[dropcap]Everyone[/dropcap] knows how expensive designer beauty products can be, but the overwhelming desire to get the latest must-have product is all too real. The temptation to search for a cheaper alternative can be hard to resist.
There is no crime in wanting a beauty bargain, but if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is and you may end up with a fake.
Unlike other knock-off designer products, counterfeit makeup poses a huge risk to your health. Although these fake products may look good on the outside, it’s the ingredients inside that are frightening.
It has been reported that aluminum, mercury, arsenic, lead and even human urine and rat droppings have all be found in counterfeit makeup. The use of these fake products has led to acne, burns, rashes, eye infections and severe allergic reactions in some people, while long-term exposure to substances such as lead and arsenic can cause serious damage to your organs and central nervous system.
Senior Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies, Gregg Marrazzo spoke out about the conditions where these fake goods are made. “If you took the most disgusting frat house bathroom, it looks like a surgical suite compared to these conditions. It’s filthy, there’s bacteria everywhere…it’s disgusting” he said.
With all this in mind, you would wonder what the name on a tube is really worth. But the ‘beauty black market’ is a huge issue in the industry. Although it’s not exactly a new problem, the use of counterfeit makeup is increasing.
Last year, The Health Products Regulatory Authority issued a warning after thousands of counterfeit high-end products were stopped from entering Ireland by the Revenue’s Customs service. However, a lot of these products still made their way into the Irish market through various websites.
The availability of counterfeit goods online is extensive. If you type ‘Mac Makeup’ into eBay you’ll find hundreds of results offering products like their Mineralize Moisture foundations from as little as €1.11. The normal retail price for this foundation starts at around €39. The same goes for a multitude of designer brands, such as Urban Decay and Kylie Cosmetics.
Sure, you can buy knock-off name brands for a fraction of the cost, but when you have no idea what ingredients they contain, your health may end up paying the ultimate price.
Amy Murphy
Image credit: Wikihow