How to identify the authenticity of online cosmetics and how to choose regular channels

Cosmetics are used by many women to make themselves more beautiful, so of course they are used. But how can you tell whether the cosmetics you buy online are authentic? How to choose a formal channel when purchasing cosmetics online?

How to identify the authenticity of online cosmetics

1. It is a myth that first-tier brands have no shortage of samples for a long time

Miss Zhang loves cosmetics. She used to be an expert in trying out "samples" on the cosmetics channels of many websites. When she summed up her trial experience, she said: "There is nothing that you cannot try, only things that you cannot use up." While applying cosmetics from almost all big brands on her face, she felt that her skin could not bear it, and sometimes she could easily buy samples online that were not available at the counter. Gradually, she found that the price she paid was greater than the "bargain" she got.

Rule: How to verify the authenticity of cosmetics? When purchasing cosmetics online, it is very important to choose reputable merchants to conduct transactions. In this regard, an industry insider who has purchased skin care products on Taobao for many years analyzed that many websites may not sell genuine products from the counter, but small or medium samples of cosmetics. These products are likely to flow to e-commerce companies through counter sales staff or channel middlemen. However, if the online store has many small and medium-sized samples of first-line brand skin care products and cosmetics, and they are never out of stock, you should be cautious. "In terms of channels, no matter how strong an online store is, it is difficult to get small and medium-sized samples of various brands all year round without running out of stock. Consumers should ask the seller in detail before buying and ask him to provide evidence to see if there is any doubt."

2. The price difference of online shopping is too large and the chance of genuine products is lower

In addition to online shopping, it is also common to go to so-called physical stores to look at samples of cosmetics. Go to these places to discern details and inquire about prices. These small shops are easy to find in shopping districts like Jiayi and Sanlitun. If the prices here are much more expensive than your online shopping prices, then you need to carefully identify the items in your "shopping cart".

Rule: In addition to counter samples, overseas purchasing is a common way of purchasing goods. It is understood that the phenomenon of counterfeiting cosmetics purchased online has become very rampant. Industry insiders remind buyers: "If you find that there is a big price difference when shopping online, don't think you are getting a bargain. The chance of buying the genuine product is very small. For overseas purchasing agents, 60% to 80% off the domestic selling price is a more reasonable price. If the discount is lower than this, it is hard to believe that the product is purchased from an overseas agent." For ordinary consumers, comparison by price is also a reasonable way to judge.

3. If you are unsure about the buyer's evaluation, you need to think twice

Ms. Liu bought skin care products online for her son, but her son was embarrassed to buy them so he asked his mother to help him. Ms. Liu bought a product based on her son's request, and because she saw one or two hundred reviews, she thought the product was trustworthy. In the end, I still met the "fake". Anyone who has experience in online shopping understands the principles of comparing sales, identifying details, and reading reviews. But even if there are hundreds of positive reviews, you still have to read them one by one in full, because some negative reviews and even the hesitant attitude of "senior buyers" are hidden in them.

Rule: Senior Taobao buyers pointed out that when shopping for skin care products online, you can "follow the trend" and patronize stores that have received many positive reviews from diamond-level buyers. If most of the comments are ambiguous, such as "should be authentic", and most of the buyers are novices, you may think again, because many fakes now look and feel almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

How to choose a formal channel for online cosmetics shopping

Priority is given to brand flagship stores, brand authorized stores, and formal distribution channels, such as some department stores and some large supermarket chains.