Stop buying fake-up

I have been meaning to write about this issue for a little while but other things kept getting in the way however its really important and I really need to share this… My message is STOP BUYING FAKE MAKE-UP!!

I see posts on buy/sell sites on social media, ebay sellers, pop up shops and market stalls all selling fake makeup and you really musn’t buy it.  This is why.

 

What are you paying for?

So, while the packaging is convincing and might seem genuine to the untrained eye, what you are paying for is a health hazard in pretty boxes.  Last weekend I was out over the bank holiday and came across a stall holder selling makeup.  I went over to see what she was selling and it was boxes and boxes of Anastasia Beverley Hills Glow Kits, Urban Decay Naked Palettes, Kylie Jenner lipsticks and Mac eyeshadows.  Young girls and women were frantically handing their money over and were clearly excited paying £5 for an Anastasia Glow Kit instead of the RRP £39.00.  I picked up the Glow Kit to have a look and in fairness the packaging looked great – a really good copy other than the box felt a little lighter than the proper version (I use this makeup in my kit regularly  so I know what it should look and feel like).  I opened the lid and sure enough the products looked very similar and again, to the untrained eye you could be fooled in to the thinking it was the real deal.

 

 

 

 

So, I have several issues with this.

1. You buy makeup for the product ingredients.  Yes some products will cost more but that is due to having more expensive ingredients in them and being more highly pigmented (which means better quality, coverage and true colours that look the same on the skin as they do when they’re in the palette.  So buying fake makeup defeats the object of buying the more expensive brands.  What you are paying for is nice packaging and rubbish quality.  If you’re after the true luxury of these products then you need to pay unfortunately.
2. How has it been made?  Most of these fake items are made in China, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Thailand… they are then sent to the UK in plain packaging.  They will typically be packaged in sweat shops by illegal immigrants.  BAD!
3. The biggest concern – what on earth is in these products?  It is well documented that people are buying counterfeit cosmetics and having awful reactions to the products.  Swollen eyes, lips, infections… probably due to the mix of chemicals and cheap materials used.  I’m sure you wouldn’t put these products on your face and eyes/lips if you knew what was in them.

Please do not be duped in to think you are getting a bargain.  You’re not.  Infact you might end up with a few things you didn’t “bargain” for.  If it’s cheap then its fake.  It’s as simple as that.  If its fake, AVOID!  If products are current stock, on trend or old trusty high end favourites and they are £5 then do yourself a favour, put the £5 towards the real item and enjoy the benefits of the genuine product.

Gemma x