Five tips on how to buy beauty products online with zero regrets
These days, buying beauty products online can be a tricky business. Whether you’re online shopping in the Philippines for something you haven’t tried before, or attempting to get the best bang for your buck at your favorite brand, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options (or fall into a hole of looking at swatches to determine whether that shadow will really work with your eyes). Throw in the fact that star products tend to sell out faster than ever these days, and it’s enough to make you want to slam your laptop shut.
While e-commerce platforms in the Philippines may not be able to replicate the therapeutic feeling whenever we walk into a beauty department store and moving from counter to counter, patting and smearing beauty products, they definitely make shopping beauty products online from our beds an easy experience.
However, hitting the “buy” button without being able to try a product is risky business, especially when the product is high investment. But, lucky for you, we’re here to help by sharing some tips to guide you to make sure you’re spending on the right products for your beauty needs. You’re welcome!
Stick to stellar sellers
Most sellers on our current go-to online shopping sites here in the Philippines, such as Lazada and Shopee, display a feedback rating for sellers. Do business only with those who have the highest ratings, and keep an eye on the number of transactions the seller has completed. The higher that number, the more confident you can be!
Read customer reviews
Even if you’re shopping from a renowned online site, product descriptions displayed on the site can be misleading as various online stores place information strategically; leaving the most positive reviews right on top. Therefore, instead of relying just on the retailer, you should also consider taking your research one step further and read reviews from product review websites like here at Project Vanity, or check out your favorite beauty bloggers/vloggers! After all, product reviews often disclose small details about products you may never have thought relevant.
Compare the prices
The product you are looking for is probably available on several sellers and websites. So, before hitting that “buy” button, compare the prices offered by each other. But do not rush headlong to the lowest price as there are other elements that can finally make you choose a price maybe a little higher: expiration date, delivery time, reliability of seller, and the address of the seller.
Check where the items are coming from before hitting the trigger
There are many online sellers who offer pre-orders on Instagram, as well as those direct-from-manufacturer sellers which ship from China or Taiwan. Make sure to always confirm were your items will come from, because the location may add anywhere from 2-8 weeks to shipping time. It’s fine when you don’t need the products ASAP. But when you do, you’ll need to pay for the convenience of on-hand items.
Be careful to choose original products
It is no secret that high-end cosmetics, skincare, and perfume brands are often victims of the ills of counterfeit, with knockoff available in local markets and online. Besides cheating you, these fake products can cause severe damage to your skin. So, before buying a product, try looking up online to find out what you’re looking for specifically in the product you’re eyeing to buy. There are also many blogs and vlogs online to help you that compare real products to its counterparts.
Photos from Pexels
