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When not to buy makeup products from eBay

Getting what you want for less has become a national preoccupation since the cost of living crisis hit. Shaving a few pounds off an essential purchase or treating yourself to an impulse buy can be easy with eBay. The platform's makeup products span every-day items like mascara to rare or limited edition palettes. You can even find sought-after makeup that isn’t ordinarily available in the UK or has sold out on the high street.


It’s perfect for snapping up brand new items that a private seller may have received in a mystery box or as a gift but already owns. Looking for new business sellers with hard-to-find branded beauty products you love? eBay is good for that too.


Makeup items, including brush holders, purchased online

Palettes to look out for include ones from these brands:


  • PLouise

  • Oden’s Eye

  • Whats Up Beauty

  • Tarte

  • Rare Beauty

  • Urban Decay


Sounds great, doesn’t it? While eBay is a brilliant destination for many cosmetic deals, you need to apply some common sense before parting with any cash.


For a platform that has been around a long time, it has some enduring issues. The biggest potential problem is poor delivery times, compared to the likes of Amazon and specialist beauty brands such as Sephora and Beauty Bay. Another includes having to trust unknown individual sellers and their product descriptions. 


When it comes to beauty products, can you afford to take a risk?


Yes and no. eBay, while a treasure trove for bargain hunters, should be used with safety in mind when it comes to cosmetics - even with the platform’s robust refund policy.


This guide will help you make informed buying choices that will keep you safe. 


eBay makeup delivery times


I’m going to tackle this issue first, because it matters - especially if you are used to next day delivery options on other websites.


The fastest delivery times, in my experience, are usually offered by sellers with 2 to 3 day postage on ‘Buy Now’ items. The best are part of eBay’s Premium Service. I’ve occasionally received an item the next day.


The time your item is posted may be much later than the time you receive a ‘Your item is being posted’ email. These emails are usually triggered when a tracking number is generated - not when the item is handed to a courier service, even though eBay does nudge sellers to dispatch very quickly. I’ve had items take a day or two, or even longer, to reach Royal Mail after receiving the notification. While eBay is currently upgrading its Royal Mail tracking software, I allow at least 3 days for Premium Service delivery. Bear this in mind if you need something in a hurry. 


Part-time or occasional sellers may only check their sales at certain times, i.e. early in the morning or evenings. They may not be able to get your package posted until the day after you have placed your order. I know a small business that only posts out orders on certain days of the week. For those who post daily, there may be a cut off point for new orders - for example noon.


By keeping your expectations in check, you can manage delivery times to suit you. Always check your details are correct before you place an order - it’s not a seller’s fault if you don’t receive something because you haven’t updated your address. They aren’t psychic. Don’t forget to check what’s in your basket before paying - you don’t want to end up shelling out for things you’ve previously saved but no longer want. 


Work full-time or out of the home a lot? Ensure your postman and Evri know where your safe place is. Don’t leave a delivery to chance. If you haven't got a safe place, use click and collect.


Shopping trolley filled with boxes on a keyboard, depicting an online cart

Choosing the right eBay sellers


Attracted to an item and want to add it to your basket? Wait a minute! Click on the seller’s profile first.


How many items, especially makeup items, have they sold on eBay and what’s their feedback like? Don’t just look at negative reviews. What is the positive feedback saying? Scroll through a few pages. Look out for repeated comments that mention things like refunds or late delivery. Keep an open mind until you have completed your research, and remember that all feedback is subjective. Now balance things up.


Making the right seller choice is important because, if something goes wrong, they will be your first port of call for a resolution. Longstanding sellers can generally be trusted to provide a great service. That’s not to say a new seller shouldn’t be given a chance.


Before you buy, double-check the seller is based in the UK and whether or not there is postage to be paid. If you spot ‘free economy delivery’ allow up to 5 days for your purchase to arrive. I recently ordered a rare book with economy delivery and it took nearly two weeks. However, it was delivered in pristine condition and was exactly what I’d been looking for. 


What makeup is good to buy on eBay?


As a rule, the following items are safe to purchase:


  • New, unopened products manufactured by trusted brands and sold by trusted sellers.

  • Rare palettes that are boxed but may have been opened but not used. Original packaging is essential, especially if you are a collector. 

  • New, unopened makeup sold in slightly damaged packaging. It’s fine if a box has been dented but the makeup inside is intact, especially for run-of-the-mill items. The packaging is going straight into your recycling bin anyway.


makeup expiry dates graphic

What makeup to avoid buying

I recommend you follow these points:


  • The only time an ‘opened and swatched’ palette should be purchased is for further swatching. Ideal if you have a YouTube or TikTok channel and can’t afford to keep up with new launches. Pans that have had dirty fingers or brushes swirled around in them for original swatches are a hygiene risk if pigments are later applied to the face. Always wash your hands or brushes after swatching a previously used product. 

  • Never buy used makeup for use on the face or body. 

  • Avoid unbranded makeup, both powdered and liquid. Also be careful not to buy products with ingredient lists in a foreign language. This is especially important if you suffer from a skin condition, allergies or only want to buy vegan cosmetics. Be aware that cosmetic regulations differ from country to country and some imported products sold by individuals or kitchen table enterprises may not meet European safety guidelines.

  • Check images and seller descriptions for signs of counterfeit products. If you aren’t sure, don’t risk it. eBay does authenticate many high value and luxury products, such as designer handbags and trainers, but whether or not that extends to makeup, especially cheap makeup, I have low confidence. However, I am certain the platform takes action if an issue is found. It is a problem faced by all online marketplaces, not just ones that offer a mixture of new and used products.

  • Give auctions a miss. A simple palette could end up costing you almost as much as a brand new one - or more, if it’s currently on sale elsewhere.


Always do your research before you place an order. A few years ago, I was desperate to get my hands on a limited edition makeup chest by US brand Tarte. It wasn’t available in the UK, except via private sellers on eBay. I found it there for around £80. It was a good job that I checked Tarte’s US-based website before hitting the ‘Buy Now’ button! It had the chest in a sale for £19.99 and postage was well under £10. It arrived all the way from New York in beautiful packaging exactly two weeks later - not bad considering we were in the throes of a pandemic at the time.  


Recently, I made an offer on a PLouise eyeshadow palette that retails at £47. My bid was for around £20 and it was swiftly rejected. The very next week, I received the same palette, along with four other makeup items, in a PLouise mystery box that set me back just £30. 


eBay’s current TrustPilot rating is poor. Despite this, I still use the platform. In the past, I’ve sold makeup on it - so I know the challenges small businesses face. The vast majority work hard to deliver the best products at the best price. If you keep your wits about you, you can pick up some great bargains. 


If you follow my points, you will avoid many of the issues people complain about - including non-delivery that is very often their own fault. 


With a bit of common sense, double checking and research, you can look good for less with eBay.


sustainable beauty guide graphic

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