Tips for Buying Beauty Products on Amazon
Yes, Amazon “Sells” Fake Beauty Products Too
When it comes to dupes, the world’s largest Internet company, Amazon, sells them too. Now, before you misconstrue what we mean by selling, here are the three categories that all products listed on Amazon fall under:
- Ships from and Sold by [third-party retailer]
- Sold by [third-party retailer] and fulfilled by Amazon
- Ships from and sold by Amazon.com
For purposes of this article, we will focus on the third category, i.e. the best category – “ships from and sold by Amazon.com”. If you’re an avid Amazon Prime customer, most of the products you purchase fall under that category. Apart from free and express shipping on most items, items shipped and sold by Amazon.com come with a peace of mind that is needed when shopping online. Seeing a product that falls under a category almost guarantees that it has been fully vetted by the Internet behemoth and surpasses all standards in quality. However, some will argue that this category is not immune to counterfeits.
So, what does a newbie do when they are trying to ascertain the authenticity of a beauty product sold on Amazon? On the heels of Amazon ousting a few small suppliers from its marketplace, we composed a list of things you should look for.
Research the brand or vendor
Whether or not it’s a brand or vendor you’re familiar with, research is critical! Before hitting the checkout, visit the company’s site (outside of Amazon) and match the information provided on its site to what you see on Amazon. Some of the things you want to look out for especially are: product names and descriptions, images, and pricing. For the most part, vendors keep their prices consistent even when they are selling on third party sites. Sometimes there may be a slight decrease in price, but it’s nothing vast enough to raise red flags.
Read the reviews
The more reviews a product has, the higher the chances are that the product is popular, the vendor is responsive, etc. Look out for verified purchases as well as reviews that have pictures to accommodate them – those tend to be most accurate. If a product has little to no reviews, that should raise caution for you. Similarly, if the tone of the product is too “pitchy”, as in they sound like they’re trying to sell you the product, then buyer beware!
Read the product description
The more information you provide Amazon with on your product, the better your listing and chances of getting noticed in their marketplace. The listings that have exhaustive product descriptions, images, and other legalese are the ones that are least likely counterfeit. Stay away from products who skirt the details – not just on Amazon, but in life generally!
If the price is too good to be true, then it is too good to be true
When it comes to skin care and beauty, not all deals are worth it. Think about it, if this is a product that can alter your physical appearance, shouldn’t it be worth the investment? Amazon isn’t Walmart, so while you can find deals there, you shouldn’t head there looking for the cheapest products. You get what you pay for! Again, always cross check pricing with the company’s site to see if they are comparable. If you go as far as checking prices on similar sites such as eBay, Sephora, or Ulta, you are using the Internet correctly.
Pay attention to shipping costs and times
One of the reasons Amazon is so successful is because of its customer centric business model. They built a benchmark customer service model around fast, low-cost shipping, free shipping and returns (for Prime customers), and responsiveness to their customers. If there is a vendor who is not meeting these standards, you probably shouldn’t purchase from them. Amazon is a very competitive marketplace, so there is no need to settle for vendors who are not willing to adapt to Amazon’s foolproof model. Period.
With that said, anytime is a good time to purchase beauty products! Here are the top three products we’re purchasing from Amazon to take us through the hot summer months.
Aztec Secret – Indian Healing Clay
Face masks are great, but have you ever tried one that literally vibrates as it draws out all the gook from your skin?! This deep pore cleansing facial and body mask is 100% natural calcium bentonite clay! Unlike commercial masks found on the market, this stuff is the real deal – straight from Mother Earth.
Thayer Lavender Witch Hazel
If you’re looking to combat summer acne and tackle hyperpigmentation, this alcohol-free skin toner will work perfectly with the Indian Healing Clay! Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, you can use this product twice a day after cleansing to remove any excess dirt that was left behind. With patience, watch as your dark spots fade to reveal clear, smooth skin!
Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
Please wear sunscreen every day, all the time, for no reason or else we’re fighting! To be clear, sunscreen is for everyone – not just people with lighter skin tones. If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, for example, sunscreen is your friend. Imagine going outside without it and wondering why your dark spots got darker after a gazillion hours in the sun. While there are different sunscreens on the market, we like this one because it is zinc-based, water-resistant, and all-natural. Zinc oxide reflects light off the surface of the skin where sunscreen is applied; in other words, it blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Side note: all of these products are tested and reviewed independently by our authors. If you click on any of the product links listed in this article, we may receive a small commission from your purchase. We are not liable for any products that do not fulfill any expectations that you have. Happy shopping!
Related posts