It troubles me when I see fake cosmetics peddled online or in real life. I just got back from Bangkok and I saw what were purportedly MAC Cosmetics being sold on the side of the road with locals and tourists “snapping up a bargain”.
MAC Cosmetics, being one of the world’s most popular cosmetics is faked in great quantities and I think all those Limited Edition releases don’t help them. Most times, they don’t even look like the original product – all it does is have the original name on it. In skincare, I have personally seen fake SKII products. Its all very ugly.
But that’s the price of wanting to own such cosmetics which some people might consider out of their financial reach or who might just not be aware that fake products exist. When I say “fake” I mean products stamped with the name of a reknowned brand but which is in fact not the actual product or made by that brand.
Well, now be aware! Fake cosmetics exist and abound. I’ve seen them in person (night markets, bazaars, small obscure shops in small obscure places) and I’ve seen them online (Ebay is always one place to be very wary of) and I’m troubled by it.
Unlike fake merchandise like clothes or bags or shoes, fake cosmetics can seriously damage your skin or pose a danger to your health. You do not know what goes into making them. Fake Viagra has even killed people. They might claim to be from the same factory – the seller can always tell you that – but you still do not know what goes into them and if something goes wrong, you have no one to bring the matter up to. If you buy the genuine product, you can take it back to the counter or take it up with the brand if something goes wrong. But if its a fake item, you can’t. So there are a few things to keep in mind when buying cosmetics outside of the counter or store.
If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, don’t go through with the sale. There are many ways to buy branded cosmetics for less.
- Go to authentic warehouse sales conducted by the brands themselves.
- Buy during a sale at the counter.
- Buy from trusted resellers or friends.
- Buy from online sites during sales or clearances or from authorized resellers
- Buy from sites which have been authenticated and which will offer a refund if a fake product is detected
- Buy when people have online sprees (but even then you have to be careful)
If you really want to buy a branded product and its out of your financial reach for now, save up for it, or put it on your wishlist. Perhaps your friends or family could help you. That’s how many of us do it. Or you wait until you see a good sale or promotion to snag it. There are very few items in the world that you “must have right now or I’d die!” even if it feels that way 😛
If you want to buy from Ebay (and I have) or any other online auction store make sure you know your stuff. Know your packaging, product names and product origins. Get clear photos of the product and ask questions.
If you buy something that makes you wonder if its authentic, its not worth the hassle even if its a lot cheaper than what you would otherwise pay for it. There will always be that niggling thought that it might not be the Real McCoy – and then what would you do?
In the alternative, go for a cheaper drugstore dupe. Many drugstore products these days are of good quality too and you don’t need expensive products to look good.
If you’ve been fooled into buying fake cosmetics or have seen fake cosmetics or know someone who has had a bad reaction from using fake cosmetics, do share your story 🙂
This is a community service reminder to “Stay away from fake cosmetics!”
Paris B
Great writeup on fake products Paris!! I agree with you – it’s always better to pay more to get the real stuff from the counter itself or reliable sources then to pay less and harm your skin!!
I’ve personally seen fake MAC stuff selling at ebay, night markets and Bangkok too… those look seriously off!! So ugly!!! >.<
Hiya Jenn
It really bugs me right? Especially when you know its fake yet people are swarming all over to buy it because its cheap 🙁
Being an expat living in Bangkok, I must say these fake stuffs are widely available in the city, so I echo what you said by getting them from the genuine counters. There is another place dear Don Mueang airport, which is called Jae Reng that sells all these products under one roof. Some said they are genuine and smuggler, but I dun know. I went there once, saw my regular EL Re-Nutriv selling at THB7000, instead of the regular THB11000, so that’s how much you “can save” if you dare to try. 😛 But I dare not! LOL!
Hi Shoppingmum
Thanks for sharing your views. Problem is you can never tell if these are real or not and I’m not about to slap onto my skin to try!
Good one Paris! I’ve seen those fakes MAC palettes in pasar malam everywhere and a friend of mine who wants to use MAC but doesn’t want to pay the price buys these fakes in abundance. I’ve advised her against it but got a reply that goes along the line of a person’s poison is another woman’s treasure…oh well, can’t say I didn’t try. Oh, last I heard she had some weird rashes developing around the eye area and had to undergo some treatment. Yikes!!
Hi Jessica
I’ve seen lots of MAC at pasar malam too and it always always bugs me. Thanks for sharing your story. The only thing most of us can do is dispense advise and if friends don’t want to listen, there isn’t much else we can do.
the thought about even putting on “fake” stuff on your face is already scary enough. For all you know, even the ingredients list might be fake! I’m not as concerned about fake or low quality nail polish, but to put anything fake on your skin or hair just scares me it sends shivers down my spine.
Hi Esther
The problem is that many people don’t realise that its “fake” products they are using which is the really troubling thing.
