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. ^_^