Favorite International Online Cosmetic Shops

I have Odesk to thank for having been able to shop online from international sites. Odesk was my source of income when I resigned from my hospital work way back in early 2009. I earned triple of what I used to get paid for in my previous work as a nurse. It is basically an online platform for freelancers and outsourcing employers.

click to go directly to Odesk

I used to be a web content copywriter for different clients from all over the world (US, Australia, UK, Middle East). To be able to withdraw your earnings from Odesk, you need to have a Paypal account. To cut the long story short, I got my Paypal account (via Unionbank Eon Service) and the start of my international online shopping was history as they say.

Paypal is the preferred payment method of online shopping sites including Ebay (US). Throughout the whole history of my online shopping, I used Paypal to pay for items from Ebay sellers from US, UK, Hong Kong, and Korea. But aside from Ebay, there are two particular sites that I purchase from. These are Strawberrynet.com and Cosme-de.com.

Screenshot of Cosme-de.com

What I like about Cosme-de.com:
(1) Offers FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING.
(2) Paypal is not required for payment (Credit Cards are accepted).
(3) Offers a $5 rebate for new customers (one time use).
(4) Has a loyalty discount program (which is not so customer-friendly since you have to buy so much just to get a discount on your next purchase).
(5) Super fast shipping (6-7 days). They ship from Hong Kong.
(6) Reliable customer service.
(7) Purchased items comes in well-packed boxes complete with bubble wraps and other shock-proof stuff (LOL).

screenshot of Strawberrynet.com

What I like about Strawberrynet.com:
(1) Offers FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING (However, they require an additional 10% charge from the total purchase when buying fragrances).
(2) Paypal is not required for payment (Credit Cards are accepted).
(3) Gives out an automatic 5% discount on your total purchase each time you buy 3 or more items in one transaction.
(4) Customer Loyalty Discount scheme is very reasonable (click here for details).
(5) Offers free stuffs for new customers (and/or other promos with freebies). In my case, I got a free Stila eyeshadow for my first purchase.
(6) Shipping is fast (shortest delivery time was 6 days, longest was 2 weeks). Just like Cosme-de, they ship from Hong Kong.

(7) Well packed items (wrapped as a present in shiny gift wrap) with small kidney bean-shaped styro.
(8) Always has special offers on sub-categories (i.e. Fragrance Super Specials 30-60% off, Bonus Pack Specials up to 75% off)

By the way, both sites not only offer cosmetics but skincare, haircare, and fragrances as well. If you would ask me, Strawberrynet has cheaper prices. However, there are some stuffs that are cheaper and are only available on Cosme-de. Overall, I really like these 2 sites and what they offer. All of my high-end cosmetics are purchased from these sites (mainly because they are cheaper and are not available in the Philippines or anywhere near my place).

My Suesh Mini Buki Brush is Here!!!

As I was about to track my package online, the delivery guy from LBC knocked on our gate. That instant, my heart jumped for joy! My Suesh Mini Buki brush has finally arrived.

I purchased this brush from SUESH last Monday. It was shipped out the next day. But since the seller used Xend, delivery for provincial addresses (in my case, Pampanga) would take about 1-2 days. Xend passes their provincial deliveries on to LBC (which I totally despise!)

my Suesh package

I needed a mini buki brush to bring with me wherever I go (and basically because all I have are full size brushes which aren't very practical to tote around for touch-ups). I was so glad when I stumbled upon Suesh's website. I bought this brush for a total of PHP 330 --- PHP 250 for the brush and PHP 80 for shipping to my place... Not a bad deal at all! This is cheaper than Ellana's which is sold for PHP 300 (exclusive of shipping).

It comes with a silver (almost gunmetal) faux leather case. The case has velcro strips for opening and closing. Half of the brush head is black and the other half white. According to Suesh, it is made from all natural premium goat hair.

brush case

brush head (top view)

It has a hinge on one side enabling it to open up like a book. Again, according to Suesh, the brush may be used for blush application when opened and powder application when joined together. Although I find it hard to imagine using it opened. Haha!

hinge on one side, brush size against my hand

brush when opened

I haven't washed it yet (before full blast use) so I can't say if it sheds or bleeds. However, I tried swiping it against my skin and I must say it is very comparable to my Bare Escentuals Angled Blush Brush. Bristles are soft although not very dense for powder foundation application. I really think this brush is perfect for powder and/or blush application or just for buffing out the entire face after base makeup application to unify your look.

What I Consider When Buying Cosmetics Online

There are a lot of online cosmetics sellers both in Multiply and Ebay.ph. However, I usually purchase makeup from Ebay sellers due to lower prices and high seller feedback. Payment is usually via G-Cash or bank deposits. Shipping is through local courier companies like Air21, JRS, LBC, and Xend (for MM residents).

Online cosmetic shopping has a lot of advantages:
(1) You get cosmetics at a lower price (like 25-70% off as compared to our local market price).
(2) It is very convenient to just browse through the internet (anytime you want of course, and at the comfort of your own home), choose whatever you want, and pay.

However, there are some cons that comes with it as well:
(1) You really cannot check the actual shade of the product or swatch/test it before actually purchasing it. --- But if you really fancy something, I suggest go to your local department store and check first if they carry the same item and swatch it. That way you can be sure about what you're getting. MAJOR CON: You spend a bit more on transportation and/or gasoline. LOL!
(2) Other sellers charge a cash out fee if paying through G-Cash (which sucks by the way).
(3) In addition to that, some seller charge ridiculous and not so reasonable shipping fees for provincial addresses.
(4) Other banks charge a service fee for inter-branch deposits (i.e. BDO).
(5) When it comes to payment, if you do not have an online banking account or available balance in your G-Cash wallet, you still have to go out of the house and go to the bank/Globe center/pawnshop to pay. Ergo, as mentioned earlier, you will still spend some money on transportation or gasoline.

So what exactly do I consider when I buy cosmetics online?
(1) I check to see if the makeup has any manufacture or expiry date (or PAO --- period after opening symbol) printed on its packaging. I do this by directly asking the seller to check for it.

PAO symbol is the tub with 12 M (12 months).

(2) If in any case there are no MFG/EXP date printed (which is most likely the case with drugstore makeup brands from the US like Maybelline), I check the respective brand websites to see if the product has been discontinued.
If the product has been discontinued, there is a big possibility that it is a very, very, very old stock. Even if it's sealed and everything, you wouldn't want to put anything on your face that has been sitting for like a century right? Haha!

MFG and EXP date on my Ever Bilena Blush

In some cases, only the MFG date is printed.
This is my Avon Foundation with a MFG date 19/01/10.

(3) As much as possible, I prefer makeups that come in sealed or carded packaging. Well not all makeups are like this but sometimes, even if the seller claims they were never tested, you still can never tell. So I just opt for sealed products to be 100% sure.

Sealed packaging

Carded packaging

That's pretty much it. I hope you lovelies do take time to think twice before purchasing something online. Do not be in a hurry whenever you see something that tickles your fancy. Do a little bit of research to make sure you get the freshest and safest cosmetics at the best deal. If you would like to know some trusted online sellers that I have purchased from, don't hesitate to message or email me. ^_^