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Best online makeup stores

Meld Magazine

Wed Dec 08 2010

Makeup

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

All Cosmetics Wholesale was one of the first sites I came across when I started sourcing for makeup and beauty products online.

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 Beauty Club

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 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

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.

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.

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