Return policy comparison · 2026
K18 vs True Botanicals
Policy data verified July 24, 2026 by the Thrifle team
Winner
K18
A-
4.0 / 5.0 · Very Good
True Botanicals
B-
2.9 / 5.0 · Fair
The verdict
K18 has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against True Botanicals's B- (2.9/5.0). It wins 2 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.
K18True Botanicals
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
| K18 | True Botanicals | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | ✓ 90 days (direct website purchases only) | 30 days (full-sized products) |
| Free returns | ✓ Yes | — |
| Restocking fee | None | None published |
| Return shipping | — | — |
| Holiday extension | None published | None published |
| Non-returnable | Products bought at partner salons (must go back to that salon, not K18 directly) | Returns where less than half the original product volume remains may be denied at the company's discretion |
| Watch-out items | — | — |
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.
True Botanicals tip
They explicitly reserve the right to deny refunds to anyone suspected of abusing the policy, and require at least half the bottle to remain — using most of it before deciding it's not for you can cost you the refund entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the better return policy, K18 or True Botanicals?
K18 has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against True Botanicals's B- (2.9/5.0). It wins 2 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return window: 90-day window (above average) versus 30-day window (industry standard).
What is K18's return window?
K18's return window is 90 days (direct website purchases only).
What is True Botanicals's return window?
True Botanicals's return window is 30 days (full-sized products).
Does K18 or True Botanicals offer free returns?
K18: Yes. True Botanicals: see full policy.