BellaSugar

Black Market Makeup: How To Spot Fake Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:00:20 PDT

You might think that counterfeits exist only in the realm of "Mark Jacobs" and "Guchi" purses, but there are fake and black-market beauty goods, too. I love a bargain, so I wind up buying a lot of housewares and accessories on eBay. But when it comes to shopping for cosmetics, you've got to be careful. I've found quite a few counterfeit eye shadows, lipsticks, glosses and fragrances-all offered at prices that are too good to be true. While there are honest sellers out there, a few folks are out to make a quick buck.

Why is buying counterfeit merchandise a bad idea? There are a few reasons, but first and foremost is your health. If you don't know where a product really comes from, or what ingredients are inside, why would you let it touch your skin? Counterfeits also funnel money into shady operations, and-oh yeah-they're illegal. And on a less sinister level, the colors just aren't accurate!

To find out how to avoid buying fakes,

Common sense will take you a long way. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! For instance, the 12 "MAC" eye shadows shown here were being auctioned on eBay for $24.99. Hmm, that's a pretty low price, considering a single shadow is $14.50 in the stores. Now, I can't tell whether those eye shadows are genuine or fake, but the price seems a little odd.

For that particular auction, I also looked at the seller's feedback, which had complaints by bidders who claimed the MAC shadows were fakes. The seller also had dozens of similar auctions; why would one person have literally hundreds of "new-in-box" eye shadows? Is there a possibility that this particular seller is legitimate and just being accused of selling fakes? Of course. But it's not a chance I want to take.

For most people, common sense will help you spot obvious fakes, but the counterfeiters are getting better and better at making their junk look like the real thing. This detailed guide has great examples of counterfeits lined up to the real thing, and I recommend it as an excellent reference.

What do you think? Would you buy counterfeit makeup to save a few bucks, or would you rather save up for the real thing?

Bobbi Brown's Must-Know Tips on How to Fake a Tan With Makeup

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:00:00 PDT

Want a tan without the risk of damaging your skin in the sun's harsh rays? While self-tanners definitely have their place in the, er, sun, you can always simply fake a warm, golden glow with makeup. Bobbi Brown, celebrity makeup artist and CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, has a few tips to share on how to do it right. To see what she has to say, just keep reading.

5 Steps For Making False Eyelashes Look More Natural

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:00:00 PDT

For special evening events or a night on the town, false eyelash strips (in lieu of individual lashes) provide glitz and eye-popping power to make the time and effort worth it. Armed with a few cool tricks up your sleeve, you can easily blend them in with your natural lashes so they don't look overly obvious. Celebrity makeup artist and Vanitymark Cosmetics founder, Brett Freedman, offers a few ways to make the whole false eyelash strip application go more smoothly.

Cut the strip lashes so they are as long as the length between the center of your eye to the outer corner. "Remember it's all about blending your inner lash line lashes with the faux," Freedman explains. Avoid starting too close to your inner eye, because it's "a dead giveaway and difficult to glue down in that naturally sparser area."
Spread a thin line of glue along the thread, and blow on it a little to allow the glue to become a little dry and tacky.
Use your fingers to apply the fake lash to the outer corner of your lash line (and not your lid). Then, use tweezers to press the strip down securely along the lash line. If you are hesitant, Freedman promises it gets better with practice. "It's like riding a bike," he explains, adding, "Once you do it a few times it's way easier."
Hold down both edges of the false lash for a few minutes until the glue dries to lock them in place.
To finish, do a quick pump with an eyelash curler and top off with a few coats of mascara to blend the natural and faux lashes together.

These MAC Eye Shadows Are Fake, Fake, Fake

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:12:27 PDT

The Internet is rife with horror stories about fraudulent cosmetics, and we've told you how to spot counterfeits when you see them. But just in case you still weren't convinced about how widespread this is, here's proof of just how easy it is to buy and sell fakes online. To see how faux cosmetics like this become available, just keep reading.

