ONLINE makeup stores are giving traditional retailers a run for your money. Meld beauty columnist Roseanne Tang offers some tips on how, and where to shop.
Shopping online can be a great way to save some extra dollars, and the same is true when it comes to shopping for makeup.
Buying beauty products over-the-counter can be an expensive exercise in Australia, and you could find yourself forking out as much as twice the original retail price as retailers factor in the high cost of import taxes.
A solution to that is to shop online, though you will have to watch what you’re shelling out for in terms of shipping costs. I find the best way to offset shipping costs is to place an order with your friends and share the cost of shipping.
Before you commit, you should find out what other people are saying about the product or retail store you intend to buy from. You may not be able to try or test it in person, but you can “shop around” and do some research online.
Find out what the regular retail price is for the item you want to buy, and suss out the credibility of the website. You want to be confident you’re getting a genuine product.
It’s helpful to check the “About Me” section of the store’s website, and there are plenty of reviews on YouTube,makeupalley.com and blogs.
With all that said and done, these are my personal top three online makeup stores:
All Cosmetics Wholesale was one of the first sites I came across when I started sourcing for makeup and beauty products online.
All Cosmetics Wholesale
It offers a large variety of desired brands including M.A.C Cosmetics and M.A.C brushes – which in Australia may cost from $60 to more than $100 each. Here, you’ll be able to bag a brush for between $20 and $30, which is what it usually retails for in the United States.
You’ll also find Benefit, Bobbi Brown, Dior, and even more professional makeup brands like Kryolan and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.
Shipping usually comes to about US$30, which can be easily shared with a friend.
The down side to The Beauty Club is the $165 annual membership fee (though you can currently sign up for $55), but it’s worth your while especially if you are a big buyer.
The Beauty Club
The range is absolutely extensive – more than 16,000 cosmetics and fragrance products, including all major brands and popular products on the market.
Prices are 10 to 20 per cent cheaper than other online cosmetic stores, shipping is free, and your goodies are delivered within the week.
Cosme-De is a Hong Kong-based online make up retail store. I like it because it carries not only Western brands, but Asian brands like Ettusias, Etude House, Fancl and Kanebo.
Cosme-De
Shipping is free internationally regardless of order size, and they often throw in a freebie to boot.
And, fans of NARS would know just how hard it is to find their blushes online, but you’ll be pleased to know Cosme-De carries the popular lines.
Do you buy your makeup online? Where do you shop? Tell us in the comments section below.
Strawberry.net has free shipping worldwide – and loyalty discounts and free gifts if you purchase over a certain amount. They have a great range of cosmetics and fragrances.
Wow! I like I like..:) 🙂 🙂
i love to shop at cosme-de.com also as they are offering free shipping, so i am no need to buy too much at one time, even my frist time order with them.
wow cosme-de.com seems really good! i just checked them out..have you ordered from them a lot?
I shop at Adore Beauty ( http://www.adorebeauty.com.au ). They’re in Carlton North, too, so free shipping if you pick up your purchases at the shop.
Cosme-De isnt so great if you live in the US. their prices are more, about $5 and above.
I have received terrible customer service recently! And I would encourage all potential buyers to avoid this website at all costs!!!
1. Five months later my order has still not arrived and despite many emails, Sheri Butte copy and pasted the same replies to me, like she was an automated computer.
2. Today, she sent me an email to advise that the parcel had been returned because of an incorrect address.
3. I asked for a full refund as I did not want to pay postage AGAIN for makeup that had been in transit for five months.
4. I was not given a full refund and she was highly rude and said it was my fault because I provided the incorrect address. That which I did not!!!!!!! I don’t know how she thinks she has the nerve to tell me where I live in Australia?!
Nothing but painful and rude dealings. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid!!
Strawberry net has had complaints on the net (google Strawberry net reviews) for selling products way past their expiry date, as well as ? about security with check out.
I usually buy from strawberrynet but have heard that their mac products aren’t genuine. Other things I’ve purchased from strawberrynet have been fine though, but like all things, sometimes it’s too good to be true…
Thanks a lot for sharing the information about online shopping sites . Recently I came across many cosmetics Online Shopping sites. http://www.CoolLifeShop.com is one of it.
strawberry.net never buy from them again. their products arent genuine! purchased a shisheido products.
Sephora is a amazing site it have amazing makeup you shall visit them
i purchased most of my makeup there but most of them are expensive
I use Adore Beauty http://www.adorebeauty.com.au all the time! They offer the best promotions and I usually get my package the next day. You can opt for same day delivery too which is handy as I can never find the time to get to the shops.
This is one of the best articles I’ve come across on this subject. It’s comprehensive and well-written. To explore further, click here.