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.

An elegant set of nails can be beautiful, but professional manicures are expensive. Fortunately, you can get a salon-style manicure at home if you follow these tips.

The first step is to remove any polish from your nails. Acetone nail polish remover is harsher than a non-acetone formula, but it works faster. Minimize contact between nail polish remover and your nails to avoid drying out your nails and cuticles. Don’t soak your nails in nail polish remover unless you are removing a gel-based polish.

Clip your nails if necessary. Square or gently rounded nails are best. Soak them in water for a few seconds first to prevent them from splintering. Use a gently abrasive emery board or crystal nail file to file the nails, not a metal or extremely coarse one. Use a slightly abrasive buffer to smooth the tips and sides of your nails, but don’t buff them too much because that can make polish not adhere well.

Add a small amount of gentle face cleanser to a bowl of warm (not hot) water and soak your nails for three minutes or less. Don’t use detergent or a soapy cleanser because they can dry out your cuticles.

Apply a bit of cuticle remover. Use a cuticle pushing tool to gently push the cuticles back away from the nails, but don’t push too far. Never pull, lift, tear, rip, force, or cut your cuticles because that can lead to infection. Remove hangnails, but be careful not to cut into your nails.

Moisturize your cuticles and hands with a rich cream or silky oil. Then use nail polish remover to get rid of any residue.

Apply a base coat to protect weak or brittle nails and to prevent staining and chipping. Then apply two layers of color polish and a top coat. Let the polish dry between coats. You can use a fan to dry your nails faster, but don’t put your hands too close or use heat.

Apply moisturizer and sunscreen every day to keep your nails healthy. Touch up your polish every other day with another layer of top coat to make your manicure last longer.