When Lancome stopped making my favorite Photogenic Bronze concealer a few years ago, I was heartbroken. I had tried other concealers, but either they were too orange, or too dark, or made me look chalky. Lancome’s Photogenic was the only concealer that matched my color and didn’t look like I was wearing make-up. This discontinuance issue happened other times with other lines as well. When I began getting used to a product, the manufacturer would eventually discontinue it. What’s a girl to do?
A little birdie told me to check eBay to check on there for the Lancome Photogenic concealer and wouldn’t you know, there were dozens on sale, new, unopened, and in the box still sealed. Another treat? Lancome sold in department stores for $29.00. On eBay, this same product new in the box was about $10.00 plus shipping!
Indeed, it was a good deal.
It’s been two plus years, and I continue to purchase the Lancome concealer on eBay. I have bought probably 7 or 8 concealers, and each were new, in the box, and way less than what they were in the store. Win/win!
After seeing such good buys, I began searching for other products and cosmetic brands that I liked. And low and behold, just about any and everything that was in my make-up collection or that I had thought of buying was on eBay. Most of which were lower than department store price.
I have now made eBay my number three cosmetic buy spot, behind Sephora, ULTA, and I the buys that I have found on the top auction website have been phenomenal. I have found Urban Decay, Cargo, Sephora, Stila, and other top cosmetic brands at way lower prices than in the department stores.
It doesn’t make me feel so bad spending money on a cosmetic that I am not sure I am going to like. Finding beauty items on eBay makes trying new things worry and guilt-free. And the best thing about it is most of the time, shipping is free!
When buying from eBay, make sure that the buyer has a high rating (I would recommend 98% or higher), and read the reviews from other buyers on the past products they have sold. Make sure that the item says NIB or new in box, as you don’t want to purchase an item that has been opened or used. Also, only buy from sellers that have actual photos of the item with accurate product descriptions. I tend to buy from sellers that I have bought from before. Most sellers who sell cosmetics have eBay stores and offer more than one item.
eBay is a great alternative to purchasing cosmetics in the department store. You can find discontinued items and buy make-up at lower prices that you can in other places. How good of a deal is that?
What are your experiences with eBay? Have you ever purchased cosmetics from eBay?
Ebay is great! You just have to be careful about buying creams, mascaras, and eyeshadows.. I bought a clinique eye cream i loved. and when recieved it was half way gone and not even the same cream!!! But none of this was listed in the description!
That is not good business and I hope you left negative feedback for the seller. These types of sellers on eBay make for a poor experience. 🙁
Amen! I get a lot of Bare Essentials makeup from Ebay… just be wary of the shipping fees. Sometimes it ends up costing you more!
Yes, the shipping fees can end up being more than the cost of the product. But most of the time, I have found free shipping or little to no extra cost. It helps when you've been dealing with the same seller for multiple purchases. 🙂
I've never bought cosmetics from eBay before, but I think I might start!
Interesting, I’ve been also just recently started buying makeup from Ebay, good thing yours wasn’t fake. I spotted some fake MAC stuff, so buyers beware! But I didn’t receive the makeup yet, so I have yet to review it.