Counterfeit products pop up online, and they are not limited to handbags and shoes. Counterfeit makeup is sold that can appear to be a real bargain. However, phony cosmetics can carry major health risks. Products often contain harmful ingredients such as cyanide, arsenic, rat poison, urine, and lead that can cause serious health problems.
Websites like eBay and Amazon try to stop the sale of counterfeit makeup, but some products slip through the cracks. Here are some ways to tell if the makeup you bought cheap is real or fake.
Counterfeit makeup is sold at prices that are often significantly lower than regular retail prices. Everyone loves a sale, but if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Most brands regulate prices for their products, so they will most likely not be sold anywhere at extremely low sale prices. Fake cosmetics are often sold in bulk, so beware if you see a large amount of a product for sale.
Inspect the labels. Knockoff products will often have uneven fonts, misspelled words, inconsistent patterns, and incorrect shade names on the label and leaflets. Check the appearance of the item you bought against the picture on the company’s official website. Genuine products often have peel-to-reveal stickers that can be peeled back to reveal a complete list of ingredients.
If you have bought a product that you know was genuine in the past, compare its packaging to the packaging of the new product you have bought. Phony cosmetics often come in lower-quality plastic or metal casings and may have ill-fitting mirrors or sponge-tipped applicators. The shade should be printed on a sticker, not on the box. If the product doesn’t fit into the box correctly, or if there are exposed pieces of cardboard, these are signs that the product could be a knockoff.
Fake makeup often has a chalkier or thinner consistency than an authentic product. Many genuine cosmetics have distinctive fragrances (unless they are unscented). If a product has an overly-chemical smell or has a color that doesn’t look right, it could be a counterfeit.