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Fake-Up: The Con of Counterfeit Cosmetics
posted on Monday, 26 April 2010 @ 07:48 | permalink
Apologies for the lack of content, I've been busy with a Phil invasion, lots of Uni work and a lovely trip to London. New new content coming soon, including a film review, however, for now here's something recently published in Pugwash News...I recently decided, after excellent reviews from friends and a trial of some myself, to treat myself to a new eyeliner, in particular, a MAC Fluidline gel liner. Officially priced on the website at £12.50, I was excited to find one on Ebay priced at just £10, with free postage and packing – being a skint student, that saving of £2.50 meant an extra drink on a night out – fantastic! Fast-forward to a few days later, a parcel was stuffed through my door, which was of course instantly ripped open to reveal the eyeliner I’d been lusting after since testing it out. I applied it straightaway, even though I was going nowhere and my plans involved sitting around the house all day. But unlike my previous experience of the liner, 10 minutes after the application, I resembled a hybrid mutation of a panda bear and the result of ten rounds with Mike Tyson (this may be exaggerated slightly. But you get my point.). Disappointed, I remembered hearing about fake cosmetics beforehand – when making my purchase, I looked for obvious examples of counterfeiting, such as the MAC logo on the box. Logging onto the internet to find out more, I stumbled upon a plethora of sites with information about how to spot fake cosmetics, particularly on Ebay. The problem with buying from auction sites such as Ebay, or unofficial internet stockists, is the product not being in front of you – so any opportunities to check for the more subtle signs of fakery before you make your purchase are limited. And the downsides of these counterfeits can be more serious than panda eyes-unlike the real thing, some of these products will be peddled untested – so who knows what they could do to our faces...not to mention the detrimental impact they cause against legitimate manufacturers and the beauty industry itself. My advice? Go to the source and buy from the official stockist – it may well involve paying more, but you’re guaranteed the quality that comes from the real deal. And as for my experience, I received a message from Ebay informing me that the auction had been declared to be breaking Ebay rules, and I’m hoping a refund will be on its way - £10 which will go towards the purchase of a genuine Fluidline! UPDATE: After this article was submitted, I recieved my refund, and didn't even have to send back the fake product, and went out and got myself the real thing. And was not disappointed! Perhaps I'll review it...haha. |