Frequently asked questions

Cosmetics are products applied to the body to cleanse, colour, condition, or alter appearance. They include makeup (foundation, lipstick, mascara), skincare (moisturisers, serums), hair care, and fragrances. In India, cosmetics are regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and must carry a licence number and ingredient list under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Look for two symbols on the packaging: (1) the "Best Before" date printed as "BB MM/YYYY" or an hourglass icon with a date, and (2) the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol — a small open jar icon with a number and "M" (e.g. "12M" means safe for 12 months after opening). Always check both: a product can be within its shelf life but past its PAO if opened too early.

Japanese cosmetics use a date format of YYYY.MM or YYYY年MM月 (year/month). The manufacturing date (製造年月) and expiry date (使用期限) may both appear. Products stable beyond 3 years under normal storage are legally exempt from printing an expiry date in Japan — if no date appears, the product has been tested for a minimum 3-year shelf life. Once opened, follow the PAO symbol as usual.

A cruelty-free cosmetic is not tested on animals at any stage — by the brand or its ingredient suppliers. A vegan cosmetic contains no animal-derived ingredients (no beeswax, lanolin, carmine, collagen, or keratin). A product can be cruelty-free but not vegan, or vegan but tested on animals in some markets. Look for Leaping Bunny, PETA, or Vegan Society certification for verified claims. All products in our Vegan edit carry at least one of these marks.

Start with your undertone — warm (yellow/golden), cool (pink/red/blue), or neutral. For foundation, test on your jawline in natural light: the right shade disappears. For lip colour: warm undertones suit terracottas, peaches, and brick reds; cool undertones suit berries, mauves, and true reds; neutral tones can wear most shades. Our product pages list recommended undertone ranges for every item.

Fine jewelry is made from precious metals (14k/18k gold, sterling silver, platinum) and may contain genuine gemstones. It is durable, hypoallergenic, and holds long-term value. Fashion (or costume) jewelry uses base metals, plating, and synthetic stones — it is more affordable and trend-driven but may tarnish or cause reactions with prolonged wear. Our jewelry collection is clearly labelled with metal type, plating thickness, and stone information on each product page.

Yes. We ship to most countries worldwide. International orders are dispatched within 2 business days and typically arrive within 7–14 business days depending on destination. Import duties and taxes are the responsibility of the recipient and vary by country. You will see an estimated delivery window at checkout before payment.

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery for unused, sealed cosmetics and unworn jewelry in original packaging. Opened cosmetics cannot be returned for hygiene reasons unless they arrived damaged or faulty. To start a return, contact our support team with your order number and photos of the item. Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of us receiving the returned item.

The barcode (EAN/UPC) identifies the product for retail scanning. The batch code (a short alphanumeric string, usually near the barcode or embossed on the base) identifies the manufacturing batch. You can enter a batch code at checkfresh.com or cosmetics.delivery to look up the manufacture date for many brands. Batch codes are also used for recalls — always keep packaging until you finish a product.

Not necessarily. Many affordable cosmetics share the same base formulations or manufacturing facilities as prestige brands. The price difference often reflects packaging, marketing spend, and brand positioning rather than ingredient quality alone. The key is to check the ingredient list (INCI), look for dermatologist-tested claims if you have sensitive skin, and read verified reviews. Our store curates products across price points based on formulation quality, not price tier.