How To Spot Counterfeit Cosmetics?
One of life’s most enduring axioms goes; if it looks to good to be true—it probably is. Sadly, too many people overlook this concept when they see something they like at a favorable price until the realities behind that reduced price come into sharp focus. This is true across the entire spectrum of luxury goods, including makeup, which is why it is important to learn how to spot counterfeit cosmetics.
They Can Actually Be Dangerous
Unlike a Louis Vuitton bag or a Gucci loafer, fake beauty products can be difficult to spot. Counterfeiters have become very good at duplicating their look, so in many cases, you won’t know until you open the product itself. What’s more, one of the reasons knockoffs can be sold so cheaply is the fact they don’t have to conform to the FDA’s sanitation guidelines, nor do they have to undergo rigorous testing procedures to eliminate allergic reactions. In other words, counterfeit makeup can compromise your health.
Labels Tell Tales
Though counterfeiters have become good at replicating the appearance of high-end cosmetic packaging, they still sometimes fall down when it comes to spelling, grammar and matching typefaces exactly. Many high-end products also come with supplemental packaging and printed materials. Be suspicious if these are missing. Go directly to the manufacturer’s website and compare the one in your hand to the pictures on their site. By the way, if you’ve decided to sell beauty products from home, it’s possible for you to be taken in by counterfeiters too. Pay particular attention to ensure you always deliver quality goods to your customers.
Packaging Can Lend Clues
Odds are, if you’re looking at lipstick, eyeliner or some other product by a company you like, there’s a nearly empty package of it somewhere in your life. Compare the one you know to be authentic to the one about which you have questions. If they aren’t identical, the new one is likely a fake (assuming you got the older one from an authorized source). Fakes usually come in cheaper plastics, and accessories like mirrors and applicators typically show signs of inferior quality. The fit of external packaging can often be substandard as well.
Price is A Strong Indication
In most cases, the major manufacturers have strict pricing guidelines to which retailers must adhere. They do this to keep the perceived value of their products higher. Whether you shop Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, or Nordstrom, the price will vary only minimally for the same product. And, in most cases, it will be exactly the same. So, if you run across a website offering it at a 70 or 80 percent discount, you can be pretty sure something is amiss. Yes, closeouts do happen, but if the price is just ridiculously low…
Great Is Difficult to Duplicate
Just to be on the safe side, always keep a bit of old product on hand for comparison purposes. In most cases, color, consistency and the scent of fake stuff will compare poorly to the genuine article. Most of the major manufacturers have a difficult to duplicate signature fragrance to their goods. Take a whiff of anything new. If it smells different, it’s probably not the real deal. Regardless, makeup should smell like makeup, so if you get an overwhelmingly chemical note off of it, you probably just got taken.
Fake makeup is more than just a financial issue; it also poses serious health risks. Whether you’re buying or selling makeup online, spend some time learning how to spot counterfeit cosmetics. And, make sure you carefully examine anything you purchase before using it. There have been some rather severe consequences.
Did you enjoy this post? Then don’t forget to pin it!
Vasundhra
January 7, 2018This is such an useful post! I am usually very careful while buying things on sale but it can get difficult to spot fake cosmetics. Counterfeit products do more damage to the skin than we can think!
View CommentShilpa Bindlish
January 3, 2018Thanks for the opportunity to know these tricks to judge what’s original. Bookmarking it for future as well.
View CommentEvelyn, PathofPresence
January 3, 2018Thank you for this insightful
View Commentpost. It makes sense that you get what you pay for but to be honest. I’ve never thought about it as I just buy from the brand. Appreciate you sharing this as it has opened my awareness ❤️
nadaliebardo
January 3, 2018This is SUCH an important question. You never really know what you’re buying. Which is why when it comes to anything that touches my skin, I make sure I go to the source and not random retailers online.
View CommentKate Veggie Desserts
January 3, 2018Such a nice article to read! After reading this I become aware to check carefully the cosmetics that I’ll be buying in the future. It’s good thing that someone like you shared this awareness!
View Commentchelf
January 3, 2018Great points! I have very very strong feelings against fakes. Not only are they dangerous like you said but they promote a lifestyle of quantity over quality which is not good for anyone, am I right? You can not fake quality!
View CommentTasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com
January 2, 2018This is such a helpful post with great tips. Sometimes we forget about how harmful counterfeit makeup products can be.
View CommentJacinta Gandy
January 2, 2018This is such a great article. I was unaware that so many cosmetic labels were being fabricated. Definitely useful to know how to spot counterfeit products. Like the old saying goes “if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is…”
View CommentLakshmi
January 2, 2018Love your content. Been following you on insta too. This is super useful, especially for someone like me who doesnt know much of the make up brands but likes to use them 🙂
View Commentleahismay
January 2, 2018Really interesting read!! I have definitely bought Counterfeit items in the past not knowing if they were real or not, I also didn’t realise just how dangerous they could be (health wise), Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom 🙂
View Comment