Sarah Fisher writes...
Everybody loves a bargain - and beauty can be an expensive hobby. Plenty of us shop around for the best value, browsing discount sites, department store sales, and of course, eBay.
But the enticing deals touted by many eBay sellers are often not as they seem. For years, eBay has been rife with counterfeit high-end cosmetics, manufactured cheaply and without safety regulation. They're passed off as genuine, netting a tidy profit for sellers. Scary, right? Find out how to shop safe and avoid the fakes after the jump.
Palettes, brushes, face creams, eyeliners - brands like Nars, Clinique, Smashbox and Stila have all been duped. It's big business, and eBay itself doesn't seem to be doing much to clamp down on it. Some of the fakes are laughably obvious, but some can be very convincing indeed, especially to the untrained eye.
The best solution? Know your enemy! BellaSugar has created an excellent picture slideshow with examples of fake items to look out for. For more in-depth advice, visit Specktra.net's excellent "Counterfeit MAC" forum (you'll need to sign up for an account). Below are some key warning signs to look out for.
Foam applicators. If you can see these in the picture, run a mile! Most high-end brands, MAC in particular, never use them.
Palette colour combinations. If the shades look too bright, or just don't go together, it's probably a fake.
Font and design. The exact font and branding of an authentic product is very hard to forge. Look closely at the typeface in the image.
Multiple items. It's heartbreaking to see huge job-lots of fake MAC eyeshadow getting bids for £100 and more. Batch lots of items at low prices - it really is too good to be true.
Brushes. It's very difficult to tell a real brush from a fake using just a photo. Brush sets, single brushes, brush wraps: My advice - just don't risk it!
Feedback. Fake sellers often have 100% positive feedback, but relatively few points. They create new accounts once angry buyers start leaving negatives. If someone looks like they're doing big business but has a new-ish account, steer clear.
Finally - know your product. Visit your local counter and get a feel for the look of your favourites before you go hunting for them online. It's not window-shopping - it's research, right?
Ebay is a still a great resource for limited edition items, bargains and discontinued treasures. If you know your fakes from your faves, you'll still be able to net a bargain. Shop safe!
Related: Get five fake tans in one with Piz Buin's new Colour Dial