If you are a fan of USA drugstore brands or NYX Cosmetics, you might already be familiar with NonPareil Boutique, an online store that stocks brands like Wet n Wild, Elf, Milani, NYX Cosmetics and TheBalm (not drugstore) to name but a few. I was familiar with it but had never placed an order until recently.
I came across a 20% discount code (I shared it on Facebook if you’d noticed) and I availed of it to pick up some NYX Cosmetics Runway palettes 😀 Been wanting to try them, but was never sure how to get my hands on them without paying an arm and a leg. I realize one can participate in sprees but I don’t 🙂
Shopping on NonPareil Boutique is easy although browsing the store takes some getting used to. The navigation could probably be worked on a little, but I was very impressed at the range of brands available. They accept Paypal, which is great, and they ship worldwide, which is even better. However, the drawback here is that you have no idea just how much shipping can cost, until you have filled up your cart and checked for the shipping costs (including packaging and handling). It would be nice to have a sort of idea beforehand, but at least you don’t have to actually check out anything before being surprised with the shipping as happens with some online stores. I’ll show you below how you can check the shipping costs first.
For reference purposes 3 NYX Runway palettes cost me $12.67 in shipping. Each palette was about $8 (before discount) After doing the math, I figured it was still worth it because each palette came up to just under US$15 which at current exchange rates is about RM45. It might seem silly paying that sort of premium on the palette, but that’s the price we pay for coveting things/brands we don’t get here 😛
An earlier package that held an assortment of stuff including the Wet n Wild Greed palette and Rosebud Salve amongst others also cost about the same $12+ to ship. Let me show you in pictures just how to calculate the shipping before you decide to buy. For purposes of this demo, there are 4 items in the shopping bag – a Wet n Wild 8 color icon palette, a ELF blush/bronzer duo, a NYX Mosaic blush and a NYX Runway 10 colour eyeshadow palette. Total cost of the items is $22.95.
Step 1 – After choosing the items you want to buy and putting it in the basket, click “View Shopping Bag”.
Step 2 – In the drop down menu of the shopping bag Click on “Calculate Shipping Costs”
Step 3 – Choose your country and shipping method and click on “Update Shipping”
Step 4 – Decide if shipping is reasonable to you for what you have ordered
I’ve had 2 packages arrive from NonPareil Boutique so far and both times I’ve been impressed. The items come very well bubble wrapped in a bubble padded envelope and they are very well insulated so they don’t even move around in the envelope. I found it impressive. Some might find the bubble wrap excessive but I’d rather have a fragile product arrive safely since it has so far to travel.
My packages arrived relatively quickly from the USA by USPS which is really to do with the mail service but that also means that its relatively safe and secure. One took about 2 weeks and the other took a week.
Pros: Well stocked with USA drugstore brands, Good selection of products and prices, Shipping is affordable in the USA
Cons: Shipping and packing costs can be a little high for shipping to Malaysia, Navigation takes a bit of getting used to
They do run promotions off and on, and if you are in the USA, shipping is fixed and you could also avail of free shipping which isn’t available to customers outside of the USA. I do find international shipping a little on the pricey side but that said, I ran a quick look through the USPS international mailing costs and the base price for shipping to Malaysia is rather high so with packing and handling, I think its fairly reasonable in the circumstances. With a discount code however, it lessens the pain on the wallet 😉 Or you could always do a bulk order with friends so everyone shares the shipping costs then it lessens the burden.
Ultimately, if you’re comfortable with the final price of the product then I guess you’d be happy with it but if not, then there are always people who run online sprees for some of these drugstore brands we don’t get here. I’ve had 2 good shopping experiences on NonPareil Boutique and I hope you do too if something catches your eye! 🙂 I know I’ll definitely keep my eye on them for future NYX releases and maybe even Wet n Wild 🙂
Have you purchased anything from NonPareil Boutique? Or has anything in there caught your eye? 🙂
Paris B
You can visit the online store at www.nonpareilboutique.com or click here
Hanny says
March 11, 2011 at 9:05 amI shopped at http://www.makeupgeek.com for my NYX shadows, they charge USD 3 for international shipping, and my package arrived in less than three weeks in PERFECT condition. ^.^
The site is owned by the youtube guru, Marlena, and she also carries lots of other stuff. ^.^
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 9:51 pmThanks for sharing. Haven’t tried using them myself. I’ve come across the site but I never noticed that there was a sales page.
shuaddict says
March 11, 2011 at 10:05 amInteresting – just not for my wallet 🙂
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 9:51 pmErr… opps! 🙂
shen says
March 11, 2011 at 10:20 ambeen wanting to order from that shop! 🙂 thanks for the detailed review!!
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 9:52 pmYou’re welcome! I hope it isn’t too pricey shipping to the Phillippines!
Heidi N says
March 11, 2011 at 10:22 amthis is a great tip – malaysia doesn’t have a wide a selection as the states when it comes to beauty products. i would also recommend myus.com (a shopping/shipping service). You can get stuff from amazon (great for getting cheapo bargains), bluefly (more cheapo bargains) and consolidate them at myus.
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 9:53 pmThanks for sharing the sites. I have browsed Amazon but never bought anything because so many sites don’t ship internationally. I’ve actually never used one of those shipping forwarder services. Heard of them for a long time, but never took the plunge. Glad it works for you!
Cas says
March 11, 2011 at 10:53 amWait, they can ship to Malaysia? I never knew that. All along I’ve been buying them via sprees but at least they arrive me since I’ve had problems with some US parcels arriving me safely. But yay for Nonpareil Boutique!
