Turning Beauties into Beasts: Counterfeit Cosmetics

The purpose of this post is to share to you my experience, give you some tips on how to spot a fake product, and how private sellers of online hubs (especially eBay) use simple techniques to brainwash customers into believing they are buying authentic cosmetics. Remember, Caveat Emptor should not be a one way street.

Here’s a conversation that took place when Benefit Cosmetics was still miles away from Greenbelt 5:

Me: Are these authentic?
Seller: Of course! ☺
Me: One Benetint and one Highbeam, please.
Seller: Thank you, sis!
Me: Hold On. Do you promise they’re authentic?
Seller: Yes po, authentic from Singapore but not from USA. But they are the same po.
Me: HUWHAATT!!! Who the F are you kidding?! They are NOT the same, those are fakes! Please know your stuff and don’t fool around!

(The exclamation point was overused so I didn’t send my reply and just left the conversation.)

Cosmetics and perfumes continue to be popular choices for counterfeiters. Hundreds of them are found in the sidewalks of Divisoria or Quiapo. I cringed when I saw Hello Kitty Blush and Coralista priced at Php10-Php25 ($.20-$.50), now imagine my horror when this lady bought a dozen of them, probably making their way to her online shop.

It is not always easy to spot the difference unless you have the real thing and the fake in hand. The price can be a real clue but beware of sneaky people who sells them just a bit below the SRP - like the seller above. Grr! Big bucks for a load of useless junk! You must check seller’s feedback, talk to the seller, use your common sense and instincts, and do your research. Find out if that brand released a shade named “01” or “120 Eyeshadow Palette”. I bet Google will say otherwise.

Shoppers may be enticed by a cheap price tag, but the real price to pay could be much greater. Who knows what’s in these, for all you know it could be bird poop, mud and atsuete you’re putting on your eyes and mouth. And I don’t see the point of buying fake cosmetics - makeup isn’t a handbag to be swaggered in public, its something you use in private, on your face every day, so getting something that comes in the same packaging but with different formula is a waste of time.

Health must be given equal importance (if not higher) as to that of appearance. It must not be sacrificed for the benefit of the latter. Know your priorities, darling!

Don’t be swayed, be a smart consumer. ☺
xx, Kim