only).
Does Drunk Elephant or K18 offer free returns?
Drunk Elephant: Yes. K18: Yes.