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Shopping online is fantastic for a number of reasons: you get a selection of nearly endless options and you never even have to leave your home. Being able to shop from the comfort of your computer chair has never been safer, more readily accessible or more convenient than it is today.
That being said, there are certain products that just don’t lend themselves to the format of online shopping.
Things like food, appliances and shoes are more effectively purchased in person. Whenever you buying things that need to be kept fresh, examined closely or tried on, those items are usually better purchased in-store.
You could also add to that list things that are easily faked or tampered with, which means skincare and cosmetic products would be on the chopping block.
Buying skincare products online can be dicey for a number of reasons, but primarily because it’s easy to replace ingredients and scam people into buying something that’s not authentic.
Now, that’s not to say you should never buy these products online, because there are reliable places to do it-- you just need to know where to look and implement some best practices before you start filling up your online shopping cart.
1. Check the retailer’s return policy -- Even with a reliably-worded return policy, you can’t always be positive that you’re going to pick up every single nuance in the fine print. Do your best to at least get a general idea and feel for the company’s return policy, and make sure you’ve armed yourself with enough information so that you have a case if (and when) you have to haggle to get your money back.
2. Check the brand’s website for sales and-or promotions -- If you’re buying from a third-party retailing site, take some time to go back to the actual product’s website and check for any sales or promotions that might be going on.
More often than not, you’ll be able to save yourself a little bit of extra money, or at least pick up some freebies.
3. Check the feedback for independent sellers on Amazon and EBay -- Sites like Amazon and EBay are great, but can get pretty hectic when it comes to cosmetics and beauty items. There’s just a lot of room for independent sellers to try and pull the blinds over your eyes, so make sure that you check their seller’s feedback page and avoid those who have “just launched” or have poor feedback.
If there’s a particular product you’re interested but aren’t sure if the independent seller on Amazon or Ebay is trustworthy, try seeing if that product is available in online stores like those run by spa or salons, such as the high-end online store by Miami spa Bellezza. If it’s a product that a well-known spa uses, then most likely the product is of high quality and worth the buy.
4. Never buy “used” cosmetics -- It’s safe to say that, regardless of the situation, it’s never a good idea to buy “used” cosmetics. Again, this is probably something you aren’t likely to see outside of Amazon or EBay, but just avoid it at all costs, as there aren’t too many scenarios where this works out in your favor.
If you’ve got to be skeptical of even the newer items, keep your focus there and avoid delving into the bottomless pit of despair that is used beauty products.
Tread Carefully
Although there is much to consider when buying skin care products online, you should not be discouraged from purchasing them online, because it can certainly be done safely and without issue. Just keep a healthy skepticism of sites and deals that have name brand products priced strangely low, or who are running specials that seem too good to be true, because in all likelihood, they probably are too good to be true.
Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer, mother and business owner in California. Because of her busy schedule, she is often left to buy her skincare products online, but she is always sure to only purchase from reliable retailers.
That being said, there are certain products that just don’t lend themselves to the format of online shopping.
Things like food, appliances and shoes are more effectively purchased in person. Whenever you buying things that need to be kept fresh, examined closely or tried on, those items are usually better purchased in-store.
You could also add to that list things that are easily faked or tampered with, which means skincare and cosmetic products would be on the chopping block.
Buying skincare products online can be dicey for a number of reasons, but primarily because it’s easy to replace ingredients and scam people into buying something that’s not authentic.
Now, that’s not to say you should never buy these products online, because there are reliable places to do it-- you just need to know where to look and implement some best practices before you start filling up your online shopping cart.
1. Check the retailer’s return policy -- Even with a reliably-worded return policy, you can’t always be positive that you’re going to pick up every single nuance in the fine print. Do your best to at least get a general idea and feel for the company’s return policy, and make sure you’ve armed yourself with enough information so that you have a case if (and when) you have to haggle to get your money back.
2. Check the brand’s website for sales and-or promotions -- If you’re buying from a third-party retailing site, take some time to go back to the actual product’s website and check for any sales or promotions that might be going on.
More often than not, you’ll be able to save yourself a little bit of extra money, or at least pick up some freebies.
3. Check the feedback for independent sellers on Amazon and EBay -- Sites like Amazon and EBay are great, but can get pretty hectic when it comes to cosmetics and beauty items. There’s just a lot of room for independent sellers to try and pull the blinds over your eyes, so make sure that you check their seller’s feedback page and avoid those who have “just launched” or have poor feedback.
If there’s a particular product you’re interested but aren’t sure if the independent seller on Amazon or Ebay is trustworthy, try seeing if that product is available in online stores like those run by spa or salons, such as the high-end online store by Miami spa Bellezza. If it’s a product that a well-known spa uses, then most likely the product is of high quality and worth the buy.
4. Never buy “used” cosmetics -- It’s safe to say that, regardless of the situation, it’s never a good idea to buy “used” cosmetics. Again, this is probably something you aren’t likely to see outside of Amazon or EBay, but just avoid it at all costs, as there aren’t too many scenarios where this works out in your favor.
If you’ve got to be skeptical of even the newer items, keep your focus there and avoid delving into the bottomless pit of despair that is used beauty products.
Tread Carefully
Although there is much to consider when buying skin care products online, you should not be discouraged from purchasing them online, because it can certainly be done safely and without issue. Just keep a healthy skepticism of sites and deals that have name brand products priced strangely low, or who are running specials that seem too good to be true, because in all likelihood, they probably are too good to be true.
Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer, mother and business owner in California. Because of her busy schedule, she is often left to buy her skincare products online, but she is always sure to only purchase from reliable retailers.
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