1. CHECK THE STORE IS AUTHORISED
“Unfortunately there are many counterfeit or old/expired products available online. Check with the brand itself. If it isn’t listed as an official stockist, the product may not be genuine, may not be current stock, or may even be expired. A good tip is to also check that the site you’re thinking of buying from displays the brand’s logo – this usually means they have permission to use the brand’s copyright.”
2. SIGN UP & FOLLOW
“Sign up to the business’ newsletter or social media feeds, not only to receive exclusive deals, but also learn about new product launches or get beauty advice and tips. The more educated you are, the more you’ll get out of your products and the online shopping experience. And don’t be afraid to call or use live chat to ask for advice, a good retailer will have trained staff there ready to help, so you don’t have to feel like you’re without help.”
3. KNOW YOUR SHADE
“Foundation in particular is hard to shop for online, which is why I decided to create www.findation.com. A world first, it will accurately match you to your shade in a variety of brands, based on previous products you’ve used. Just type in the brand and shade you normally use and it will match it to other brands. For any other make-up queries, Adore customer service staff are always happy to provide advice!”
4. KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE & BUY TRAVEL SIZES
“Find out all that you can about your own skin. Is it dry? Then something creamy and moisturising is best for you. Oily or combination complexion? Try a gel or mattifying formula. I also recommend buying a skin routine in a travel set first, that way you can try the whole range in mini sizes before committing.
5. FIND YOUR FRAGRANCE GROUP
“If you want to buy a new scent online, narrow your choices down to scent groups that you like – be it fruity, woody, or floral. Within each of these categories, there are perfumes that have stood the test of time so if you’re feeling a little wary of purchasing without having experienced it yourself, you can’t go wrong with these stalwarts.”
6. LOOK FOR THE BEST PRICE THEN ASK TO PRICE MATCH
“Shop around (but always make sure that you’re buying genuine stock as there are plenty of bargains on fakes!). If you do find a good price on something authentic, don’t be afraid to ask a retailer to better it. Adore Beauty has a price match policy, for example. Many businesses also offer exclusive deals if you sign up to their newsletter or social media feeds. Additionally, it’s worth finding out if they offer free delivery, samples or gifts, as that can make the deal all the sweeter!”
7. CHECK THE SITE ACTUALLY EXISTS
“I also always make sure that the site displays a phone number and a street address. You can also check sites like Reseller Ratings to see what the reviews are like for a particular e-tailer. Another good sign is whether the site displays the Google Trusted Store badge, sites with this badge have to prove that they consistently offer a good experience.”
8. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
“All Australian beauty e-tailers must abide by Australian consumer laws, so that means they have to offer a refund for faulty products or misleading advertising (and is another good reason to shop locally). With regard to change-of-mind, most businesses will be happy to offer an exchange, but obviously for hygiene reasons the product must be completely unused and intact.”