How to Get the Perfect Faux Flutter Every Time

Guest Writer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:50:42 PST

Celebrity makeup artist and Vanitymark Cosmetics founder Brett Freedman has been guest blogging on BellaSugar for the past two months, but alas, all good things must come to an end. Thank you for your amazing advice and top tips, Brett, and we look forward to seeing your work on red carpets everywhere! With that said, we're proud to present Brett's last column, for which we know you'll be all a-flutter.

Long, lush lashes. Who doesn't want them? With the trend toward brighter lips and sparser eye, a vivid lash line is even more important. So many gals ask me about amping up their flutter with faux lashes. It's actually pretty easy. Here's my technique to give your peepers a little extra pop. See how Brett gets it right every time when you read more.

Can You Spot the Real Cosmetic Surgery Stories From the Fakes?

Jaime Richards — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:15:26 PST

Every day there seems to be a story in the news about a cosmetic surgery gone awry or some kind of illegal activity associated with said activity. In fact, some are so outlandish they seem to be made up. But can you spot the real going-under-the-knife stories from the fakes? It's time to find out.

Take the Quiz

Meet Our New Guest Writer, Brett Freedman!

Guest Writer — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:03:51 PST

Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman has worked with stars such as Camilla Belle, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emily Blunt, and Selena Gomez, and now he's here to share his best beauty advice with us. So get ready for some insider tips, makeup how-tos, and Brett's infectious personality. We're thrilled to present to you his introductory post! Take it away, Brett.

How fun it will be to write for BellaSugar for the next eight weeks! To ensure you're just as excited as I am, I'm going to give you a rundown on who I am and what I'm about. I'm a LA-based makeup artist, creator of Vanitymark Cosmetics (a boutiquey line of brow products), and all-around awesome guy - at least that's what my assistant says. And if you like my tips and product suggestions, maybe you'll think so, too. Learn more about the man behind the makeup when you read more.

Nails to Write Home About (or With)

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:20:00 PDT

Illamasqua is known for its fabulously over-the-top cosmetics, and its latest foray into fake nails is even more extravagant. The duo-toned nail quills ($55), designed by nail artist Mike Pocock, are exclusive to the brand's website, its flagship store in London, and at Asos.com (and only then in limited quantities).

With the talon nails Lady Gaga popularized last year still influencing high fashion, quill-tipped nails are a cool, but not out of the blue, next step. If you could (literally) get your hands on these, would you wear them?

Bobbi Brown's Tips For Summerizing Your Makeup Routine

Jaime Richards — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:00:00 PDT

When it comes to warm weathered makeup, you don't need to go out and buy a whole haul of trendy new shades. Instead, follow celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown's advice. "Summer is all about natural looking makeup and healthy, glowing skin," she says. So rather than load up on the excess, try keeping the focus on formulation. To see Bobbi's tips on getting your cosmetics routine switched up for the upcoming season, just keep reading.

DVF on One-Night Stands, Kate Middleton, and Plastic Surgery

Tara Block — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:00:18 PDT

In her interview with the Telegraph, 64-year-old Diane von Furstenberg explains the motivation for her iconic wrap dress design, shares her recommendation for Kate Middleton's wedding gown designer, and opens up about her thoughts on plastic surgery.

On her quote from the '80s about designing the wrap dress without zippers for quietly leaving a sleeping man: "Haven't you ever tried to creep out of the room unnoticed the following morning? I've done that many times."

On Kate Middleton: "I think she should go for Alexander McQueen. But you know what? She reminds me more and more of Diana. Everything about her. I think she's there to avenge Diana's memory - that's clearly what William wants. Giving Kate his mother's ring was a great gesture, and I think that theirs will be a happy version of his parents' marriage. But he absolutely chose a woman who was like his mother - that was deliberate."

On utilizing her sexuality in the workplace: "I had good legs and I loved showing them off. Yes, I used the aspects of being a woman to my advantage, but I worked for myself, not a big corporation, so I was lucky to have the freedom to behave however I liked."

On plastic surgery: "Sometimes I think that we've regressed . . . All these women with fake breasts and cosmetic surgery - all that just objectifies us again . . . But I think the pendulum will swing back the other way. The whole point about beauty is its imperfection."