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 9:54 pmYup! They ship here which is great, although as I’ve noted, shipping can be a little pricey 🙂 Perhaps next time you don’t have to wait for sprees anymore 🙂
Rahainah says
March 11, 2011 at 10:54 amI’m from Malaysia too and just to get things from NonPareilBoutique.com, I would join sprees organized by this online blog store that I trust and recommend – malaysianbeautystore.com. But apart from NPB, you could also shop from CherryCulture.com. The other shop carries a more varieties of brands compared to NPB 🙂
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 9:56 pmThanks for sharing. I haven’t purchased from Cherryculture myself but I have piggybacked on orders from friends. Some of them didn’t have very good experiences shopping with Cherryculture hence my hesitation in using them – items arriving broken and shattered, wrong products, missing products etc. I do agree they are easier to browse and do carry more products than NonPareil Boutique though and they go on sale quite often which makes it very tempting 🙂
Rahainah says
March 12, 2011 at 12:15 pmOuch! That’s such a bummer. But luckily I haven’t any bad experience with them–yet! 😀
But there’s always a first time trying, right?
milktea says
March 11, 2011 at 2:29 pmIt’s great that they ship to Malaysia! A lot of online stores don’t. Great post, Paris! 🙂
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 9:57 pmYup! Especially from the USA! 😀 Thanks Milktea – hope its been of help 🙂
Pink Cotton says
March 11, 2011 at 5:13 pmhi just in case you r interested..cherryculture is also on 20% storewide sales currently 😛
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 10:00 pmThanks Pink Cotton! I’ve explained my reasons to Rahainah for not shopping at Cherryculture but there is always a first time! 😉
Jasmine says
March 11, 2011 at 5:14 pmYou could try feelunique.com too, they do free worldwide shipping! 🙂 but the range seems limited to natural or organic stuff. Worth a look though! I picked up a few shampoos there and it was a great deal, since shampoos are quite heavy to post. Heheheh
ParisB says
March 11, 2011 at 10:01 pmThank you! Always up for trying new stuff 😉
Mari says
March 13, 2011 at 3:52 amIf I’m not mistaken, Cherry Culture and Nonpareil Boutique are run by the same company. So usually when one goes on sale, the other follows suit. I’ve purchased makeup from both and I’ve never had any trouble. I love eyeshadows from Milani and eyeliners from Prestige: so good and inexpensive! Their sales are a must!^^
ParisB says
March 13, 2011 at 8:39 pmGlas to know both companies work for you Mari! I love how they bring all these USA drugstore products to us in the rest of the world 🙂 I loved Prestige liners too!
tintin says
March 21, 2011 at 10:05 amHi
I was planning to making a purchase on Nonpareil Boutique but was wondering if you had any problems with the goods being held up at customs?
Thanks
ParisB says
March 21, 2011 at 10:21 amNope. No problems for me. If I have a problem, I will usually mention it in the post 🙂 But not knowing where you are, I’m not sure if customs may be an issue.
Wynnce says
July 6, 2011 at 3:48 pmJust get my stuff from them, totally agree with you! great service and speedy delivery (I’m paying the cheapest option of International shipping). I placed my order on Monday and received everything in perfect condition on next Wednesday. It’s great! Thanks for your recommendation!
ing says
July 31, 2011 at 6:57 amjust had abit of a rampage on the site! a bit torn with the shipping classes though, first class being cheaper and express more secure. any suggestions?
ParisB says
July 31, 2011 at 3:29 pmI used just first class shipping. Express would be more secure but I’ve usually had good luck with my international packages.
jing says
August 9, 2011 at 4:33 amOrdered lashes from nonpareilboutique.com back in June and there was still no sign of the shipment at my door by mid july 2011.
I tried contacting them through e-mail and phone and didn’t hear back until 2 days later.
They were really helpful and gave me the credit back for my purchase.
The reply could’ve been a little faster but I totally would buy from them again.
ing says
August 25, 2011 at 10:30 pmI’m shopping on the site for the first time! But I’ve never shipped makeup from the US before. Could you share which class of shipping did you use? Would be a great help! 🙂
ParisB says
September 4, 2011 at 11:11 amA little late, but I used the regular shipping USPS 1st Class International. The Priority Shipping is usually quicker and safer – needs a signature – but it costs more so unless you are purchasing a lot of items I didn’t think it worthwhile. That said, I’ve been quite lucky with my post 🙂
Vivian says
June 4, 2012 at 10:04 amHi Paris, did you get tax by Malaysia custom when you purchased cosmetics from US/ UK website? I wanted to make an order from NPB but afraid will get tax. Same goes to Sigma. There are sellers said that buying direct from Sigma website will get tax 15% by custom. Please help!
Paris B says
June 4, 2012 at 4:31 pmHi Vivian, no I don’t usually get taxed on cosmetics at all in my experience. Just don’t buy over RM500 worth and you should be alright but if you’re unlucky then I can’t say!
Bree says
October 8, 2012 at 6:56 pmhello there,
do they provide a tracking number for the USPS 1ST CLASS INTL?
Paris B says
October 9, 2012 at 1:39 pmAs far as I know, unless the package is registered, there is no tracing information for international mail.
Bree says
October 9, 2012 at 10:26 pmthanks for your help, anyways how long does it take when you received yours?
Alison Gray says
June 15, 2013 at 9:36 pmHey there, I recently started my own blog and in my third post I referenced your blog post, was hoping maybe you could check it out 🙂 The blog is called Wet n Wild European Delivery