YIKES! I am new to Japanese cosmetics and since I live in the US, all my purchases must be made online. I recently bought a few eye shadows on eBay. They haven’t arrived yet, but I thought the prices were good. What price is TOO good (to be true)? My Kate Deep Trap Eyes eye shadows were $12 USD each, the Gel eyeshadow was $8. The vendors both had 100% reputations, but now I’m worried!
Can anyone recommend trustworthy eBay cosmetic vendors? I’ve visited some reputable online sellers, but the prices and/or shipping fees can be discouraging- especially when I’ve never tried them before!
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for someone living in the states? What’s my best bet for affordable, genuine, unexpired makeup?
Thanks!
Hi Neophyte Julia
If its any consolation, I haven’t seen many counterfeit low end Japanese products. It could be because its not all that popular worldwide and hence not worth making fakes of. The prices of the Kate items you mentioned sound about right (its about retail) and if the vendors had 100% positive feedback, chances are, its all alright. The only reputable online stores I know and have used for Asian cosmetics are adambeauty, ichibankao and strawberrynet (free shipping).
Hey, I don’t think you need to worry. The prices you stated are actually close to the retail price or slightly higher than retail in Japan.
You’re also safe if the sellers are from Taiwan. Japanese products are sold cheaper there.
Great post! I’ve seen Estee Lauder and SKII products being peddled by shifty-looking men who glance about furtively as they approach women entering department stores in China 😀
One look at the peddlers and you already know they are fake LOL
Hiya KittyCat
I saw it happening right here in KL! As you said, one look at the shifty eyed peddlars and the big black garbage bag the “SKII” boxes come in and you’d know its fake… and yet people bought them 🙁
Hi Paris,
Right about time u remind us about this issue..! Recently, I was stalking around few online store and I was taken away by this blushcosmetic site, UK base. By any chances, do u have any idea if this site is reputable w guarantee original goods? I notice they carry quite a selection that i can hardly find in other sites, at a lower price too.
Hi Pearl
Without having shopped at a particular site I cannot say if its genuine or not, sorry! I’d never heard of the site you mentioned. I guess the only way is to either take a chance or try to do a search to see if anyone else has shopped there.
Yes.. There are many fakes out there with knock out prices preying on unsuspecting consumers. So do buy with caution. Usually I’ll wait until dept store sales to buy what I want. Save up for the next GSS 2010.
Hi Cirrus
That’s good advice! We can all wait for the next sale to come round 🙂
agree! unlike clothes or bags or shoe, fake cosmetic products will harm ur skin!!! So really must be very careful on cosmetics products.. I rather pay full price to buy at counters!
Hi Jean
Yep I don’t support fakes in any form, but cosmetics takes the cake
excellent post, PB! And I couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve said. Branded cosmetics are mostly out of my reach so I’m always on the look out for bargains. Naturally, I have encountered fakes. At least with MAC I’m able to tell the difference but I guess many people can’t. Buying fake skin care is even more scary.
Hey Connie
Honestly I don’t think MAC’s numerous limited edition lines helps with identification of fake products. How many people can tell if a particular colour was not released in a particular LE collection?
Nice post! I bought some Laneige sample frm eBay Msia and luckily were ok. How abt this website my.bestbuy-world.com? They have another website for singapore as well. They sell sample size branded cosmetics at a low price. Another one is acmamall.com. Pls advice.
Hi SharonT
Not having shopped at the sites mentioned, I cannot tell you anything about them – authenticity or reliability. There might be others who have shopped so if anyone has, I hope they leave a comment 🙂
There are plenty on lowyat.net… I’ve seen em before… SKII is very famous…. RM30-50 for a full sized product??? quite dumb…
another thing to be wary, ASK FOR THE EXPIRATION DATE OR MANUFACTURING DATE! I got bought a brand new Jurlique face powder from LYN and silly me forgot to ask the expiration date… I shud have suspected something was amiss when she was selling it at such a low price (abt RM60+)… little did I know, I got tricked! When I got the package, she cancelled out the expiration date with a marker pen… but she forgotten the one on the product itself… HAH! It was going to expire in a month or two… I feel so betrayed and that product is sitting in my cupboard right now rotting away… I tried using it after the exp date but it gave me breakouts…
Be careful girls!
Hi Yuki
Checking for expiration dates is a good tip too! Thanks for sharing and sorry to hear about your experience.
Great article! Bea and I saw a lot of fake MAC and NARS at MBK. I was really tempted to snap a photo but thought I wasn’t good enough to be discreet about it 😛
Well Done! I Like it!
i brought from best buy world, but not yet reach, is it authentic?
I found a website where it sell many products and one of them is SK II.I am afraid that SK II isn’t original.I am about to purchase within 2-3 days.That website is Best-Buy World.Is it real or not?