ARE YOU WEARING FAKE MAKEUP?

HOW TO SPOT COUNTERFEIT MAKEUP, AND WHAT’S YOUR RECOURSE IF YOU BOUGHT ONE.

With inflation and a possible recession on the horizon, it looks like things are not getting any less expensive soon. So, scoring a great deal online for your cosmetics seems like a smart thing to do, right? Well, it may seem like the best deal (at the time), but really, if it’s too good to be true, it most probably is.

Broken, an investigative Netflix series, showcases how consumerism has caused deceitful practices in the marketplace. The show starts with how counterfeit makeup thrives – even if its ingredients can cause great harm.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Seasoned shoppers who are familiar with the brand will find it easier to spot a fake product. But when you’re shopping online or making a group buy purchase, how does one tell?

CHEAP IS A TELL-TALE SIGN

It is one of the biggest indicators of counterfeit items. Whether it’s designer bags, shoes or beauty products, the price is often the clearest indication. If you’re buying brand new, the price of your purchase usually includes prevailing taxes like GST – and unless purchased on a huge discount, it’s not likely to be that low.

Alarm bells should ring when you see an unusually low pricing without reason (such as a flash sale or brand promotion). That is often the first indication that the product is not the real thing.

LOOK CLOSELY AT PRODUCT IMAGES

One other factor to consider is that each picture of the product should be a clear and accurate representation of the item. If there are typos, differences in colour tones, misaligned logos or text, it often means that the product is counterfeit.